Posted on January 12, 2018 in Car Accidents

Teen drivers are excited to say the least. They're getting more freedom with their ability to drive, and that means they're likely to want to get out and go as soon as they can.

With new freedoms does come some trouble, though. Teens have less experience driving, and that opens them up to mistakes that could lead to serious accidents. That doesn't have to happen, though, if they understand what they can do to stay safe.

1. Avoid talking on or using a cellphone

Yes, smartphones are part of everyday life, but they shouldn't be used while people are behind the wheel. Looking down at the phone for only a few seconds is enough time to end up in a collision. While you're looking away, traffic could stop ahead of you, you could approach a traffic light that turned red or you could fail to see a hazard ahead.

2. Avoid too many passengers

Teens who ride with peer passengers are more likely to get into an accident because of distractions. To avoid this, limit the number of peer passengers at any one time. A single passenger might be appropriate, whereas a car full of teens could result in a crash.

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 Posted on January 05, 2018 in Motorcycle Accidents

There is nothing quite like taking an exhilarating motorcycle ride in and around Manassas. Yet as a motorcyclist, you know full well that taking such a trip often means putting your safety in the hands of the motorists on the roads around you. Sadly, for some of those that we here at Locklin & Coleman, PLLC have worked with, such rides have ended in tragedy due to motorists not taking the obligation to share the road seriously. Many of those involved in accidents with motorcyclists claim that it was the motorcyclists' unanticipated actions that caused such collisions, such as darting into their lanes without warning.

How can you counter such a claim? Yes, your bike most likely has signaling lights, yet is there more you should do to clearly indicate your intentions to others on the road? Virginia law encourages the use of hand signals to make your ride safer. Section 46.2-849 of the Code of Virginia describes the state's approved roadway hand signals to be:

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 Posted on December 22, 2017 in Car Accidents

Drunk drivers are not the only road hazard during the holidays. As families in Virginia and throughout the U.S. make their annual treks "home for the holidays," driver fatigue is another reason you should exercise caution on America's highways.

The federal government cites a report on commercial truck drivers, who regularly put in long hours behind the wheel, which finds fatigue is a factor in about 13 percent of the accidents in this group. Tips for drivers like you on extended trips to help reduce fatigue follow here.

Try not to drive during the hours your body is naturally tired, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and from midnight to 6 a.m. You will be fighting your body's internal clock, which fights back even harder when you are on the road for an extended period.

Do not skip meals; maintain your regular eating habits and times as an irregular eating schedule can add to fatigue. Be sure to go to bed on a long-empty stomach, but do not go overboard before turning in either. Both hunger and overeating can lead to sleep problems. Try a light snack before bed.

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 Posted on December 06, 2017 in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Taxis, trains, Uber rides, school buses… what do all of these have in common? Aside from being modes of transportation, these services require customers to demonstrate a great deal of trust. Whether or not Virginians take this fact into account, thousands use these forms of conveyance each day. For the most part, taxis and buses are a reliable way to get to work and school; however, the comfort of the ride depends on the safety of the system.

USA Today spent time considering this reliability with public transportation — particularly that of school buses. In response to the tragic 2015 school bus accident in Houston that killed two children, Today speculates on the number of fatal accidents that occur across the board. Drawing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the article uncovers the statistics that 1,214 school transportation accidents occurred between the years 2004 to 2013. These wrecks included regular trips to and from school, sports events and field trips. However, buses killed more people on the street than inside the vehicles between those years: only 54 of the 327 children killed in school transportation crashes were actually riding the bus.

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 Posted on November 30, 2017 in Car Accidents

In the immediate aftermath of an automobile accident, some people do not fully understand the gravity of the situation. Many may not realize that the way they conduct themselves and the information they gather at the scene can greatly affect the future outcome of any legal actions the accident produces.

This is a normal state for a person who experiences such an accident, especially if that person suffers some form of personal injury. A person who suffers an injury should focus on addressing the needs of the injury first to ensure that the injury does not worsen from lack of care.

However, this lack of focus on the other issues at hand may cause problems later on. In many instances, it is wise to call an attorney to come to the scene of the accident, to advise a person of his or her rights, and to gather evidence to build a strong personal injury or property damage claim.

After you experience a car accident, don't underestimate the value of having an attorney at the scene to represent your interests and gather evidence.

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 Posted on November 24, 2017 in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

In the midst of a technological revolution on the road, millions of drivers have become reliant on transportation systems such as Uber for a safe ride to a destination. Uber has found its way into the common psyche, indeed; the name has largely become synonymous with the word "taxi." Yet as Uber's clientele skyrockets, does it maintain its image of the safer travel option? In Virginia, passengers who suspect the process has gone awry after an Uber wreck may decide to take legal action. First, there are some aspects of the company worth considering.

Last summer, Entrepreneur lauded Uber for its hand in reducing the number of fatal accident rates since the company's launch in 2010. Using research carried out by Providence and Stonehill colleges, Entrepreneur showed that Uber is responsible for a 16.6 percent drop in vehicular fatalities each year. Likewise, the number of DUI cases seems to also be on the decline. The article concludes with a demand for more data on the topic, but also mentions the transportation company may play a role in reducing the number of curbside assaults in some cities, as well.

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 Posted on November 10, 2017 in Pedestrian Accidents

Similar to many accidents involving vehicles, the cause of pedestrian accidents can often be difficult to determine. City dwellers are especially more aware of this problem, as the risk of travelling by sidewalks near roads increases in heavily congested areas. And like most states, Virginia sees pedestrian-related wrecks happen daily. Those who believe their situation has been handled unjustly may decide to take further legal action.

Just last month, Channel 3 News highlighted the auto-pedestrian crash involving a mother, her three children and a senior citizen. The driver, aged 84, evidently lost control when attempting to make a turn onto a street near the family. The mother had been biking while pulling a netted stroller behind her when the man ran into them, nearly demolishing both the bike and accompanying child wagon. All three survived the crash; however, the report shared that one of the children had suffered life-threatening injuries. The mother also suffered serious damage.

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 Posted on October 20, 2017 in Car Accidents

When you are driving, one of the biggest frustrations can be dealing with drivers who are not paying attention to the road. One driver might be texting; another, talking on the phone; still another, using their dashboard touch-screen or navigating a destination. Distracted driving is a major problem that motorists face. In fact, on any given day, nearly 660,000 drivers will use their cell phones while driving.

To keep yourself safe, be proactive and learn about distracted driving.

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving is the act of driving a vehicle while your attention is diverted by another task. Driving a vehicle safely without your full attention is nearly impossible. Even removing your eyes from the road at 55 miles per hour is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

What causes distracted driving?

Any activity that claims your attention while you are in your car can cause distracted driving. Some of the most common causes include:

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 Posted on October 17, 2017 in Car Accidents

Driving is hard enough without having to watch out for people who aren't obeying the laws. For example, someone who doesn't get enough sleep may drift between lanes or start to go off the road, which could cause a crash.

Drowsy driving is just one kind of hazard you have to watch out for on the roads. It occurs when a person doesn't get enough sleep, takes a medication that makes him or her drowsy or has been driving so long that he or she has become bored or tired. It's necessary for drivers to be aware of the signs that someone is driving while drowsy.

How can you recognize drowsy driving?

There are many ways to recognize drowsy driving. The most obvious is if you see someone with his or her eyes closed behind the wheel. In that case, the person may have fallen asleep behind the wheel, which clearly puts everyone at risk of a collision.

Another sign of drowsy driving is if the individual jerks to one side or the other suddenly. The driver may fall asleep for a moment and then wake up long enough to correct the vehicle.

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 Posted on October 12, 2017 in Drunk Driving Accidents

The blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers is.08. Anything over that can result in a DUI arrest. There are, in some cases, harsher restrictions for young drivers and professional drivers, but the.08 limit is generally used.

That said, many drivers who are arrested are well over that limit. It's true that you could find yourself facing charges at.09, and the average is dragged up by those who are way over the limit, but the statistics over the years show that many drivers are nearly double the limit.

For example, in 1991, the average BAC was.1599 in Virginia. There were 38,422 convictions that year, and accidents led to 429 fatalities.

In 1993, the average peaked — between 1991 and 2016, anyway — at.1613. Even though that average was higher, there were far fewer convictions, coming in at just 29,513 total.

Since then, the average has been falling. In 1999, it was just.1354. It then rose slightly to.1425 in 2010, dropped down to.1393 just a year later, and most recently hit.1452 in 2016. While that's higher than the lowest average, it's still significantly lower than what it was about a decade and a half ago.

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