Posted on March 18, 2024 in Personal Injury

Speeding continues to be a significant issue on roadways in Virginia that leads to serious accidents and lives lost. Unfortunately, speed limit laws are some of the most commonly broken.

Learning more about the statistics and how to avoid speeding issues can make the roads safer for everyone in the state.

Chilling speeding statistics

This blog previously spoke about how serious speeding accidents can be. Despite that, the incidents of speeding continue, with increases in the number of fatal speed-related accidents from 2018 to 2022.

Motor vehicle crashes involving speeding increased by 1.0% in 2022 compared to the previous year, with a total of 24,877 speeding-related crashes. These statistics underscore the importance of drivers taking caution on the road and obeying speed limits to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

Speed management etiquette

Proper speed management etiquette can help avoid speeding and keep roads safe. Drivers should adhere to speed limits and adjust speed according to road, weather and traffic conditions. For example, drivers should slow down in residential areas where pedestrians and children may be present. Similarly, they should reduce speed when roads are curvy or during adverse weather conditions.

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 Posted on March 06, 2024 in Car Accidents

If you are involved in a car accident, the first reaction is probably shock, and it may take a bit of time for the events to sink in. Nobody expects to get into a car accident, so it can really shake a person and make them feel helpless.

It is important to know that you are not alone. While it is not a pleasant fact, car accidents happen every single day in the United States. One thing that can differentiate one car accident from another is how well a person reacts after the accident and what they do to document it.

Documenting the accident

Documenting an accident is important, especially if you are not at fault, or if you might have to end up seeking compensation for an injury, lost wages or pain and suffering.

It is critical to know that no matter how small you think the accident is, document it. The reason for this is that not all injuries are immediately obvious and sometimes it may take a while to see the entire picture.

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 Posted on January 31, 2024 in Car Accidents

Driving during the winter comes with its own unique hazards. Whether it is ice, snow or darkness, winter conditions can cause car accidents, and it is important to know and understand these risks so you take them into account when you get behind the wheel.

Snow and ice

Winter weather transforms the roads we drive on daily. Snow and ice create slippery surfaces, making it essential for drivers to adapt their driving style to accommodate the challenging conditions.

Slower speeds, tricky traffic

To be safe, some drivers adopt slower driving speeds during the winter. While it may seem like a responsible choice, it can lead to trickier traffic conditions on busy roads. It is crucial for high school students to be aware of the potential hazards associated with slower-moving traffic.

Risk of sliding

One of the most significant winter driving hazards is the increased chance of cars sliding out of control. Ice and snow buildup on the roads makes it easier for vehicles to lose traction, resulting in potentially dangerous situations.

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 Posted on December 21, 2023 in Car Accidents

In Virginia, state law mandates that all children younger than eight be adequately secured in a child safety/booster seat. Studies reveal that rear-facing seats are significantly safer.

With disproportionately heavy heads and underdeveloped neck muscles, infants can suffer significant neck strain when not sitting in a rear-facing seat. Forward-facing seats can result in considerable force to the baby's neck.

Troubling trends

Despite awareness campaigns to educate parents on the need for car seats to restrain their children while traveling safely, many mothers and fathers fall short in protecting their kids. Many still go without restraints, holding children in their laps to share a seatbelt or allowing them to travel in the cargo areas of a larger vehicle. Other parents use second-hand car seats that are six years old or more, and some following accidents, a dangerous "cost-saving measure."

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 Posted on September 07, 2023 in Car Accidents

Car accidents are undoubtedly a traumatic experience for anyone. People are often shaken and highly emotional in the moment; after all, it takes time for their minds to catch up with what their bodies just went through.

In these circumstances, it is perfectly normal to feel a whole range of emotions, including fear, which can sometimes lead to mistakes that can hurt you and your case if you end up inside a courtroom. Common mistakes people make after a car accident include:

Not seeking medical attention

Some people assume that if they feel fine, they are medically cleared and can go home immediately after a car accident. However, that is a common misconception and a dangerous one, too.

Many conditions that involve symptoms that develop later or over time can stem from car accidents, so seeking medical attention immediately after a car accident is critical, even if you feel like you can tough it out.

Not calling the police

People sometimes think that if the accident is minor, it is not necessary to call the police. However, it is almost always necessary to call 911 after an accident. While the other parties may apologize and promise to take care of things, their stories often change in the coming days.

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 Posted on August 07, 2023 in Bicycling Accidents

Bicycle riders in Manassas know they must be careful when riding near motorized traffic. Nevertheless, riding in Virginia has gotten very dangerous in 2023.

According to the state Department of Motor Vehicles, by the end of May, nine bikers were killed and 156 injured in a total of 160 bicycle accidents. With "only" four deaths last year at the same time of year, Virginia has seen a 125 percent in fatalities in collisions between cars and bicycles year-over-year.

Protecting yourself from negligent Virginia drivers

Without knowing the details of any of these tragic incidents, it is likely that at least some of them were the result of driver negligence. Motorists who change lanes or turn without signaling or looking out for bicyclists are at high risk of running into one. So are speeders, distracted drivers and drunk drivers. There is nothing you can do to stop a dangerous driver from being on the same road you are riding on, but you can help reduce the risk of injury to yourself by doing the following:

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 Posted on July 17, 2023 in Car Accidents

Summertime is when most people take the opportunity to travel or go on a vacation, and while this is a great way to spend the warm weather it is also a common time for motor vehicle accidents. That is why it is important to take precautions when you are driving this summer, and to minimize your risks so that you can enjoy your time safely.

Why is summertime so dangerous?

Studies have shown for years that summertime is the peak time for roadway fatalities overall in the United States. There are many reasons for this, as noted above, many people are traveling and on the road more in the summertime. A lot of construction also takes place during the summertime, as the weather is more conducive for builders, and this can create hazardous road conditions.

Additionally, more teenagers are driving in the summertime while they are out of school, and as more inexperienced drivers they are more prone to accidents. Another reason why it is more dangerous to drive around in the summertime is that the deadliest day to drive during the year is Independence Day. With so many people celebrating the holiday, drunk driving is a common result, with tragic results.

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 Posted on July 17, 2023 in Car Accidents

Have you gotten a letter from your auto insurance provider recently? If so, you might be confused about what it says and what you should do about it to keep yourself covered in case of a serious car accident with an underinsured motorist.

You might have heard that the Virginia General Assembly passed a law changing how underinsured motorist (UIM) collision insurance is handled. That law goes into effect on July 1. It could significantly affect how much you can receive in damages if an underinsured driver is responsible for a wreck that causes you significant injuries.

The old rule for UIM insurance compensation

Before the new law, if you were injured in a collision with a driver who was at fault but whose insurance coverage wasn't enough to compensate you for damages, the amount your own UIM insurance coverage would provide you was subtracted by the amount the other driver's insurance would cover.

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 Posted on May 19, 2023 in Car Accidents

Loaning someone your vehicle is a typical exchange among family members and friends. The "terms of use" can last an hour or an entire day. Referred to as a "permissive user," the borrower has access to the "regular user's" car for a specific period of time. However, they are not listed on the insurance policy.

What is a permissive user?

Depending on the policy, driving an insured vehicle with the owner's permission may or may not involve insurance coverage. Most car insurers mandate that family members and those using the vehicle regularly be listed on the insurance application. Permissive users are usually not a member of a household.

A majority of insurers will provide coverage for permissive use. However, if the permissive user lives with the owner or is a family member, they have to be added. Post-accident, insurers may deny the claim if it was a family member or co-tenant who had regular access to the vehicle, but was not listed on the policy.

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 Posted on April 27, 2023 in Drunk Driving Accidents

Being involved in a car accident is always a traumatic experience. Still, it can be especially devastating if a drunk driver causes the accident. If you or a loved one has received injuries from a drunk driving accident in Virginia, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.

Here's the information and guidance you need to help you navigate this difficult situation.

The consequences of drunk driving accidents

Drunk driving accidents can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries. You may experience physical injuries such as broken bones, lacerations and head trauma, as well as emotional and psychological trauma that can last long after the accident. In addition to the physical and emotional toll, drunk driving accidents can also result in financial hardship due to medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

Seeking compensation for your injuries

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