Posted on July 09, 2021 in Injuries

The pandemic has led to many people deciding to stick close to home during the summer for vacation. Some of them are heading out on area waterways to escape the heat. Whether you are a relatively new boat owner or an experienced watercraft operator, there are some crucial safety tips that you should keep in mind to help you avoid the potential of being involved in a boating accident.

Never drink and drive

Like with the operation of motor vehicles, Virginia has laws in place regarding intoxicated boating. Drivers who have a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher could potentially be charged with a crime. Additionally, alcohol can impact a person's ability to react to challenges they may encounter when operating a boat, and may result in the inability to avoid an object or other boat in the water. This could lead to serious injuries or possibly even death for those on board.

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 Posted on July 07, 2021 in Motorcycle Accidents

A motorcycle accident is different from a car crash. Because motorcyclists have only their clothes and helmet to protect them, their injuries tends to be more severe. If you are a victim of a motorcycle accident in Virginia and hope to obtain the compensation you deserve, you need to gather the right evidence.

It is important that you start by collecting evidence at the scene of your motorbike accident if this is possible. You may need this to establish the cause of the accident, the injuries you suffered and the amount of compensation you deserve to receive. Here are the kinds of evidence you should try to gather, if possible.

Police report

The police officer who arrived at the scene of the wreck will conduct an investigation and compile a police report. This report can contain useful information to help you support your version of the events that took place during the accident.

Pictures of the accident scene and witness information

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 Posted on June 15, 2021 in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians can be almost as aggressive as those in motor vehicles. Some of them will step right out into traffic without any hesitation, possibly while staring down at their mobile phone and not at the vehicles approaching.

Sometimes, pedestrians contribute to their own crash risk by behaving in an unsafe manner in close proximity to motor vehicles. Other times, pedestrians follow every rule and still wind up hurt because of someone else's bad decision at the wheel.

All too often, pedestrians get hurt in crashes caused by drivers who just didn't notice them. Why do so many drivers struggle to see pedestrians nearby?

The brain can only process so much information at once

Most drivers take for granted that they can successfully analyze all of the safety-critical traffic information coming at them on the road. The human brain is skilled at prioritizing risks. The more practice someone has, the easier it will be for them to scan their environment and identify risks to their safety.

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 Posted on June 14, 2021 in Car Accidents

Many concussions occur when someone strikes their head on something, like the ground, or something makes contact with their head. Concussions can also occur when someone's head shakes back and forth violently, which can happen in a crash. Concussions are a common injury suffered by people who are involved in vehicle crashes.

For example, if someone strikes your car from behind, your head will likely move back and forth – even if an airbag protects it from hitting the steering wheel or dashboard.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

Every concussion is different. Symptoms can include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Memory loss
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light and/or noise
• Fatigue
• Insomnia

A concussion can also create mood changes like anxiety, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

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 Posted on June 11, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Collisions involving commercial trucks are often catastrophic. There is typically significant property damage as well as severe injuries.

However, it is not just the collisions between vehicles that put people in danger. Cargo spills can also threaten the safety and welfare of other road users.

Why cargo spills

Trucks haul a wide range of things people need, from retail products to industrial equipment and even livestock. No matter what a trucker is carrying, it is crucial that the cargo is secure and does not exceed weight limits.

If parties fail to load and secure cargo properly, it could spill in a crash. If a trucker loses control of a truck after drifting out of the lane and overcorrects, then the truck can roll or jackknife, causing cargo to come loose and spill out on the road.

It is also possible that cargo could also be the reason for an accident. This can happen when truckers overload their vehicle or do not comply with regulations for securing it. It may shift while the truck is traveling, causing the trucker to lose control when going around a turn or coming to a stop.

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 Posted on May 25, 2021 in Car Accidents

If you find yourself involved in a car crash, one of the things you should plan on is seeing your doctor as soon as possible. Plenty of people make the mistake of refusing an ambulance ride to the emergency room, and others avoid heading to the doctor on their own even when they have pain.

It's important for you to seek medical care as soon as possible. The reason for this is because you may have injuries that you don't yet recognize.

When you're involved in a crash, the adrenaline released by the incident impacts the way your body feels pain. Endorphins run through the body to help you protect yourself, placing you in a fight-or-flight mode. Your body's goal is to keep you awake and mobile, but that reaction masks pain and dysfunction you would otherwise notice.

Not every symptom appears right away

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 Posted on May 24, 2021 in Truck Accidents

We are all familiar with the devastating impact of a trucking accident. Most victims in these crashes rarely walk away without at least one severe or catastrophic injury. Often, victims suffer multiple injuries, each one with the capacity to be life-changing.

One thing Manassas, Virginia, truck accident victims share is an urgent need for financial compensation. They need this money to speed their recovery and replace lost wages and other out-of-pocket costs. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurers use many tactics to minimize the amount they must pay on a personal injury claim.

What can you do to help your accident case?

Knowing what to do in your case can have a significant effect on the compensation you receive. In our experience, truck accident victims should consider the following tips for action immediately following the wreck:

• Call the police. Always call 911 when you are involved in any vehicle accident. Having a police report detailing what happened can go a long way in improving your ability to acquire the maximum in compensation.

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 Posted on May 21, 2021 in Car Accidents

Everyone has a different skill level when it comes to driving. Most drivers are aware of the potential dangers that may result if they operate their vehicles in ways that are unsafe. They respect the rules of the road and engage in defensive driving behaviors.

Unfortunately, there are others who seem to take out all of their stress on their fellow motorists when the get behind the wheel. They become aggressive and put themselves and everyone around them at risk of an accident.

What are the signs of aggressive driving?

Aggressive driving is so common that more than a quarter of the nation's drivers admitted to the AAA Foundation that they'd indulged in bad behavior behind the wheel within the prior 30 days before being surveyed.

So, how do you spot a driver who has lost their cool? Here are the signs:

• A driver is tailgating you (or another vehicle), leaving no room to hit the brakes in an emergency

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 Posted on April 21, 2021 in Car Accidents

Most people run into times when they're driving and approach a malfunctioning traffic light. The light may stay red permanently with no sign of changing, start flashing or have one of the bulbs go out. These malfunctions can make driving through an intersection dangerous, which is why it's important to know how to proceed.

A quick refresher on how to handle these infrequent occurrences can help you stay safer out there on the roads.

What should you do if you approach a malfunctioning traffic light?

If you approach a malfunctioning traffic light, slow down and take careful stock of the situation. Then proceed accordingly:

1. If the light is solid red, come to a complete stop. If you're sure the light is broken and won't change, wait until there is no traffic approaching before proceeding through the light. If more than one vehicle is at the light, you proceed the same way you would at a four-way stop (meaning that the vehicles should proceed according to the order of their arrival).

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 Posted on April 14, 2021 in Motorcycle Accidents

You're not the new kid on the block when it comes to riding a motorcycle, by any means. In fact, you probably feel like your age and experience gives you an edge on safety over the younger, less-skilled riders.

In fact, the opposite may be true. Below are some factors that you need to consider.

Age alone can be a predictor when it comes to severe injuries and death

While studies have produced mixed results, at least one indicates that riders over 40 years of age are 25% more likely to die from motorcycle injuries than younger riders. Plus, another study indicates that the largest group of fatalities occurs among riders 55 years of age and older.

When looking deeper into the data, researchers discovered some factors that may explain why there are different mortality rates for different age groups. The two most common types of serious injuries suffered by motorcyclists in a wreck are chest and head injuries.

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