Posted on July 17, 2020 in Car Accidents

Drowsy driving is a serious offense that can lead to traffic accidents. It is the unfortunate truth that many people are behind the wheels of their vehicles when they haven't had enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can make you just as dangerous as a drunk driver. You may have impaired reaction times, make poor decisions or have trouble processing information.

According to the National sleep Foundation, fatigue and sleepiness decrease your performance behind the wheel and in all other aspects of your life.

Getting the right rest can save lives

Getting the right rest before you drive can save lives. Everyone needs different amounts of sleep depending on age, health and other factors. On the whole, drivers should be getting between seven and nine hours of sleep before they decide to drive.

Who is most likely to drive drowsy?

The people who are most likely to drive drowsy include:

• Anyone who isn't getting enough sleep
• Commercial drivers who drive buses, tractor-trailers or tow trucks

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 Posted on July 17, 2020 in Car Accidents

Have you ever been driving and realized you are further than you thought? Have you been so tuned into the music that you drifted off, or been driving at night fighting to keep your eyelids open? You are not alone. One in 25 adult drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel in the last month, according to research carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Even if you manage to avoid falling asleep, feeling sleepy is dangerous when driving: Your concentration is not as sharp and your reactions are slower. Road builders know this; that is why they put textured rumble strips along the side of lanes - to wake you up if you do drift.

Certain people are more at risk than others: those who drive for a living, those who work night shifts, those who have sleep issues and those on certain prescription drugs.

There are some things you should do to reduce the chance of dozing while driving. Try to get a good night of sleep and when possible, stick to regular hours for going to bed. Turn off your screens before you go to bed; they affect your brain's ability to switch off properly. Check any medicines to ensure they do not cause drowsiness.

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 Posted on July 09, 2020 in Car Accidents

It is normal if you feel frustrated or confused by an insurer's denial of your claim, especially if you are certain the other driver was at fault. After all, we rely on insurance companies to provide financial netting for us when these incidents occur. Unfortunately, complications can arise that leave us injured yet empty-handed. But know that you are not without resources nor without rights.

Why was I denied?

First, it may help you to understand the extent of the insurer's reasoning behind your denial. It is likely the insurance adjuster either doesn't believe your side of the story holds merit or that they believe they have seen enough evidence to support the other driver's side. It is also possible that the insurance company believes the cause of the accident to be an act of God or that their insured's policy lapsed because they failed to keep up with their payments. The insurance company may just not believe that you were injured.

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 Posted on July 01, 2020 in Pedestrian Accidents

Just in time for summer, three new Virginia traffic laws went into effect July 1, 2020. These laws increase the penalties for a few traffic violations and make the roads safer for vulnerable road users.

Virginia drivers should understand these new responsibilities before hitting the roads this summer. Without knowing how these new laws work, residents could incur some stiff fines or even spend time in jail.

Three new laws for summer motorists

Virginia's General Assembly passed three new bills just in time for summer. The weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day are notoriously dangerous for Virginia drivers. People often refer to this period as the "100 Deadliest Days." Legislators hope these new laws curb the number of fatal accidents that occur through July and August by protecting vulnerable pedestrians:

• Protection of Bicyclists and Other Vulnerable Road Users: Senate Bill 437 tackles distracted driving by introducing an increased penalty for collisions with pedestrians. If a driver causes serious bodily injury to a vulnerable road user because of careless or distracted driving, they may incur a Class 1 misdemeanor charge. In Virginia, a Class 1 misdemeanor could result in 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

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 Posted on June 26, 2020 in Firm News

Driving while distracted is one of the deadliest modern roadway offenses. According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control, at least nine people are killed and approximately 1,000 are injured every day in an accident with a distracted driver.

Teens are particularly at risk for distracted driving. The combination of inexperience and temptation from peers and technology creates a dangerous potential for accidents.

Have the talk about distracted driving early and frequently to reduce the chances that they will become a statistic.

Distracted driving falls into three main categories:

1. Not fully watching the road ahead
2. Not keeping your hands on the wheel
3. Becoming mentally distracted while driving

All three of these involve cellphone usage. However, it doesn't take sending a text message, checking social media or making a phone call to create a danger. Other scenarios where distracted driving is a problem can include:

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 Posted on June 22, 2020 in Firm News

Most highways have the standard three or four lanes. However, in some states, like Virginia, the highways have a High Occupancy Vehicle System (HOV) lane. If you are not familiar with this term or type of lane system, it can be challenging to understand when you can and cannot use such lanes.

Smoothing out the rules of an HOV lane

HOV lanes are for drivers with two or more passengers and commuters that participate in rideshare. Drivers utilize the lanes throughout the day. By using the HOV lanes they are helping traffic move more smoothly and reduce congestion.

Drivers who do not have two or more passengers cannot use the HOV lanes during specific restricted times. Even motorcyclists can travel in these lanes during specific times.

HOV lanes are often in the far left lane, have a white diamond shape on them, and barriers mark the entrance and exit. Also, above each entry and exit, a highway sign will state time restrictions and when they are in effect to help drivers navigate smoothly.

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 Posted on June 21, 2020 in Car Accidents

Almost 1.7 million vehicles in Virginia failed their safety test in 2018 — that is one in every five. The Keep Virginia Roads Safe campaign is fighting proposals from some Virginia lawmakers to do away with or reduce the frequency of vehicle safety inspections.

When so many people who have been injured, or lost loved ones in car crashes, allowing unsafe vehicles onto the roads does not seem to make sense, although those behind the plan argued there was no evidence to prove that vehicle inspections reduced accidents.

If you get in your car and take it out onto Virginia's roads you have a responsibility to do so safely. So does every other driver out there. When was the last time you crawled under you car or looked under the hood? Do you know, without going out and checking, how much tread is left on your tires? For many of you reading this, the answer is going to be no to all those questions. As cars have become more complicated to fix, and more reliable to run, people are less involved with their cars than they were 30 years ago.

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 Posted on June 17, 2020 in Car Accidents

In the aftermath of a crash, you probably have a lot to think about. How will you get to work with a damaged vehicle? How much will it cost to repair, and will your car insurance cover the cost? Have you reported your accident to the authorities? Did you get the contact information of the other driver?

With so much to consider, it is easy for many people to ignore their health, especially if their injuries do not appear serious. However, there are many reasons to get medical help as soon as possible.

1. Your injuries could be more severe than they appear.

While injuries like cuts can appear immediately, some do not cause symptoms until long after the initial accident occurred. Traumatic brain injuries, for example, may go undetected for days or weeks before symptoms begin, but even a mild injury requires immediate medical attention according to the Mayo Clinic.

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 Posted on June 11, 2020 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

On March 24, Governor Ralph Northam issued stay at home orders for the state of Virginia to help curb the spread of coronavirus. With fewer people traveling for work, Virginia's roads carry much less traffic. For many drivers across the region, this presents a dangerous opportunity.

Many states, including Virginia, have seen an uptick in fatal crashes, despite fewer cars on the road. Joyriders and speed enthusiasts are bucking safety standards for a quick thrill - and Virginia residents are paying with their lives.

A country-wide trend

On May 3, 2020, Virginia police cited eight drivers for speeding violations, all exceeding 100 mph. Troopers clocked one driver traveling 132 mph on I-95 - fully twice that of the posted speed limit. In the period between March 13 and April 22, 47% of all fatalities were in crashes where speeding was a factor. This figure represents a nearly 10% increase despite a 50% drop in traffic.

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 Posted on June 11, 2020 in Firm News

Most highways have the standard three or four lanes. However, in some states, like Virginia, the highways have a High Occupancy Vehicle System (HOV) lane.

If you are not familiar with this term or type of lane system, it can be challenging to understand when you can and cannot use such lane systems.

Smoothing out the rules of an HOV lane

HOV lanes are for drivers with two or more passengers and commuters that participate in rideshare. Drivers utilize the lanes throughout the day. By using the HOV lanes they are helping traffic move more smoothly and reduce congestion.

For drivers who do not have two or more passengers, they cannot use the HOV lanes during specific restricted times. Even motorcyclists can travel in these lanes during specific times.

HOV lanes are often in the far left lane, have a white diamond shape on them, and barriers mark the entrance and exit. Also, above each entry and exit, a highway sign will state time restrictions and when they are in effect to help drivers navigate smoothly.

Continue Reading ››