Posted on June 03, 2020 in Car Accidents

Self-driving cars are a reality in many regions in the country. In Summer 2019, Virginia hosted LM Industries as a testing ground for automated automobiles. For many, a future of completely self-driving vehicles is within reach, but some safety concerns might set the industry back.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released a study on self-driving cars. The researchers discovered that self-driving vehicles might not be as safe as necessary.

IIHS compared crash data to preventative capabilities

In nearly all car crashes, driver error plays a role. Car manufacturers push the idea that the technology in automated vehicles eliminates these errors to make roads safer. As companies ramp up testing of these cars, independent research becomes necessary.

The IIHS study examined data from over 5,000 vehicle crashes around the country. The research team sorted the mistakes that led to the crashes into five categories:

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 Posted on June 02, 2020 in Pedestrian Accidents

Running near the road is the only option many people have. They don't have nearby trail access, so their daily jog is simply through their neighborhood. They may stick to the sidewalks or run on the shoulder.

Either way, they know that they're facing some serious risks from running near traffic. If a driver makes a mistake and hits them, the driver will likely be fine, but the runner could be catastrophically injured or even killed. A split second can change someone's life forever.

So, how should runners stay safe when they have to share the road with motorists? Here are a few key tips that can help:

• Seek out paths with lights if you have to run at dawn, at dusk or after dark. Choose roads with as many streetlights as possible and with well-lit intersections.
• Whenever you're crossing in front of a car — at a crosswalk or a driveway, for instance — attempt to make eye contact with the driver to ensure that they have seen you.

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 Posted on May 29, 2020 in Motorcycle Accidents

In a world of GPS and self-driving cars, automation is becoming a larger part of our lives every day. Add that to the numerous ways we can become distracted, and we see how easy it is to forget the shared responsibilities of the road. A relaxing drive on Virginia roads can turn into a nightmare if we are not careful.

Every year, thousands of motorcyclists die from traffic accidents – to be specific, there were nearly 5,000 fatal crashes in 2018. But these statistics do not have to remain that way. By taking a few simple steps to increase awareness and caution, we may create a safer road for everyone:

• Be cautious and patient at intersections. There are times when motorcyclists cannot see due to obstruction from other vehicles or road construction. Take an additional moment or two to check blind spots and mirrors before moving.

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 Posted on May 22, 2020 in Firm News

A car collision can be as minor as causing a schedule delay or ruining an afternoon, or as serious as experiencing permanent injury and death. Around six million accidents happen in the US annually, with half of them resulting in injuries.

Because of the sensitive nature of a car accident, it's important to heed advice about how to proceed right afterward, since anything you do or say could impact your ability to receive a full settlement or take the case to court.

The following list details what you should do directly after you've been in an accident:

• Make sure everyone is ok. Call an ambulance if there are any injuries requiring immediate attention.
• Call the police to file a report about the incident. They can also assist in getting any medical care needed for possible injuries.
• Collect insurance and licensing information from everyone involved, and get your own information ready. You'll also need it for the police report that the responding officer files.

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 Posted on May 21, 2020 in Car Accidents

Brain injuries, including concussions, are common after car accidents, and the recovery process is often long and tedious. It's imperative that you're getting the rest that you need so that your brain can heal. A small study found that there is a direct correlation between the quality and amount of sleep a person with this type of injury gets and their brain function improvement.

People who had a poor quality of sleep exhibited a lower level of cognitive function and consciousness. One issue that can come up in these cases is that a traumatic brain injury can lead to changes in a person's sleep habits. For some, the pain and other consequences of the injury can reduce their ability to sleep soundly.

Another issue that might come up is that individuals with this type of injury might not be able to get outside into the sunlight. Some might have a sensitivity to those conditions and others may not physically be able to go outside. Using artificial lighting that mimics sunlight might help to improve the sleep patterns for these patients.

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 Posted on May 20, 2020 in Firm News

Recent months have seen a noticeable drop in traffic on roads and highways. However, while many businesses have temporarily shuttered or have transitioned to virtual offices, the nation's trucking companies are still out in full force. It's important to be aware that truck accidents are still a very real possibility, even when there are fewer cars on the road.

A false sense of security?

It would seem like with less traffic, there is less of a risk of an accident. However, a wide-open road may compel truck drivers to engage in risky driving behavior. Law enforcement officials across the country have noticed a substantial increase in instances of speeding and reckless driving.

Truck drivers are not immune to the temptation to take risks with fewer vehicles around. The pressure to make timely deliveries is higher than ever. Drivers may push themselves to the limit to meet the demands of commercial businesses. Vehicle maintenance standards may also be overlooked to ship items as fast as possible. All these factors can spell disaster for other motorists.

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 Posted on May 11, 2020 in Car Accidents

Most people are familiar with the basic protocols they should follow if they're involved in a car accident. However, when the time actually comes to put these practices into action, it can be all too easy to forget critical steps in the heat of the moment.

Fender benders are more than just a nuisance, they are also a financial transaction. If you find yourself in an auto accident, it's essential you don't skip the following steps to ensure you receive what you're entitled to.

Step 1: Get to safety and call 911

If possible, your first priority should be getting your vehicle out of traffic and calling emergency services – especially if there is substantial damage or someone is injured. Even if it was only a minor fender bender, it's beneficial to have an official report of the incident.

Law enforcement will take statements from both parties and any witnesses to create a police report. This report can help make the claims process smoother with your insurer and protect you against false claims from the other driver.

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 Posted on May 09, 2020 in Firm News

The stereotype that all dogs hate delivery workers may come from a place of humor in movies and television, but there is truth to it. When a dog sees a stranger on their property, there is no telling how they may react to this new person. Delivery workers need to prepare themselves to earn the compensation they need to recover after a dog bites them. Many delivery workers are contractors who are not covered by workers compensation coverage of the company they are delivering for – so the only way to obtain a recovery is through a personal injury claim.

Despite how friendly most dogs are, there are still about 4.7 million dog bites each year. Medical care for a dog bit is expensive, and can also come with additional costs like lost income. Preparing for an injury claim can considerably improve the outcome of the claim.

What victims can do to protect themselves

The first step in maximizing compensation after an accident is documenting everything. The victim of a dog bite would likely be able to collect the following information:

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 Posted on May 08, 2020 in Firm News

Of all the ways motor vehicles can crash into each other on the highway, a head-on collision is probably the deadliest. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) estimates that head-on crashes have a fatality rate 12-27% higher than all other types of collisions, such as rear-end and T-bone accidents.

A head-on highway crash happens when a vehicle ends up going the wrong way. This can occur when a vehicle drifts over the yellow line on a smaller highway. Sometimes, drivers enter the road through an exit lane.

Protecting yourself from wrong-way drivers in Northern Virginia

If a wrong-way driver is bearing down on you, you probably have only a few seconds to react. Here are four tips for minimizing your chances of getting caught in a wrong-way car wreck:

• Be careful at night and on weekends. These are the most likely times for someone to go the wrong way on the highway, possibly because they have been drinking.

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 Posted on April 24, 2020 in Firm News

You and your friends are walking down the street on the sidewalk, without a care in the world, and approach an intersection. You wait for the walk signal, but your friends grow impatient, and dart across the intersection and, unfortunately, get hit by a car.

Are your friends at fault? Or is the driver of the car at fault? While most pedestrians believe they always have the "right of way" that is not always necessarily true.

As a pedestrian, you have a legal responsibility to use the appropriate measures and precautions to ensure you are safe. This includes avoiding anypotential dangers and anticipating life-threatening consequences.

Unfortunately, unlike most states that have comparative negligence laws, that calculates each individual, damages, percent of the responsibility, and extent of injuries to determine compensation, the state of Virginia practices a contributory negligence law.

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