Posted on November 27, 2019 in Car Accidents

Winter is a time when more people drive rather than walk in Virginia, but that doesn't mean that there won't be pedestrians on or around the roadways. In fact, when cold temperatures and poor weather conditions arrive, pedestrians may take additional risks to cross roads quickly and avoid staying out in the cold.

For this reason, it's important that drivers pay attention and recognize that there are still people who may be crossing at crosswalks or other areas of the road. For pedestrians, it's necessary to remember to follow the laws and cross only when it's safe to do so, no matter how poor the conditions are.

Winter weather safety tips for pedestrians

Pedestrians can take a few steps to stay safer in winter weather. Some things you can do to avoid a collision as a pedestrian include:

• Wearing warm clothing, so you can take your time when attempting to cross. You should not rush to get across a busy street due to your attire.

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 Posted on November 26, 2019 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

A woman in Virginia recently lost her life in a tragic car accident. Meanwhile, four other individuals suffered injuries in the accident. Sometimes, these types of car accidents happen as a result of a driver's carelessness, in which case the driver may be held liable for any injuries or deaths resulting from the accident.

The recent fatal crash occurred on a Friday at around 6:05 p.m. According to police, the 29-year-old woman who passed away in the crash was riding in the front passenger seat when the collision occurred. She apparently passed away at the crash scene.

Of the four people who suffered injuries in the crash, three of them were children. Police said the injured adult, 23, was the individual who was driving the car when the crash took place. All four of these individuals were transported to medical centers for the treatment of their injuries. Police said they had not yet filed charges in the accident.

If police discover that the fatal accident was a result of the driver's negligence — such as texting and driving — the deceased passenger's family members may choose to file a wrongful death claim against the driver. In the same manner, the driver may face personal injury claims filed on behalf of the other injury victims. If the plaintiffs can establish liability in civil court, a judge or jury will adjudicate their claims for financial damages. A claim that is fought successfully might result in monetary damages that may help to cover burial costs, hospital bills and other losses associated with these kinds of car accidents in Virginia.

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 Posted on November 13, 2019 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

A teenager recently passed away in a tragic motor vehicle crash in Virginia. In addition, four other teenagers suffered injuries in the collision. These types of car accidents can easily take place as a result of a driver's carelessness, which is grounds for litigation.

The recent accident took place on a Sunday at about 6:30 p.m. Authorities said that a car carrying five teenagers was headed east along a road. All of a sudden, the car reportedly left the roadway and hit a tree on the road's right side.

All five teenagers suffered injuries and were transported to the hospital. However, one of the teenagers was pronounced deceased at the medical center. The person driving the car was said to have suffered injuries deemed to be life threatening, whereas the other injured parties reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries. According to authorities, alcohol and drugs did not appear to be causal factors in the crash. However, they were investigating if speeding led to the wreck.

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 Posted on October 30, 2019 in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Four individuals have sadly lost their lives in a motor vehicle collision in Virginia. The accident, which involved a car and a semi-truck, occurred on a Wednesday morning. Sometimes, these types of car accidents happen due to careless driving, which is grounds for litigation.

According to police, a semi-truck had stopped in the road for a school bus. All of a sudden, a car reportedly ran into the back of the bus. Four people in the car — two of them age 19, and the other two ages 23 and 24 — died in the wreck.

The individual who was driving the car at the time of the accident was from another state. Meanwhile, the other three individuals were from North Carolina. Authorities continued to investigate the cause of the crash.

The surviving loved ones of the passengers in the car may choose to file wrongful death claims against the car's driver, seeking the reimbursement of monetary damages sustained in the car accident. Although the driver of the car died in the accident, claims may be filed against this person's estate.

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 Posted on October 21, 2019 in Car Accidents

It goes without saying that driving at excessive speeds can increase the chances of one being involved in a car accident in Manassas. The question is exactly how are excessive speeds determined. If you have been involved in a car accident where the issue of falt is at question, the driver suspected of causing it may point to the fact that they were not driving above the speed limit, and thus cannot be at fault. Many have come to us here at Locklin & Coleman, PLLC in a similar situation wondering how to combat such a claim. The answer lies in correctly interpreting the term "speed limit."

Far too many people view posted speed limits as the only authority in determining if one is driving too fast. Interestingly, the Virginia Department of Transportation states that the purpose of speed limits is twofold: to assist law enforcement officers in enforcing the law and to reduce wide variances in traffic speeds. You will notice how nowhere in that description does it say "to determine what is the safe speed at which to travel." That is because it is expected that motorists will use good judgment and not drive faster than is safe in the given conditions.

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 Posted on October 12, 2019 in Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common causes of serious injuries, including broken bones and significant damage to internal organs. In fact, many car accident victims' injuries are obvious immediately, and may put a victim in a state of shock. However, some of the most damaging injuries a person can receive from a car accident may not be visible or otherwise obvious, such as head injuries.

Any significant blow to the head can produce a brain injury, but may not cause pain. If the victim does not feel any pain or see bleeding from a head injury, they may not remember hitting their head at all, because car accidents are confusing experiences that are not easy to remember clearly. If you experience a car accident, you should always receive a full medical examination from a medical professional as soon as possible, to help identify hidden injuries before they harm you.

Why is a brain injury so dangerous?

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 Posted on October 09, 2019 in Car Accidents

Pedestrians are at a high risk of injury or death if they are involved in a collision. Even at slower speeds, a crash can cause internal and external injuries that are difficult to recover from.

At certain speeds, there are some injuries that are more likely. For example, at 16 mph, a pedestrian has a 10% risk of a severe injuries. At 58 mph, there is a 90% chance of severe injuries. Age also plays a role, and those who are 70 have the same average risk of severe injury or death at 25 mph as a 30-year-old person would at 35 mph.

As a pedestrian, this information is important. Knowing that speed plays a role in the force you are struck with, you can make the choice to cross streets with lower speed limits, for example.

The type of vehicle that strikes you plays a role in injury

Besides speed, the risk of injury is higher when a pedestrian is hit by a light truck. The average risk of death a pedestrian faces when struck by a light truck is around the same as being struck by a car traveling around 4 mph faster.

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 Posted on October 03, 2019 in Car Accidents

Car accidents can happen for many different reasons. In the vast majority of the cases, a driver's behavior behind the wheel is a leading contributor to accidents. That's why it's important for drivers to follow the rules and respect the rights of other drivers, as explained by The Balance.

Driver distractions are a major issue that impact drivers across the board. Texting while driving is the most often mentioned offender, and for good reason. This behavior diverts a driver's attention away from the road, which affects the ability to respond to unexpected road conditions. Other types of distractions can be just as dangerous, however. Eating while driving, talking to passengers, and adjusting the radio all prevent a driver from paying full attention.

Human error is also cited as a common cause of wrecks. While you often hear about accidents that occur due to some fault with a vehicle, it's far more likely for an accident to occur because of operator error. The chance of error increases exponentially when a person drinks and drives. Being drunk greatly impairs a person's ability to operate the vehicle and may also lead to risky behavior. Other substances can also cause problems while driving, even those that are prescribed by a doctor.

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 Posted on September 13, 2019 in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are hurt in many ways, from those who sustain an injury while attempting to cross the road to those who are struck by a drunk driver who went off the road. However, some pedestrians, such as young children, are especially vulnerable when it comes to the risk of being struck by a vehicle. Furthermore, there are many reasons why children can be particularly likely to find themselves in a pedestrian accident. Not only do many children spend a considerable amount of time near traffic while playing with their friends or walking to school, but some may be involved in extracurricular activities which can increase the risk of such an accident.

There are numerous ways in which extracurricular activities can lead to pedestrian accidents. For example, someone may be part of their school's track team, and they decide to run alongside the road. They could cross at an interesection without looking. Even when they are safe and responsible, an increased amount of time running alongside traffic could heighten the chances of something going wrong.

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 Posted on September 06, 2019 in Truck Accidents

Virginia highways often feature large semi-trucks tasked with hauling goods and other supplies all over the country. While these trucks are essential from a commerce perspective, they can also be quite intimidating to share the road with. This has much to do with the anatomy of a semi-truck, which is quite different than that of your average passenger vehicle. Popular Mechanics offers a few surprising facts about semis and how they function.

An 18-wheeler is capable of transporting up to 80,000 pounds. This massive load requires quite a bit of power to transport, which is why truck engines are so impressive. For instance, some big rig engines actually weigh more than small passenger vehicles, such as Mini Coopers. One particular engine weighs 2,880 pounds, which is 345 lbs heavier than these sprightly vehicles. An engine of this size is capable of generating 560 horsepower and 1,850 lb-ft of torque, which enables the truck to haul a huge amount of cargo.

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