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7
May

Distracted Motorcyclist Involved In Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash

May 7, 2012

Distracted driving is at the heart of a fatal motorcycle accident that claimed the life of a 44-year-old Mechanicsville, Virginia, woman over the weekend. According to the Hampton Roads Dailey Press, the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the westbound lanes of I-64 just outside Williamsburg, Virginia.

A spokeswoman for the Virginia State Police, Sgt. Michelle Anaya, stated that witnesses told troopers they observed the woman riding her bike on the highway when she momentarily became distracted. The distraction caused the woman to drive the motorcycle off the shoulder of the road and into a ditch, where it then struck a tree.

Although the woman was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, she was declared dead at the scene by the medical examiner. Investigators say they will continue to look into alcohol as a possible contributing factor in the crash as well. They are awaiting toxicology reports to make that determination.

Studies by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration have found that alcohol is one of the leading causes of fatal traffic accidents in the United States today, and distractions are quickly becoming a close second.

That’s why the Norfolk Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley suggest always wearing a helmet, keeping your eyes on the road at all times, and never drinking and driving as the best way to prevent Norfolk Auto Accidents involving motorcycles.

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30
Apr

Drowsy Driving Blamed For Fatal Virginia Car Crash

April 30, 2012

Research by the National Sleep Foundation has found that 60 percent of adult drivers–about 168 million people–say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year, and more than one-third have actually fallen asleep at the wheel. These drivers were responsible for the more than 100,000 accidents that resulted in an estimated 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries.

Five people were injured and a teen died as a result of one of these crashes just over two weeks ago. According to WVEC 13 News, the accident happened around 6:15 a.m. on Route 58 in Suffolk County, Virginia. The family was heading home to Virginia Beach when the father fell asleep at the wheel and veered off the highway. The SUV than ran into a culvert and rolled onto its side. No one in the vehicle was wearing a seatbelt at the time.

The mother and her 3-year-old daughter were ejected from the vehicle, while the father was able to crawl out of the wreckage. Two of the children were trapped inside the SUV, while their 16-year-old brother perished in the crash. The surviving five members of the family were taken to local hospitals to receive treatment.

Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley, the Norfolk Auto Accident Lawyer, says that it’s important that motorists never drive when drowsy or sleep-deprived. He adds that if you do become tired while driving, pull over immediately and rest.

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23
Apr

Three Injured After Crashes Stemming From Police Chase In Norfolk

April 23, 2012

As motorists, we do everything in our power to keep ourselves and others safe on the road. All too often though, it’s another person’s negligent behavior that causes crashes resulting in injury or death.

Take, for instance, the recent case of man who injured two others after driving erratically and being chased by police in Norfolk, Virginia. According to WAVY-TV 10 News, Norfolk police officers pulled over a Green Lexus sedan at Chesapeake Boulevard and Johnston Road after observing the driver make several unsafe maneuvers. As officers approached the vehicle, the driver slammed on the gas and sped away because he was driving without a valid license at the time. In the process, he hit and injured one of the officers.

The driver then hit a curb and collided with a Toyota stopped at a red light. The driver of the Lexus was not properly restrained at the time of the collision and was thrown approximately 30 feet after being ejected from the vehicle. He was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he remains in stable condition. He could face charges in connection with the incident pending the outcome of a full investigation.

Accidents such as these is why they Norfolk Auto Accident Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley encourage drivers to stay safe on Virginia’s highways by buckling up, obeying the posted speed limit of the road, and always driving defensively.

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17
Apr

Norfolk Motorcycle Crash Claims The Life Of Rider

April 16, 2012

A Norfolk, Virginia, man died Saturday from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. According to WAVY-TV 10 News, the crash happened at 6:33 p.m. at the intersection of East Little Creek and Thompson Roads.

A spokeswoman for the Norfolk Police Department, Karen Parker-Chesson, stated that the motorcyclist was traveling east along East Little Creek Road when a vehicle pulling out from Thompson Road cut him off. The man didn’t have time to maneuver around the car and hit the front side of the vehicle, ejecting him from the bike. Paramedics rushed the victim to the local hospital, but he died a short time after arrival.

While the driver in the case has not been placed under arrest, detectives say that charges may be filed at the conclusion of a full investigation.

Low visibility is one of the top causes of motorcycle accidents today. A report from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration found that in a multi-vehicle crash, the other vehicle violates the motorcycle’s right of way in 30 to 50 percent of accidents, with the most common violation being a car making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. The report concluded that a lack of motorcycle visibility was a major cause of crashes.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley, The Injury Lawyer would like to send their condolences to the family of the man who lost his life.

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9
Apr

Child And Female Crash Test Dummies Now Being Utilized In Testing

April 9. 2012

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced that it would begin utilizing smaller dummies during crash tests. According to ABC News, the decision came after it was determined that women and children are more likely to be injured in car accidents.

A spokesman for General Motors, Jack Jensen, stated that the company now utilizes approximately 200 dummies to test the safety of their vehicles—35 of which are modeled after females. The reason for the different size dummies is because individuals with smaller bone density, such as women and children, are more likely to suffer injuries in a crash.

Initial tests reveal that women run a greater risk of being injured in frontal and side accidents. The tests also revealed that unlike male passengers, if an air bag goes off and strikes a female driver or passenger, it doesn’t always deflate—instead, it may give her whiplash.

Another addition to the crew of dummies is based on a 10-year-old child. The NHTSA stated that they added these dummies to the group to examine the affects a crash will have if a child over 65 pounds is restrained in a booster seat.

The Norfolk Auto Accident Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley Injury Lawyers hope that the new dummies will help the industry create better ways to keep automobile consumers safe from the dangers of a crash.

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3
Apr

Study Finds Women Injured In Car Accidents More Often Than Men

April 2, 2012

According to the University of Virginia Center for Applied Biomechanics, women are more likely to be injured in car accidents than men. The study, reported by The Birmingham News, found that female drivers were 47 percent more likely to suffer serious injuries than men in collisions.

The findings were attributed to physical differences in men and women as well as the way vehicles are designed.

The discovery was made when researchers examined the crash test dummies used by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). They found that the dummies used since 1978 didn’t match up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standard for the average size of an American. Since 2003, different sized test dummies have been utilized to determine the effects crashes have on different sized bodies. Researchers concluded that the smaller the body, the less force it could withstand in an accident.

With the NHTSA recognizing that women account for more than one quarter of all drivers killed in car accidents, they will now be utilizing new dummies closer to the average size of a woman.

The Norfolk Auto Accident Lawyers with Lowell “ The Hammer” Stanley say that the best way to stay safe in the car is to buckle up, slow down, and drive defensively. Following these simple tips will increase your chances of survival and reduce your chances of injury if you’re involved in a crash.

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27
Mar

Bad Weather May Have Played A Part In Virginia Car Accident

March 26, 2012

Slick roads and low visibility may have played a part in a single-vehicle accident that left one woman injured Sunday night. According to WVEC 13 News, the crash happened around 7:40 p.m. at the intersection of Route 58, better known as Holland Road, and Chappell Drive.

Troopers with the Virginia State Police who responded to the scene say that it was raining when the woman lost control of her vehicle and crashed. The woman was trapped inside the vehicle for several hours before rescue crews were able to cut her free using the Jaws of Life. She was taken to a local hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries she sustained in the crash. She remains there in stable condition.

Investigators say they will continue to look into the cause of the accident.

Slick road conditions contribute to thousands of wrecks on America’s highways each year. The best way to ensure you do not become a statistic in one of these accidents is to monitor the tread on your tires carefully and rotate them on a regular basis. You also should always buckle up and follow the posted speed limits.

The Norfolk Auto Accident Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley understand just how dangerous driving during inclement weather conditions can be. That is why they ask that all motorists do their part to keep the highways safe by driving carefully and patiently at all times.

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19
Mar

Traumatic Brain Injuries Could Contribute To Violent Behavior

March 19, 2012

With the media attention surrounding the Army staff sergeant who recently killed 16 civilians in a shooting rampage in Afghanistan, many medical experts are questioning if a traumatic brain injury the soldier had suffered months prior may have played a role in his behavior.

According to experts questioned by News Channel 3, the answer is yes.  Data collected by researchers show that traumatic brain injuries can alter a person’s personality, making him or her more aggressive and impatient. Furthermore, those who suffer injuries to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls emotions, show signs of that part of the brain functioning at a lower level following the serious injury.

Other experts argue that brain injuries do not always equal more aggressive behavior. They claim that if that was the case, the more than 5.3 million people who are living with these kinds of injuries would have led to more reports of rash behavior.

In the meantime, groundbreaking research is being conducted on a new drug that may improve the outcome for those who suffer serious traumatic brain injuries. Experiments with lab rats have shown quicker recovery times and better cognitive function in animals that are given the drug after suffering a brain injury.

The Virginia Brain Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley always urge anyone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury to get the medical attention they need as soon as possible.

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12
Mar

Virginia Logger Killed In On-The-Job Accident

March 12, 2012

The Virginia Department of Labor is investigating an on-the-job accident that left a logger dead in New Kent County Thursday morning. According to reports from WVEC 13 News, the accident happened near the New Kent Highway near Quinton, Virginia, just west of Tunstall Road.

The New Kent County Sheriff’s Department, along with fire and rescue squads, reported receiving a call from a man who was screaming for help in the area. By the time they arrived at the scene, it was too late, as they found the body of the victim pinned beneath a large limb of a tree.

They were able to determine that the body was that of a 61-year-old Brodnax man who owned his own tree service. They believe he was working alone in the area when the large branch fell and crushed him.

The combination of heavy equipment, powerful tools, heavy ropes and cables, and the uncertain nature of the work can cause even the most experienced loggers to become seriously injured. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that the fatality rate for loggers in the U.S. is over 16 times higher than the overall fatality rate for all other workers in the U.S. in 2008. The findings have led to stiffer industry safety regulations in recent years.

The Virginia Wrongful Death Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley would like to send their condolences to the family of the victim of this tragic accident.

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5
Mar

Man Loses Leg In South Richmond, Virginia, Motorcycle Crash

March 5, 2012

A motorcyclist was severely injured after being involved in a two-vehicle crash in South Richmond, Virginia, Thursday evening. According to reports from The Richmond Times-Dispatch, the accident happened at 10:02 p.m. at the intersection of Patsy Ann Drive and Broad Rock Boulevard.

A spokesman for the Richmond Police Department, Captain Paul Kiniry, stated that the vehicle was pulling out onto Broad Rock Boulevard when the driver failed to give right of way to a passing motorcycle, causing the motorcyclist to fall off the bike and slide across the asphalt.

The driver and a female passenger on the bike were taken to VC Medical Center where the driver underwent immediate surgery. The driver of the motorcycle lost a leg as a result of the crash. The passenger was treated for several minor contusions and lacerations and was later released. The driver of the other vehicle that was involved did not require hospitalization.

Kiniry added that the motorcyclists’ lives may have very well been saved by the fact that they were wearing helmets at the time the accident occurred. Virginia law requires that all riders wear a helmet and other protective gear.

The Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley cannot reiterate enough how important it is to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Not only could it save your life, but it could also affect the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit if you are injured.

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