Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog

No Obligation Means No Obligation

by admin@gotechark.com | February 1st, 2016

You hear the words “no obligation” a lot in advertising. From products that cook bacon in seconds to devices that give you six-pack abs in just 2 minutes a day, “no obligation” has become the go-to verbiage to get people to purchase something under the assumption that they can return it if they don’t like it. Often times, the process for returning said products is confusing, requiring filling out forms, making phone calls, and jumping through other hoops.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, when we say we offer free consultations with no obligation, we actually mean no obligation. We receive hundreds of calls every year from accident victims who just need a few questions answered. We’re happy to answer them, because we know how hard it can be to get good advice following an accident. If they want to learn more about what our firm can potentially do for their case, we’re happy to offer a free consultation. If we feel they need representation, we extend that offer. If we feel they don’t need representation, we gladly give them advice on what steps they should take on their own.

And “no obligation” doesn’t only apply to our free consultation. In addition, we offer every client a contingency fee arrangement, which means you won’t owe us anything unless we get money for you. In other words, if we don’t win your case, you walk away without owing us any attorney fees. Why do we do this? Because we believe in eliminating any obstacle that could potentially keep an accident victim from getting the legal help he or she needs. If you’ve been injured, give our Norfolk car accident attorneys a call today for a free consultation with no obligation.

Insurance Bias Against Motorcyclists

by admin@gotechark.com | January 25th, 2016

One of the reasons we’re so passionate about defending injured motorcyclists is we know they might not get a fair deal from the insurance company otherwise. There are many in the legal profession who believe there is an unfair bias against motorcyclists due to denied claims. The reason for the denied claims? The driver was operating a motorcycle. Imagine being seriously injured in a motorcycle crash and your health insurance company refuses to pay your medical bills.

How can they do this? By adding “exclusions” into the fine print of your policy. These exclusions release the insurance company of their responsibility to take care of you in the event that you sustain injuries while operating a motorcycle. Don’t wait until you’ve been in an accident to find out if you’re protected. Read your policy closely or call your insurance provider to find out if there are any exclusions on your policy that you’re not currently aware of.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident and you’re getting the runaround from the insurance company, give our Norfolk motorcycle accident attorneys a call. We believe motorcyclists should have the same freedoms and protections that every driver enjoys, and we defend those freedoms by standing up to the insurance company and demanding they do the right thing.

Your Injury Claim: Not a DIY Project

by admin@gotechark.com | January 18th, 2016

If you think handling your own injury claim is a good idea, think again. Filing a strong injury claim can be a complicated process that is not a do-it-yourself project. Just one missed deadline or filing mistake can be the difference between getting the compensation you deserve and leaving a lot of money on the table. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, an experienced Norfolk personal injury attorney can help ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Here are 3 reasons whey you should hire an attorney to handle your personal injury claim:

  1. Filing requirements—Filing an injury claim requires an in-depth knowledge of the process. The paperwork alone can be overwhelming, and then there are a number of filing deadlines that you must observe in order to have you claim considered. An experienced lawyer will process your paperwork and meet all deadlines on your behalf.
  2. Insurance company missteps—The insurance company loves do-it-yourselfers, because it makes their job so much easier. Do-it-yourselfers often make mistakes that the insurance company can take advantage of, potentially giving them everything they need to deny your claim all together.
  3. Ease of mind—If you’ve been injured, you need to focus your energy on one thing: getting better. An attorney can take the burden off your shoulders, representing your best interests while you focus on recovery.

Personal injury claims are not a do-it-yourself project. Call us today and take control of your situation.

9 Driving Safety Tips for Avoiding Pedestrians

by admin@gotechark.com | January 11th, 2016

No matter what type of vehicle you drive, if you are out on the road, you are at risk of being involved in a car accident. Most car accidents involve two or more vehicles, which can be devastating. However, you might be surprised to learn that 14% of all vehicle-related fatalities involve pedestrians. In fact, a pedestrian is injured in a car accident every seven minutes.

To help decrease the number of pedestrian car accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has put together a list of safety tips.

  1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility.
  2. Use extra caution when driving in hard to see conditions, such as nighttime or in bad weather.
  3. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
  4. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
  5. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.
  6. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
  7. Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
  8. Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where there are children present.
  9. Be extra cautious when backing up – pedestrians can move into your path.

Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are committed to helping Norfolk car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. If you were injured in a car accident, call our Norfolk personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation.

You Can Afford a Lawyer

by admin@gotechark.com | January 4th, 2016

One of the questions we get most often in Norfolk is “Can I afford a lawyer?” That’s a fair question and a valid concern. When most people think about hiring a lawyer, they see dollar signs. They assume a lawyer will charge them large amounts of money upfront just to consider their case. That may be true of other law firms, but that’s not how we do it at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers. We make it easy to get the help you need by offering a contingency fee arrangement to all of our clients.

A contingency fee means our payment is contingent on whether or not we win your case, so you don’t owe us anything upfront. In fact, we’ll only take payment if we get money for you. That means you have nothing to lose from giving us a call.

Our goal is to eliminate all the obstacles keeping you from getting the help you need. That’s why, in addition to our contingency fee arrangement, we offer free consultations. We’ll evaluate your case and let you know if we believe we can help. Either way, the consultation is always free of charge.

Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page for answers. When you’re ready, give us a call for your free consultation.

The Battle Against Mesothelioma and Asbestos in Virginia

by | December 28th, 2015

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that’s used for it’s insulating and fire-retardant properties in many of the products we’re exposed to daily. While the use of asbestos has certain benefits, the risks the substance poses are substantial.

Contact with asbestos has been linked to the development of a deadly form of cancer known as Mesothelioma. This particular type of cancer can cause growths to develop on the lungs and inside the body cavity.

These dangers are why asbestos is often removed from structures and products that could cause exposure. However, removing asbestos is an extremely delicate process that requires numerous precautions and safety measures in order to protect the safety of workers and prevent asbestos contamination.

The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has created the Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors as a means to control the way asbestos is handled in Virginia. The organization monitors all projects containing asbestos and enforces all regulations of the substance.

The processes and laws that are in place are successful in reducing much of the public’s exposure to this harmful substance. However, many citizens were exposed to asbestos before these rules were implemented and some people still come in contact with asbestos today.

If you developed Mesothelioma as a result of being exposed to asbestos, Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley and our legal staff at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers is here to help. You can contact us by calling (757) 459-CASH anytime—day or night.

Virginia Replacing Guardrails to Protect Motorists in Car Accidents

by | December 21st, 2015

Guardrails that line the highway may be one of your first defenses in a car accident. But what if these supposedly lifesaving devices weren’t as safe as we previously believed? Unfortunately, the risks of defective guardrails seem to be a reality here in Virginia. Luckily, a solution is on the way.

The Hampton Roads car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain that concerns began to arise when a link between the length of guardrail end caps and the devastating results of impacts with the devices was discovered. Research shows the guardrail caps were shortened after undergoing federal testing and approval, which undermined their ability to function properly.

With these discoveries coming to light, the state began removing each of the defective guardrails. According to an article from the Press Telegraph, officials say the faulty units are to be replaced with newer and safer units.

Virginia also filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the faulty rails, claiming negligence in failing to disclose the changes in the product’s design.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we are aware of the important role safety equipment plays in keeping our highways safe. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers would like to applaud Virginia for taking steps to help ensure motorists are protected in the event of a crash.

5-Year-Old Girl Suffers Dog Bite Injuries in Chesapeake Attack

by | December 14th, 2015

The force of a dog’s bite is immense. Estimates show that when a canine’s jaws lock, more than 300 pounds of pressure per square inch can be applied.

With numbers like these, it comes as no surprise that a dog’s bite can inflict serious injuries. An incident in which a 5-year-old girl sustained life-threatening dog bite injuries over the weekend brings this likelihood into perspective.

Reports from WAVY 10 News say the attack happened on Sunday, Dec. 13, at a home on the 500 block of Margaret Drive in Chesapeake, Virginia. Witnesses say the victim was visiting family friends and playing with the two dogs outside. For unknown reasons, one of the animals turned on the young girl and bit her neck, causing lacerations and puncture wounds. The bite required the victim to be transported from the scene via helicopter for treatment at a local hospital.

The two dogs involved are being quarantined to ensure they are not carrying any infectious diseases.

Recovering from a dog bite wound can be a long and difficult process, which is why the Norfolk personal injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to wish the young girl who was injured a full and speedy recovery.

Online Shoppers Should Be Wary of Arbitration Agreements

by | December 7th, 2015

As we scurry to wrap up holiday gift shopping, the idea of ordering items online can be alluring. But the Norfolk defective product lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers warn shoppers that ordering online can affect your rights to file a product liability claim.

Many online retailers have begun forcing shoppers to agree to arbitration clauses prior to a purchase. These agreements protect retailers from lawsuits in the event they sell a malfunctioning product and strip consumers of their rights to protection under the law.

An article from The Fiscal Times points out that some of the largest retailers who have adopted the practice include Amazon, Ticketmaster, Starbucks, and Overstock.com.

So what can you do to protect your legal rights while shopping this holiday season? Experts encourage consumers to do shopping at a company’s physical location rather than online, due to the fact arbitration agreements aren’t signed when items are purchased at a store. You can also choose to do any required online shopping with companies that do not force arbitration agreements onto their customers.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we believe in protecting the rights of consumers, and our Norfolk personal injury lawyers hope these tips are useful to you during the holiday shopping season.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Virginia

by | November 30th, 2015

Numerous factors can lead to a motor vehicle collision. While you can’t eliminate all risks, some common causes of car accidents are completely preventable.

Speeding, for instance, is one cause of crashes that drivers have total control over. Despite the ability to prevent speed-related accidents, driving too fast is still a factor in as many as one-third of all fatal crashes. Data from the Department of Motor Vehicles shows that speeding claimed a total of 300 lives and led to almost 13,500 injuries last year in Virginia. Men accounted for roughly 58 percent of all speed-related accident victims.

Alcohol is involved in a similar number of crashes each year. Driving under the influence was a factor in roughly 33 percent of all fatal crashes in 2014. Drunk drivers were responsible for causing an estimated 6,500 Virginia car accidents last year.

One of the newest and most difficult to track risk factors is distracted driving. Some studies show as many as 40 percent of motorists engage in the behavior even though they acknowledge the risks that it poses.

If you were in a crash that was the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers can provide you with information and resources to help protect your rights. Learn more about the options that are available to you by visiting our website.