Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by actuate | August 10th, 2015
Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation in the Norfolk area. Our area also accounts for a majority of the commonwealth’s motorcycle accidents as well. The Department of Motor Vehicles reports Norfolk had the third highest motorcycle accident fatality total in Virginia in 2014, accounting for 80 deaths. The city had the fourth highest motorcycle crash total and third highest motorcycle accident injury total.
Our Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explains that one of the most commonly reported causes of motorcycle accidents in our area is a motorist’s failure to recognize and yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle. In fact, this was the cause of a recent collision that left two riders with injuries.
According to the Norfolk Daily News, the crash happened on Friday, July 31, at approximately 9:45 p.m. along Highway 275. Reports indicate that the 17-year-old driver of a Chrysler Sebring sedan was pulling out of an access road when she failed to see an oncoming westbound motorcycle.
The 20-year-old operator of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle didn’t have time to stop and collided with the Sebring.
The impact of the collision left the young motorcyclist and his 18-year-old passenger seriously injured.
Accidents like this are why it’s so important for motorists to be aware of motorcycles on the road. Our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers says this means looking twice in both directions for motorcycles and other obstacles before pulling into or maneuvering in traffic.
by | August 4th, 2015
A large number of east Virginia residents use a bicycle as a means of transportation; however, the more bikes on the road, the more possibility of collisions with vehicles.
Our Norfolk bicycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers say local law enforcement is working to raise awareness about the importance of protecting cyclists by naming bicycle safety as the theme for an upcoming National Night Out in Williamsburg, Virginia.
The event will take place on the evening of Tuesday, August 4, from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Community Building located on North Boundary Street. Officials say there will be several organizations in attendance who will focus on bike safety as part of the event.
According to an article published by The Virginia Gazette, Bikes Unlimited will be providing bicycle safety inspections for attendees at no charge. Also, the organization known as Williamsburg Area Bicyclists will be offering free bicycle helmets and bicycle helmet fittings to children who are in need.
The event will also feature live entertainment as well as a bounce house for the kids.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the impact events like this can have on promoting bicycle safety in our communities. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury attorneys would like to encourage you to support a great cause by attending Williamsburg’s 2015 National Night Out tomorrow.
by | July 27th, 2015
Automobile manufacturers in the United States are required to ensure the safety of the vehicles they release to consumers. Unfortunately, numerous safety issues have been discovered in a number of different makes and models in recent years, which has prompted safety regulators to take stern action against automobile companies that produce a defective product.
Take the cases against Fiat Chrysler as a prime example. A report indicates the company will have to buy back or repair as many as 500,000 vehicles that were involved in dozens of recent recalls.
A settlement reached with safety regulators will force Fiat Chrysler to purchase back as many as half a million Dodge Ram pickup trucks that have been the subject of recalls involving faulty steering parts. Furthermore, the company will be required to repair or allow trade-ins on more than 1 million older model Jeeps that are equipped with rear-mounted gas tanks that can be a fire hazard in the event of a crash. The company also faces as much as $105 million in fines as part of the settlement.
An article from WAVY 10 News outlines a list of the makes and models of vehicles that are being affected by the buy backs.
Our team at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers believes in protecting the safety of consumers and motorists in Virginia. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury attorneys are hopeful this settlement will provide consumers with more reliable vehicles that perform as they were intended to.
by | July 21st, 2015
Dozens of traffic accidents occur in Virginia each day and the latest reports from officials say the trend shows no sign of slowing down.
Our Norfolk car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain that data from the Department of Transportation show that a motor vehicle collision occurs in Virginia every four minutes. These crashes result in approximately 66,000 injuries per year and an average of two fatalities per day—a rate that has increased since 2014.
An article from WTOP News shows rear-end collisions were the most common type of crash reported in Virginia this year; however, striking a fixed object has been the leading cause of fatal accidents in Virginia during 2015.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is vigorously working to reduce the accident rate in the commonwealth by implementing several roadway construction and improvement projects. These projects include installing brighter traffic lights and more rumble strips, along with adding bike lanes on certain roads and replacing signage in curves on the highway. Areas where improvements like these were made in the past saw a decrease in accidents of as much as 92 percent.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the important role an area’s infrastructure can play in highway safety. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are anxious to see these highway improvements made sooner, rather than later.
by | July 13th, 2015
Motor vehicle collisions can happen anywhere on the road, but one of the most likely places for a crash to occur is at an intersection. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that roughly 40 percent of all car and truck accidents that occur in the United States happen at road crossings.
Our Norfolk car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers say we should look at a multiple vehicle collision that occurred in Hampton, Virginia, in order to bring into perspective just how common and dangerous crashes at intersections can be. Reports indicate the incident took place at around 1 p.m. on Monday, July 13, at the crossing of North Armistead and West Pembroke avenues.
According to an article from WAVY 10 News, the driver of a gold Ford Explorer was heading north on Armistead when a van heading east on Pembroke collided with the SUV. The impact caused the Explorer to roll into the path of a black sedan, striking that vehicle as well.
Emergency crews responded to the scene and transported four people to local hospitals for treatment, including both drivers of the vehicles involved in the initial collision.
If you’ve been injured as the result of a crash that occurred in an intersection, you may have legal rights that need to be protected. Give our Norfolk personal injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers a call if you have questions regarding what you are entitled to after an accident occurs. We can be reached at (757) 459-CASH.
by | July 6th, 2015
Highway safety is a major concern in the state of Virginia. That’s why lawmakers have passed several new laws aimed at preventing traffic accidents in the commonwealth. Our Norfolk personal injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to fill you in on the changes that took effect July 1.
Move Over Law
Motorists are now required to give at least one lane of space to any emergency vehicle that is stopped and has its lights or sirens activated. If a driver is on a two-lane road and is approaching a stopped emergency vehicle, the driver should slow down to at least 10 MPH below the posted speed limit and give at least two feet of space when passing the stopped vehicle.
Tailgating Laws
In an effort to reduce Virginia bicycle accident numbers, lawmakers have passed new regulations that prohibit motorists from following bicycles too closely. Violations of the law will result in a citation.
Crossing Double Yellow Lines
In another effort to keep cyclists safe, legislators passed an ordinance that will now allow motorists to cross double yellow lines when passing a bicycle on the road, as long as the maneuver can be made safely. An article from NBC 29 News explains this will allow cyclists and pedestrians more space on roads that do not have specified bike or pedestrian lanes.
Stay Safe
Our legal staff at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers understand the dangers motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians each face on the road. That’s why we’re hopeful these changes will offer vulnerable travelers more protection when on the road.
by | June 29th, 2015
The number of collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles has steadily increased over the years. Data shows that last year, a total of 12 cyclists lost their lives as the result of a Virginia bicycle accident, which was a 50 percent increase from the previous year’s total.
To help reduce Virginia bicycle accident numbers, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is sponsoring several campaigns to help spread the message of bicycle safety across the commonwealth. One of those projects involves citizens sharing photos of themselves wearing bicycle helmets.
Wearing a helmet can reduce a cyclist’s chances of being seriously injured or killed in an accident by as much as 65 percent. So the DMV is asking area residents to post “selfies” to social media platforms using the tag #safetylooksgoodonyou as a heading. The DMV will then use the photos to promote helmet use and bicycle safety.
An article from NBC 29 News says children can get involved with spreading the message as well by printing off one of the DMV’s coloring pages. Kids should then ask their parents to mail in the finished coloring job, where it will then be displayed at the DMV’s Richmond Central Customer Service Center.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the importance of staying safe while riding a bicycle. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are encouraging you to do your part to help promote bicycle safety in our communities.
by | June 22nd, 2015
Statistics show that motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of accidental death among children under age 12 and are also a leading cause of accidental injury as well. One of the best ways to protect your child from death or injury in the event of a crash is to ensure they are always seated in a child safety or booster seat that’s been properly installed. While this may sound like a pretty simple solution, our Norfolk car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain that it’s important to ensure you have the right fit in a seat for your child.
One of the most common errors that can put a child in danger in a car seat is not properly installing the unit. It’s estimated that roughly 70 percent of all child safety and booster seats aren’t installed correctly. The best way to prevent such a mistake is to take your vehicle and the seat to your local fire, police, or emergency responder location to have the seat installed and inspected.
Another common mistake is putting a child in the wrong size seat. Booster and safety seats have a minimum and maximum height and weight limit. Check the specifications on your child’s seat to ensure it’s the proper size.
An article from ABC 13 News touches on another common problem, which is how children with special needs may require a specialized seat to give them the protection they need in a car.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen how valuable car safety seats can be in protecting a child’s life in an accident. Our Norfolk personal injury lawyers urge you to have your child’s safety or booster seat checked and inspected for safety.
by | June 15th, 2015
When we think of elder abuse in the United States, what may come to mind is an elderly person who has been physically or mentally harmed by another person’s actions. However, a new study shows that neglect may actually be the most common form of abuse the elderly suffer.
Our Norfolk nursing home abuse lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain how researchers from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services examined tens of thousands of reports stemming from incidents where elderly patients were harmed. They found that more than half of those cases were the result of neglect, including improper supervision.
According to an article from the Daily Press, a majority of these neglect cases occurred within the patient’s home. Roughly half of those victims were Caucasian women age 60 or older. Another 400 of those victims were over age 90.
The home isn’t the only place neglect can occur though. There were 286 cases of nursing home abuse reported in assisted living facilities and another 570 cases that occurred within a nursing home. Another 834 cases were reported in the home of someone other than the patient.
If you or a loved one have become the victim of neglect, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone and that help is out there. Our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers from Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are here to answer any questions you may have if you suspect you or your loved one aren’t receiving the appropriate care. We can be reached to discuss your situation by calling (757) 459-CASH.
by | June 8th, 2015
The construction industry is a vital component to the economy of Virginia, bringing millions of dollars to the region annually; however, construction sites and zones are also where a large portion of Virginia’s on-the-job injuries and fatalities occur as well. Our Norfolk workers’ compensation attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain that unfortunately, some of these victims don’t receive the treatment and compensation they are legally entitled to.
One of the reasons injured workers aren’t getting the care they deserve is because some employers choose to misclassify their workers in order to lower costs. By claiming an employee is an independent subcontractor, an employer can reduce the number of workers they must claim. This not only reduces insurance payments and rates, but also prevents a misclassified worker from filing a claim if they’re injured.
That’s why, according to Safety +Health magazine, the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health program is working to reduce incidents of worker misclassification.
The agency has adopted new policies that will allow officials to request contractors and subcontractors provide proof of licensing from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation if inspectors suspect a worker has been misclassified. The new rules will go into effect beginning July 1.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the struggles that can accompany an on-the-job accident and our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are here to help. If you’ve been hurt while working, give us a call at (757) 459-CASH and let us assist you along the road to recovery.
