Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog

Study Finds Women Injured In Car Accidents More Often Than Men

by admin@gotechark.com | April 3rd, 2012

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.

Bad Weather May Have Played A Part In Virginia Car Accident

by admin@gotechark.com | March 27th, 2012

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.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Could Contribute To Violent Behavior

by admin@gotechark.com | March 19th, 2012

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.

Virginia Logger Killed In On-The-Job Accident

by admin@gotechark.com | March 12th, 2012

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.

Man Loses Leg In South Richmond, Virginia, Motorcycle Crash

by admin@gotechark.com | March 5th, 2012

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.

Restaurant Owner Who Served Underage Patrons Before Fatal Crash Charged

by admin@gotechark.com | February 28th, 2012

February 27, 2012

The owner of a restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia, has been charged by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission with serving underage and intoxicated patrons just minutes before a fatal crash claimed the life of a 20-year-old man. According to reports from The MetroWest Daily News, the accident happened on October 11, 2010 around 9:30 p.m. at 45 Holliston Street, a short distance from the restaurant.

Reports indicate that the man and two other underage patrons were served between seven and ten drinks from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The patrons then got into a 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup and drove away. Moments later, the vehicle struck a curb and a tree before rolling several times and landing in front of a local middle school. Two of the victims, including the young man who died at the scene, were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the vehicle.

The other ejected victim survived after receiving treatment at the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worchester for bleeding in her brain, a fractured eye socket and nose, and a broken collarbone, ribs, pelvis, and spine.

Virginia state law allows for restaurant owners and servers to be charged with crimes, and they can be held liable if a patron of their establishment is invoed in an accident after drinking.

The Virginia Auto Accident Attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley express their condolences to the families of those involved in this crash.

Snowy Weather Causes Thousands Of Accidents Across Virginia

by admin@gotechark.com | February 20th, 2012

February 20, 2012

With snow falling across the state of Virginia, state police say they are overwhelmed with accident calls. According to reports from WTKR Channel 3 News, police have responded to approximately 1,000 calls in the last two days.

A spokesman for Virginia State Police, Sgt. Thomas Molnar, said emergency crews have responded to 881 crashes and 456 disabled vehicles in the past 48 hours, and that 230 of those calls came from the Richmond area. Troopers added that they responded to roughly 40 crashes in Metro Richmond.

The high number of accidents has prompted the Virginia Department of Transportation to offer the following tips to drivers:

  • Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter. Be sure to check your:
    • brakes and tires,
    • battery and ignition system,
    • antifreeze and thermostat,
    • windshield wipers and de-icing washer fluid,
    • headlights, tail and brake lights, blinkers and emergency flashers,
    • exhaust system, heater and defroster,
    • and oil.
  • Leave early and know the conditions for the roads you‘ll be on.
  • Keep windows, mirrors, and lights free from snow.
  • Always wear your seatbelt.
  • Start out in the lowest gear possible.
  • Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles and trucks that are plowing the road.
  • Don’t pass a snowplow or spreader unless necessary. Treat these as you would emergency response vehicles.

The Virginia Car Accident Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley hope that these driving safety tips help keep motorists safe during the winter.

New Regulations Will Hopefully Improve Safety Along Virginia Highways

by admin@gotechark.com | February 13th, 2012

February 13, 2012

Lawmakers are trying to tighten safety regulations for drivers here in the United States. Two separate reports from News Channel 3 say that representatives and senators from around the country are considering several ways of keeping drivers safer on the road, including a nationwide ban on texting and driving and stricter requirements for DUI offenders who are allowed to drive.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will go before a New York State Senate committee this week to testify that distractions stemming from handheld devices, especially texting, have been found to be contributing factors in a growing number of transportation accidents over the last 10 years. The bill would make it illegal to operate handheld devices, except in emergency situations, while behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Virginia lawmakers are also considering passing a new ruling that would require all DUI offenders to have ignition interlock systems installed on their vehicles. The devices require a user to have their blood alcohol content measured before their vehicle will start. Then, the device requires the driver be tested sporadically while the vehicle is in motion.

The Virginia car accident lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley hope that the new rules will make the state’s highways for all drivers who choose to utilize them. They agree that refraining from drinking and distracted driving significantly cuts lowers the chances a driver will be involved in an accident.

Child Ejected From Car In Virginia Crash

by admin@gotechark.com | February 6th, 2012

February 6, 2012

The importance of having your child in a safety or booster seat at all times in the car was shown last Thursday when two children were injured in a crash. According to reports from The Virginia Gazette, the accident happened at around 4:30 PM in the intersection of Hampton Highway and Yorktown Road.

Reports from Virginia State Police say that the 35-year-old father of the injured children did not have the kids properly restrained in safety or booster seats when he ran his 2001 Chevy Malibu through a red light and collided with Chevrolet Sienna. The impact caused the 2-year-old child to be ejected from the vehicle.

Both children were taken to Riverside Hospital to be treated for serious injuries they sustained in the crash.

Under Virginia state law, all children under the age of eight years old must be ride in an approved safety or booster seat when in a moving vehicle. The law is vital in protecting Virginia’s children, as research has shown that seat belts are designed to protect adults, not children, in case of an accident. The belts may be too large to properly restrain a child if a crash were to occur.

The Virginia auto accident attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley ask that all Virginians do their part to keep their children safe by always buckling them into a child safety or booster seat when riding in the car.

24-Year-Old Woman Killed in Hampton Pedestrian Accident

by admin@gotechark.com | January 30th, 2012

January 30, 2012

A 24-year-old woman from Hampton, Virginia, was killed early Sunday morning after being struck by a car. According to reports from WAVY-TV 10 News, the crash happened at approximately 4:40 AM, at the intersection of North King Street and Bayberry Court.

Reports from the Hampton Police Department show that the young woman was walking southbound along the roadway when she fell and was hit by a 2008 Chevy Cobalt heading north. The woman suffered massive trauma injuries and was declared dead at the scene.

While the driver of the vehicle has not been charged, police are continuing to investigate the incident.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles say that in the state of Virginia during 2008, there were 76 people killed and 1,696 people injured in pedestrian accidents. Injuries that are caused by pedestrian accidents can cost the victim six figures in medical bills alone.

The experienced Virginia pedestrian accident lawyers with Lowell “ The Hammer” Stanley are strong advocates of victims rights. If you have been injures, our legal team may be able to help get you the compensation needed to pay medical bills and other injury-related expenses. Call an experienced attorney today for a free initial consultation.