Norfolk personal injury lawyers
by | May 4th, 2015
As the weather continues to warm across Virginia, more and more bikers are beginning to take their motorcycles out on the road. Unfortunately, Norfolk and surrounding areas tend to see a spike in the number of crashes involving motorcycles during this time of year. Studies have shown motorcycle accident numbers are highest during the months of March and April, then steadily decline throughout the remainder of the year.
These risks are why the Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers encourage bikers to always wear a helmet—doing so could save your life in the event of a crash. One Virginia man recently told his story about how wearing this piece of safety equipment prevented his death during a crash.
The man told reporters with WAVY 10 News that he was riding his bike along I-664 at approximately 60 MPH when traffic in front of him came to a halt. He did not have time to stop and collided with the rear end of a van in front of him. The impact of the collision caused the motorcyclist to be thrown over the handlebars of the bike and through the rear windshield of the van.
The man walked away with only cuts and bruises, attributing his safety to the use of a helmet and safety goggles.
At Lowell Stanley Injury lawyers, we know the risks motorcyclists take each time they ride, which is why our Norfolk personal injury attorneys would like to remind motorcyclists the law requires all riders to wear a helmet each and every time they operate a motorcycle.
by | April 20th, 2015
Distracted driving has become a major issue on the roadways of Virginia in recent years. A study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute shows that 80 percent of all crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes are the result of a driver’s inattention within three seconds of the accident occurring.
Officials and many organizations in the state are working to keep inattentive drivers off the road through several different campaigns and events. The Norfolk car accident attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers points out that one of those programs uses roadside “monsters” to persuade motorists to put the phone down.
The massive creatures were constructed using traffic barrels, cones, and other equipment typically found at a roadside construction site. The “monsters” are then placed next to the road as a reminder to drivers not to talk on the phone or text while traveling.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has also declared April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. As part of the campaign, the organization Drive Smart Virginia is asking motorists to sign a pledge promising not to drive distracted.
The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers remind Virginians there are other ways you can prevent yourself from becoming a distracted driver, including:
- Make a Plan– Create a schedule that allows you enough time to get where you’re going without needing to multitask behind the wheel. Also, know the route you plan to travel to your destination before the vehicle moves.
- Concentrate– Eliminate the most obvious distractions—like cellphones, food, drink, or music—before driving. Once the car is in motion, be sure to focus on the road rather than your surroundings.
- Pull Over– If you must take a phone call, email, or text, be sure to pull over at the next safe location before doing so.
We hope these tips help to keep you and your loved ones safe.
by | April 13th, 2015
Estimates from the American Veterinary Medical Association show that each year, as many as 4.5 million Americans will suffer a dog bite injury. More than one-third of those victims are children, considering approximately 360,000 people between the ages of 5 and 9 years old are treated each year for injuries sustained in a canine attack.
To bring into perspective the serious damage that can be done when a dog bites, lets look at an incident that occurred just a few weeks ago here in Norfolk that left several children and adults each suffering a dog bite injury. According to ABC 13 News, the attack happened on Monday, March 30, at approximately 7:35 P.M. on Johnstons Road.
Reports indicate one of the victims said he heard children screaming and ran to the scene. When he arrived, he found five children on the ground with each having suffered a dog bite injury from one of three canines that were in the area. The dogs then turned on the man as well, biting his abdomen and lunging for his neck. He was able to fight the animals off until emergency crews could respond.
Two children and two adults required medical treatment at a local hospital. Meanwhile, the owner of the dogs apologized and stated the animals had escaped from the backyard of the home.
If you or a loved one have suffered a dog bite injury, it’s crucial that you not hesitate to seek legal counsel to discuss your rights. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys are standing by to answer the questions you have regarding your injuries. Give us a call at (757) 459-CASH to discuss your case.
by | April 7th, 2015
Spring has arrived in Eastern Virginia and with the passing of the Easter weekend, motorcycle season has officially opened in our area. The Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain the great volume of motorcyclists on the road means all travelers need to keep safety in mind and be more aware of their surroundings. Here are a few things you can do to help prevent motorcycle accidents during the coming months:
- Get Training– Consider taking the Virginia Rider Training Program course. Doing so will provide you with classroom and hands-on training about how to safely ride a motorcycle.
- Wear a Helmet– Wearing a helmet can reduce your chances of death in the event of a motorcycle collision by as much as 60 percent. So, be sure that you wear a helmet every time you ride and require any passengers you carry on your bike to do the same.
- Don’t Drink and Drive– In 2013, there were a total of 2,158 Virginia motorcycle accidents that involved the consumption of alcohol. While the motorcycle driver was intoxicated in only 3.5 percent of those accidents, other motorists were driving drunk in around 93 percent of the accidents. So regardless of whether you’re driving a car or a motorcycle, don’t drink and drive.
Our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers hope these safety tips help keep you and your loved ones safe over the next several months of the motorcycle season in Virginia.
by | March 30th, 2015
Employers have a legal responsibility to provide workers with a safe and healthy environment in which to do their jobs; however, the Norfolk workers’ compensation attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers say many companies fail to meet this requirement, which often leads to serious accidents and legal action being taken against the responsible parties.
An accident that occurred earlier today at Colonna’s Shipyard in Norfolk underscores just how easily an on-the-job accident can occur if safety isn’t on the mind of every worker all the time. According to a story from WAVY 10 News, the incident occurred at around 1:25 p.m. near the facility’s South Main Street entrance.
This wasn’t the shipyard’s first safety incident though. Just last year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the shipyard more than $100,000 after inspections uncovered as many as one dozen health and safety code violations at the facility. Some of the violations included uncovered manholes, which presented a fall risk, as well as using damaged tools and equipment or utilizing unguarded machinery.
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed as the result of workplace negligence, it’s vital to know that help is available. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk personal injury lawyers can not only answer your questions regarding workplace safety, but we can also help to assist you in filing the necessary paperwork to get back on your feet financially. Call us at (757) 459-CASH anytime to discuss your case.
by | March 23rd, 2015
Highway traffic collisions are dangerous for anyone who is involved, but especially for road crews who may be working in the area where an accident occurs. In Virginia alone, there were more than 3,000 work zone accidents in 2012. Those crashes resulted in 1,500 injuries and 13 fatalities.
To help educate the public about the dangers of work zone accidents, the Norfolk car accident attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain that this week has been named “National Work Zone Awareness Week”.
As part of the event, the Virginia Department of Transportation has announced it will be doing its part to raise awareness about the issue of work zone safety by holding a vigil at the state’s VDOT Worker’s Memorial. According to WAVY 10 News, the memorial is located along I-64, near the town of Afton Mountain. The vigil will feature several speakers discussing the importance of work zone safety as a way to remember fallen workers.
For those who are unable to attend, it’s important to remember that the best way to promote work zone safety is to practice work zone safety. This means slowing down in all posted construction and work zones. It’s also important to allow yourself plenty of time to stop in work zone traffic by not following other vehicles too closely and avoiding distractions at all costs.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen the devastating results motor vehicle crashes in work zones can have. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are hopeful National Work Zone Safety Week will effectively raise awareness about this very serious highway danger.
by | February 23rd, 2015
Whether you’ve suffered a brain injury or been hurt in a car accident, it’s likely that you will depend on calling 911 in order to receive emergency services. It’s important to remember though: 911 systems have flaws that could result in you not getting the care you need in a timely manner.
Typically, when a 911 call comes in, it is immediately traced in order to determine the location where the call was made. With cellphones and today’s technology though, this can be a difficult task because of cellphone towers. Sometimes, all of a caller’s information isn’t transferred to the dispatcher from the cell phone tower. In many more cases though, a call is sent to the nearest cellphone tower and then the nearest dispatch location. Unfortunately, sometimes the cellphone tower can pass along bad information about a caller’s location.
According to an article from 13 News Now, only around one-quarter of 911 calls in eastern Virginia come in with data about where a person is calling from. So what can you do to stay safe? The Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers suggest:
- Stay vigilant– Being aware of your surroundings at all times and not engaging in risky behavior goes a long way in helping to keep you safe.
- Call 911 from a land line– Most location errors occur because of interruption in the transmitting of data to cellphone towers. You can eliminate these issues by calling from a wired phone.
- Be precise– If you call 911, explain your location in detail to the dispatcher. This can include zip codes, addresses, landmarks, etc.
We hope these tips help to keep you and your loved ones safe in the future.
by | January 19th, 2015
There are countless contributing factors that can come into play in a motor vehicle collision, but one of the most common causes of car accidents today is distracted driving. In fact, some research shows as many as 8 out of 10 crashes that occur in the commonwealth of Virginia are the result of driver inattention.
So what is being done to deter Virginia’s drivers from engaging in this deadly behavior? In 2013, lawmakers made texting while driving a primary offense. This means law enforcement can stop a driver if they witness a motorist texting while driving. The behavior is punishable by a $125 ticket for a first offense and a $250 fine and three points on your license for every subsequent offense.
Texting and driving was previously considered a secondary violation, meaning the officer or trooper had to witness the motorist break another law before they could be stopped and ticketed for distracted driving.
This is just the first step, though. An article from The News & Advance points out that talking on a cellphone while driving is still legal, despite evidence showing the behavior is dangerous as well.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the dangers distracted driving can pose to all motorists. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers ask that you put your phone down while driving and pledge not to drive while distracted.
If a distracted driver has injured you, it’s also important to know that we can help. Our legal team is standing by to offer you assistance with any questions you may have, and can help begin the legal processes to get you on the road to compensation. Call us anytime at (757) 459-CASH for a free consultation of your case.
by | January 12th, 2015
Most companies in Virginia strive to protect the health and safety of workers, but sometimes accidents happen. Luckily, most businesses and companies in the commonwealth are required by law to carry an insurance policy that offers Virginia workers’ compensation benefits to an injured employee in the event of an accident; however, many businesses will see a change in pricing for these policies in the new year.
According to an article from the Augusta Free Press, the State Corporation Commission has approved changes to the law proposed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. The reforms will result in a majority of employers seeing an increase in costs for Virginia workers’ compensation benefits insurance.
Coal mining operations are expected to see the greatest increases in cost, with coverage for underground operations spiking by more than 10 percent while surface operations could see costs swell by as much as 15 percent.
So what do these increases in costs mean for workers? Some experts believe it could result in more employers failing to procure coverage or report accidents. The rise in costs could also lead to more conservative decisions being issued on new Virginia workers’ compensation benefits claims.
The Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers say these are just a few reasons why its so important to have legal representation by your side if you’ve been injured on the job. Our team of lawyers is here to help. Call us today at (757) 459-CASH for a free consultation of your case if you’ve been seriously injured while working.
by | January 5th, 2015
The drug industry in the United States provides Americans with some of the safest drugs in the world due to stringent testing requirements; however, sometimes medications can have side effects that go undiscovered during the testing process that can cause patients to suffer a serious drug injury.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates thousands of drug injuries occur each year because patient take products that slipped through the cracks of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s safety standards. So what’s being done to better protect Americans from such harm? Researchers say a new test could uncover hidden toxins in medications much earlier in the testing and screening processes.
According to an article from Science 2.0, scientists at the University of Utah used both laboratory mice and untamed mice to test the toxicity of the antidepressant Paxil. The mice were placed into a pen where they had to fend for themselves for food, water, and territory. After several generations of mice were bred, those that had consumed food laced with Paxil struggled to keep up with their counterparts in the control group, showing signs the drug may need further testing to determine its side effects.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we understand the need for determining the safety of a medication earlier in the testing stages and our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are hopeful this new research method will be used to better protect Americans from harmful side effects of medications.
