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- Attorney Discusses Speed Limit Increase in Parts of Virginia (VA)
Posted on 2/22/2010 - Attorney Discusses Shift from Jury Trials to Settlements in Virginia
Posted on 2/9/2010 - Attorney Discusses the High Car Crash Rate in Hampton Roads
Posted on 2/4/2010 - Attorney Examines Increase in Wrong Way Car Wrecks in HOV Lanes
Posted on 2/3/2010 - Attorney Discusses Insurance Issues for "Road Warriors"
Posted on 1/31/2010
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Car & Motorcycle Accidents
Bad Weather Causes Bad Driving in Southeast Virginia
As an injury lawyer who commutes to work on the busy highways in Tidewater, Virginia (VA), I am struck by how poor the driving habits of my fellow citizens of Norfolk/Virginia Beach can be. My daily commute takes me from the Larchmont section of Norfolk on Interstate 64 (I-64) and 564 (I-564) westbound to Virginia Beach and back the same way. When we have lots of rain and fog like we had during a recent month, the driving conditions get treacherous. With the hazardous road conditions come lots of accidents, many with injuries, on our local freeways and secondary roads.
Part of the reason for the number of collisions involves how busy our streets have become in recent years with the increase in population. Partly the fact that people in our area are not used to driving in snow or ice is to blame. However, I think that the lack of good driver’s education seems to be a factor. People need to understand that when the roads are slick from rain, you must slow down. The ability of your car to brake can be drastically different when you are on wet pavement. This is particularly true when the precipitation first starts and the oil on the road rises to the surface.
Many people do not seem to realize that the law of Virginia requires motorists to turn on their lights any time they are using their windshield wipers. See Virginia Code Section 46.2-1030(A)(iii). This means that your lights must be on when it is raining, even if it is during the day. My estimate as I drive to court in Newport News, Virginia or Suffolk is that less than half of the drivers seem to realize that they are required to help other folks to see them during inclement wet weather by turning on their headlamps.
The standards expected of professional drivers for commercial driver’s licenses both in Virginia and nationally require them to exercise a higher standard of care and be extremely careful when there are visibility problems like during fog or mist. Most truck drivers, particularly those responsible for big rigs, understand and obey these duties. It is often the average car driver who seems oblivious to the fact that if they see fog on the bridge up ahead whether on Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk or on Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake, they must use extra care. If you cannot see me, I cannot see you and the chances of a collision resulting in serious injury or even death becomes much greater.
Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the Northeast North Carolina (NC) border, practicing primarily in the southeastern U.S. and handles only injury law, including car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. The firm's website is: hsinjurylaw.com, the firm edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, as well as the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard and also hosts a video library covering many FAQ’s on personal injury subjects. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.
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Car & Motorcycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Passengers Recover $1,512,000.00
- Rear Ender-Neck/Cervical Fusion Surgery, Lost Income and Earnings
- Pedestrians Struck by Automobile Recover $540,000.00
- Car Accident-minivan-knee surgery
- Crosswalk Accident With Broken Leg Settles For $227,000.00
Awarded: $1,512,000.00
Awarded: $545,000.00
Awarded: $227,000
FAQs
Car & Motorcycle Accidents
- I've been hurt in a car wreck and the insurance company for the other driver has called me to give a recorded statement. Should I do it?
- Should I use my regular health insurance to pay for the medical care I need as a result of a car accident?
- Our new clients in car accident cases often asked, "Can I accept a check which has been offered to me for my car repairs or will that mess up my claim for injuries and medical bills?"
- Why shouldn't I just take a quick settlement for whatever the car insurance company for the other driver will pay me?
- What do I do if the at-fault driver's car insurance is not returning my calls or dragging its feet after a Virginia car accident with injuries?