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I asked a friend of mine...what attorney would he use [to handle a mesothelioma case] and he immediately said Rick Shapiro. He called Rick on his cell phone and explained our situation and handed me the phone. That connection to the law firm of Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis and Appleton began a relationship of trust and a sense of confidence that we had not experienced before. It was apparent to us that we had the right team fighting for our father.
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Alcohol and prescription medication can seriously impair a driver's cognitive ability potentially leading a serious car accident. To learn more, please continue reading...

A horrendous car accident on Interstate 264 (I-264) featured the driver of a BMW neglecting the barriers and caution signals of an HOV interchange and driving into the wrong lane. The end result was the death of a woman named Frances Wilson of Chesapeake, Virginia (VA). It's a true tragedy; two days before New Year's and instead of enjoying the holidays, they'll be forced to endure the grieving process.

This car crash featured such blatant negligence that one would suspect alcohol and/or prescription drugs abuse to be a factor. Two similar accidents occurred in Hampton Roads and both of the at-fault drivers were driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Most people are aware of the risks associated with drinking and driving, but driving after consuming a prescription medication can be just as dangerous. Numerous medications have serious side effects, including drowsiness, an inability to concentrate, and/or blurred vision.
Any of these side effects can cause a driver to commit an egregious error and wind up seriously injuring or killing someone in a car wreck.

car, accident, wreck, crash, injury, attorney

car, accident, wreck, crash, injury, attorney

A study conducted by a Maryland trauma center revealed roughly 34 percent of motor vehicle crash drivers admitted to testing positive for "drugs only" while only 16 percent tested positive for "alcohol only" and these are only the people who were willing to admit their test results, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

An even worse scenario that's becoming commonplace is the combination of drinking and consuming prescription drugs. With over 2,800 prescription drugs available in the United States and 14 billion prescriptions written each year, the prevalence of drivers consuming a lethal mixture of drugs and alcohol are having devastating effects on the highways in Virginia (VA).

The police investigation of the fatal I-264 crash hasn't revealed why the at-fault driver displayed such disregard for the caution signals and interchange barriers, but given the history of these types of accidents and the reckless behavior displayed in causing this wreck, I wouldn't be surprised if alcohol and/or misuse of prescription drugs played a role.

When drugs or drink are the cause of a wreck, then under Virginia law the at fault driver's insurer may have to pay punitive damages beyond the money to compensate the family of a person killed in an accident. These punitive damages are to punish the wrongdoer for their reckless conduct. If the drunk driver dies too though, these damages may not be available

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and we have experience handling wrongful death cases. Our primary office in based in Virginia Beach, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness. While not every injury case meets our criteria, we off a free, initial confidential injury case consultation, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call promptly.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the "Best Lawyers in America" 2010 Edition, and along with attorney John Cooper, were named Virginia "Super Lawyers" For Personal Injury Law (2010 Ed., less than 5% of lawyers are chosen), and selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2009). In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube . Furthermore, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a public information service.

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Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757)-460-7776
Fax: (757)-460-3428
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Elizabeth City, NC 27909
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Main VA Office
1294 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757)-460-7776
Fax: (757)-460-3428
Toll Free: 1-800-752-0042

Hampton-Peninsula Area Office
Mill Point Center
101 Eaton Street
Hampton, Virginia 23669
Phone: (757)-788-8162

North Carolina Office
101 E. Elizabeth Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Toll Free: 1-800-752-0042

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