Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, LLP Blog

Three Ways a Warrenton Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

You probably ignored all of the lawyer commercials on television. You likely didn’t notice the attorney billboards positioned along the highways. Yet, when you actually needed an attorney, you started to notice all of these ads.

When you are injured in an accident, whether a car, truck, or motorcycle, recognizing you need a lawyer is a big step. Some people will first attempt to settle with the insurance company on their own, only to find out that it is a frustrating process. An experienced attorney can make a big impact on the outcome of your case. Specifically, a lawyer can help you with the following:

Negotiate with the insurance company, so you don’t have to. Dealing with an insurance adjuster is aggravating and can lead to nowhere. When you hire a Warrenton car accident lawyer, he or she can step in and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.
Work on getting you fair compensation. The adjuster might try to offer you a settlement that is far below what your case is worth. An attorney can ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on the damages you may be able to recover.
Help you obtain peace of mind. Above all else, a lawyer gives you peace of mind. When you have legal counsel, you can focus on your recovery, as your attorney will focus on winning your case. You don’t have to deal with sleepless nights or worry over what will happen. Your lawyer will have you covered.

If you really want to know how an attorney can help, why not call our office for a free legal consultation? You can reach one of our Warrenton car accident lawyers by calling 540-341-0007 today.

First Year is the Highest Risk for Virginia Motorcycle Crashes

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

For many men and women, they can’t wait to finally purchase that dream motorcycle. The anticipation of beautiful weather, the open road and wind in your face might seem like the ideal way to travel. While motorcycles are great modes of transportation, they do come with risks—especially that first year as a motorcyclist.

The First 30 Days Mean a Heightened Risk of Virginia Motorcycle Crashes

Numerous studies have shown that the most dangerous time for motorcycle riders is that initial year after getting the bike. The highest risk occurs the first month. In fact, Matthew Moore, the vice president of the Highway Loss Data Institute, said that the risk of an accident is four times greater that first 30 days of operating the bike than it is the entire second year. Moore explains this trend by citing motorcyclists’ inexperience.

According to Moore, driving a motorcycle is no simple feat. He gave the Associated Press one example to illustrate the complexities of operating these vehicles, which included the six steps you have to take to simply pull out on a hill.

Whether this is your first year of riding a motorcycle or the twenty-first year, there are always risks that are faced on the road. Many motorists don’t exercise caution around motorcyclists, which can lead to catastrophic accidents.

When Help is Needed

If you have been hurt in a Virginia motorcycle crash, you do not have to face this major challenge alone. An experienced Warrenton motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover damages for your injuries. For advice regarding your case, contact the law firm of Dulaney, Lauer and Thomas at one of our many locations:

Warrenton 540-341-0007
Culpeper 540-825-6046
Front Royal 540-636-7100
Charlottesville 434-985-6000
Fredericksburg 540-371-8808

Help for Returning Soldiers Hurt in Virginia Car Accidents

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

If you served our country and have now returned home to life as a civilian, or if your loved one is former military personnel, you are greatly commended. Our freedom exists because men and women are willing to sacrifice everything. A recent study by USAA, a large insurance company, has shed some light on dangers that soldiers face when they return home.

Based on research, the accident rates are high for returning soldiers. In fact, soldiers are involved in 13 percent more car wrecks the six months after returning home from service than they are in the six months before. That has many experts concerned.

According to the USAA report, steps have been taken to “make USAA members aware of the behind-the-wheel risks for returning troops.” But is that enough? What happens if you are the one injured?

When You Are Hurt in a Crash

If you have been injured in a Virginia car accident, there are some things you need to do:

Get medical help immediately.
Keep detailed records of your expenses associated with the crash, including medical bills and lost wages.
Contact an experienced Culpeper car accident attorney for advice.

For a free consultation about your case, contact the experienced Warrenton car accident attorneys at the law firm of Dulaney, Lauer and Thomas. We will review the details of your case and explain your options according to Virginia law. Call us at one of our many locations:

Warrenton 540-341-0007
Culpeper 540-825-6046
Front Royal 540-636-7100
Charlottesville 434-985-6000
Fredericksburg 540-371-8808

When the Insurer Can Be Just Plain Difficult after a Virginia Crash

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

You see and hear the commercials all the time—insurance companies making statements that they will be there for us when an accident happens. So, you believe that if ever you were to find yourself injured because of someone’s negligence, you wouldn’t have to worry. After all, the insurance company will take care of all of your damages, right? The sad truth is that insurance companies can be just plain difficult.

Will the insurance company pay?

When an accident happens, it doesn’t take long for your costs to add up. You might be getting medical treatment and losing out on income from your job. While you may be able to recover compensation for such things as medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, the insurance company will more than likely put up a fight. The insurer does not have a legal obligation to help with your case. Instead, the insurance company might delay or even outright deny your claim.

What should you do if you have been hurt?

Dealing with the insurance company after a serious accident is no easy task. When you’re hurt, the last thing you want is to have to work with a difficult insurance adjuster. That is where a knowledgeable Warrenton car accident lawyer can help you. An attorney can step in and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Not only will a lawyer be able to help you successfully resolve your case, he or she will also be able to give you peace of mind.

For a free case evaluation, contact the law firm of Dulaney, Lauer and Thomas at one of our many convenient locations:

Warrenton 540-341-0007
Culpeper 540-825-6046
Front Royal 540-636-7100
Charlottesville 434-985-6000
Fredericksburg 540-371-8808

Reduce the Odds of a Virginia Car Accident for Your Teen

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

You will always remember the day that your teenager pulled out of the driver and headed out in the car on his or her own. It was likely a day mixed with emotions, as you fretted until your teen returned home.

Teen drivers are at a high risk of car accidents. They lack years of experience behind the wheel and don’t always make the best choices. Teenagers are also especially prone to driver distractions, which some recent studies have shed light on.

Passengers are distracting for teens

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, when there is one teen passenger in the car with a teen driver, the chances of a deadly crash double. It only gets worse as the number of passengers increase. When there are two or more teen passengers, the odds of a fatal accident are five times more likely to happen.

What you can do as a parent

You can help reduce the chances of your teen being involved in a car accident by doing the following:

Lead by example. Teens watch the driving behavior of their parents.
Set some driving rules. Given that teen passengers are distracting, you might implement a rule that limits that number of teens allowed in the vehicle.
Use a parent-teen driving contract. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a teen driving contract that you can use. It outlines expected driving behavior and the consequences for unsafe driving.

About law firm of Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Culpeper, Warrenton, Front Royal or the surrounding areas, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced Culpeper car accident lawyer by calling one of the following numbers:

Warrenton 540-341-0007
Culpeper 540-825-6046
Front Royal 540-636-7100
Charlottesville 434-985-6000
Fredericksburg 540-371-8808
Louisa 540-967-0660

TBI Caused by a Virginia Car Accident: What You Should Know

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The medical definition of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is “damage to the brain as the result of an injury.” (Mayoclinic.com) While it sounds like such a simple explanation, this injury is one that can impact you for the rest of your life. It is important to understand TBI and how it will affect you, or a loved one.

What you should know about TBI

Traumatic brain injury results from either a blow to the head or a sudden jerk. When either of these events occurs, it causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull, resulting in damage to the brain. This injury ranges in severity—from minor to severe. Symptoms also vary greatly and may include such things as nausea, headache, dizziness, and fatigue.

It is crucial that you see a doctor if you bumped your head during a car accident. Even though you might feel fine initially, you could have suffered a TBI.

What you should know about your legal rights

If the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to pursue damages. An experienced Warrenton personal injury attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process, so that you can focus on your recovery.

To learn more about your options following a TBI, contact the law firm of Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas. We have several offices located throughout the state and can be reached by calling one of these telephone numbers:

Warrenton 540-341-0007
Culpeper 540-825-6046
Front Royal 540-636-7100
Charlottesville 434-985-6000
Fredericksburg 540-371-8808
Louisa 540-967-0660

When a Culpeper Car Accident Leads to Head Trauma

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The day may have started out like any other. You woke up, got dressed and started your day as normal. However, things might have taken a terrible turn for the worse and now you face a new set of challenges. If you or a family member has sustained a head injury in a Culpeper car accident, you need to be aware of your rights and options.

It’s Just a Bump on the Head, Right?

First and foremost, if you were injured in any way in a crash, you need to get medical attention. Even a seemingly minor bump on the head could turn out to be a major injury. It is not worth the risk delaying treatment. If you were hurt, see a doctor. It really is that simple.

Your Rights & Options

If the auto accident was caused by the other driver’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A head injury can take a long time to heal and you could be facing weeks, even months in recovery. Medical bills will quickly pile up, as you try to recoup. Medical expenses and lost wages are among the many damages you may be able to recover following a serious car accident.

To learn more, contact an experienced Culpeper car accident attorney at the law firm of Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas. We have offices located in Culpeper, Warrenton and Front Royal. You can reach us by calling one of the telephone numbers below:

Warrenton 540-341-0007
Culpeper 540-825-6046
Front Royal 540-636-7100

Marijuana May Double the Risk of a Virginia Car Accident

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

You may already be aware of the fact that alcohol and driving don’t mix, but what about marijuana? Believe it or not, this issue is one that has been questioned for some time.

A recent study found that smoking pot within three hours of driving can double the risk of a car accident. A group of researchers studied the data surrounding 49,411 car crash victims. Their findings were published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Despite the risks identified by the researchers, it is still very difficult for law enforcement to judge the impairment level of drivers who have consumed marijuana.

Where does this information leave you as a Virginia driver? It is an important reminder that drugged driving can be dangerous. Even many legal drugs, such as medications prescribed by your physician, can impair your driving abilities.

What to do When You’re the One Injured

If you have been hurt in a Virginia auto accident caused by an impaired driver, you may be able to recover damages. A driver who is drunk or under the influence of a drug, such as marijuana, should be held responsible for their actions. You shouldn’t be the one who has to pay the price for your injuries.
To learn about your rights following a serious car accident, contact a Culpeper car accident lawyer at the law firm of Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas. We have offices located in Culpeper, Warrenton and Front Royal. You can reach us by calling one of the telephone numbers below:

Warrenton 540-341-0007
Culpeper 540-825-6046
Front Royal 540-636-7100

Keeping Your Head Cool After a Virginia Car Crash

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

There are many ways to make a Virginia car wreck even worse than it is. As outlined in a recent article, you can make mistakes — like admitting to liability or signing a waiver in exchange for a check — that could ruin your case at a later stage. Yet you can also fail to take a number of crucial steps at the scene of a serious Virginia car accident, and you could be putting lives in danger.
In both cases, it is difficult to blame anyone for making errors. Your Virginia car accident attorney may know what to do and give advice from behind his desk. For people who have just been through the frightening experience of a collision, knowing what to do and keeping a cool head is far from obvious. This is why you should be prepared to:

Evaluate the scene: Even if you just emerged from the crash or just arrived on the scene, you will have to take a deep breath and look around you. Is there any danger that oncoming traffic might inflict further damage? If so, rush to signal the hazard with a warning triangle, flashers, or flares. Direct traffic if necessary and bring any unhurt people to the side of the road, out of harm’s way.
Look for injuries: If people are injured, call 911, and describe the number of people and type of injuries. Describe the location precisely and the damage to the vehicles, which will allow the emergency crews to come over rapidly and with the adequate tools and team.
Wait for the experts: You may help those who are lightly injured, but you should not try to move anyone who has suffered serious back, neck, or head injuries. Keep them warm with clothing or blankets, and offer water if asked. Be attentive to those who say they are feeling okay but who suffered a commotion. They should rest and seek medical help. When police have arrived at the scene, give them the facts, and ask the officer’s name and phone number in order to get a copy of their report. Do not make any statement as to what may have caused the accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Virginia car, truck, or motorcycle accident, please contact our Warrenton or Culpeper attorneys today for a free discussion of your accident case. You will have a clear view if - and how - our lawyers can help in protecting your rights.

The Long Haul: Truck Drivers Need Rest and a Better Pay System

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Motorists on Virginia’s highways are usually wary of those huge 18-wheelers, sensing that any accident with one of these monster trucks would result in annihilation.

If the crash is caused by the motorist, the truck driver still has a chance to brake, swerve, or otherwise avoid a direct impact, but if the accident is caused by a truck driver dozing off, distracted, or out of focus, the result can be devastating. Many accidents with large trucks in Virginia can be attributed to mistakes made by sleepy, exhausted truck drivers.

There are several reasons for this. Even though there are detailed rules limiting hours of service and rest periods for interstate truck drivers, enforcement of these rules is patchy at best. Truckers have to keep the hours in a logbook detailing when they drive, do other duties, sleep, or are off-duty. These logbooks are easy to tamper with and do not offer serious safety guarantees. Yet the main cause of truck driver fatigue is to be found in their pay system. Interstate truckers are paid by the mile, which means that:

Drivers are not paid when they lose time waiting for cargo at a pick-up point, are stuck in traffic jam, or need to service their truck. They will drive for long hours afterwards to make up for the lost time, even though they have been on-duty for an excessively long time.
Truckers never know whether they will have return cargo or other work in the coming days and will take whatever new freight is offered without considering their state of exhaustion and need to rest.
Oftentimes, truck drivers are given a short deadline to deliver their cargo, which prevents them from taking it easy and increases their stress level.
Truck drivers often cannot afford to refuse a cargo haul even if it requires driving at night and they have accumulated a large sleep deficit.

With a pay system geared towards maximizing a truck driver’s productivity, the only way to prevent abuse and keep both truck drivers and Virginia motorists safe is to strictly control and enforce the hours-of-service rules. Electronic on-board recorders installed in every interstate operating truck would be a good way to start.

Your Virginia Car Accident Case Won’t Fly if You Can’t Prove Fault

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

In a separate article on the various levels and types of “fault,” it became obvious that most cases of recklessness or intentional misconduct were relatively easy to prove. Many accidents are, however, the result of negligence, a somewhat vaguer concept that ranges widely from drowsy driving to texting behind the wheel.

After a traumatic Virginia car accident, victims either are taken away from the scene with injuries or want to leave the place as soon as possible to be at home with their family and recover from the shock.

Even in these challenging moments, victims or their loved ones ought to remember that they will not be able to get compensation for the damage they have suffered unless they can prove that the other party was at fault. In this respect, it is essential to know how you prove fault:

Police reports are a primary source of information to prove your case. They are considered objective and trustworthy, and police officers are used to noting all the relevant and important details.
The traffic code is not the same in every state, and many motorists ignore the finer details of the traffic laws. Who has right-of-way in merging lanes? Do you need to have your headlights on when it rains? Is cell phone use while driving prohibited?
No-fault crashes are situations where one driver is “per se” presumed at-fault. This is the case of a rear-end crash: The code will hold all drivers who slam into the vehicle in front liable, unless they can prove that the vehicle in front stopped abruptly without cause. A left-turning car at an intersection is usually at fault if it crosses the path of an oncoming vehicle.
An investigation is usually necessary to make sure you have not overlooked anything. Was the other driver using a cell phone? Had he or she a record of traffic violations? At what speed was he or she driving? Is a crash reconstruction necessary? Were there witnesses? You will need all the help you can get in order to reach the highest settlement to which you are entitled.

The Virginia Truck Accident You Don’t Want To Think About

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

How do truck jackknife accidents happen? For tractor-trailer drivers, a jackknife is the stuff of nightmares. While, in most Virginia truck accidents, the truck driver comes out unharmed or with light injuries, in a jackknife crash he or she is likely to be very seriously injured.

Jackknife accidents occur when the tractor begins to skid on a wet, icy, or oily surface, and the trailer’s forward momentum causes it to swerve around the tractor. The trailer and the tractor end up at a right angle as they come to a stop.

On some poorly maintained 18-wheelers, the brake system is not balanced evenly across all the wheels. If the tractor’s brakes work well while the trailer’s brakes are deficient, the tractor will start skidding when braking in an emergency, while a heavily loaded trailer will keep on pushing it forward.

Experienced truck drivers know how to avoid jackknife accidents, and motor carriers should make sure they have a proper maintenance program to reduce the chances of a jackknife crash. Many truck drivers and motor carriers fail in this respect, and jackknives continue to happen in Virginia.

Jackknife wrecks are accidents on a large scale

Most jackknife crashes end in misery. The swerving path of the tractor-trailer covers often all the lanes of a highway, causing the truck to strike many vehicles to the left, right, and rear.

Often times, the trailer is damaged, flips over, and spills cargo on the road. Oncoming traffic cannot avoid rushing into the accident scene; approaching vehicles have neither escape lanes nor time to stop. Jackknives are often the trigger of car pileups with countless victims.

Are You Fighting To Keep Your Eyes Open?

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A child will tell you "I'm not tired..." a few seconds before falling into a 10-hour-long sleep. Why would adult drivers keep on driving when they know, but will not accept, that they need to sleep right now? Drivers falling asleep behind the wheel cause some of the most devastating car accidents in Virginia, and are often killed in the process.

While most people will tell you that they know their limits, most drowsy driving crashes happen precisely because they do not. People often fall asleep while driving because they are more vulnerable or more at risk than in normal circumstances.

Who is more at risk?

Young people with irregular sleeping hours, especially after they have exerted themselves with activities such as sports, dancing or studying
Workers and professionals who have spent long hours on duty or in night shifts
Jet-lagged business travelers
People on medication with sedating side effects, or under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances
Drivers who just consumed a heavy meal, when digestion sets in
People with sleep disorders - especially those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea

What can you do?
Make it a rule for you and your loved ones to stop driving when the first warning signs of drowsiness occur. It is just not worth it to keep fighting when the consequences are so serious and the solution is so easy. Stop and take a nap. Fifteen minutes can help recharge your batteries. If the problem persists, find a room to spend the night or stop for a couple of hours of sleep.

You can eliminate drowsiness preventively. Don't drink alcohol and eat lightly the night before your departure. Avoid driving at night, schedule breaks every two hours, drink caffeinated beverages, and stop taking sedating medication several hours before taking the wheel.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Virginia car crash, contact our office for a free consultation. Our Virginia car wreck lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Did the Truck Driver Cause Your Accident in Virginia?

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Accidents with large trucks in Virginia can be a nightmare twice over. When a passenger car is struck by a massive 18-wheeler, its occupants are often critically injured. On top of this, getting just compensation for serious injuries or wrongful death from the motor carrier can be a long and arduous process. Motor carriers, faced with the possibility of having to pay a huge settlement, often go to extremes to remove damaging evidence left on the scene. They may deny any wrongdoing, challenge your claims, and use delaying tactics to eventually shortchange your settlement.

This is why victims of a serious crash with a large truck need to seek the advice of an experienced Virginia truck accident attorney.

One set of crucial data to collect right after the accident is information on the truck driver, such as:

Commercial driver's license
Driver's qualification file, which includes his employment application and previous employment record, road test results, annual review of driver record, list relating to violations of laws and ordinances, and medical examiner's certificates
Driver's workers' compensation file
Latest medical evaluations and drug test results
Driver training documents
Disciplinary records and annual reviews by the present and previous employers
Driver's cell phone records

Motor carriers are under pressure to hire more drivers. The widely acknowledged driver shortage is often cited as being harmful to truck driving safety because the standards for qualification, training, and safety are set lower for new drivers in a shortage situation. What is not often recognized is that the truck driver shortage is caused, to a large extent, by motor carriers themselves. They pay their drivers by the mile, at a very low rate, with the consequence that truck drivers quit their jobs as soon as they get a chance.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Virginia truck accident, please contact our Warrenton or Culpeper truck accident attorneys today for a free discussion of your accident case. You will have a clear view if and how our lawyers can protect your rights.

Pain and Suffering After a Virginia Car Crash Can Be Compensated

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

After a life-changing car accident in Virginia, you can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and material damage. However, you are still left with pain and suffering due your injuries, as well as the fact that your life will never be as it was before.

Can pain and suffering be compensated?
This question raises more questions. Pain and suffering cannot be suppressed by money or expressed in monetary terms. However, the immense amount of pain and suffering should not be discarded in a claim.

Compensation for pain and suffering can and should be claimed, but its quantification is not an exact science. Pain and suffering include:

Physical pain
Emotional pain
Loss of companionship
Loss of consortium
Impairment or disability

Pain and suffering awards are usually influenced by a range of factors, such as:

The severity and duration of the injuries
Evidenced physical pain
A loss of enjoyment
A change in lifestyle
The emotional effects of scars, impairments and permanent disability

Other seemingly unrelated factors might influence the jury, such as: the age and gender of the victims, their socio-economic situation, and their attitude facing hardship.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Virginia car accident, please contact our Warrenton or Culpeper injury attorneys today for a free discussion of your accident case. We will discuss exactly how our lawyers can help you protect your rights.

Virginia Motorists Do Not Want to Share the Road With Bigger Trucks

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Martha Mitchell Meade, Virginia AAA Mid-Atlantic's Public and Government Affairs Manager, was invited last July to join with other safety advocates in meetings with members of Congress by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT), a non-profit organization opposed to legislation authorizing longer and heavier trucks.

"In Richmond, where I work and live, I-85, I-64, I-95 and I-295 are all part of the everyday lives of motorists. I-64 has the highest rate of crashes of all Virginia's six interstates... As congestion on these highways increase, the ramifications of introducing heavier and longer trucks into the mix will increase accidents and fatalities," Meade said.

About one in every four vehicles on the I-81 running along the western spine of the state through Roanoke is a tractor-trailer. In a recent analysis done by the Roanoke Times, more than 20 percent of the vehicles involved in crashes on I-81 were big rigs. In 2009, 77 people were killed and 1,619 were injured in Virginia crashes involving tractor-trailers and other heavy trucks. A total of 3,200 large trucks were involved in non-fatal crashes.

A bill to be voted in Congress would allow the maximum gross weight of large trucks to be increased from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds, and the use without restriction on interstate haulage of longer combination vehicles (LCV) tractors with two trailers.

Both the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters oppose the bill. Law enforcement officials across Virginia and throughout the nation express grave concerns about the safety of motorists if the heavier truck bill goes through.

If you have been hurt in a Virginia truck crash, please contact our truck accident lawyers in Warrenton or Culpeper today. You can have a free discussion of your case with one of our skilled, dedicated attorneys to see how we can help you secure fair compensation.

The Cost of Freedom: When Grandma’s Driving Causes Virginia Car Wrecks

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

We are all dedicated to keep seniors driving as long and as safely as possible. Nobody wants them to be hurt or to hurt others. Most of us also understand how depressing it can be for an elderly driver when the time has come to hand over the car keys - a hard but necessary step. Unfortunately, Virginia auto accidents with elderly drivers are a daily occurrence, many of which are caused by the older driver's declining ability to drive.

What signs might tell you that an elderly parent's driving skills are declining?
Be aware of traffic tickets or warnings by law enforcement officers and inspect the car for scrapes and dents. These are signs that your loved one may not be driving as well as they need to. For many older drivers, the weakening of their driving ability is a gradual process - which should give you time to approach the issue. Other signs to look for include:

Decrease in focus and reaction time
Difficulty working the pedals
Disorientation with directions and roads that used to be familiar
Hesitation and stress when merging and changing lanes
Inattention to important signs, such as stop signs and traffic lights
Driving too slowly or disturbing the traffic flow
Poor vision
Arthritis and other aches that prevent the handling of the car
Drowsiness

How do you tell an elderly parent that the time has come to give up driving?
First you should decide who would be best to talk to the elderly parent. Some people may feel better if their whole family talks to them, where others may feel ganged up on and may prefer to hear the views from one person alone. Those who tackle this issue should be close to the elderly driver - such as trusted friends or relatives who have known the person for a long time.

In case the elderly driver does not accept that there is a problem, do not give up. You may consider bringing in more people to talk to them and may even wish to gain a doctor's opinion.

If you have been hurt in a Virginia car crash, please contact our Warrenton or Culpeper office today to schedule a free case consultation with one of our dedicated Virginia injury attorneys. Let us show you how we can help you secure fair compensation.

Teenage Virginia Drivers Should Take a Closer Look at 18-Wheelers

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has recently launched a campaign to make teen drivers aware of the danger posed by large trucks by providing them with an instructor's manual, student workbook, DVD, brochure and one-page handout. This material is well made and instructive for teen and adult drivers alike and can be downloaded or ordered on the CVSA's Teens and Trucks website.

The campaign is aiming to increase teen drivers' knowledge of big-rigs and, in turn, decrease the number of tractor trailer accidents in Virginia and throughout the nation. Its main message is that semi-trucks and passenger cars handle differently; in short, tractor-trailers:

Weigh up to twenty times the weight of a passenger car, with the corresponding destructive power;
Need a much longer distance to come to a stop;
Take wide turns, steering first in the opposite direction before turning so as not to cut corners;
Have huge blind spots, where your vehicle is invisible.

Keeping a safe distance between your car and the truck is, in a nutshell, one of the most important rules of driving in the vicinity of semis.

Don't cut off a large truck because you may get crushed if you have to slam the brakes.
Don't tailgate a large truck because you won't see what's happening in front of you and might end up squeezed beneath the trailer.

Over the past four years, more than 5,000 teens were killed in accidents involving large trucks. If you have young and inexperienced drivers in your family and among your friends, refer them to the CVSA website; you may save a life.

If you have been hurt in a Virginia truck crash, please contact our Warrenton or Culpeper office today. We are happy to offer you a free discussion of your case with one of our skilled, dedicated Virginia semi-truck accident attorneys to see how we can help you secure fair compensation.

What You Never Knew About Virginia Tech’s Road Safety Research Center

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Hidden in the rolling hills around Blacksburg, VA there is a one-of-a-kind, world-class, 2.2-mile two-lane road that is unlike anything most motorists have ever experienced. It is also not accessible to the public - yet.

This revolutionary road is called the Virginia Smart Road. The closed test-bed research facility is managed by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) - the state's largest research center dedicated to save lives, save time and save money in the transportation field. Its ultimate goal is to design better cars and systems, as well as a better infrastructure to prevent traffic accidents in Virginia and throughout the nation.

The Virginia Smart Road facility is owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and managed by VTTI. In the future, depending upon growing traffic demands on the Route 460 Bypass as well as state and federal transportation funding, the Virginia Smart Road might be connected to Interstate 81 and enter the public domain.

In the meantime, what is going on at the Virginia Smart Road?
Transportation scientists and product developers have logged thousands of hours of research throughout the revolutionary facility. It contains many groundbreaking research tools, such as:

weather-making capabilities, which allow the researchers to duplicate conditions such as rain, snow and fog;
a variable lighting test bed;
an on-site data acquisition system;
differential GPS;
road access and surveillance;
and a fully signalized intersection.

The test-road also features the tallest bridge in Virginia, which is 175 feet above Wilson Creek and contains 450-foot spans.

The Virginia Smart Road is the world's first controlled all-weather test facility. Equipped with 75 weather-making towers, researchers can make it rain - from a drizzle to a raging downpour. Snow - from a light powder to thick flakes, as well as pavement ice cover - is also among the optional features. The lighting system is also capable of reproducing 95 percent of all lighting situations that a driver may encounter.

The road includes 600 different pavement designs and currently has 14 experimental pavement systems being evaluated. Researchers routinely conduct tests on a variety of items and ideas, including pavement markings, road signs, pedestrian safety and new vehicle headlamps.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and its Virginia Smart Road are research tools Virginia motorists can be proud of.

If you have been hurt in a Virginia car crash, please contact our Warrenton or Culpeper office today. You can have a free discussion of your case with one of our skilled, dedicated Virginia accident attorneys to see how we can help you secure fair compensation.

Long Overdue Mexico–USA Trucking Agreement Signed

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

On July 6th, transportation officials in Mexico and the US signed an agreement aimed at resolving a 15-year-old cross-border trucking dispute. The accord, if signed by Congress, would end the USA's disregard of a NAFTA provision allowing Mexican trucks to compete with US trucks in hauling cargo from and to Mexico.

On the Mexican side, outrage at the US procrastination had led to retaliatory tariffs on US exports ranging from pork to consumer care products and valued at more than $2 billion per year.

In the USA, it was feared that the trucking accord would bring unfair competition due to much lower wages in Mexico and concerns about safety issues, such as poorly maintained Mexican trucks, lack of safety regulations, and under-qualified drivers.

The accord now requires all Mexican trucks operating in the USA to comply with US safety standards and mandates the installation of monitoring devices to track truck usage and compliance with hours of service requirements.

Supporters of the agreement immediately urged Congress not to derail the program and allow the country to fall short again of its commitments under NAFTA.

Opponents use safety concerns about Mexican trucks as a strong argument to vote against the agreement, even though Mexican trucks will be under increased scrutiny and subjected to the same regulations as US trucks.

Another major concern is the job situation. Mexican truck drivers will not be allowed to haul goods from one US location to another and are only involved in hauling cargo to or from Mexico. Experts estimate that whatever increased trucking competition there will be is going to be offset by the higher volume of trade between the two countries.

If you have been hurt in a Virginia truck crash, please contact our Warrenton or Culpeper office today. You can discuss your case with one of our skilled, dedicated attorneys who can help you secure fair compensation.