Accidents Caused by Texting and Driving

As a Virginia personal injury lawyer based in Charlottesville, Virginia, I have been surprised by the number of reports of recent car accident caused by drivers who are texting while behind the wheel. I suppose it is good for business, but such accidents are completely unnecessary, not to mention the fact that texting while driving is illegal. Even before such conduct was criminalized, it didn't make much sense. the driver who texts is like a drunk driver. Just today I was behind a car on the interstate that was slowing down rather markedly - from 70 to the mid-fifties - even though the speed limit had not changed. Of course, when I passed the car, I could see the driver using his smartphone to text. At least he stayed in his lane while texting. So often, the texting driver is straying into my lane of travel. There are several campaigns going on across the state that are designed to increase awareness of the dangers of texting and driving. Virginia still permits the use of a cellphone while driving, although many states, including Maryland and Washington, DC have placed limits on the use of a cellphone by a driver. In light of several recent studies that document the attention deficits of drivers using a cellphone, such restrictions are probably wise. If you have been injured as a result of a driver texting while driving or using a cellphone while driving, call me for a free evaluation of your case. Francis P. Hajek Wilson & Hajek, LLC, a personal injury law firm Experienced Injury and Accident Lawyers Serving Virginia, including Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Greene, Augusta, Buckingham, Staunton, Waynesboro, Culpepper, Richmond, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News

Tractor Trailer Accident Shuts Down I-64

A tractor trailer accident has shut down I-64 near Black CatRoad according to reports from the Charlottesville Daily Progress. Apparently five vehicles were involved including two tractor trailers. Unfortunately, the accident resulted in one fatality. The Progress reports that the accident happened when a tractor trailer failed to stop in time for a crash on the interstate that had already happened. The tractor trailer struck an SUV and there was a chain reaction crash. One vehicle burst into flames. This type of accident is not unusual on heavily trafficked portions of interstate highways. There have been recent attempts to limit the hours that truck drivers can operate their rigs and there have also been a number of laws recently enacted that focus on distracted driving, including texting and using a cell phone without a hands free device while driving. We don't know yet why the tractor trailer driver failed to stop. Since there was fatality, the investigation will be detailed and the cause of the accident should be determined. I have worked with the former lead investigator for the Virginia State Police in looking at accident causes. In an accident involving a tractor trailer, there are many sources of information. In this case, the speed of the driver before the accident could be a factor as well as the hours that he or she had been on the road. For most of us who travel the interstates on a regular basis, an accident like this on wis just an inconvenience. But for the people involved, it can be life changing. Francis P. Hajek Wilson & Hajek, LLC, a personal injury law firm Experienced Injury and Accident Lawyers Serving Virginia, including Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Greene, Augusta, Buckingham, Staunton, Waynesboro, Culpepper, Richmond, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News

Ban on Texting Lowers Injury Death Rate In Automobile Accidents

Personal injury lawyers and attorneys in Virginia and other states know all too well that a significant number of accidents are caused by drivers, particularly teenage drivers, who are trying to text and drive at the same time. The Washington Post reports today that a new study has concluded that "texting bans can reduce teen fatalities by as much as 11 percent." Virginia is one of the states that has such a ban in place. However, the study also found banning all handheld devices is the most effective way to reduce traffic deaths across all age groups. Thirteen states have such a ban. Virginia is not one of the states that bans all handheld devices. Our neighbors to the north, Maryland and Washington D.C., do have such bans in place. Hopefully, all states will realize that the use of handheld devices poses a risk to all drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians and so take measures to limit their use while driving. Francis P. Hajek Wilson & Hajek, LLC, a personal injury law firm Experienced Injury and Accident Lawyers Serving Virginia, including Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Greene, Augusta, Buckingham, Staunton, Waynesboro, Culpepper, Richmond, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News