Charlottesville Metal on Metal Hip Implant Lawyer

Metal on metal hip implant devices are in the news again here in Charlottesville and all across Virginia. The BBC reports that British health authorities are following up on reports that all metal on metal hip implant device recipients need to have their blood tested annually for the presence of toxic metal ions such as cobalt and chromium. This injury law blog has followed the developing hip implant device problem for some time. The first metal on metal hip implant device to be recalled was manufactured by DePuy. It now appears likely that other manufacturers such as Wright Medical will also need to take action to address metal toxicity in patients who have received metal on metal hip implant devices. Our personal injury law firm is handling metal on metal hip implant cases.

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, Staunton, Waynesboro

Snow Causes Car Accidents in Albemarle and Charlottesville

Winter snows contributed to an increase in car accidents in Albemarle and Charlottesville over the President's Day weekend. Albemarle County reports 19 accidents where snow was a contributing factor. Charlottesville has yet to release any statistics on car accidents caused by snow and weather conditions. This year, weather conditions have been mild, and even the Sunday snowstorm is not expected to leave any lasting impression. However, for the few who were involved in a car accident because of snow conditions, the snowstorm will be remembered. For those few, it is critical to review our websites guidance on what to do if you are injured in a car accident. All to often, potential clients report that they have given statements to insurance companies or settled too hastily. Don't be a victim a second time. Arm yourself with knowledge.

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, Staunton, Waynesboro

Virginia Truck Accident Closes Interstate I-81

Both north bound lanes of Virgina's I-81 were closed by a truck accident today. The tractor trailer accident happened in Rockbridge County, Virginia which is near Lexington, Virginia. Unfortunately, I-81 is well known for serious accidents involving "big rig"trucks. The traffic volume of trucks on the highway is heavy as the interstate is a major north south artery. Our personal injury lawyers routinely are called upon to represent the victims of truck accidents in Virginia and other states. Today's truck accident actually required a detour of traffic from the interstate to local roads. In turn, hazardous road and traffic conditions then existed for the local residents as well as interstate travelers. In such cases, experts recommend that you take you time and exercise even more caution than usual. This advice is common sense, but all too frequently, agitated motorists try to cut ahead and even more car accidents result.

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, Staunton, Waynesboro

Huguely Case Clogs Charlottesville Court

Charlottesville lawyers are avoiding the Circuit Court for the City of Charlottesville because of the ongoing Huguely trial. The celebrated criminal trial of a former UVa lacrosse player who allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend is clogging the docket and courthouse. The trial is expected to take many days to conclude, today is the fifth day of trial and the prosecution is still presenting its case. Will the end come in one week or two?

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, Staunton, Waynesboro

Railroad Injuries Decrease And Harriman Award On Way Out

Virginia is the home of Norfolk Southern, one of the largest railroads in the country. The NS railroad has won the Harriman award 22 times because it has had the lowest injury rate among the class 1 railroads. However, it was recently announced that this will be the last year for the Harriman award. Over the past 32 years, railroad employee injuries have decreased by 82%. In addition, there has been a recognition that pressure to win the award has translated into attempts by supervisors to avoid reportable injuries on all railroads. Railroad employees who are injured on the job are covered by the Federal Employer's Liability Act or FELA and they have to make a claim against their employer since they are not covered by a state compensation scheme. Our firm has handled railroad employe injury claims for decades and is familiar with the requirements of the FELA. We believe that the demise of the Harriman award is long overdue and all railroad employees will be better off without the pressure of supervisors trying to avoid the reporting of an injury. We are glad that injuries have decreased and hope that the railroads will continue to improve and stress safety without the incentive of the Harriman award.

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, Staunton, Waynesboro

Amtrak To Expand Service to Norfolk, Virgina

Amtrak service from Norfolk, Virgina to Washington, DC, via Richmond, Virginia, will be in place much sooner than was originally projected. It was recently announced by Governor McDonnell that service was expected to begin in December, 2012, rather than October 2013. The updated timetable could be an early Christmas present for the Hampton Roads area. The project to upgrade track between Richmond, Petersburg and Norfolk has a price tag of over $100 million dollars. It involves the railroad track of both CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS)railroads. Amtrak operates its trains over the track of these railroads by agreement in the state of Virginia. As such, Amtrak has to rely on NS and CSX to provide track that is safe for its higher speed passenger trains. Unfortunately, the NS and CSX track is not able to handle high speed trains such as the Amtrak Acela which serves the northeast on track owned and maintained by Amtrak. Nonetheless. the reintroduction of Amtrak passenger service to Norfolk should be beneficial to the area as passengers will be able to travel by train to and from the nation's capitol in one day. Our personal injury law firm has extensive experience with every type of injury claim involving Amtrak and other railroads. For more details, visit our website at www.winjurylaw.com.




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, Staunton, Waynesboro

A Personal Injury Lawyer Not Limited By Geography

Where do our personal injury lawyers practice? Primarily, we serve the state of Virgina. Our expertise in the field of personal injury transportation law, including railroad and FELA claims, often takes us into West Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, South Carolina and other nearby states. Locally, our Charlottesville office is the base of operations for a personal injury practice handling primarily car and truck accidents and is close to Charlottesville, Crozet, Ruckersville, Earlysville, Scottsville, Lake Monticello, Palmyra, Stanardsville, Barboursville, Gordonsville, Waynesboro, Albemarle Co., Greene Co., Madison Co., Culpeper Co., Orange Co., Fluvanna Co., Louisa Co., Nelson Co. and Augusta Co.. Our Virginia Beach office serves Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News, Virginia Beach and surrounding areas. However, we will serve our clients wherever they are located. We were recently retained by Chicago residents injured in Louisiana. Our geographic reach is broad and is not limited by state or region. I have tried cases in many states although I have yet to make it to another country for a trial. I have had clients in European countries who were injured while on vacation or business in this country and whose cases required unusual effort. We make every effort to help injury victims, no matter where they are located.

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, Staunton, Waynesboro

I-81 Truck Accidents In News Today

Truck accidents on the Virginia portion of I-81 are in the news today. One of the tractor trailer accidents involved the transportation of hazardous chemicals. I-81 is well known amongst personal injury lawyers and attorneys for its heavy volume of trucks and commensurately high volume of tractor trailer accidents and wrecks. The interstate is heavily trafficked. Another complicating factor is the geography of Virginia in that area as there are hills aplenty. The hazardous chemical truck accident involved a fatality. The interstate was closed after the wreck and at this time, some 8 hours later, the interstate is still shut down as response crews deal with the hazardous chemical issue. The truck accident happened near Buchanan, which is between Roanoke and Lexington. From the Charlottesville area, it is less than an hour to the location, but today it is impassable. Interestingly, the truck involved was a a tractor hauling two trailers. These double loads make such accidents particularly dangerous and difficult to manage.

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, Staunton, Waynesboro

100 Years Ago

If we were to go back in time 100 years, would we recognize much of anything? If you went to Paris, you would see the Eiffel Tower. It was then the tallest structure in the world. But, you would not have as much time to enjoy it. The average life expectancy for a man was only 47 years. The pace of life was also much slower. The average city speed limit was just 10 miles per hour. There were also no lifesaving antibiotics. In fact, only 10 percent of doctors had actual medical degrees. Who knows where we will be 100 years from now? Will personal injury lawyers still have a role to play when people are injured in car accidents. 100 years ago, injury lawyers helped pedestrians who were run over by horse drawn buggies. I think the profession will adapt to the times.

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, Staunton, Waynesboro

Charlottesville and ALbemarle Population Growth

Charlottesville And Albemarle County Experience Population Growth
It’s official. Both Charlottesville and Albemarle County experienced significant population growth between 2000 and 2010. Albemarle County now has over 100,000 people and Charlottesville has around 44,000 people. Unfortunately, the city and county roads have not been improved to keep pace with this population growth. Route 29 is perpetually backed up and is the site of many car accidents. AS an experienced personal injury lawyer, I have worked with accident investigation experts who analyze how road conditions affect accident rates. Our local roads are a factor in car accidents and our law firm has handled many personal injury cases involving crowded roads. In particular, crowded roads seem to lead to an increased number of accidents involving the running of red lights. An article in the Charlottesville Daily Progress recently discussed the use of red light cameras at a busy intersection on Route 29. Revenue of over $90,000 was generated by the cameras. And, accidents fell from 3 to 1 in a year. Is the drop attributable to the installation of the cameras. I think it is difficult to draw any conclusions based on the limited data. If accident rates stay lower after 3 or more years of camera operation, I would be willing to accept the conclusion. However, at this point, it seems more like wishful thinking. After all, all the traffic tickets that went out were sent for a reason, someone running the red light. So at this point, I think a drop from 3 to 1 is more the result of luck than drivers’ knowledge of cameras at the intersection.


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, Staunton, Waynesboro