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Recent Blog Posts
How to Survive a Virginia Rollover Accident
All Virginia car accidents are frightening, but perhaps the most terrifying is a rollover accident. You start to tip, the world spins over and over-it only takes seconds, but it feels like an eternity.
Protecting Yourself During a Rollover Accident
The best way to protect those you love from the dangers of a rollover accident is to be prepared. Here are the steps to surviving a Virginia rollover crash:
- Brace yourself. If the car starts to tip, lean into the seat and brace your feet on either side of the pedals. Avoid gripping the steering wheel or leaning forward, as this can break arms or result in traumatic brain injuries. Instead, cross your arms and lean into the vehicle toward the passenger's seat; this will reduce your chances of a head or spinal injury.
- Remain calm. When the car has stopped rolling, assess the damage to yourself and your passengers. If you or anyone in the car is injured in any way, call 911 immediately.
The Five Rights: Avoiding Prescription Drug Errors
When we rely on the care of others, we put our lives in others' hands. The health care we receive from doctors and nurses must be the best they can do, because we are at our most vulnerable. When prescription drug errors happen in Virginia the consequences can be severe-even fatal.
Avoiding Prescription Drug Errors
To avoid prescription drug errors, nurses are taught to abide by the Five Rights:
Top 5 Rules for Virginia Construction Zone Safety
It may seem like Virginia roads are always under construction. It can be frustrating for commuters who need the highways open to get to work each day, hurrying to get to their offices, to have a few cups of coffee at their desks before diving into work.But for road workers, a car accident in a Virginia work zone isn't an annoyance-it's dangerous. Construction zone workers have traffic whizzing by a few feet from their "office," and they rely on orange cones and speed limit signs to protect them. While drivers deal with detours and slower traffic, road workers are risking their lives on the highway. Some key safety tips to remember in Virginia road construction zones:
- Follow the signs. Even when work is not in progress, following the directions posted on orange construction signs will keep workers-and you-safe.
- Don't assume they see you! When repaving or repairing roads, a worker's environment is dusty, loud, and very close to passing traffic. These unprotected workers are focused on their jobs, so it's up to you to focus on safety: Never assume workers will step out of the way of your car, even when traffic is at a stop.
Coping with a Spinal Cord Injury in Virginia: Health Risks and Complications
The most common symptom of a spinal cord injury-or at least the most preoccupying-is paralysis. While some patients may experience temporary loss of movement or sensation, paralysis of the limbs is considered to be less critical than internal paralysis. A spinal cord injury can cause signals to get lost between your brain and your fingers-but also between your brain and your organs. Your body's ability to self-regulate can be compromised if your spinal cord is damaged, making unassisted survival impossible.Need more information about medical malpractice in Virginia? Click to order our FREE book:Do I Have A Case? A Patient's Guide to Virginia Medical Negligence LawSome physical complications following SCI include:
- Loss of bladder control
- Sexual impotence or infertility
- Bowel dysfunction
- Blood pressure inconsistencies
- Bed sores
- Inability to regulate body temperature
Snow Causes 52-Car Accident In Washington DC
A snowstorm that swept over Northern Virginia on January 9 caused trouble for commuters-and a massive pile-up for cars on the highway.According to Virginia State Police, the trouble started early Saturday when a collision between a truck and a tractor-trailer occurred suddenly on I-95, near Dale City.Due to icy roads and blustery weather conditions, the vehicles following those in the crash were unable to stop, swerve, or avoid becoming part of the accident. The increased speed on the highway combined with the harsh weather caused a chain reaction of fender-bender accidents as cars struggled to brake quickly.When the action stopped, police estimated that some 52 vehicles had been involved in the accident. Traffic was rerouted as the packed southbound lanes were cleared with the use of HOV lanes.Despite the number of vehicles involved in the collision, no fatalities were reported. Only four people sustained injuries as a result of the accident. Police report that the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries and are expected to fully recover.The slippery roads and decreased sight distance from the storm may have contributed to another multi-vehicle accident on northbound I-95 that same morning. Police and rescue crews also responded to this accident, although fewer cars were involved.The original cause of the southbound accident is still under investigation.
Five Places NOT to be Around a Truck: Know Your “No Zones!”
There are many reasons why Virginia semi accidents occur each day. All too often, these accidents take place because a driver was caught in the truck's "no zone," or an area surrounding a truck that the truck driver cannot see using normal vision or mirrors. In a car, we call it a blind spot. Trucks, due to their large size and shape, have more than just one "no zone"-they can have as many as five.
Dangerous Areas Around a Truck
Avoid these dangerous areas around a truck to keep yourself, your passengers, and the truck driver safe:
- Front. Most people don't know that they are often in more danger in front of a truck than behind it. If you are driving directly in front of a truck-under the grill, with a small following distance-the truck driver might not see you because you are too close.
- Right Side. The area between the cab and the back of the trailer cannot fully be seen by the driver. If you must drive alongside a truck, stay far enough back to be seen in its mirrors.
Virginia Heart Health: 5 Steps to Living a Long and Active Life
We've all heard the old saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." There is no better example of this than your cardiovascular health. As experienced DC injury attorneys, we know it's far easier to prevent a heart attack-and enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle-than travel the long road to Virginia heart attack recovery.
Reducing The Risk of a Heart Attack
These simple steps will go a long way toward keeping a heart attack at bay:
- Engage in daily physical activity. Thirty minutes a day, as little as three times a week, will go a long way toward physical and mental relaxation.
- Maintain a healthy weight. A side effect of weight loss, a healthy weight is also indicative of less fat deposits around the heart.
- Be drug-free. Illegal drugs, drinking and smoking all contribute to cardiovascular disease.
- Lower your blood pressure. Exercise will help lower blood pressure, but it's not the only way. Napping, relaxation, or simply turning off your cell phone for twenty minutes can increase longevity.
Five Easy Steps to Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents
That one little text message to let your spouse know what time you'll be home may seem harmless, as may the sound of your phone ringing at the bottom of your bag, but think again. These occurrences take only seconds of attention, yet in those seconds, accidents happen.
Avoiding Cell Phone Use While Driving
Studies have concluded that drivers on cell phones have less response time than intoxicated drivers. Many people who would never think of driving while intoxicated continue to text while driving, even though both activities are illegal in Virginia.
Follow these tips to keep Fairfax roads safe from distracted driving:
- Turn cell phones to vibrate while the vehicle is in motion.
- Place your phone where it will not invite distraction.
- If using a hands-free device, make sure it is working properly before setting off.
- Wait until you park your car and turn off the engine before answering calls.
Virginia Breast Cancer Testing Reduces Fatalities
Every October, we are reminded of women who struggle with breast cancer. Since breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women in America, perhaps it is no surprise that we all know at least one person who has fought-and maybe even survived-this horrible disease. Those survivors may have something in common: their victory is often a result of early detection.
Early Detection Saves Thousands of Lives Every Year
The American Cancer Society reports that early detection in breast cancer patients saves thousands of lives every year-with the potential to save thousands more, as more women take advantage of early screening.
Cancer is so deadly because its symptoms overlap with those of non-life-threatening ailments. Often, patients who are suffering from cancer won't realize it until the stages have progressed to a point where treatment is far less effective. Therefore, breast cancer screening, or testing before symptoms show, remains so effective in preventing late-stage detection. Detection of a mass while it is still small and has not spread to other areas of the body greatly increases a patient's chances of survival.
Virginia Traffic Accident Statistics 2009 ¦D.C. Car Crash Lawyers
In 2009, there were 116,744 reported car accidents in the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to the 2009 Virginia Traffic Crash Facts recently released by the Department of Motor Vehicles Virginia Highway Safety Office, 62,976 people were injured and 756 people were killed in Virginia crashes during 2009.*Where Virginia Accidents HappenThe possibility for a serious or fatal accident exists on every road in every city and county in Virginia. Northern Virginia car crashes are common because so much of the Commonwealth's population is located in the northern part of the state. For example, in 2009 there were more than 14,000 accidents in Fairfax County alone.Why Virginia Crashes HappenTwo of the major reasons for Virginia accidents come as no surprise. As in years past, speeding and drunk driving were common reasons for serious wrecks. In 2009, drunk driving was found to be the cause of accidents that killed 316 people and injured 6,256 people. Speeding drivers were the cause of 302 deaths and 15,067 injuries.A third reason for Virginia wrecks is distracted driving. Distracted driving, including texting while driving, is a common reason for serious Virginia accidents and accounted for at least 3,834 accidents in 2009.What to Do if You've Been Hurt in a Virginia AccidentIf you've been physically injured or lost a loved one in a Virginia car accident then you may be entitled to damages if the crash was caused by someone else's negligence. The Northern Virginia car accident lawyers of Shevlin Smith are committed to helping those who have been hurt or who have lost loved ones in crashes. We understand the physical and emotional pain that you are suffering and we want to help you recover the damages to which you are entitled.Contact us today at 703-591-0067 for a free consultation.*Source: Department of Motor Vehicles Virginia Highway Safety Office, 2009 Virginia Traffic Crash Facts
703-591-0067
10513 Judicial Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030
703-591-0067
From our office in Fairfax, Shevlin Smith, P.C. serves clients throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., including Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Burke, Centreville, Dale City, Fair Oaks, Leesburg, Manassas, McLean, Oakton, Reston, Springfield, and Woodbridge, as well as Fairfax County, Arlington County, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, and Prince William County.
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