Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog

Beware of These Common Bicycle Accident Causes.

Although bicyclists typically travel on Virginia’s roads at much lower speeds than other drivers, they are extremely vulnerable when involved in accidents. Unlike people in cars, trucks, and SUVs, bicyclists have no built-in safety features to protect them during crashes. And unlike motorcyclists, they may not even have safety gear on while riding, leaving them at high risk of suffering disabling and even life-threatening injuries.

Other vehicles are one of the biggest threats that bicyclists face on the road, and two common causes of vehicle-related bicycle accidents include:

• Opening car doors – Riding in urban areas is already dangerous enough due to distractions, heavy traffic density, and impatient drivers. But opening car doors is another significant risk factor. Bicyclists should always ride near parked vehicles with extreme caution, as doors can open in their paths at any time.
• Drifting vehicles – Bike lanes are great for giving bicyclists additional room to maneuver on Virginia’s roads, but drivers don’t always respect them or even acknowledge them. Vehicles that drift into bike lanes can cause bicyclists to be pushed off the road or even clip them, causing serious accidents and injuries.

It’s vital for all bicyclists to ride defensively, always wear a helmet, and be on the lookout for common hazards, including those listed above.

If you were hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you deserve the help of an experienced legal team. Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers knows Virginia’s laws, and our Norfolk bicycle accident lawyers know how to protect your rights. Call today for a free consultation.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer After a Workplace Injury?

Getting hurt at work can change your life in an instant. In addition to causing severe pain and even disability, it can also leave you unable to do your job for weeks, months, or even the rest of your life. Almost all workplaces in Virginia are required to have workers’ compensation insurance in case their employees get hurt or sick on the job and are unable to return to work. But sometimes, those employees don’t get the benefits they deserve.

Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers knows how complex the Virginia workers’ compensation system can be and how often innocent employees are rejected from getting the benefits they need. Applying on your own can put your family’s future at risk, as a denial can mean months of waiting and no guarantee of approval even upon appeal.

With our Norfolk workers’ compensation lawyers on your side, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that our legal team is ready to:

• Level the playing field for you and your loved ones – While all injured workers have the right to apply for workers’ compensation benefits on their own, having an attorney on your side from day one helps maximize your chances of getting a favorable outcome.
• Allow you to focus on getting better – Applying for workers’ compensation benefits can be time consuming and exhausting. Our legal team is familiar with all steps of the process and knows what to expect at every turn. When we take on your claim, you’ll be free to focus on spending time with your family and getting better.

Let us ease the burden of your workplace injury. Call today for a free consultation and find out how we can assist you during this difficult time.

3 Winter Driving Tips to Help You Stay Safe

Although snowfall and ice accumulation aren’t as common in our area as they are in other parts of the East Coast, many parts of Virginia still get hit by winter storms that make roads treacherous. Because of that, it’s important to be prepared—especially if you plan on traveling out of state this winter to areas where inclement weather is more common.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia auto accident lawyers know that slick roads are one of the biggest contributing factors to accidents throughout the U.S. And in many states where snowfall is rare, accidents become more likely when winter weather hits. Drivers aren’t used to driving in such conditions, and road crews may be less prepared to treat roads before and during rush hour or other periods of heavy traffic.

You can be proactive and reduce your risks by:

1. Preparing your vehicle. Make sure your brakes are serviced or replaced if they’re worn. You should also check your tires to make sure they’re filled to the right PSI and still have plenty of tread before driving.
2. Reducing your speed. Just as you would in a heavy rainstorm, it’s important to drive slower when roads may have patches of snow or ice. Reducing your speed reduces your chances of losing control.
3. Turning off cruise control. Cruise control is convenient, but it takes away some aspect of control. Turn this feature off when driving in winter weather to maintain better control of your speed.

Most drivers increase their level of caution and safety awareness during the winter, but not everyone does. If you were hurt in a crash that was caused by a negligent driver, we want to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Compensation for Dog Bite Victims

To many people, dogs are members of the family. We have them in our homes, and we see them in public spaces, too. But no matter how well-trained and docile a dog acts, it still has the capacity to cause serious harm if it attacks.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know that dog bites often happen when people least expect them—including both victims and dog owners. Dogs with no history of biting or aggression can suddenly lash out, even without provocation. Dog bite victims can suffer debilitating and even disabling injuries that may result in severe bleeding, infection, and nerve damage.

Our Norfolk dog bite lawyers know how serious dog bite injuries can be. That’s why we fight to help victims get compensation for things like:

• Medical bills – Dog bite victims often require stitches and intensive wound care, while some may even need surgery to clear out infection and repair nerve damage.
• Lost wages – Many dog bites occur on the legs, arms, and hands. When those parts of a person’s body become damaged or disabled, it can affect their ability to work, leaving them without the income they rely on to support themselves and their families.

We know the ins-and-outs of dog bite laws and local ordinances throughout Virginia concerning leashes, enclosures, and other guidelines for dogs on private and public property. Don’t suffer alone after a dog bite injury. Get the help you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.

Type 2 Diabetes Medications Linked to Injuries

Type 2 diabetes is a disease that can have widespread effects throughout the body. Because the risk of severe side effects and potentially life-threatening complications is so high with this condition, many patients who have it are prescribed medications to help them manage their symptoms.

Unfortunately, several prominent Type 2 diabetes medications are linked to serious drug injuries. Those drugs include:

• Byetta^® and Januvia^® – These drugs are designed to help Type 2 diabetes patients better regulate their blood sugar levels, but they’re linked to serious and often deadly conditions like acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
• Invokana^® and Invokamet^® – These drugs are designed to lower blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes patients. However, they’re linked to a serious condition called ketoacidosis, which results in an excess production of blood acids.
• Onglzya^®– Another drug designed to lower blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes, Onglyza is linked to heart failure—an often fatal condition that causes the heart to weaken.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia drug injury lawyers are here to stand up for the rights of anyone who was injured by an unsafe medication. If you or someone you love was hurt by a Type 2 diabetes drug, call today for a free consultation.

Winter Motorcycle Safety Tips

If you have the right gear, riding a motorcycle year-round in all climates and temperatures is feasible. All-weather gear can keep you warm and protect you from the elements even in freezing temperatures. Layering clothing can also make a big difference, as it allows you to adapt to changing temperatures throughout the day.

In addition to keeping warm, it’s also important to remember that riding a motorcycle in the winter can present some additional challenges and dangers that you might not face during other seasons. Ice is a major threat to all motorists, especially motorcyclists. Unlike four-wheel vehicles like cars, trucks, and SUVs, motorcycles don’t have the extra protection of an outer vehicle shell. Losing control of a motorcycle even briefly can result in a serious crash with little to no chance to regain control.

To protect yourself while riding during the winter, do your best to follow these tips:

• Check your tire pressure before you ride. Your tire traction is the one of the most important things to be aware of when you ride during the winter. When your tires lose traction and you drive over ice or snow, you face a high risk of losing control. Tires that are properly inflated have better traction than tires with low pressure.
• Watch the road. The roadway itself can be your biggest enemy during winter rides. In addition to snow and ice, you also must watch for cracks, fallen branches and tree limbs, and pot holes. Stick to riding on well-maintained roads when possible, and reduce your speed on roads that are in poor condition.

The Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers know that motorcyclists face dangers throughout the year, especially when other drivers are negligent. If you were hurt by a careless driver, we’re here to help. Call today for a free consultation.

Seeking Compensation for Brain Injuries

The human body is remarkably resilient and capable of healing from a variety of serious illnesses and injuries. But head injuries can be a different story. When a person’s brain is injured in an accident, the chances of recovery may be remote. Even people with minor brain injuries may experience profound changes in mood, personality, and behavior, while people with severe brain injuries may lose the ability to work, live independently, or even interact with others.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know the devastation that brain injuries can cause entire families—especially when families depend on the victim emotionally and financially.

When we take on brain injury cases, we fight to help victims and their families recover compensation for:

• Medical bills – The cost of treating a brain injury can be more than many families can afford—even with health insurance. Expenses like surgeries, CT scans, and prolonged hospital stays can add up.
• Lost wages – People who suffer brain injuries may lose the ability to do their jobs. They may even lose the ability to work altogether. That can leave their loved ones in a financial bind.

Whether your loved one’s brain injury occurred in a car accident, bicycle accident, motorcycle accident, or because of any other negligent act, our Norfolk brain injury lawyers want to fight for your rights to compensation. Call today for a free consultation—we’re here to help.

Avoid These 2 Common Workers’ Compensation Mistakes

Getting approved for workers’ compensation can feel like a tedious and confusing process. If you’ve never applied for workers’ compensation benefits before, you might not know which steps to take after a workplace injury. Unfortunately, many first-time applicants are denied, simply because they are unfamiliar with the process.

Our Norfolk workers’ compensation lawyers fight for the rights of injured workers who deserve benefits after they get hurt through no fault of their own. And while it’s our goal to take as much of the stress of the accident and application process off our clients’ shoulders as possible, injured workers can maximize their chances of approval by avoiding these two common mistakes:

1. Waiting too long to report the injury. On-the-job accidents and injuries should be reported to a supervisor or manager immediately. In addition to making sure that an accurate workplace injury report is completed, this step also helps eliminate some of the suspicions that workplaces and their insurance companies often have when employees file for benefits.
2. Lying about or exaggerating any aspect of the injury. Always be truthful with everyone after your on-the-job injury, including your supervisor, your doctor, and your attorney. Lying about the severity of your injury can jeopardize your chances of being approved for benefits, especially if the doctor finds out you weren’t hurt as badly as you claimed.

Calling Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers right away after your workplace injury can help you protect your rights to compensation. We want to help you better understand the process, and we’ll do everything we can to help you get the money you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.

3 Common Forms of Negligence that Lead to Auto Accidents

In the months and years after most people obtain their drivers’ licenses, they quickly become accustomed to the act of driving. In fact, they can safely get from point A to point B without much effort.

But even though driving becomes “automatic” for many people, it still requires focus, attention, and coordination.

Unfortunately, many drivers take their safety and ability to safely operate their vehicles for granted. That often leads to them getting behind the wheel under unsafe conditions or engaging in dangerous activities while driving.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk car accident attorneys look for these three signs of negligence or carelessness after crashes:

1. Distracted driving – Texting while driving is an epidemic in the U.S. and throughout Virginia, and it plays a role in a huge number of car accidents nationwide every year.
2. Drunk or impaired driving – When drivers get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, taking certain medications, or using drugs, they often lose their ability to focus, stay alert, or react quickly.
3. Speeding – All roads in Virginia have posted speed limits, and when drivers exceed those limits, they put themselves and others in danger, as they’re more likely to lose control or be unable to stop in time to avoid collisions.

If you or a loved one were injured in an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we want to fight for your rights to the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.

2 Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

All vehicle accidents have the potential to cause serious and even life-threatening injuries. But motorcycles lack the protection of seat belts and airbags, putting motorcycle accident victims at an even higher risk of severe injury.

Riders can protect themselves and reduce their risks by wearing full riding gear, including a full-face helmet, riding jacket and pants, gloves, and boots, but they’re still vulnerable during accidents.

New and veteran riders alike are taught to be aware of common dangers on roadways, including loose gravel, potholes, and slick pavement due to rain or ice. But other drivers remain one of the biggest hazards that motorcyclists face. The following scenarios represent serious threats to every motorcyclist in Virginia and throughout the U.S.:

1. Left-turning drivers – Whether they’re turning left at intersections or into parking lots, many drivers simply aren’t trained to look for motorcycles when crossing lanes of traffic. That can result in serious accidents when they make left turns into the paths of motorcyclists.
2. Drivers changing lanes – Because drivers often aren’t accustomed to watching out for motorcyclists, they may not check their blind spots. When they change lanes, they may drift directly into the paths of motorcyclists or force them off the road.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk motorcycle accident attorneys have helped many victims who were hurt in motorcycle accidents due to a wide variety of causes, including those listed above.

No matter how your motorcycle accident happened, we want to help. Call today for a free consultation.