Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by | April 8th, 2013
April 8, 2013
A Virginia Auto Accident involving a charter bus that occurred this past Friday was responsible for leaving one man dead and another seriously injured. Reports indicate the crash happened just after 7:00 a.m. in the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 58 outside the town of Capron, Virginia.
According to an article from WRAL News, the bus was transporting eight passengers to an Open House Day event on the campus of Hampton University. As the bus traveled though, the 62-year-old driver began to veer the vehicle off the right side of the road, where it then hi a ditch and overturned before skidding to a halt.
The impact of the collision left a 58-year-old passenger of the bus dead and ejected another passenger from the vehicle. Paramedics transported the individual who was ejected to a local hospital for further treatment to injuries she sustained.
Investigators stated they had ruled out alcohol and speed as contributing factors to the crash, but later charged the operator of the bus with reckless driving and say more charges may be filed at a later time.
Data shows the company that owns the bus has been involved in two other accidents within the last three-years, which resulted in one other serious injury.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are here to help if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident that occurred at no fault of your own.
by | April 1st, 2013
April 1, 2013
Defects in roadways, such as potholes or uneven areas of a highways surface, are responsible for numerous Norfolk Auto Accidents each year. Just this past January, a city police officer was seriously injured when he drove over an uneven patch of asphalt on Tidewater Drive, lost control of his motorcycle, and crashed. Another motorcyclist reported jarring his back after striking one of the bumps while riding.
Several other motorcyclists in the area are making their voices heard about their concern for safety along Tidewater Drive. According to WVEC 13 News, these individuals have called for city officials to examine the need for repairs and maintenance along the stretch of road. While city officials have sent an inspector to examine the need for such projects, they have also stated the roadway met standards established by law last time it was examined.
In the meantime, many motorists are concerned for safety. Experts say it is important to slow down when driving a car on an area plagued with uneven pavement. The risks associated with riding a motorcycle in these types of highway conditions can be even more dangerous. Some riders suggest driving a proposed biking route in a car prior to hitting the street on a bike. This way, a rider knows what areas to avoid before approaching them.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley hope more is done to better protect motorists from the dangers associated with defective highway designs.
by | March 26th, 2013
March 25, 2013
A Norfolk Car Accident claimed the life of a 25-year-old woman recently. Police believe speed may have been a contributing factor.
According to News Channel 3, the crash happened at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, along Chesapeake Boulevard in Norfolk, Virginia. Investigators say a car carrying three passengers was driving south on the road, when a van attempted to enter the highway from a secondary road. The van failed to recognize the oncoming vehicle and the two collided.
The impact of the crash left three vehicles seriously injured. They were each transported to a local trauma center for treatment, where the female later died. Doctors expect the other two victims to recover.
The Norfolk Police Department has stated they are continuing to look into the crash, but believe speed may have played a role. This comes as no surprise though as speed plays a part in a staggering number of accidents. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that speed is a contributing factor in roughly one-third of all fatal accidents.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley recognize how dangerous speeding can be. That is why the firm asks motorists to be aware of how fast they are traveling and to only go as fast as the posted speed limit allows. Doing so may just save a life!
by | March 18th, 2013
March 18, 2013
A man has been charged with crimes in connection to a Virginia Dog Bite incident that left two young children seriously injured. WRIC 8 News explains the attack occurred at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, along Corann Drive in King William County, Virginia.
Reports from deputies with the King County Sheriff’s Department indicate the two children, an 8-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy, were outside playing together when a neighbor’s dog began chasing them. The animal pursued the children into the yard of another neighbor and began to attack them both.
The young girl sustained serious injuries to the neck as a result of the attack and also had her thumb bitten off by the animal. Her male friend sustained injuries to the chest. Both were transported to a local hospital to receive treatment. The female victim remains in serious condition, while the boy was treated and released.
Law enforcement has charged the dog’s owner with owning a nuisance animal and allowing a dog to run at large. The dog in question has been taken into the custody of Animal Control Deputies pending further investigation into the incident.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley recognize how devastating injuries from an animal attack can be. That’s why the firm would like to wish both victims a full and speedy recovery from their injuries.
by | March 11th, 2013
March 11, 2013
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, contact with objects or equipment on a job site was responsible for roughly 15 percent of all workplace fatalities last year. This type of accident was more recently responsible for leaving a Norfolk, Virginia, construction workers seriously injured.
A story from The Virginian-Pilot stated the incident occurred on Monday, February 11, at around 5:30 p.m., at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Reports indicate the man was performing normal work duties when part of a crane failed. The failure allowed a bucket full of concrete to coming crashing down on the worker’s head, leaving him seriously injured.
The man was rushed to a local trauma center to receive treatment to his injuries and was released the following day. He is expected to make a full recovery with time.
The accident leaves many workers wondering what to do if they are involved in a workplace accident that leaves them injured.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Attorneys at the law office of Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley explain that by law, employers have a responsibility to ensure their workers have a safe and healthy environment in which to do their jobs. Any failure to do so could result in the accident being considered the fault of negligence on the employer’s behalf. Such a finding could be used in an injury victim’s favor when they go to file a Virginia Workers’ Compensation claim in connection to the incident.
by | March 4th, 2013
March 4, 2013
The railroad company, Norfolk Southern Corp., has been ordered by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to pay more than $1 million to three employees who were wrongfully terminated after suffering work-related injuries.
According to an OSHA press release, a crane operator suffered an eye injury when struck by a piece of metal while working. The company took the worker out of service following the accident and formally fired him a short time later. Norfolk Southern listed the reason for the termination as giving false statements regarding the accident.
Then, the company fired a welder and his assistant after the pair was involved in a car accident. The men were said to be riding in a company truck when another vehicle ran a red light and hit a car. The second vehicle then struck the men’s work truck. The men initially didn’t seek medical treatment, but as their shoulder pains grew, they were taken to a local hospital.
An investigation determined Norfolk Southern had terminated the men’s employment based on their reporting injuries and claimed the men would not have been let go had they not reported the injuries.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with the law firm of Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley explain workers have a right to a healthy and safe environment in which to work. When an accident does occur, an employer has a responsibility to cover the expenses through Virginia Workers’ Compensation. Failure to provide either is against the law.
by | February 25th, 2013
February 25, 2013
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a 62 percent increase in the number of young athletes who suffered traumatic Brain Injuries over the past decade. This has brought heavy attention to the problem and prompted the state government to take action aimed at protecting athletes from harm.
NBC 29 News says Virginia enacted a law requiring coaches, athletes, and their parents to participate in a brain injury education seminar before hitting the field. The program is aimed at teaching individuals how to recognize the signs a brain injury has occurred and what action should be taken in the event an athlete is injured.
One trainer stated she has identified more than 30 such injuries in her school alone and say the most common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Sensitivity to Light and/or Noise
- Disruption of Sleep Patterns
Knowing the signs of this particular type of injury is becoming ever more important, as research emerges showing the effects repeat injuries can have and just how long recovery can take. Experts say the average college student will need 10 days to recover from a brain injury, while a high school student could need up to a month.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley encourage citizens to become aware of both the dangers and symptoms associated with brain injuries.
by | February 18th, 2013
February 18, 2013
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced it would be partnering with medical device manufacturer, GE Healthcare, in conducting the voluntary recall of the resuscitation systems with blenders installed in GE Giraffe and Panda Infant Warmers. According to a press release from the agency, the recall is being conducted due to a malfunction in the device.
The units are used to regulate the amount of gas that is released to a patient through the device. Experts say the device presents a Product Liability issue though, when the oxygen and air wall fittings on the back panel of the device are reversed during assembly. This can lead to the blender knob on the device no longer giving an accurate reading, resulting in a patient potentially getting too much or not enough oxygen. This could result in serious side effects, including death.
Anyone who is in possession of an affected unit has been instructed to contact the manufacturer so that a specialist can inspect the devices for any malfunctions, correct any problems they discover, and replace any units that cannot be fixed.
The Norfolk Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are hopeful the recall will prevent any patients from being harmed by the defective products, while also promoting medical device manufacturers to ensure their products are safe to by on the market.
by | February 11th, 2013
February 11, 2013
While numbers from the Virginia Department of Motor vehicles shows a slight decline in Virginia Car Accidents related to drunk driving, the number of motorists convicted on charges of driving under the influence remains steady. Studies show that roughly one-third of these convicted drunk drivers are repeat offenders. This leaves many people wondering what can be done to curb the problem of repeat drunk drivers.
While many believe harsher punishments are the answer to this conundrum, a new study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse offers some new insight that contradicts this theory. According to EurekAlert!, researchers found that rats involved in a study examining alcohol consumption and associative punishment will go back to drinking alcohol once negative consequences for their drinking is removed. During the study, rats were given alcohol in a home environment. They were then offered alcohol again, but this time in an environment where punishment was administered for the behavior. This caused the rats to stop drinking, but only temporarily. Once reintroduced to alcohol in the home environment, they began drinking again.
Experts say the results can likely explain why a drunk driver will engage in the behavior after having already been punished numerous times.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley hope a better understanding of the psychological triggers that cause a person to drink will help to reduce the number of drunk drivers in the state of Virginia.
by | February 4th, 2013
February 4, 2013
A 67-year-old Norfolk, Virginia, man was killed last week as a result of a motor vehicle accident that occurred as the victim attempted to cross the street. According to an article from WAVY 10 News, the incident occurred at around 6:45 p.m. on Tidewater Drive in Norfolk, Virginia.
Reports indicate the man was attempting to cross the street at a crosswalk while in his wheelchair when an oncoming vehicle suddenly struck him. Paramedics then rushed the victim to a local trauma center, but he died a short time after arriving as a result of his injuries. Police say they are continuing to work to determine whether the pedestrian or the vehicle had the right of way at the time of the accident.
The Norfolk Car Accident highlights the importance of taking several steps following an accident where there are no witnesses to confirm what happened. It is vital that you take photos of your vehicle, any other vehicles that are involved, and your surroundings following an accident. The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say a person should then visit a medical facility to receive the care they need, while also keeping records of any expenses incurred due to the accident.
The firm then suggests discussing your legal rights and options with a qualified attorney before conversing with an insurance adjustor or accepting any sort of settlement pertaining to the collision.
