Virginia Personal Injury Blog - Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle, car and truck "near misses" at the W&OD Bike Trail

Doug Landau — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:20:00 GMT

Two trucks and a motorcycle narrowly missed hitting cyclists near the Herndon Post Office and lumber yard because the drivers were distracted by the construction vehicles and signs. While the speed limit is only 25 mph in the vicinity of the 7-11 and the W&OD Trail, cars and trucks coming from Eldon Street are confronted with signs on both sides of the street, a new light configuration and heavy construction equipment at the lumber yard building project. Small bikes and riders coming from Reston are not easily seen as they head West. And, with the noise, dust and confusion, motorists are surprised when a cyclist comes across their path. If you are riding or training on your bike in the area of the W&OD Trail, be careful. Distracted cars, trucks and motorcyclists are confronted by new traffic patterns, vehicles turning into the Post Office and out of the 7-11 gas station and bank. It is a busy and dangerous area next to the trail used by bikers, joggers, walkers, roller bladers and skate boarders. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident on or near the W&OD Trail, e-mail or call ABRAMS LANDAU (703-796-9555) today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

New book for bike crash victims, "Ten Mistakes That Can Derail Your Bicycle Injury Case."

Doug Landau — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:05:00 GMT

ABRAMS LANDAU received its first shipment of Doug Landau's new book, "Ten Mistakes That Can Derail Your Bicycle Injury Case." Drawing upon over 25 years' experience helping injured cyclists, disabled riders and their families, Herndon and Reston bike crash lawyer Landau compiled a book that cyclists have been requesting online since this summer's court cases in Loudoun County.

In addition to common sense tips and actual cases, Landau provides extensive forms, explanations and details that many so-called personal injury lawyers neglect to share with their clients. The easy to read book talks about defective bicycle products, car crashes, cyclists attacked by dogs and head injuries. There are pictures of cracked helmets from Landau's head and brain injury cases, as well as discussion of the investigation of these sports injury cases. The Landau Law Shop is regularly contacted by injured bikers, and this new book is also intended to be a helpful resource for those cases and injured cyclists that we cannot help. If you or someone you know would like to get a copy, please e-mail ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. or call (703)796-9555.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Construction on the W&OD Trail poses dangers for bikers, runners and cars

Doug Landau — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:36:00 GMT

If you are riding or training on your bike in the area of the W&OD Trail, be careful. Distracted cars, trucks and motorcyclists are confronted by new traffic patterns, vehicles turning into the Post Office and out of the 7-11 gas station and bank. It is a busy and dangerous area next to the trail used by bikers, joggers, walkers, roller bladers and skate boarders. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident on or near the W&OD Trail, e-mail or call ABRAMS LANDAU (703-796-9555) today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Motorcycle Crash in Chesapeake Claims a Life, Shatters Another

Emily Mapp Brannon — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:47:08 GMT

Take two motorcycles, add excessive speed and a narrow residential road lined with parked cars, and you all too often wind up with a tragedy like the one that occurred Tuesday evening in Chesapeake. Two motorcyclists speeding down Holly Cove Drive off of Airline Boulevard in the northwestern part of the city crashed into each other, slammed into a parked vehicle and flew into a concrete utility pole that snapped from the impact.

Police had not released the motorcyclists' names as of Wednesday morning, but one of the bike riders died on the scene. The other, who was not wearing a helmet, went to Sentara Norfolk Hospital with head and brain injuries.

Hampton Roads has seen more than its share of fatal motorcycle accidents this year. A large number of these accidents have resulted from unsafe riding. Riders have died after losing control of their bikes while speeding. Others have died as result of not following basic traffic rules such as always passing on the left. Too many have died after climbing onto their motorcycles while drunk. It's too early to calculate the death toll among motorcyclists in Virginia for 2009, but in 2008, nearly 90 people died in speed-related motorcycle crashes alone throughout the Commonwealth.

Motorcyclists already face risks of serious and fatal collisions with much larger vehicles on the road. Bike riders do not need to increase their risks for injury and death by operating their motorcycles in unsafe ways.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law, and our attorneys have handled thousands of car and truck accident cases. Check out our case results to see for yourself. In addition, check out our FREE special reports on distracted driving and The Best Guide to Car Accident Injuries in Virginia. Our primary office is in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA), but our lawyers hold licenses in NC, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now, and we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations. Call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Further, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as pro bono public information services.

EJL

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Emily Mapp Brannon

Passing on the right; who's right ?

Doug Landau — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:25:20 GMT

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations latest figures, the amount of motorcyclists involved in motor vehicle accidents has risen...again. With this year's increase of such unfortunate accidents, it has become as important as ever to be mindful of the "rules of the road".

This past year, 60% of motorcycle accidents occurred during the daytime. Many of these accidents occur in "passing" situations whereby a number of factors (quicker acceleration of motorcycles vs. cars, the smaller size of a motorcycle) can put cyclists at a disadvantage in terms of safety.

When passing a vehicle it's always important to do so on the left if possible. It's also good to make sure that the passed vehicle is not accelerating. If the vehicle you are looking to pass is accelerating it makes perceptions much more difficult in calculating how far ahead the next vehicle will be so as to not crash into them.

New York's Traffic Statutes dictate, when passing on a two-lane road to allow for 200 feet of space between you and the oncoming car. While passing on the right is not advised if other vehicles are passing you on the right you have to switch the right-most lane pursuant to New York Traffic Statute 1120(b).

Illinois takes it a step further in allowing passing on the right when you are on a two-lane road. It also utilizes the 200 feet rule. However, their rules on passing on a two-lane two-way road are very distinct:

Passing on a two-lane, two-way roadway is not allowed:

in an area marked for no passing by a solid yellow line on your side of the center of the roadway or a DO NOT PASS or NO PASSING ZONE sign.

on a hill or curve where it is not possible to see oncoming vehicles.

within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing.

when the view is within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct or tunnel.

when a vehicle has stopped at a crosswalk or intersection to allow a pedestrian to cross.

in a construction zone. All constructions zones on Illinois highways are no passing zones.

in any school zone. Under Illinois law, all school zones are no passing zones.

when a school bus has stopped to load or discharge passengers.

In general, the best way to remember the rules about passing are probably best defined as, "STAY LEFT". Unless it is your "only" option passing on the right is not advised. Drivers tend to only look at their passenger side mirrors when they are changing lanes. The relatively small size of a motorcycle can be missed in some mirrors and lead to catastrophic consequences.

So remember to obey the "rules of the road" and be mindful of cyclists!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Deaths from Motorcycle Crashes on the Rise in South Hampton Roads Area of Virginia

Emily Mapp Brannon — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:10:00 GMT

In 2009, more than twice as many people have died in motorcycle crashes in South Hampton Roads than in all of 2008, according to The Virginian-Pilot. There have been 13 fatal motorcycle crashes this year as opposed to six in 2008, and we still have four months remaining in 2009.

This isn’t the first time motorcycle crashes have fluctuated in Virginia (VA). In 2006, there were a total of seven fatal motorcycle accidents while in 2007, that number increased to 10 fatalities.

Two motorcyclists were recently killed in separate crashes in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). My colleague Jim Lewis wrote about these two tragic accidents and I am greatly concerned with the increase in fatal motorcycle accidents in Virginia (VA). Our firm has represented people hurt in motorcycle accidents, so I understand the ramifications these accidents can have on the victims and their families.

We need to take a step back and examine the situation to see what can be done to reduce these accident statistics.

Here’s a video discussing important motorcycle safety tips…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prR20YZtPGU

“Riding the bike isn’t the hard part,” said Adam Bernstein, a spokesman for the Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) police department and a motorcyclist. “The hard part is watching what everybody else is doing. Your reaction time slows down, and reaction time is paramount on a motorcycle.”

Bernstein attributes the increase in motorcycle accidents to the warm weather. When it’s nice outside, more people take their bikes out to enjoy a ride.

If you’re one of the individuals who doesn’t ride every day but wants to enjoy the beautiful summer weather with a motorcycle ride, remember of always wear your helmet, wear bright clothing, brake early, and always be cognizant of the other motorcyclists and cars on the road.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car,truck,railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Emily Mapp Brannon

2009 already deadliest year for motorcycle accidents

Jim Lewis — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:02:00 GMT

Two unrelated fatal motorcycle crashes over the weekend – killing Scott Allen Neill and George Michael Watts – has brought the total in Hampton Roads in 2009 to 13, The Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday.

The 2009 total is more than double the 2008 total of six. The newspaper said 10 people died in 2007 motorcycle crashes, while seven people died in 2006 motorcycle crashes.

Warm weather draws more people to their motorcycles, Adam Bernstein, a Virginia Beach police spokesman and motorcycle rider, told the newspaper.

“You’ve got your hard-core riders that ride year-round, then you have most of us who are the fair-weather riders,” Bernstein was quoted as saying. “When it starts to warm up, you see a lot more bikes out.”

“Riding the bike isn’t the hard part. The hard part is watching what everybody else is doing,” Bernstein said. “Your reaction time slows down, and reaction time is paramount on a motorcycle.”

Alcohol was a factor in both crashes, the Daily Press reported. Neill, 40, lost control of his Harley Davidson on Daimler Drive in Virginia Beach and struck a mailbox and then a power pole, a Virginia Beach police spokeswoman told the Daily press. Watts, 39, of Mercedes Court, was eastbound on Witchduck Road when he struck a BMW at the intersection of Alfriends Trail. Alcohol was also a factor in this crash, the spokeswoman said.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper,Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

(MM)

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jim Lewis

Two Virginia Beach Motorcyclists Killed in Separate Crashes on the Same Day

Jim Lewis — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:40:00 GMT

Two tragic motorcycle accidents occurred in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) on the same day with two people dead and two injured.

The first crash included a man and a female passenger riding in the 700 block of Daimler Drive in Virginia Beach when the motorcyclist went straight on a curve hitting a mailbox and a power pole, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

The second motorcycle crash also included a man and a female passenger who were riding on Witchduck Road at Alfriends Trail, close to Sentara Bayside Hospital. The motorcycle collided with a vehicle coming from Alfriends Trail onto Witchduck Road.

As an injury lawyer who’s represented clients hurt in motorcycle accidents, I’m always concerned about the safety of our motorists and motorcyclists. These two tragic accidents are terrible and my deepest condolences go out to the friends and families who lost loved ones in these accidents.

We can learn from these accidents and hopefully motorcyclists will be cognizant of proper safety measures while enjoying a ride on the road.

Here’s a video discussing motorcycle safety…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81MAPkXEIFo

Some essential safety tips, courtesy of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, include:

Be visible by wearing bright clothing
Flash your brake lights when you’re slowing down or stopping
Wear a helmet and proper eye protection
Avoid weaving between lanes
Signal your next move in advance and give time to motorists to respond

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jim Lewis

Street Racing, DUI Combined in Virginia Beach Fatality That Led to Jail Term

Randy Appleton — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:45:15 GMT

A street race on Lynnhaven Parkway this past April left one man dead and another man facing felony charges of illegal automobile racing and contributing to the death of a motorcyclist. The survivor, Christopher Allen Ballard of Virginia (VA) Beach, pled guilty to a lesser charge of misdemeanor racing on Thursday and has already begun serving a jail sentence of eight months.

Ballard avoided a harsher penalty, in part, because the man who died had been drinking before the street race began. As reported in the Virginian-Pilot, Joshua A. Schools, had a blood-alcohol concentration of more than 0.08 at the time of his death.

Speed and alcohol are always a deadly combination. Add in the illegal practice of street racing, which encourages the disregard of all traffic rules, and tragedy is ensured in many instances. In early 2008, CNN.com reported on four street racing fatalities since 2007. That CNN.com article missed a deadly 2007 street racing accident in Stauton, Virginia (VA).

The Virginia State Police have recognized the dangers of street racing for many years, even conducting a targeted crackdown on the illegal activity in 2006. More usually, local and state police rely on reckless driving laws to prosecute street racers. Whichever approach is employed, I know from my decades of representing accident victims how important it is to enforce safe driving laws.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border. The firm handles car, truck, railroad, medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton’s lawyers are licensed in VA, NC, SC, WV, DC and KY.

EJL

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Randy Appleton

Virginia Beach (VA) officer struck by car

Emily Mapp Brannon — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:43:00 GMT

A Virginia Beach (VA) motorcycle police officer was struck by a car Tuesday morning, authorities told the Virginian-Pilot.

The police officer, who was not identified, was struck in the 2600 block of North Landing Road. Though the officer was apparently unhurt, the Pilot reported, he was nevertheless examined at an area hospital. WAVY-TV reported that the officer suffered minor leg injuries.

The driver, who was also not identified, was ticketed for failure to yield the right of way, the Pilot reported.

The primary responsibility of the Virginia Beach Police Department's Motorcycle Unit is speed enforcement, according to the unit's Web site. Officers selected for motorcycle duty must complete an 80-hour motorcycle course and other requirements.

Officers also attend interagency training to learn how to best escort VIPs. Members of the Motorcycle Unit have escorted the vice president and the first lady, according to the unit's Web site. Officers also take weekend shifts where they represent the department at community events.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper,Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Emily Mapp Brannon