By Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton, Eastern Shore Car Crash Victim’s Attorney

Normally safe and quiet Chincoteague Road through the town of Wattsvile on the Eastern Shore of Virginia (VA) was the scene of two major traffic accidents on May 15, 2012. In the afternoon, a car rear-ended a Head Start school bus that had already let off all the students it had been transporting. That crash sent both the at-fault driver and the school bus operator to the hospital with injuries.

Earlier, a fatal head-on collision occurred near where Chincoteague Road intersects with Lankford Highway/Route 13. police reported that a woman behind the wheel of a Geo Prizm crossed the center line and ran into the path of a Toyota SUV. The driver of the Geo died in the hospital from injuries suffered in the accident, and the woman driving the SUV sustained major, but not life-threatening, injuries.

View a larger map of where a Geo Prizm collided with a Toyota SUV near Route 13 on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Police continue investigating both wrecks, and it is unclear why either occurred. What is obvious, though, is that each illustrates how dangers exist on every road. Any time a driver speeds, becomes distracted, ignores stop signals or loses control of his or her vehicle, others can suffer injuries or even lose their lives.

As personal injury attorneys based in Virginia Beach, we have helped many victims of Eastern Shore crashes. If you or a loved one has been hurt through the negligence or  inattention of someone else, read this free report to learn about your options for receiving compensation for accident-related medical costs, lost wages and other damages.

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About the Editors: Lawyers with Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton have provided legal advice and representation for thousands of car, truck, motorcycle, and ATV accident victims, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. We are familiar with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and with the towns along Route 13, including Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague and Wallops Island. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. They, along with fellow attorney Randy Appleton, have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers since 2010, an honor fewer than 5 percent of outstanding attorneys receive.

By Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton, School Bus Accident Attorneys in Virginia

A woman is facing a charge of following too closely after allegedly causing a rear-end collision with a Head Start program school bus on Chincoteague Road in Accomack County, Virginia (VA).

The accident occurred at the intersection with Fleming Road in the town of Wattsville at around 3:30 pm on May 15, 2012. Police said no children were on the bus when the wreck happened, but the force of the impact was enough to injure both the at-fault driver and the woman driving the bus. Both people were taken to hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

View a larger map of where a car driver rear-ended a Head Start bus in Accomack County, sending the bus driver to the hospital with injuries.

It is tempting to breathe a sigh of relief when learning that “only” adults were hurt in the crash between a car and a school bus. Giving into that temptation would be wrong.

As Virginia personal injury attorneys who have helped numerous victims of rear-end collisions, we know these types of accidents can leave people facing lifetimes of pain, medical treatments and disability. Tailgating, speeding, becoming distracted while driving and failing to heed traffic signals such as red lights and stop signs put everyone at risk.

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About the Editors: Lawyers with Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton have provided legal advice and representation for thousands of car, truck, motorcycle, and ATV accident victims, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. We are familiar with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and with the towns along Route 13, including Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteague, Wachapreague, Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague and Wallops Island. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. They, along with fellow attorney Randy Appleton, have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers since 2010, an honor fewer than 5 percent of outstanding attorneys receive.

By Randy Appleton, Eastern Shore Wrongful Death Attorney

Failing to stop at a red light always creates dangers for the red light runner and everyone else in and around the intersection. This truth was tragically proven once again on Virginia’s Eastern Shore on October 9, 2011, when the driver of a minivan made an illegal left turn through a red light and struck and killed the driver of an Infiniti G20.

According to the Virginian-Pilot, the fatal crash occurred at the intersection of Route 13 and VA 691, just north of Mappsville.  The 72-year-old man who lost his life succumbed to injuries suffered in the wreck despite being transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment.

Police have charged the at-fault driver of the Dodge Caravan minivan with failure to obey a traffic signal and are considering other charges.

While illustrating the risks posed by red light runners, this accident also should remind everyone that making a left-hand turn needs to be done with care and caution. Turning drivers must always give right of way to vehicles traveling straight through an intersection. Even if the minivan’s driver was not paying attention to traffic lights, the person should have waited for the other car to pass before turning.

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About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys handle Eastern Shore, Virginia (VA), injury lawsuits. Our lawyers have provided legal advice and representation for thousands of victims of car and truck accidents, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. We are familiar with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and with the towns along Route 13, including people from Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague and Wallops Island. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included in the 2011 issue of Best Lawyers in America. They, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper, were also named 2011 Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law, an honor which fewer than 5 percent of outstanding lawyers receive. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included in the 2011 issue of Best Lawyers in America. They, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper, were also named 2011 Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law, an honor which fewer than 5 percent of outstanding lawyers receive. Though not every case meets our criteria, we offer free, confidential initial consultations. Give us a call at (800) 752-0042. If you can’t get through due to high call volume, please leave a message and we will return your call.

By Emily Mapp Brannon, Eastern Shore VA Injury Lawyer

A two-year-old girl was hit and killed by a van in the Dreamland Trailer Park located in Accomack County, Virginia (VA).

The van was backing up when it hit the young girl, according to wtkr.com. The child was rush to the hospital but, tragically, she died of her injuries and was pronounced dead at Riverside Shore Memorial.

Many questions need to be answered about this accident. For example, how fast was the van backing up? Did the driver look back to make sure no one was around the vehicle?

My deepest condolences go out to the young child’s family. As a new mother, I would be completely devastated if I lost my child in a sudden accident. There are no words to truly express the pain of losing a child.

This accident illustrates how important it is to exercise extreme caution while backing up a large vehicle like a van. Your range of vision is more limited with this type of vehicle and backing up without making sure the surrounding area is clear is unwise and reckless.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm handling Eastern Shore VA injury accident law and we have handled thousands of car and truck accident cases, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Check out our case results to see for yourself. We are familiar with Route 13, including people from Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, and Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague, and Wallops Island. We provide free injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the “Best Lawyers in America” 2010 Edition. These two, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper were named 2010 Virginia “Super Lawyers” For Personal Injury Law (less than 5% of outstanding lawyers are chosen), and our firm includes attorneys selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. We provide this blog as a pro bono public service.

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By Emily Mapp Brannon, Personal Injury Attorney

A Norfolk police recruit is killed during a car accident while training at the academy.  The car that struck him was driven by another recruit.  Car accidents caused by negligence of a third party are a basis for civil personal injury actions even when a person in on the job or working, however, a question arises about accidental injuries during job training caused by a co-worker. Typically on the job injuries are governed by workers compensation, so it is unclear whether this tragic accident would be a “covered” injury but typically such an injury would be considered on the job.  Find out more.

Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm handling Eastern Shore VA injury accident law and we have handled thousands of car and truck accident cases, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Though not every case meets our criteria, we offer free, initial consultations so give us a call at 1-800-752-0042. If you can’t get through due to high call volume, please leave a message and we will return your call promptly.We are familiar with Route 13, including people from Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, and Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague, and Wallops Island. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the “Best Lawyers in America” 2010 Edition. These two, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper were named 2010 Virginia “Super Lawyers” For Personal Injury Law (less than 5% of outstanding lawyers are chosen).  

By Jim Lewis, Eastern Shore Injury Lawyer

A 17-year-old high school student, just off from a hard day’s work at his job in Accomack County, was crossing the street at the intersection of Route 13 and Daughtery Road when his life came to abrupt end. A car hit and killed him at the intersection.

Reports indicate this intersection is very dangerous since it is part of a busy highway and poorly lit.

Robert Satchell, the father of the victim said, “I’m hoping there is some kind of way we can get a light at that corner, because there have been so many accidents at that intersection. Something should be done. I would not want that to happen to any other kid or any other person for that matter,” according to msnbc.com.

I sincerely hope some type of action is taken to improve the safety of this Eastern Shore intersection. This tragic crossing accident highlights just how dangerous some intersections can be when there is a lack of proper lighting and areas with a high volume of pedestrians converge with busy roads.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm handling Eastern Shore VA injury accident law and we have handled thousands of car and truck accident cases, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Though not every case meets our criteria, we offer free, initial consultations so give us a call at 1-800-752-0042. If you can’t get through due to high call volume, please leave a message and we will return your call promptly.We are familiar with Route 13, including people from Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, and Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague, and Wallops Island. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the “Best Lawyers in America” 2010 Edition. These two, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper were named 2010 Virginia “Super Lawyers” For Personal Injury Law (less than 5% of outstanding lawyers are chosen).

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By Jim Lewis, Eastern Shore Accident Lawyer

The six-officer staff of the Exmore police station is in mourning today. The Chief of Police was killed after a tire blew out on his 1985 Ford truck causing the vehicle to overturn and ejecting him into a field.

The Chief of Police was a distinguished public servant and worked for the police force since 1982, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

The truck wreck occurred on Route 609 in Accomack County. Reports indicate he was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident. This tragic crash is eerily similar to the accident in 2009 that took the life of Mayor Jeter Guy Lawson. The Mayor ran a red light in Cape Charles and wound up hitting a truck. He also wasn’t wearing his seat belt.

These accidents illustrate the importance of buckling up while you’re behind the wheel. In the police chief’s case, a tire blow out is sudden and completely unexpected. Could he have survived if he wore his seat belt? No one can say for sure. Statistics do indicate that roughly 35,000 people die in car crashes each year and about 50 percent (17,000) of these people could be saved if they wore their seat belts, according to James Madison University.

Regardless, this is still a major loss for Eastern Shore residents. As Exmore Mayor Billy Moore told the Virginian Pilot, “I think the town has lost a person that was truly dedicated to the citizens here and he was a wealth of knowledge that is going to be hard to replace.”

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm handling Eastern Shore VA injury accident law and we have handled thousands of car and truck accident cases, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Check out our case results to see for yourself. We are familiar with Route 13, including people from Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, and Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague, and Wallops Island. We provide free injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the “Best Lawyers in America” 2010 Edition. These two, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper were named 2010 Virginia “Super Lawyers” For Personal Injury Law (less than 5% of outstanding lawyers are chosen), and our firm includes attorneys selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. We provide this blog as a pro bono public service.

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By John Cooper, Eastern Shore VA Accident Lawyer

George Roberts Stevens Sr. of Belle Haven was driving in his Ford Ranger along U.S. 13 in Accomack County when his life came to a tragic end. He hit the back end of a tractor trailer, veered off the road and ultimately wound up slamming into a Caterpillar grader, according to the Daily Press.

The details of this tragic truck/tractor trailer accident include the fact that immediately after Mr. Stevens’ Ranger hit the back of the tractor trailer his airbags deployed and smoke started to fill up the cabin of the truck. This probably hindered his vision and contributed to the Ranger going off the road and hitting the grader.

There are many questions that need to be answered regarding this accident. First and foremost, what caused smoke to infiltrate the cabin of the truck? The Ford Ranger series that has been subject to numerous recalls including vehicle speed control and the power train differential unit. Could either of these issues played a role in the accident? We can’t say for sure.

Another potential factor to consider is that some trailers do not have proper working rear lights and under-ride bars to prevent a car or truck’s occupants from suffering a head injury from running under the back of the trailer. We don’t know if the trailer involved in this wreck lacked working lights and under-ride bars though it should be investigated since this accident occurred early in the morning.

A passenger in the Ranger named George Wharton suffered injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. I hope Mr. Wharton recuperates and Mr. Stevens’ family is able to get through the grieving process.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm handling Eastern Shore VA injury accident law and we have handled thousands of car and truck accident cases, including many on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Check out our case results to see for yourself. We are familiar with Route 13, including people from Accomack, Onancock, Chincoteauge, Wachapreague, and Cape Charles, Bloxom, Eastville, Exmore, Greenbackville, Machipongo, Mappsville, Melfa, Nassawadox, Onley, Tangier, Temperanceville, Wachapreague, and Wallops Island. We provide free injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the “Best Lawyers in America” 2010 Edition. These two, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper were named 2010 Virginia “Super Lawyers” For Personal Injury Law (less than 5% of outstanding lawyers are chosen), and our firm includes attorneys selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. We provide this blog as a pro bono public service.

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