By Rick Shapiro, Eastern Shore Accident Injury Attorney

Virginia State Trooper L. Farlow was seriously injured when his cruiser was hit while parked in a turnoff beside Route 13 on the Eastern Shore on November 23, 2011. According to the Daily Press, the at-fault driver was a 49-year-old from North Carolina (NC) who veered off the road close to the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

The trooper’s injuries do not appear life-threatening, and the other driver has been charged with reckless driving.

While Virginia’s Eastern Shore may not have the congestion of cities such as Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, it sees its fair share of deadly accidents. In August 2011, for instance, two people were killed on VA 178 in Pungoteague in an accident believed to be linked to alcohol.

Troopers do a dangerous job and are often the victims of crashes. In September 2010 a trooper suffered serious injuries multiple fractures when he was hit by a tractor-trailer at the Bowers Hill interchange between I-664, U.S. 58 and U.S. 460 in Chesapeake, VA. In April 2011, an accident injured two Virginia state troopers on I-395.

Virginia’s “move-over” law means drivers are legally required to move into the next lane or slow down by 20 mph if an emergency vehicle. Violators face fines up to $2500. The law is widely flouted.

As experienced Virginia auto accident attorneys, my colleagues and I have handled automobile accident cases all over Virginia and those involving injured first responders including, police, fire and rescue.

This FAQ explains what to do if you’ve been rear-ended.

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About the Editors: Lawyers with Shapiro, Cooper, 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 John M. Cooper, have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers since 2010, an honor fewer than 5 percent of outstanding attorneys receive.

By John Cooper, Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer

My colleague Rick Shapiro has posted a blog about an 18-year-old who has been charged with DUI after a teenage cheerleader was seriously injured in a crash in Virginia Beach, VA. The 18-year-old driver has also been charged with illegal possession of alcohol, following the June 16, 2011, accident in which his car hit a tree in the Salem Woods community.

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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 Rick Shapiro, Car Accident Injury Attorney

Four people, including a couple on their way to deposit their church’s Sunday collection, were killed last month in a head-on collision on Virginia’s (VA) Eastern Shore.  These accidents are tragic and as it turns out, preventable.  Find out why head-on collisions with wrong-way drivers are on the rise.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys handle Eastern Shore 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 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 in the 2011 issue of Best Lawyers in America. They, along with fellow attorney John M. Cooper, were also named 2010 Virginia “Super Lawyers” for Personal Injury Law; fewer than 5 percent of outstanding lawyers receive this designation. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Though not every case meets our criteria, we offer free, 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 promptly.

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 Emily Mapp Brannon, Personal Injury Attorney

It only takes a few seconds of inattention to cause a life altering car accident.  Such was the case in Suffolk, Virginia (VA) when a driver wrecked her car and injured her passenger while messing with the radio.  On the Eastern Shore drivers may do the same, flipping radio stations as they drive further out.  Find out how much damage driving distracted can do.

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).

By Jim Lewis, Eastern Shore Accident Lawyer

A mother was driving down U.S. Route 13 in Accomac, Virginia (VA) when she reportedly fell asleep at the wheel of her PT Cruiser, drifted to the other side of the road, overcorrected, and wound up flipping the car multiple times. Her 7-year-old child was in the back seat and wound up suffering fatal injuries, according to delmarvanow.com. The mother, and a passenger in the front seat, suffered serious injuries as well.  

This is a terrible accident. Losing anyone in a sudden accident is heartbreaking, but to lose someone so young makes the loss that much more gut wrenching.

Drowsy/sleepy driving is a major problem in this country. Roughly 60 percent of drivers admit they have driven a vehicle while feeling sleepy in the past year, and 37 percent admit to have fallen asleep while driving, according to a study by the National Sleep Foundation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 100,000 car crashes every year are the direct result of a tired driver. This leads to an estimated 1,550 lives lost and 71,000 injuries, according to drowsydriving.org.

This may sound like common sense, but many people appear to ignore it – if you are feeling tired while driving, pull over and take a break.

You’d be amazed at how a 15-30 minute break from driving can re-energize your batteries. Maybe stop at a Sheetz or your local gas station and grab a cup of coffee. The worst thing you can do is continue to push yourself and potentially dose off while you’re driving.

As we saw from the Accomac accident, drowsy driving can have horrific consequences. Our firm has experience handling cases involving family members. For example, we represented a wife who was injured by her husband who got into a wreck while driving a rental car on the wrong side of the road. We advised her she could file a suit against her husband because this way the rental car company would be forced to apply its insurance to protect/defend her husband, the at-fault driver. We totally understand how awkward filing suit against a family member can be, but if it the best course to help compensate you and your family, a suit should be pursued.

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 Rick Shapiro, Eastern Shore Accident Lawyer

A Subaru and Toyota Tacoma slammed head-on into each other resulting in the tragic death of John R. Lutz, Jr. He was only 32 years old.

The accident occurred on Route 13 south of Route 677 in Accomack, Virginia (VA), according to WAVY.com.

The exact details of what caused the car wreck are still unknown, but we do know that the driver of the Subaru was charged with reckless driving.

Reckless driving is categorized as a Class 1 misdemeanor and includes speeding in excess of 80 mph, failing to give a proper signal, driving with an obstructed view, and passing a school bus. The penalty, if convicted, can include up to one year in jail, up to $2,500 in fines, and suspension of driving privileges for up to six months. 

Penalties aside, we can’t forget a life was lost in this terrible accident. Mr. Lutz had his whole life ahead of him and it was taken away because of another driver’s recklessness actions. My deepest condolences go out to Mr. Lutz’s parents, John M. and Barbara E. Lutz. Losing a child is a pain I wish no parent had to endure.

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.