Saturday, 19 of May of 2012
By John Cooper, Eastern Shore Personal Injury Attorney
If you are a passenger and you make the mistake of getting into a car with a driver who ends up being drunk, what are your rights? Our experienced Virginia personal injury attorney talks about the recent crash on Pungoteague that left two people dead and two injured.
CT
By Richard N. Shapiro, VA Wrongful Death Attorney
Have you ever come upon a slow moving vehicle at night without warning? As a Virginia personal injury attorney and someone that’s on the road traveling a lot, it’s happened to me more than once. The dark stretch of road ahead of you is empty and then suddenly it’s not. This is exactly what happened to Larry Rickets when he came upon an all-terrain vehicle driving on a highway on the Eastern Shore of Virginia (VA) at night with no tail lights. Virginia traffic laws state that ATV use on public highways is prohibited, except to cross these roads, for agricultural purposes or while in Buchanan County.
Rickets instinctively swerved to miss the ATV but in doing so lost control of his car and crashed. Rickets lost his life and his passenger was badly injured. This may leave their families asking who is responsible. The answer is if the driver of the ATV caused the accident then he may be liable for civil negligence liability to the driver who lost his life avoiding it.
If the ATV driver is found to be at fault, will he have insurance or enough insurance to cover the fatal accident? We don’t know yet, but if the ATV driver lacks adequate insurance, Virginia uninsured/underinsured (UIM) coverage may apply to provide further insurance.
As experienced Virginia car accident attorneys we realize that the uninsured motorist coverage on the victims own car insurance policy is what will provide coverage to their family members if the ATV driver was an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
CA
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 Car Accident Injury Attorney
The Department of Motor Vehicles reported in 2005 that the car accident death rate in and around the Eastern Shore of Virginia (VA) was 0.67 per 1000 licensed drivers. That may not sound like a lot, but when compared to the statewide average car crash death rate of 0.22 per 1000 licensed drivers reported that year, it is a disturbingly high number — actually three times higher than the statewide average.
You might be asking yourself, “Is there a particular reason so many serious car wrecks occur on Eastern Shore highways like U.S. 13?” To be honest, no one has been able to pinpoint a singular reason why the Eastern Shore is more prone to car wrecks resulting in serious injury or loss of life.
Maybe it’s due to the Eastern Shore being a vacation destination and there are more people prone to drinking and driving while headed to the beach. It could also be due to commuters going back and forth from the Eastern Shore to other parts of Virginia like Hampton Roads or Northern Virginia. During long commutes, some drivers may be inclined to engage in texting while driving, which causes them to be distracted and much more likely to be involved in a major car crash.
If you or a loved one was involved in an Eastern Shore car accident that was caused by another driver’s carelessness and you had to miss time from work or racked up large medical bills due to your injury, consult with an attorney to discuss your legal options. Keep in mind that if you are from another state like Maryland or North Carolina, you can still file an injury claim against an at-fault Virginia driver, and vice versa for VA residents.
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 Kevin Duffan, Eastern Shore Car Accident Injury Attorney
When a Volvo traveling west on the Chincoteague Causeway on Va. 175 swerved out of its lane and into the path of an approaching Ford Taurus just after 5 pm on April 4, 2011, the resulting head-on collision claimed the life of a driver and passenger and sent the other accident victims to a hospital with severe injuries.
This head-on collision on the Va. 175 Chincoteague Causeway on Virginia's Eastern killed two and injured two.
According to the Virginian-Pilot, the men killed in the Taurus were brothers Robert Cherrix and Laurence Gordon Cherrix, who lived on the Eastern Shore of Virginia (VA). The Volvo was being driven by California (CA) resident Ivan Klychnik, and Chincoteague woman Christina Gallagher was his passenger. Gallagher was not wearing a seat belt and got ejected from the car after impact.
A rash of bridge and tunnel accidents have struck eastern Virginia in the past few weeks. Drivers need to use caution on those passages, as their lanes tend to be narrower than on the rest of the roadway. This leaves little room for quickly correcting steering errors or recovering from distractions.
I offer my condolences to the friends and family members of the Cherrix brothers.
EJL
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.
According to the Daily Press, on June 24, 2010, a single-vehicle accident with a fatality occurred on the Eastern Shore of Virginia (VA).
State police in Parksley investigated the crash, at which one man was pronounced dead at the scene. He appeared to have been pinned beneath an overturned car near the intersection of Bailey and Fisher roads. The accident occurred at approximately 7:15 am.
Sgt. Michelle Cotten stated that, at the time of the report, investigators had not yet determined the cause of the crash, and were keeping the victim’s identify confidential for the time being.
Our condolences go out to the friends and family of this unknown man. Unfortunately, car accidents are an all too common phenomena in which precious loved ones can be lost. In order to spare those you care about the pain of such loss, always take precautions while driving. Allow enough time to get to your destination, and don’t forget to factor in extra time in inclement weather.
In cases where the car accident is caused by another driver, you may have a case against him or her for what is known as “wrongful death.” In instances such as these, you may be eligible to sue for compensation that includes the loss of that loved one’s income and companionship, as well as punitive damages. These are damages intended to punish a person for wrongdoing. If you feel that you may have a car accident death case, contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible.
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 new report was released on Tuesday in response to the 2008 accident where a 40,000-pound tractor-trailer crashed through the side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The tunnel and bridge network connects the Eastern Shore of Virginia (VA) to Hampton Roads. A federal agency has made new bridge safety testing recommendations, reports The Baltimore Sun.
The National Transportation Safety Board report found that voids in the concrete barriers left metal bars that fastened the barriers to the Bay Bridge’s deck susceptible to weathering. As a result of the weakened barriers, a truck driver plummeted about 30 feet into the bay, after attempting to avoid a head on collision with a Camaro that had crossed the center line.
Although Short’s truck was the first vehicle to crash through one of the safety barriers in the history of the bridge the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission needs to be responsible and proactive in correcting issues as the bridge ages. I hope they take the proper safety measures to avoid such accidents in the future.
CA.
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 VA Injury Lawyer
A tractor-trailer traveling down Route 13 in Melfa, Virginia (VA) couldn’t stop in time to avoid traffic outside of the Shore Stop convenience store. The truck driver veered to the right to avoid the traffic and wound up slamming into the front of the convenience store. Two people in the store – a clerk and a delivery man – suffered injuries and are receiving treatment at Shore Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox on the Eastern Shore, according to wboc.com.
This tractor-trailer accident looks like it could have been avoided. If the truck driver had been more vigilant and applied his brakes as soon as he saw vehicles stopped in front of him on Route 13, maybe this awful wreck wouldn’t have happened. The at-fault driver was charged by police at the scene.
Let’s hope the two injured victims pull through. It has to be an extremely traumatic experience seeing a massive tractor trailer bust through a store and hurt you. These types of accidents don’t just affect the victim physically, but mentally as well.
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.
PA
By Rick Shapiro, Personal Injury Attorney
How much should a negligent company pay for the lives of an entire family? Toyota settles with the relatives of a family killed by the sudden acceleration of a Lexus. Find out more.
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).
PA
By Jim Lewis, Eastern Shore Injury Lawyer
The offshore drilling disaster in the Gulf of Mexico may not only affect the Louisiana Coast. Reports indicate the oil leak, which is larger than the state of Rhode Island, could make its way to the Eastern Shore of Virginia (VA) and all the way down to west Florida (FL), according to Yahoo News.
Here’s a news report describing the extent of the offshore drilling disaster…
If the spill were to actually make it down the Gulf Stream and reach the Eastern Shore, our crabbing and fishing industries could be severely damaged. Fortunately, the Oil Protection Act of 1990 (OPA) has provisions that provide money and resources necessary to respond to oil spills. The OPA also created the national Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which is available to provide up to one billion dollars per spill incident, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
President Obama recently declared British Petroleum (BP), the at-fault oil company, will pick up the bill for clean-up costs and restoring damage done to the Gulf Coast and other areas. A section of the OPA, §1002(a), states:
“The responsible party for a vessel or facility from which oil is discharged, or which poses a substantial threat of a discharge, is liable for: (1) certain specified damages resulting from the discharged oil; and (2) removal costs incurred in a manner consistent with the National Contingency Plan (NCP).”
Understanding these laws could prove to be essential in VA since, just a few weeks ago, the president eased restrictions on offshore drilling and VA is looking to begin drilling and exploration in the near future (an exact date hasn’t been determined).
Will this oil leak, and the serious injuries and lives lost in the oil rig explosion cause VA legislators to re-evaluate their stance on offshore drilling? No one can say for sure. If this leak continues to spread and disrupts the vibrant fishing and crabbing economy on the Eastern Shore, it may be wise to take another look at the value of offshore drilling in VA.
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.
PA
