Changes in Virginia Drunk Driving Statistics New numbers have been released for the year 2022 for alcohol and its impact on accidents and vehicle-related deaths in Virginia. While the good news is that numbers have been trending downward in recent years, nearly 30% of all traffic fatalities in 2022 were alcohol-related, with more than 1000 people losing their lives. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in an alcohol-related crash, our Virginia law firm can help. We serve clients with empathy and compassion when dealing with even the most traumatic injuries and devastating losses afte ..read more

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Virginia, you should report the accident to your auto insurance company promptly. However, it’s important to be prepared for what to say—and, perhaps more importantly, what NOT to say—when you talk to the insurance adjuster. Why You Should Watch What You Say to an Insurance Adjuster Insurance companies, even your own insurer, are out for their own best interests, not yours. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible for a claim, and the line of questions they ask after an accident could be designed to help them reduce their payout on your clai ..read more

It has been ten years since the U.S. Department of Transportation launched a new campaign directed toward increasing the safety of teenage drivers. This campaign, originally called “5 To Drive,” has evolved and expanded to be an annual week-long observation each October: “Teen Driver Safety Week.” This week is designed to help parents, guardians, and other adults in a teenage driver’s life have important conversations with teens about how to stay safe behind the wheel. These rules have been designed to address what have been proven to be the greatest dangers for teen drivers: Alcohol Inc ..read more

Modern vehicles come equipped with a variety of driver-assistance technology in the form of crash-avoidance systems and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which are designed to help reduce the incidence and severity of accidents. More safety on the road is certainly a good thing, but these systems must be understood and used responsibly for the safest driving experience. Understanding Crash-Avoidance Systems Car manufacturers have equipped vehicles with many alarms and warning systems designed to help drivers avoid accidents. These components can include collision warning, collision av ..read more

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), more than ten percent of motorists in Virginia drive with no liability insurance, and many drivers who are insured carry only the minimum coverage limits required by law. This means that you could be involved in an accident caused by a motorist who does not have sufficient insurance coverage to pay your damages, which include medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering that result from the crash. You might also be the victim of a wreck caused by a stolen car, an uninsured farm vehicle that’s out on the road, or ..read more

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial assistance for Americans who cannot work because of physical or mental disability or blindness, but most first-time applications for SSDI benefits are denied. If you’re a denied applicant, you may appeal the denial and ask for a reconsideration by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you’re still denied, you may request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You’re more likely to prevail at the hearing stage if you’re represented by an SSDI attorney from Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas. When You Can’t Work Because of a D ..read more

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Neither program is the same as Social Security Retirement, which partially replaces the incomes of most U.S. citizens when they retire. Both SSI and SSDI provide financial benefits to Americans who are physically or mentally disabled, over 65, or blind if their disabilities prevent them from working, but one program is need-based, and the other is not. If you have a disability, it’s important for you to understand the similarities and ..read more

The work-related injuries sustained every day by employees across the U.S. range from minor to catastrophic and even fatal. Among the most devastating and life-changing of such injuries are amputations, which occur most often in the transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction sectors. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that most work-related amputation injuries are caused by vehicle accidents and by equipment or machinery that is unguarded or improperly guarded. Dangerous workplace tools include: Food slicers Power saws Trash compactors Milling m ..read more

Every August, students in Warrenton will return to Fauquier County Public Schools. Pencils are sharpened, back-to-school outfits are selected, and after-school plans are made to keep your child safe. But More Can Be Done to Protect Students Each Year As a driver and a parent of a Fauquier County Public Schools student, there are things that you can do to help prevent a school-year car accident tragedy. Specifically, you can: Put down your cell phone while driving. Slow down near schools. Teach your teenage drivers how to drive safely around small children. Leave plenty of time for getting to ..read more

Teenage drinking and driving has been an issue for decades, and no matter how much research and education are done, new generations of teenagers still engage in the behavior. It's important for everyone involved in a young person's life to recognize the danger and do what they can to prevent teen drunk driving.  Why Virginia Teens Drink and Drive Teens drink and drive for lots of reasons, despite knowing the dangers and legal consequences they face. Reasons teens in Northern Virginia drink and drive include: Peer pressure. The desire to fit in, be accepted, or gain social status amo ..read more