Richmond VA Lawyer Wayne O'Bryan's talks to his clients!

NEWS FLASH: There is a Richmond, VA accident injury lawyer that talks to his clients! Call 804-643-4343 and you can talk directly to Attorney Wayne O'Bryan about your case. Avoid the middleman and actually talk to a real live lawyer!

Richmond VA Lawyer Wayne O'Bryan's talks to his clients!

NEWS FLASH: There is a Richmond, VA accident injury lawyer that talks to his clients! Call 804-643-4343 and you can talk directly to Attorney Wayne O'Bryan about your case. Avoid the middleman and actually talk to a real live lawyer!

Richmond VA Car Insurance Buying Tips Virginia Lawyer Attorney Accident

According to Virginia’s financial responsibility laws, you need to have car insurance before to buying a vehicle. Drivers don’t always know exactly when they should purchase car insurance, so here are a few tips

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Get your FREE book! Call 643-4343 and we will mail your FREE copy of the best Richmond, VA accident injury lawyer book today, written by Attorney Wayne O'Bryan.

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FREE Book for Virginia personal injury accident victims. Richmond Virginia lawyer Attorney Wayne O'Bryan

Lowest Car Accident Deaths in Virginia in over 40 years

FREE Book for Richmond, VA car wreck victims. Call 804-643-4343 for your copy of Accident Injury Book: Hidden Inside Secrets Big Insurance Companies Don't Want You to Know About Your Injury Claim

Driving while sleepy can be dangerous

I posted a new article about National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week and a few warning signs and tips on how to recognize the signs of driver fatigue.

Make sure that you don't drive when you are sleepy. It is better to pull off the road and take a nap than to risk wrecking your car. Sleepy drivers cause thousands of accidents each year and it can be worse than driving drunk.

Please be careful out there.

More Virginia Car and Truck Drivers with No Insurance

Last year Virginia DMV suspended the licenses of over 432,000 Virginia drivers for not being able to pay fees related to driving fines. Many of these people have not stopped driving, which means that more and more Virginia drivers are driving without any kind of insurance.

Many people are losing their jobs and are unable to pay the fines they get for traffic tickets. A lot of them are still driving to look for work or keep the jobs they have and thus there are more uninsured motorists on the road now. The problem is getting worse every day and is leading to an increase in hit-and-run accidents.

It is very important for you to make sure that you have enough uninsured motorist insurance because your chances of getting in a wreck with an uninsured motorist is increasing every day. Please read my library article about the importance of having plenty of uninsured motorist insurance.  One bad accident where you are hit by an unisured driver could lead to hundreds of thousands of dolars in medical bills and bancruptcy for you and your family.

Please protect yourself, the cost is minimal and the risks are increasing every day.

Family struggles after car accident with drunk driver

Last December, Annie Roach and her nine-year-old son Jarod Roach were injured in a car accident when their 2003 Mitsubishi Galant was struck by a 1993 Ford Explorer being driven by a drunk driver named Helen Jewel Ward.

Jarod suffered a broken pelvic bone and bruises on his face. His mother fared much worse with a collapsed lung, broken jaw, torn aorta, broken kneecaps, internal bleeding and a crushed ankle. At one point her heart stopped and had to be shocked back into working.

The family's life still hasn't returned to normal over nine months after the accident. The family is survivng on an insurance settlement and the future looks uncertain. The family spends $650 a month on Annie's physical therapy and medicine, and they have yet to pay any hospital bills as the father of the family has been unable to find a job.

I don't know how much they got for their accident injury claim settlement, but whatever it was, I'm sure it was inadequate to compensate the family for their pain and suffering.

Toyota accused of unethical and illegal activities in truck and SUV rollover cases

I just posted a new article about a lawsuit alleging that Toyota covered up evidence in Toyota SUV and truck rollover cases accross the country. According to a former attorney for Toyota, over 300 cases were affected by the unethical and illegal corporate decision. Many people suffered wrongful death or personal injury in these accidents claims.

Insurance Companies are not your friends | Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer

I just talked to a lady on the phone about her accident that happened last year. She told me she was driving down a coutry road, rounded a curve and swerved to avoid hitting a dog. She rolled her jeep five times and it was a miracle that she escped the wreck alive.

She broke her collarbone and her wrist in two places and has had complications from the accident that have caused her to have terrible back problems.

She called us because the insurance company won't return her phone calls and won't pay for her medical treatment that she needs.

She has been trying to deal with them for over a year and get this resolved and when it comes to getting money out of the insurance company she might as well try and get blood from a stone.

Insurance companies are not interested in helping you with your problems. They are for-profit companies that exist to take your insurance premiums and not return the favor when you need them the most.

Driver charged with manslaughter after fatal car accident

The fatal car crash of July 7 that led to the death of a passenger in a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria that hit a flatbed wrecker truck making a legal turn has led to the arrest of the car driver who caused the accident.

Cordell Hall has been charged with manslaughter for the death of Dennis Smith, who died at the scene of the accident.

Investigators found that Hall drve through a red light at a high rate of speed and hit the truck making a legal turn from Hull Street onto Belt Boulevard in Richmond, Virginia.

Another sad example of a wrongful death caused by somebody else's fault.

Car Accident In Southside Virginia | Southside Wreck Lawyer

There was a wreck last Thursday around 5pm in Southside, VA on Route 138 near routh 649. Four people were hurt and taken to local hospitals, according to Virginia State Police.

The accident happened when a 1997 Ford Explorer driven by Latisha Farrar of Victoria, VA crossed the center line, sideswiped a 1989 GMC andura and hit a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Daniel Nowlin, head-on.

Nowlin and his passenger, Melissa Garrison, were both airlifted from the scene of the accident to an unspecified hospital.

There are a lot of bad wrecks in southside Virginia because there are so many two-lane roads with no median. This leads to a lot of head-on collisions which are the worse type of wreck.

A good Virginia accident lawyer can help you recover the most money for your accident case. A study done by the Insurance Research Council found that accident victims with lawyers got an average of three-times as much money then those without.

Southside, VA head on collision

Another head-on collison in southside Virginia last Thursday sent two people to the hospital. The wreck happened on Route 92 near route 600 just after noon, according to Virgina State Police.

A 1991 Toyota Camry driven by Elizabeth Hatcher of Victoria, VA crossed the center line and hit a 2006 Hyundai Sonata driven by Regina Smith of Red Oak, VA head-on.

Hatcher was charged with failure to maintain control.

Another example of what was probably a small error or lapse in attention leading to a severe accident and personal injury for a couple of unsuspecting people. Those two-lane country roads in rural Virginia are unforgiving and dangerous.

We try a lot of accident claims from southside that are similar to this one. If you've been in a similar wreck call us for a free no-obligation consultation at 1-800-372-4099.

Tips on Preventing Auto Accidents in Richmond, Virginia

Every year hundreds of people are killed or injured on Virginia's roads and highways.  According to the Accidents.com website, there were 963 people involved in fatal accidents in Virginia during 2006.  Of these deaths, 17 were killed on expressways or freeways in Virginia while 144 fatalities involved local Virginia roads.

In order to help prevent an increase in these statistics, we'd like to share some tips on how to prevent auto accidents:
•    Make sure your car is properly maintained on a regular basis.  Inspect your tires weekly and change the oil according to the manufacturer's recommendation.
•    Always, always, always wear your seatbelt.  Even if you're just going around the block or down the street, put on that seatbelt.  They say that most car accidents happen within 1.4 miles from the home.
•    Get plenty of sleep before taking a road trip.  If you plan on driving a long distance, take frequent rest breaks.  
•    Know what the road conditions are before you drive and plan accordingly.
•    Do not drink and drive.  Period.
•    Do not use your cell phone while driving.  If you absolutely must use your phone, make sure to use a hands-free device.
•    Do not speed in order to get somewhere on time.  Other people can get over you being late.  Wouldn't you rather get there late than not at all?

One of the best ways to prevent car accidents in Virginia (or anywhere else, for that matter) is to create awareness and educate people, especially young drivers, about driving safe.  Do everyone a favor and pass on this article to friends and family!

Virginia Governor Passes Law That Bans Texting While Driving

Nowadays text messaging has become a common way for people to communicate.  But did you know that text messaging while driving is widely considered one of the most dangerous things to do while operating a motor vehicle?  In fact, The Transport Research Laboratory in the UK found that drivers who send text messages while driving dramatically increase the likelihood of collision.  Their reaction times decreased by 35%, which is worse than those who drank alcohol at the legal limit.  Teens say that texting is their No. 1 driving distraction, according to a 2006 study from Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

Earlier this month Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine signed into law a ban on text messaging while driving.  The new law will take effect on July 1, 2009.  Virginia will become one of many states that have banned texting while driving.  The ban will include text messaging while driving a car, bicycle, motorcycle, moped or even an electric wheelchair.

The bill, sponsored by Del. John A. Cosgrove, would make texting a secondary violation.  This means that a driver could get only a $20 ticket for the offense if pulled over for another reason. Second and subsequent texting-while-driving offenses would result in fines of $50.

Virginia and Maryland have considered banning the use of cellphones for adult drivers almost every year since at least 2001. Maryland banned cellphone use for teens with learner's permits in 2005, and Virginia made it illegal for drivers younger than 18 in 2007.

Car accident insurance settlement ingformation | Richmond, VA car truck motorcycle wreck lawyer

I just wrote a new article about car accident insurance settlements.

Read it now for more information about your car, truck or motorcycle accident and what you should do after you are in a wreck to maximize your claim.

The attorneys at O'Bryan Law have been handling car crash cases for decades.  We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we only get paid after you get money from the insurance company.  Insurance adjusters are professionals that handle thousands of cases each year.  You need professional help from a lawyer to help level the playing field.

UPDATE to Luggage Accident Post

Our earlier post "Auto Accident in Virginia, Tips For Carrying Items On Top of a Car."
has caused some controvery and I want to clarify the situation with new information from the families involved.  According to the Daily Press, Virginia State Police had reported that there was luggage in the middle of Interstate 295 near Richmond, Virginia when the accident occured.

But O'Bryan Law has learned that the SUV that was struck in this horrible accident was off the road with their flashers on and checking their luggage on top of their vehicle.  The luggage had not fallen off the vehicle at all.  Out of nowhere, a woman (who later received a ticket for driving recklessly) crossed two lanes of traffic, struck the rear of the SUV and killed the victim instantly.

This is a very tragic accident that leaves behind a family still dealing with grief and we apologize for the wrongful death misinformation.

This seems to be an example of a driver not paying attention when driving.  There are so many distractions that can cause you to have an accident,  When you are diving at a high rate of speed on an interstate the difference between life and death can be very small and you need to pay full attention to the road.

You must also not trust that the drivers around you are paying attention.  Every day I see people doing other things while driving, like talking on a cell phone, eating, reading or texting.  These people could hit you in an unfortunate careless moment.  Drive with a wary attitude.

Another good rule of thumb is: when in doubt yield.  Better to yield to a carless or clueless driver than to end up with a personal injury or death.

Your Auto Accident: How Much Money Are You Leaving On the Table?

If you've been involved in an auto accident, are you aware that you're leaving a lot of money on the table when you decide to settle with the insurance companies?  Many people who are involved in car wrecks are not aware that insurance companies will do anything they can to give people as little as possible for their accident injury claim.

Take, for example, a woman who was rear-ended and filed a claim with the other driver's insurance company.  She suffered minor back injury that actually escalated into major back problems months after the accident.  Because she was unaware that insurance companies care more about money than they do about helping injured people, she ended up with only $400 and a host of back problems that went untreated because she didn't have the money to go see a doctor.

If this woman had hired a personal injury lawyer, she probably would have received thousands more dollars for her claim.  Don't make the same mistake that this woman made!  Did you know that:
•    Many physicians or chiropractors will accept a lien whereby their fees are paid out of the amount you receive on your claim.
•    Oftentimes, symptoms of soft tissue injuries do not show up until long after an accident.  That's why it's important to see a doctor immediately following an accident to ensure proper treatment.  

If you've been involved in an auto accident in the Richmond, Virginia area, make sure to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in helping people with auto accidents

Auto Accident in Virginia, Tips For Carrying Items On Top of a Car

POST EDITED DUE TO FAMILY REQUEST

This unfortunate accident brings up some important things to consider when carrying items on top of a car or in a bed of a truck:
•    Nothing can be too secure.  Check, double-check, and then triple check to make sure items are secure and stable on the outside of a vehicle.
•    Tie a warning flag (in a bright color) to items that extend beyond the back of your car.
•    Carry extra rope or bungee cords at all times.
•    If you're going to carry luggage on top of your roof, make sure to invest in a luggage rack.  Do not put luggage directly on top of the roof!
•    Always have flares handy to slow down traffic if you must go out onto the highway.

If you've been involved in an auto accident in the Richmond, Virginia area, make sure to contact an experienced auto accident lawyer.

Five Things You Must Do If You're Involved in an Auto Accident in Richmond, Virginia

If you're involved in an auto accident, it helps if you're prepared and know what to do.  Sure, we don't like to think that an auto accident would happen to us, but things will go smoother if you know what or what not to do.  This is especially important if you feel that you're the victim in the accident.

1.  Exchange information with the other driver.  Get their name, address, phone number, driver's license number, the car's license, and their insurance information.

2.  Call the police and have them review the scene of the accident.  This is an important step especially if there are any injuries or misunderstandings as to who was at fault.  Officers may not respond if there are no injuries, so take a picture of the accident scene instead.

3.  Report the accident to your auto insurance company.  Even if you're not at fault, it's good to review what your policy covers just in case the other drive does not have insurance.  Remember that it is legal for a motorist to drive in the state of Virginia without auto insurance.

4.  See a doctor or chiropractor.  Perhaps you think the accident was minor and you didn't experience any pain, but it's still important to see a doctor.  People's bodies handle car accidents in different ways.  Once your body gets over the initial shock of the accident, there could be physical ramifications that may have gone unnoticed you but can be seen by a doctor.

5.  Hire an auto accident lawyer.  You can save yourself the headache of dealing with the other driver's insurance company when you hire an auto accident lawyer.  Keep in mind that the insurance company's job is to give you as little money as possible, so not hiring an auto accident lawyer would be an unwise decision.

Every Penny Available!

    My client Janice R. was a passenger in a vehicle that was hit by an uninsured motorist while driving down Chamberlayne Avenue in northside Richmond, Virginia. Janice had $100,000 in uninsured motorist coverage under her own auto policy. Her own insurance company was being difficult about paying Janice for her injuries even though her medical bills exceeded the coverage they afforded her.
 
            She came to see me and I took over negotiating Janice’s claim. I had a real advantage over Janice when it came to negotiating with her insurance company – I have handled thousands of cases and, of course, this was Janice’s first claim like this.
 
            After wrestling with the adjuster until she realized I was not going to give in to her tricks, we were able to settle the claim for the full $100,000.00 due Janice. Needless to say, she was thrilled with that result. See her video here.

What to ask your car wreck lawyer.

Do you know what to ask your lawyer to deterermine if they are good or not?  Check our new article on car accident lawyers for some tips.

Most Dangerous Cars 2009

Check out my new article about the most dangerous cars of 2009 according to Forbes magazine.

This list of cars was compiled by looking at ratings from some national safety organizations and giving points based on safety ratings for different types of accidents, such as head-n, side impact and rear ender,

Some cars did great in one area and very poorly in others.  Also small cars never do well if wrecked by a large truck or SUV.

 If you have been in an accident make sure to order our free book for answers to your questions.

Insurance Companies even pick on little kids!

       Insurance adjusters are not above stiffing even little kids. It’s all about money for the insurance boys – to heck with what’s right.  Read my article about how one company treated a small boy who was injured in an automobile collision with his bicycle. Dion was his name and I think you will agree that he deserved better treatment than he got from this greedy insurance company.