Automobile Accidents

• Uninsured Motorist Insurance

  Ben Glass | February 19, 2007 10:00 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  Just got finished reading a police accident report in a Virginia car accident case where the defendant, who blasted through a red light, told the investigator that she was "practicing her driving" when her foot mistakenly mashed the accelerator, instead of the brake.She caused massive injuries and guess what? She has minimal insurance.Fortunately, it looks as though our client had the...

• More Protection Against Drunk Drivers

  Ben Glass | February 08, 2007 3:16 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  There is an interesting bill percolating in the Virginia General Assembly that would require anyone convicted of drunk driving to have double the mandatory minimum liability insurance in place before being permitted to drive again.You can check this bill out here. If you agree with me that this sounds like a good idea then you should contact your Virginia legislator and give them a piece of your...

• Competition Keeps Auto Insurance Rates Low in Virginia

  Ben Glass | January 29, 2007 10:36 AM | 1 CommentNorthern Virginia, VA

  According to a report by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Virginia ranked 18th among the 50 states in automobile insurance with an average expenditure of $702.23. Kenneth J. Schrad, director, Division of Information Resources for the Virginia State Corporation Commission, said the state had ranked in the lower tier among auto rates for several years. He said the amount of...

• New Allstate Book Should Be a Bestseller

  Ben Glass | January 20, 2007 6:04 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  My friend New York personal injury attorney Gary Rosenberg reminded me that there is a great book that has been published for plaintiff's attorneys. From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves purports to expose Allstate and its claims handling practices. Must be a good read, according to Business Week, Allstate tried hard to keep this book from seeing the light of day. In February, a New Mexico state...

• Pedestrian Deaths Up in Fairfax County, Virginia

  Ben Glass | January 18, 2007 3:08 PM | 1 CommentNorthern Virginia, VA

  In 2006 17 pedestrians were killed and 300 pedestrian crashes in Fairfax County. There were 19 fatalities in 2000 and 2001. According to the Fairfax County Times newspaper the majority of these crashes are centered on high traffic, high volume roadways with fairly dense populations. According to a 2005 study conducted by the Inova Health Systems a disproportionate number of the pedestrians...

• Bring Back Red Light Cameras to Virginia?

  Ben Glass | January 18, 2007 5:43 AM | 2 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  I may be in the minority but I like the idea of red light cameras at some of Northern Virginia's busy intersections. I think they make people more aware of the danger of running red lights. Sure, some people get rear ended, but then, that means everyone has to pay more attention.The Virginia State Senate passed legislation yesterday to restore the red lights at some Northern Virginia...

• Bill to Ban Cell Phone Use in Virginia

  Ben Glass | January 17, 2007 2:35 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  A bill has been introduced in the Virginia General Assembly to ban most cell phone use while driving. Exceptions would be made for emergency use and for hands free devices.House bill 233 Provides that, except in certain emergency situations, the operator of a moving motor vehicle is prohibited from using any wireless communication device unless the device is equipped for hands-free communication...

• Washington, D.C. Subway Derailment

  Ben Glass | January 08, 2007 9:25 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating the unfortunate subway train derailment that injured 20 people in Washington, D.C. yesterday. The District of Columbia recently passed "anti-runner" legislation so lawyers and their employees should (unless asked by a victim) not be contacting victims of this subway accident directly.Unfortunately, this means that the insurance...

• We Get Questions

  Ben Glass | January 04, 2007 5:22 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  From time to time I get questions about Virginia personal injury law emailed me by potential clients. Without revealing personal information, I can answer the questions here because others may have the same question.Question: I've been injured in an accident, what are standard percentages or break-downs for pain ?Answer: there are no standard percentages for pain. Each case is determined on its...

• Insurance Premiums to Drop in 2007

  Ben Glass | January 02, 2007 2:17 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  In yet another sign that whenever you hear an insurance company whine about losing money all you have to do is say "show me the facts," the Insurance Information Institute has issued a press release that says you can expect to pay less in 2007 for car insurance. The drop won't be great (.05%) but what is significant is that the auto insurance companies must be reaping enourmous profits to...