Norfolk Personal Injury Attorney at the Cooper Hurley Law Firm » Blogs

Newport News, VA Injury Lawyer Report – Man Injured his Kids When he Ran Red Light, say Police.

dmacaulay — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:13:35 +0000

By John Cooper, Newport News Car Accident Injury Lawyer

BODY – A man from Newport News, VA was arrested on Feb. 2, 2012 after police said he ran a red light, hit two other cars and seriously injured two young children in his car at an intersection in York County.

This heartbreaking accident reported in the Daily Press, occurred at the intersection of Route 134/Hampton Highway and Yorktown Road in lower York County.

State police said a 2001 Chevy Malibu which was traveling south on Route 134 evidently ran a red light to make a left turn onto Yorktown Road. It struck a Chevrolet Sienna and a two-year-old child was ejected before it hit a stopped pickup truck.

The driver was charged with running a red light; reckless driving and failure to secure a child in a child restraint.

As an experienced car accident injury attorney who works with clients in Newport News, I am shocked by this accident. Although the full facts are not yet known it’s scary to imagine the event from the view of the two children in the back seat. This accident also raises questions about how adequately the infant was placed in an appropriate seat, or if something was wrong with the child seat.

Sadly all too often we see young people hurt and killed in cities such as Newport News, York County and Hampton, VA. Recently a 13-year-old was hurt crossing a road in nearby Poquoson.

As experienced Virginia (VA) child injury lawyers, we are always sad to hear of preventable wrecks when kids are in the back seat and we hope these two children will make a full recovery.

The Norfolk and Virginia Beach based personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles car, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as brain injury, wrongful death, railroad workers’ injuries (FELA) mesothelioma and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010 and has been a member since 2011 of the Multimillion dollar Advocates Roundtable. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA, and always put the best interests of the our clients first. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards. If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us (757) 455 -0077. For a free consultation with a specialized Hampton Roads, Virginia personal injury lawyer contact us through this website

Virginia Beach Motorcycle Injury Lawyer Report – Motorcycle Rider is Killed in Virginia Beach

dmacaulay — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:09:47 +0000

By Jim Hurley, Virginia Beach Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney

My colleague John Cooper has written a new blog on the Virginia Beach Accident Attorneys site about the death of a scooter rider in Virginia Beach, VA. The scooter rider received fatal injuries in a crash with an SUV on Princess Anne Road.

Norfolk, VA Railroad Accident Lawyer Report – Six Injured in Amtrak Crash

dmacaulay — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:53:48 +0000

By John Cooper, Norfolk, VA Railroad Accident Attorney

Six people were injured in a crash between a tractor-trailer and an Amtrak train in Michigan on the morning of Feb. 1.

The Amtrak train was heading from Pontiac to Chicago when it derailed in Jackson County, the Detroit News reported. It hit a tractor-trailer truck around 8:15 a.m. near Michigan Avenue and Portage Road in Leoni Township, according to police.

Six people were transported to a local hospital. According to reports none of the injuries were serious.

See this video about Amtrak derailments.

As an experienced Norfolk, VA railroad accident injury attorney, I’m concerned that yet another crash has taken place on a crossing, although I am relieved that none of the victims appear to have been seriously injured.

Crossings are potentially highly dangerous places in which trains come into contact with trucks and cars. Last year I wrote about an accident on a crossing in Goose Creek, South Carolina (SC) which was the 17^th at that crossing since the 1970s.

Cities such as Norfolk and Portsmouth, VA have numerous railroad crossings where cars and trucks come into close contact with trains. The arrival of the Tide light rail system in Norfolk, VA has increased the number of these locations.

While those injured in Michigan appear to have had a lucky escape, accidents involving trains and vehicles at crossings can be devastating.

In 2011, six people were killed in a crash in Reno, Nevada after a truck hit an Amtrak train on a railroad crossing. Lawsuits have since been filed against both the trucking company and Amtrak.

Suffolk, VA Car Accident Injury Lawyer Report – Mass Accident in Florida Kills 10

dmacaulay — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:01:08 +0000

By Jim Hurley, Suffolk, VA Car Accident Injury Attorney

The accident scene was compared to “the end of the world,” and tragically it ended the lives of 10 people.

In one of the worst road crashes in the United States in recent years, a long line of cars and truck collided in fog and smoke on Interstate 75 south of Gainesville in Florida (FL).

The authorities are still trying to find the cause of this horrendous crash, Fox News reported. It occurred on Jan, 29 when a “mixture of fog and heavy smoke from a brush fire that may have been intentionally set,” caused poor visibility.

At least five cars and six tractor-trailers were involved, and some caught fire during the wreck.

The series of accidents began half an hour after a 14-mile stretch of I-75 south of Gainesville was reopened early on the morning of Jan. 29, 2012. As well as the 10 people killed a hospital in Gainesville said it treated 22 people, eight of whom remain in hospital.

Given the complex series of events that unfolded in this accident, apportioning blame could be a lengthy procedure.

But an investigation will look closely at Florida Highway Patrol’s decision to reopen this highway 30 minutes before the crash, after a supervisor said it was clear.

The cause of the fire could also have a bearing on the blame question. “If arson comes up, we’ll look at charges at that time,” Keith Kameg, spokesman for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which is conducting the investigation, told the Chicago Tribune.

As Norfolk, VA based car accident injury and wrongful death attorneys, our thoughts are with the relatives who lost a loved one, and those left severely injured.

This horrendous accident is almost certainly going to lead to some wrongful death lawsuits down the line once the factors behind it become clearer.

Norfolk, VA Injury Lawyer Report: Baby Born After Crash

kwilliams — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:56:24 +0000

By Jim Hurley, Virginia Injury Lawyer

In Blacksburg, VA there was a horrible accident that involved a pregnant woman who was two weeks away from giving birth. The accident occurred as the woman was pulling onto North Main Street when her car collided with another vehicle coming down the street.

The pregnant woman had serious injuries and was speedily taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Sadly, the woman’s injuries were so serious that she had to go into emergency labor. The surgeons had to surgically remove the newborn from the womb. The infant died two days later in the hospital. The death of the infant raised suspicious on what caused his death.

Lieutenant Steve Taylor stated that the driver of the vehicle has not been charged and this investigation is ongoing as of the time of this writing.

I have helped numerous pregnant women hurt in car accidents in VA. It is always scary for them about the effects on the baby. Often there is no major harm to the infant after birth but the fear is always there. It is not recommended that some women drive while pregnant, especially around the end of the third trimester.

The Norfolk and Virginia Beach based personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles car, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as brain injury, wrongful death, railroad workers’ injuries (FELA) mesothelioma and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010 and has been a member since 2011 of the Multimillion dollar Advocates Roundtable. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA, and always put the best interests of the our clients first. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards. If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us(757) 455 -0077. For a free consultation with a specialized Hampton Roads, Virginia personal injury lawyer contact us through this website

Hampton Roads, VA Car and Truck Accident Attorney Reports- Virginia to Sell Naming Rights to Major Highways

kwilliams — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:47:22 +0000

By John Cooper, VA Car and Truck Accident Attorney

Is this what the Old Dominion has been reduced to so we can pave the roadways ? If Governor Bob the Lawyer gets his way we just might be there.

Governor Bob McDonnell presented new parts at the General Assembly in regards to his Transportation Plan. This plan has three parts and would cost a total of $4 billion dollars to complete.McDonnell also wants to increase contribution of .25 of the state sales tax to help Transportation. This increased contribution would be in effect for eight years. In addition, he proposed that any money that the state has left over would go to transportation.

A main part that Governor McDonnell proposed was to sell the naming rights of bridges, highways and interchanges. With the revenue received from this, the maintenance costs for the named infrastructure would be covered. The contract to name Virginia infrastructures would be on a yearly base.

Next, McDonnell wants to increase the competition in the Port of Virginia. To do this, he wants an increase in shipping related tax credits.

The VA Chapter of the Sierra Club is not big fans of McDonnell’s proposed plan. They feel as if McDonnell will be denying funds to focal functions of Virginia like education or health care. Governor McDonnell expressed that, “without adequate transportation system, almost every aspect of daily lives and government are negatively impacted.”

I hope that with more maintenance on the roads, there will be less car accidents and car congestion. Can you imagine all of our highways with potholes and disappearing road marks because of lack of funding to fix these problems?

The Norfolk and Virginia Beach based personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles car, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as brain injury, wrongful death, railroad workers’ injuries (FELA) mesothelioma and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010 and has been a member since 2011 of the Multimillion-dollar Advocates Roundtable. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA, and always put the best interests of the our clients first. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards. If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us (757) 455 -0077. For a free consultation with a specialized Hampton Roads, Virginia personal injury lawyer contact us through this website

Hampton Roads Pedestrian Injury Attorney Report: Child Pedestrian Hit Crossing the Street in Dangerous Intersection

kwilliams — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:30:55 +0000

By Jim Hurley, Hampton Roads Pedestrian Injury Attorney

There was a small child injured while crossing the intersection of Poquoson Avenue and Little Florida Road A car turning onto Little Florida Road hit Roger Livingston’s 13-year-old son. The driver claims that the son walked into the intersection and it was impossible for him to see the boy. The police released a statement saying the driver was not charged. The son suffered from a pelvic fracture.

After his injury, his father was enraged at the lack of security for pedestrians who cross every day. The father, Roger Livingston urged Poquoson City Council to implement some new safety measures to improve the streets.

In the past, there have been more than five accidents near this intersection. Other people injured on this intersection include bicyclists, other cars and pedestrians. The council discussed during the meeting that it would be a great decision to redesign the intersection. The challenge of redesigning is with trying to make it so all drivers can see the crosswalk from any angle and side that they are coming from.

In addition, another way to help this problem in Poquoson and Hampton Roads is to teach children where to cross and how to make sure that they are visible to the drivers

Drivers who are paying little or no attention to the roads sometimes hit pedestrians. These injuries can cause injuries that can last a lifetime. Roger Livingston’s son is suffering from a pelvic fracture; many of these accidents can cause more severe injuries. Even though the driver was not charged, many times it is the[ fault of the driver and you may have a case.]

As an experienced VA child injury lawyer , I know that drivers have a heightened duty to look out when children are at play or known to be in the area. If a car operator sees that kids are about the street they must slow down or be more careful. Little kids will sometimes make a mistake and go in the road though they should not have. Kids are not always held responsible as they do not know as much as an adult driver about the risks.

Hampton, VA Wrongful Death Attorney Reports – Man is Hit and Killed by a Taxi

dmacaulay — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:27:39 +0000

By Jim Hurley, Hampton, VA Car Accident Injury Attorney

Two pedestrian deaths in as many days. That’s the sobering statistic recorded in Hampton, VA after a man was hit on Victoria Boulevard by a taxi on the evening of Jan. 30, 2012.

The victim was knocked down and killed on Victoria Boulevard as he tried to cross the road near the intersection with Wakefield Avenue, the Daily Press reported.

He was struck by a yellow Chevrolet van operated by the Yellow Cab company, according to police. Investigators say the driver tried to avoid the pedestrian but was unsuccessful. It’s unclear if charges will be brought.

Pedestrian hit by cab identified: fox43tv.com

The latest pedestrian death in Hampton, VA came just a day after 24-year-old Kameka Sharae Holliday, was knocked down and killed after she was hit by a 2008 Chevy Cobalt traveling north on North King Street.

As Hampton, VA car accident injury attorneys we are alarmed by this spate of pedestrian deaths. In 2011 a number of pedestrians were killed in Hampton including a man in a wheelchair who was mown down by a hit and run driver on W. Mercury Blvd.

The latest tragedy raises the prospect of a wrongful death lawsuit against one of Hampton Roads’ biggest taxicab companies, although the details of the death are sketchy and this case was not a hit and run.

Our Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA based personal injury law firm, has considerable expertise in these kinds of cases. See our recent article about crosswalk injuries and pedestrian rights.
DM
The Norfolk and Virginia Beach based personal injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles car, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as brain injury, wrongful death, railroad workers’ injuries (FELA) mesothelioma and medical malpractice. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling auto injury accident claims. Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010 and has been a member since 2011 of the Multimillion dollar Advocates Roundtable. Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA, and always put the best interests of the our clients first. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards. If you need help or advice about a serious injury, please call us (757) 455 -0077. For a free consultation with a specialized Hampton Roads, Virginia personal injury lawyer contact us through this website

Virginia Beach Injury Lawyer, John Cooper, Attends VTLA Justice Day 2012 at the State Capitol

kwilliams — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:53:22 +0000

Jan 25 2012

The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association held Justice Day 2012 in Richmond, VA recently, which is a trip by accident attorneys and other trial lawyers to see lawmakers and tell them what law changes would help their clients and make VA law better. Along with many other attorneys from across Virginia, John Cooper who practices personal injury law in Hampton Roads was present.

For Justice Day, the lawyers and attorneys have the opportunity to talk with legislators. John Cooper talked with The Honorable Salvatore R Iaquinto and Honorable Ron A Villanueva among others. Both of these delegates are from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Cooper discussed ways the Virginia law could improve justice to help his clients and all citizens in the Commonwealth. By Cooper talking to these Delegates, he helps foster good relationships between practicing lawyers and the Courts of Justice committee members who make or change laws involving civil cases and deal with judicial appointments. Cooper and the VTLA advocate for fairer laws for average people to help the courts work better.

Virginia Beach, VA Brain Injury Lawyer Report – A Brain Injury Can Cause Serious Marital Problems

dmacaulay — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:50:20 +0000

By John Cooper, Virginia Beach Head and Brain Injury Attorney

A traumatic brain injury may not wreck your marriage but it will put serious strains on it, research has concluded.

An article in chinadaily.com, casts doubt on the traditional theory that brain injury is a surefire route to divorce.

“Contrary to conventional wisdom, marriages can survive after a spouse suffers a brain injury and the personality changes that often go with it. But that is not to say these marriages will be happy,” the article says.

See this video about how a brain injury changes marriage.

The report references studies that found divorce rates for couples who have experienced brain injury, are below the United States average among these couples. A study in 2007 found that the rate was around 17 percent in couples studied for as long as 90 months.

But although “people may technically be married, the quality of their relationship has been seriously diminished,” said Jeffrey S. Kreutzer, a psychologist at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, and an author of the study.

Marital problems are just one of many problems victims of head and brain injuries suffer after an accident. As experienced Virginia Beach head and brain injury attorneys, we have highlighted the many life-altering consequences of a brain injury.

Car, truck or motorcycle accidents are major causes of these kinds of injuries. When one member of a family sustains a traumatic brain injury, it affects every other member of the family.

Motorcyclists are at particular risk from brain and head injuries, because they are so vulnerable and lack the protection provided by the body of a car and an airbag. There have also been cases of skateboarders and ATV riders sustaining brain damage.

The types of head and brain injury accident victims suffer include.

Coma
Closed head injury
Brain injury
Permanent disability

Few people ever think about what life would be like with a brain injury until it happens to them.