As the weather warms, the birds start to chip, and the flowers begin to bloom, all may seem good and well for those living in Virginia. But in addition to longer days and more sunshine, springtime weather can also mean an increase in the number of accidents leading to personal injuries. At the office of Breit Law, PC, our experienced Virginia personal injury attorney can assist you if you’ve been in an accident. Consider these common springtime accidents, how to avoid them, and what to do if you’re injured--
When the weather warms, there’s more traffic on the road, in large part because more people start to drive longer distances for the purpose of recreating, especially on the weekends and during primary schools’ and colleges’ spring break periods. More cars on the road (especially those operated by inexperienced young drivers) can mean more congestion and a greater risk of car accidents.
The best way to avoid a car accident is by always following safe driving rules (i.e. don’t drive while distracted, don’t drive while fatigued, plan your route in advance, etc.) and the law - adhere to posted speed limits, give other drivers plenty of room, and yield when required.
It’s not just the quantity of cars that tends to increase as the months warm, but the number of people who are choosing to bike or walk rather than use other forms of transportation. Unfortunately, the more bikers and walkers, the more pedestrian/cyclist-involved accidents that occur.
If you’re walking or biking, pay attention to your surroundings. Make contact with drivers before pursuing your course of action, never use a cellphone while on-the-move, and turn off music.
Playgrounds are wonderful spaces for kids to get out energy, play with others, and exercise and build strength. But they can also be dangerous. As the temperatures get warmer and more kids take to the monkey bars, slides, swings, and elevated platforms, the greater the risk of a playground injury. As a parent, you can help to prevent playground injuries by closing watching children at play, talking to your child about dangerous behaviors (like pushing), and making sure that you choose a playground that’s appropriate for your child’s age and abilities.
Dogs are wonderful creatures, but they are also animals with the potential to cause serious harm. As more dog walkers are out when the weather warms, the risk of a dog bite injury increases. If you encounter an aggressive dog, do not approach it, back away slowly, don’t make eye contact, and don’t scream or run, which could cause the dog to chase you. If you are attacked, protect your body’s most important organs by curling into the fetal position and covering your face and head.
Just as the number of pedestrian accidents is likely to increase as more people start walking when the weather gets nice, so is the number of slip, trips, and fall accidents. Whether in grocery stores or public parks, slip and fall accidents can be very serious, leading to bone fracture injuries, internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and more. While you may not be able to foresee a hazard that leads to a slip and fall, preventative tips you can take include putting away distractions, wearing proper footwear, and using a flashlight or headlamp if walking when lighting conditions are poor.
On a very nice day in the spring, you may be tempted to take to the water, whether the ocean or a swimming pool or a lake. While water-involved activities can be perfect when it’s nice out--and certainly when it’s very hot--water activities can be dangerous. Drinking alcohol around water, exercising negligence in operating boats or other water recreation equipment, and allowing children to play around water unattended could all lead to drowning, near-drowning, and other water-related serious accidents and injuries.
There is only so much that you can do to prevent an injury. Indeed, even if you are the safest person in the world who always exercises the appropriate degree of care for a situation, you could be at risk if another person acts negligently. If you are injured in Virginia this spring and you think that someone else is to blame for your harm, you may have a cause of action to pursue a personal injury claim against them. Through a personal injury action, you can seek compensation for the full value of your losses, both economic and non-economic.
The first thing to do if you’re injured is to seek medical care; the second is to call a skilled Virginia personal injury lawyer. To schedule a free consultation with Breit Law PC, reach out to us today by phone or online. We are here for you.
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Attorney William Breit takes the time and effort to understand your personal injury case, and strategize for the best outcome. William Breit is a distinguished trial lawyer who has been at the forefront of major personal injury cases in Hampton Roads, Virginia for over 36 years. Our practice areas include personal injury, medical malpractice, auto accidents, brain injury, wrongful death etc.... View full business profile here: William Breit
