Fairfax Legal Blog

Traumatic brain injuries are some of the most serious injuries that car accident victims face. As a result, it is important for victims and their families to be familiar with the legal protections available to them when they have been harmed by a negligent or careless driver.

A personal injury claim for damages can help a victim suffering from a traumatic brain injury with their physical, financial and emotional damages. Traumatic brain injuries can leave the victim unable to perform daily tasks and may also leave them unable to work. In addition, traumatic brain injuries can take a toll on the victim and their family in other ways as well.

Personal injury damages are important to help get injured victims back on their feet and hold negligent drivers responsible for the harm they caused. An unexpected car accident can cause injuries ranging from soft tissue injuries and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries and other catastrophic injuries.

Personal injury damages are available to help victims with the different types of harm they may have suffered. The first type of damages is compensation for medical expenses and future medical care and treatment. The second type of damages is compensation for lost wages while the victim is away from work and lost-earning capacity if the overall earning capacity of the victim is diminished by the injuries they have suffered. Compensation for permanent disability may also be available.

A field sobriety test is a set of assessments that law enforcement officials use to determine if individuals are intoxicated. They are often used when police officers stop vehicles and need to determine if drivers are under the influence of alcohol. There are three general assessments that drivers may be subjected to if they are stopped in Virginia.

One of those assessments is the walk and turn test. During this test, a person must walk heel to toe down a straight line. When they reach the end of the line, they must turn around and return. While they walk, a law enforcement officer may watch them to see if they lose their balance or fail to coordinate their body in a normal manner. Like the walk and turn assessment, the second test, the single leg stand, also utilizes police observations to determine if a person is affected by alcohol.

Spring has arrived in Northern Virginia and more Fairfax residents may be choosing to spend time outdoors as the weather begins to warm. Residents may opt to play with their children outdoors or walk to work as temperatures rise and signs of winter begin to melt away. As they increase their time outside of their homes they may become aware of the dangers that can threaten their safety when they are near roads.

Collisions between cars and pedestrians are unfortunately common and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association estimates that around 5,000 Americans die every year in crashes with cars and other motor vehicles. While pedestrian accidents can happen due to many causes, it is often the case the driver negligence contributes to deadly and injury-causing collisions.