Improperly Loaded Trucks Often Lead to Catastrophic Consequences
Truck accidents are often devastating. Since a semi-truck pulling an empty trailer weighs approximately 35,000 pounds and up to 80,000 pounds when loaded, the sheer size and weight of a commercial truck puts the occupants of smaller vehicles at serious risk for injury in the event of a collision. Commercial truck companies must comply with…
Read MoreMisdiagnosis Mistakes in Emergency Rooms Happen All Too Often
Patients in Richmond have a right to trust that if they need to go to their nearest emergency room, the ER doctors will make the correct diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment. A misdiagnosis can cause a patient to suffer until the accurate diagnosis is made. A misdiagnosis can also mean that opportunity for necessary treatment…
Read MoreLithium-Ion Batteries in Micromobility Devices May Cause Life-Threatening Injuries
Heading into cold weather season, fire danger typically increases, sometimes in unexpected ways, including the lithium-ion batteries used to power micromobility devices. Earlier this month, at least 38 people were injured, some of them critically, in a Manhattan, NYC high-rise apartment building fire that started when a lithium-ion battery powering a micromobility device self-combusted. According…
Read MoreHow Injured Passengers Can Seek Damages for Virginia Car Accidents
A passenger injured in an automobile accident will rarely be considered at fault for a collision, even if they caused a distraction, because they were not driving the vehicle when the crash occurred. However, one or both drivers may be held liable, including the operator of a vehicle carrying the passenger. Drivers owe their passengers…
Read MoreDid You Get a Defective Pressure Cooker?
In this age of speed, maximum efficiency, and a desire for high quality, few kitchen tools are more suited to home cooks than the modern electric pressure cooker. Early pressure cookers from the 1950s featured a single, weighted “jiggler” valve to regulate and release pressure and emitted a rattling noise while steam escaped. Unfortunately, this…
Read MoreTraveling for the Holidays? Make Sure You Buckle Up
Is Virginia part of a growing trend toward risky driving behaviors like speeding and lack of seat belt usage? The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VDMV) says it is. According to the 2021 Virginia Highway Safety Annual Report, men ages 18-34 represent the highest unbuckled population in Virginia. The purpose of VDMV’s November “Click It…
Read MoreUnderstanding Pelvic Injuries Caused by Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of serious injury. Pelvic trauma in particular can be life-altering, if not life-threatening, depending on the exact nature of the injury. While most people think of the pelvis as synonymous with hips, it is really “a basin-shaped structure that supports the spinal column and protects the abdominal organs.” Contained…
Read MorePhelan Petty Named to “Best Law Firms” List for 2023
Phelan Petty is proud to announce that that the firm was once again selected for inclusion in the annual U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list. This year, the firm received two Tier 1 rankings, for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. Only law firms with at least…
Read MoreThe Truck Safety Coalition Opposes the TRUCKS Act of 2022
A new bill introduced by two senators is causing quite a stir. Currently, anyone who wants to drive a truck must undergo special training to obtain a Commercial Drivers License. Fully loaded commercial vehicles weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds, and operating one of these vehicles is a significant responsibility. Even with the proper training, the…
Read More“Take a Moment” for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
Pedestrians and bicyclists are the most overlooked people on the road, and drivers do not take the same precautions to avoid pedestrians as they do other vehicles. The City of Richmond and its surrounding Counties, Henrico and Chesterfield, should follow the lead of Fairfax County, which is urging everyone to “take a moment” with a…
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