A new study conducted by the AAA Foundation shows a strong correlation between teen driver fatalities and the number of young passengers traveling in the video.  The study states specifically that there is a strong association between the number and age of passengers present in vehicle and the risk of a teen driver dying in a traffic crash.  The report shows that the likelihood of a 16 or 17 year old driver being killed in a crash, per mile driven, increases with each additional young passenger in the vehicle.  Compared to driving with no passengers, a 16 or 17 year old driver's fatality risk:

- Increases 44% when traveling with one passenger younger than 21

- Doubles when carrying two passengers younger than 21

- Quadruples when carrying three or more passengers younger than 21

- Drops 62% when carrying one passenger 35 years or older

The takeaway here is that there is a very real and serious risk that arrises with teens traveling together in cars that parents should be aware of.   If you are a parent of a teen driver, you can have a huge impact on the safety of your teen by simply talking to them about the risks that arise from distracted driving, and driving with other teenage friends.

May is national bike month, and I am very proud to say that our hometown Norfolk, VA is an active participant in the festivities.   The "Bike Norfolk" Council is doing everything they can to raise awareness about biking in Norfolk, as well as promoting a variety of safety measures to ensure the safety of the bikers, and the drivers with whom they share their roadways.  At Rutter Mills, we are huge advocates of safety in all of it's forms, and applaud the efforts being made by the Bike Norfolk Council.   It is also worth noting that the increased bike traffic on our roadways will require all of us drivers on the same roads to stay aware and alert of the increased traffic in the form of bicycles.  As many of you know, accidents involving cyclist can often be very serious and even fatal, so it is incredibly important to be careful on the roads and be aware of all of the additional travelers that come out in the springtime.

Below you will find a bike map the council put together to promote safety on the Norfolk roads.  While cyclists can use this map to gauge traffic on certain routes, drivers can also benefit from knowing where the majority of the bike traffic will be taking place.  So remember, as the weather gets warmer and there are more and more pedestrians and cyclists on the roads drive safe and stay focused!

This April marked the first official Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a new awareness program rolled out nationally with the full support of safety advocates, law enforcement agencies and the United States Department of Transportation.  Over the course of the month, state, local, and national government agencies joined to deliver the message "One Text or Call could wreck it all" with the intention of spreading awarenss of a growing problem in our country.  A recent study conducted by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration stated that distracted driving claims nearly 6,000 lives anually.

While we fully support the efforts of our government to raise the profile of a growing problem, we want to do our best to make sure that the issue remains in the forefront.  As personal injury lawyers dealing with auto accident claims every day, we are seeing more and more serious, and even fatal accidents coming as a result of texting and driving.  With summer, a traditionally dangerous time for teen drivers right around the corner it is important for parents to talk with their teens about the very real dangers of distracted driving.  

If you or someone you know has been injured by the negligence of another driver contact the personal care attorneys of Rutter Mills today for a free, no obligation consultation of your legal rights.

it is almost May, and all across Virginia it is clear that Spring has sprung.  Along with the warm weather come an influx of additional traffic on our roadways in the way of bikers and pedestrians out looking to enjoy the weather.  Over the course of the winter months, drivers for the most part have had the roads to themselves and need to readjust to the new members of the roads.  As with most defensive driving, awareness is key to avoiding auto accidents with pedestrians and bikers.  Be aware of the increased presence of these travelers, and double check your blind spots and turn radiuses for what may seem like smaller objects in the form of pedestrians and bikers.

As auto accident attorneys in the state of Virginia, we see more than our fair share of accidents involving automobiles and pedestrians, and they are more often than not extremely serious.  So now that spring is in the air, be careful and mindful of those we share our roads with.  If you are the pedestrian or biker in this scenario, there here are a few recommendations to keep you safe as well.  As always, remember if you are hurt in an auto accident, contact the personal injury attorneys of Rutter Mills for a free, no obligation consultation of your legal rights.

We've all seen the "Work Zone, Reduce Speed" signs on the road, and experienced the perceived inconvenience of having to reduce our speed despite not always seeing the work at hand.  Many of us may at times question the validity and the purpose of such a sign and a restriction, but make no mistake speeding in work zones is a serious issue.

In 2010 there were a total of 576 fatalities occurring from accidents in the work zone.  Many of these accidents men and women working along our highways being struck by drivers who could not be inconvenienced to slow down and heed the warnings of the Work Zone signs.  Working along our highways is a dangerous job, but a necessary component of the maintenance needed to keep our roads in working order.  The least we can do as drivers is respect the warnings, and try to provide a safe working environment for the workers who are working to keep the very roads we drive on safe.

Next time you see a "Work Zone, Reduce Speed" sign, please think about the hundreds of lives lost due to others not heeding this warning, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.  Drivers that speed in work zones are in clear violation of a very serious law.  If you have been injured due to the negligence of another driver, contact the Auto Accident Attorneys of Rutter Mills today for a free, no obligation consultation of your legal rights.

While we all know that tax time can be a stressful time, a new study shows that it can also be a dangerous time on the roadways.  According to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association the odds of getting into a fatal crash increase by 6% on tax filing day.  The study looked at the 6,783 people who died in car crashes in the United States over the last 30 years on April 15th, compared to the same day week before and week after.  The results show a 6% increase in the number of fatal auto accidents.

This is no surprise to Norfolk Auto Accident Attorney Brother Rutter.  "Stress leads to distraction, which ultimately leads to unfortunate accidents.  Whether it is taxes, or a cell phone a driver who is not focused is a dangerous driver."  Dr. Donald Redelmeier who wrote the study adds "One explanation is that stressful deadlines lead to driver distraction and worsen short-term human error."

Because we all share the roadways, this heightened risk does not just apply to late filers but to everyone on the road.   Stay focused on the roadways this tax season and be aware of the possibility of heightened danger in the cars around you.

If you have been denied your Social Security Disability benefits, you always have the right to an appeal.  In fact, it is said that upwards of 85% of all applicants for Social Security Disability are initially denied.  If you are denied, it is extremely important to remember the 90 day window for an appeal.  After receiving your denial you have 90 days to file an appeal, otherwise you go back to square one and have to reapply from the beginning.  If you receive this denial letter, it is a great time to ccontact a Social Security Disability attorney to help you with the appeals process.

The Social Security Disability attorneys of Rutter Mills have helped thousands of people receive their Social Security Disability benefits after being initially denied, and are here to help you with your claim.  If you or someone you know needs help with their Social Security Disability benefits, call the Personal Care Attorneys of Rutter Mills today for a free, no obligation consultation of your legal rights.

As many of us know, distracted driving is becoming more and more of a problem on our roadways.  The National Safety Council has an urgent request for all drivers: Make April the month you ditch the cell phone behind the wheel.  

Thousands of fatal crashes each year involve drivers using cell phones, and the number is growing every year.

While most people understand that distracted driving is a major danger, they continue to use their cell phones when they drive, thinking they are an exception to the rule.  The idea behind distracted driving awareness month is to put this issue center stage and encourage people to think and talk about it, and ultimately understand that distracted driving affects all of us - even those of us who refrain from using the phone on the roadway.  The truth of the matter is that we all share our roadways, and distracted driving is a very real danger for all of us.

As auto accident lawyers in the state of Virginia, we see our fair share of tragedy caused by distracted driving.  Not a week goes by without a new case involving one of our clients being hit by a driver distracted by a cell phone.  If you or someone you know has been injured by the negligence of others, contact the auto accident attorneys of Rutter Mills today for a free, no obligation consultation of your legal rights.

A new law in the state of Virginia has cracked down on drivers who are convicted of DUI.  Beginning 7/1/12 anyone convicted of driving under the influence will be required to have their car equipped with an ignition interlock device.  The required device is a personal Breathalyzer that drivers mudt blow into before the vehicle will start.  Even a trace amount of alcohol in the drivers' system will prevent the car from starting.

This new law is just one of many measures that the state is taking to crack down on DUI's.  In 2010 37% of fatal accidents in the state of Virginia were alcohol related.  While many may object to certain details of this new law, the fact remains that DUI's are a real problem in our state and our country.

As auto accident lawyers in the state of Virginia, we see our fair share of injuries caused by drunk drivers.  Many of these accidents are absolute tragedies where a client was struck by a drunk driver causing serious injuries and even death.  Every one of these accidents is a tragedy and can be prevented by drivers choosing to make the right decision.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident due to someone else's negligence, contact the auto accident attorneys of Rutter Mills today for a free, no obligation consultation of your legal rights.

St. Patricks day is notoriously known as one of the most prevalent holidays for drunk driving.  The fact that this holiday falls on a Saturday this year does not help matters.  Local police will be out in full force with checkpoints and safety checks to do what they can to crack down on drunk driving, but they can only do so much.

This holiday weekend if you plan on drinking, please be smart and plan ahead so you don't take the chance of driving drunk.  Remember, even one or two drinks can impair your driving ability and drastically increase your risk for causing an accident.  Don't take the risk of causing an accident and hurting yourself and others in our community.

For the rest of us, be aware of your surroundings and understand that there is an increased risk on the roadways this weekend.  If you or someone you know is injured in an auto accident due to the negligence of another driver, call the personal care attorneys at Rutter Mills for a free, no obligation consultation of your legal rights.

Be Safe this Weekend!

The estate of a man killed in a 2009 motor vehicle crash were awarded a $2.5 million civil settlement yesterday.  The defendent driver was traveling 94 mph when he collided with a car driven by the plaintiff.  Both passengers were killed in the accident, a male and a female both only 19 years old.  

Wrongful Death lawsuits are always a tragedy, and require a special kind of attorney to handle the case.  The Rutter Mills Wrongful Death Litigation team consists of a group of compassionate lawyers with many years of experience with Wrongful Death claims.  If you or someone you know has suffered the tragedy of a Wrongful Death, contact Rutter Mills today so we can help your familly through this tragedy.

As Auto Accident lawyers, we see our fair share of accidents caused by distracted drivers.  The majority of these distracted situation come as a result of cell phone usage and texting, but a recent accident in the news takes this to another level.  A recent auto accident that resulted in a woman hitting and ultimately killing a 70-year-old man is said to have been caused by a driver updating her Facebook status from her cell phone.  

Though the cause of this accident will still need to be played out in court, it serves as a warning to the perils of distractive driving as a result of in car technology.  Things happen fast, and no one ever expects this to happen to them but distracted driving is a very real problem.  No status update is worth taking a life.  

If you or someone you know has been in an auto accident caused by a distracted driver, contact the personal care attorneys of Rutter Mills today for a free, no obligation consutlation of your legal rights.

As personal injury lawyers and auto accident attorneys we see our fair share of tragic accidents caused by the senseless activity of texting while driving.  While many states have already passed laws outlawing texting while driving, Virginia has yet to act on the subject; until now.  This week, a bill from Sen. George Barker has been advancing in the State Senate that would make texting while driving a primary offense, meaning authorities could stop and cite drivers for that reason alone. 

This "extremely dangerous" activity of texting while driving has been shown in studies to create a crash risk 23 times the normal driving rate.  While in a perfect world we would not need a law to stop this dangerous act and keep our roadways safe, anything to help prevent texting while driving is a good thing.  

If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident at the hands of another careless driver, contact the Personal Care Attorneys of Rutter Mills today for a free, no obligation consultaiton of your legal rights.

A new report by the VIrginia State police finds the first month of 2012 to be off to a very bad start in terms of teen driver safety.  In the first 3 weeks of the new year alone, our state has lost 11 teen drivers in traffic accidents.  To put this in perspective, only 3 teens died in auto accidents in the entire month of January 2011.

These fatal auto accidents were said to be caused by the usual suspects; speeding, distracted driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.   Teen driver safety is something that we are very passionate about at Rutter Mills.  As auto accident attorneys in Hampton Roads, we see these sad cases on a regular basis.  One of the saddest parts about these tragedies is that they can often times be prevented.

If you are the parent of a teen driver, talk to your child about the importance of safe driving and the gravity of the situation.  Most teens don't consider the situation at large, and never think that it could be them affected by a tragic accident.  A few simple things can make a world of difference:  Always buckle up, don't speed, and never let things like texting and cell phone use distract you from focusing on the road.

Unfortunately, you can't always control the situation around you and we are forced to share the road with other irresponsible drivers.  If you or someone that you know is a victim of someone else's negligence call the personal injury lawyers of Rutter Mills today.  Our Auto Accident Attorneys will stop at nothing to see that you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.

While every case is different, there are a few constants in every auto injury case.  The first such constant is that as soon as the accident occurs, the insurance company is immediately on the defensive - becoming your opponent very quickly.  The insurance company is a very well educated, and well funded operation with an army of employees who go to work to make sure that you receive as little of a settlement as they can get away with you accepting.  One quick way to change the balance of power is to hire an injury law firm for your accident.

Rutter Mills has been helping injured people for over fifty years, and we know the tricks that the insurance company employs and the games that they play.  In fact, the second you hire an auto accident lawyer to represent your case the game changes immediately.   We will stand up to the well funded defense of the insurance company and fight for every dime that you deserve.  Our goal is to focus on dealing with the insurance company while you focus on your health and your injuries.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, call the personal care attorneys at Rutter Mills today for a free, no obligation consultation of your legal rights.

Every year when major "drinking" holidays such as New Year's Eve come around there is a big emphasis on taking measures to prevent drunk driving.  These measures are great, and if they even prevent one person from drinking and driving they are a success.  That being said, drunk driving is more than just a holiday problem. and continues to be just as dangerous throughout the year.  

The National Transportation Safety Board conducted a safety alert in 2009, noting the dangerous nature of Drunk Drivers in the U.S.  Below are a few startling statistics to consider:

- One alcohol-impaired driving fatality occurs every 45 minues

- 10,839 people died in the U.S. from alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2009

- Drivers with a B.A.C. of over .15 or people who were repeat offenders with a drunk driving arrest were involved in more than 70% of the fatal crashes.

These statistics are disheartening, and should serve as a reminder to all of us to be extra careful of other drivers on the roads, as it seems that some drunk drivers refuse to learn their lesson.  If you are the victim of a car accident because of the negligence of another driver, contact the personal care attorneys of Rutter Mills today for a free consultation of your legal rights.  

An $8.8 Million settlement was awarded to the family of a woman killed in an automobile accident.  The woman and her husband were struck by a teen driver who was not only speeding, but texting while driving.  After further investigation it was found that the teen was texting his girlfirend when the accident occured, and had sent a total of 127 texts that day.

Texting and driving is a serious problem on our roadways, and this is just one of many extremely sad cases that result from this extremely wreckless activity.  Texting and driving can change lives in an instant, and is never worth the risk.  If you are a parent of a teen, please express the importance of not texting while driving.  

If you have been injured in an auto accident, or are the victim of another driver's negligence - contact the personal injury lawyers of Rutter Mills today.

As auto accident lawyers in the state of Virginia, we see first hand the damage and injuries that come along with texting while driving.  Distracted driving seems to be causing more and more auto accidents as the proliferation of smart phones grows, and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is looking to do something about it.  He is urging Congress to enact a national law against texting and driving.  "We have to be able to get people to understand that this is very, very dangerous behavior," Lahood says.  
The National Highway Traffic Safety Authority reported 3,092 distraction-affected crash deaths in 2010.  Making the decision not to text while you drive is an important one, and not something to be taken lightly or followed when convenient.  The road can be a dangerous place when it is covered with distracted drivers.  Please do your part to stay focused on the road, and help keep the highways safe for everyone.
If you or someone you know is injured by a distracted driver, don't hesitate to call the Virginia auto accident attorneys of Rutter Mills for a free, no obligation consultation.

As we have seen over the last few days, the weather can change drastically from day to day.  Winter is right around the corner, and with the changing of the seasons come very different road conditions.  Winter weather can create a big challenge for drivers.  Before the season changes, take some time to prepare for the changing conditions and stay safe on the roadways.  Below are a few safe driving tips for the winter season:

- Always be alert to icy road conditions including snow, ice, slush, or black ice when the temperatures near freezing.  These conditions drastically impact braking distance and reaction time.
- Due to road conditions that come along with cold weather, you should decrease your speed and always leave plenty of room to brake

- When you brake, do so gently to avoid skidding or hydroplaning
- Avoid using cruise control on icy roads
- Remember that bridges freeze sooner than roads, and use extra caution

Using extra caution this winter can help you and your family avoid an auto accident.  As auto accident lawyers in Hampton Roads and Roanoke, VA we see the devastating effects of auto accidents every day.  Please be safe on the roads this winter.  As much as you can try to protect yourself, there is sometimes nothing that you can do to deter another reckless driver from hitting and injuring you and your family.  If you suffer injuries as a result of someone else's negligence, call the personal care attorneys of Rutter Mills today for a free, no obligation consultation of your legal rights. 

Every year, the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety program embarks on it's "Booze It and Lose It" campaign, aimed at raising the awareness of the serious consequences of driving while intoxicated.  During this campaign the state police also step up law enforcement targeting impaired drivers in an effort to reduce accidents over the holiday season.  Last year, the campaign resulted in 3,800 DWI citations.  
One such awareness/enforcement measure comes in the form of what law enforcement calls the BAT mobile - a mobile blood alcohol testing field laboratory branded with the campaign's "Booze It and Lose It" slogan printed prominently on the side of the vehicle.   Last week, eight people including several officers and two suspects were inside of the BAT mobile when an NC resident hit the bus at 35-40 MPH.  It comes as no surprise that the at fault driver had been drinking and was charged with DWI.

This is just a dramatic example of the "Booze It and Lose It"  slogan in action.  As Virginia auto accident attorneys, we see the devastating effects of drunk driving almost every day.  As we represent the rights of the injured victims, we can't help but think about the avoidable nature of these senseless tragedies.  If you are drinking do not drive, it is that simple.  Make the decision before you start drinking, and don't leave it to chance.