Blacksburg Law Blog

Your defense attorney plays an important role in your case

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Friday, July 3, 2020.

If you're accused of committing a crime, it's important that you defend yourself from the start. From the moment you know that you're being investigated through your time in court, you deserve to have someone on your side who is there to protect your interests. That's the job of your defense attorney.

Criminal defense attorneys aren't exactly like what you see on TV or in the media. Instead, keep in mind that your attorney is going to be realistic about the charges and what you can expect as an outcome. Additionally, you may not need to go to trial, depending on if you are willing to take a plea deal or if your attorney can get the charges dropped.

Crash sends 7 to hospital as vehicle goes up in flames

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, June 18, 2020.

When a serious crash occurs, many people can end up with severe injuries. Sometimes, crashes aren't just about the force involved. If a fire breaks out, people could be badly burned and be caught in a life-threatening situation very quickly.

One example is a crash that harmed multiple people because of a fire in Virginia Beach. A two-vehicle crash left seven people with injuries. The crash, which happened at around 7:30 p.m., pushed one vehicle against a local building.

Should you open a business with a friend?

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in business formation & planning on Sunday, June 7, 2020.

You're getting ready to open a business. You and your friend have a great concept in mind, and you've started working on a business plan to help bring your ideas to life.

You want to be in a partnership, but you've had people tell you that it's a bad idea to go into business as friends. You think that you both can do it, but is that really a good idea?

Certain things shouldn't ever happen in medical settings

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. on Friday, June 5, 2020.

When you find yourself in a hospital, clinic or even your doctor's office, you expect a certain standard of care. You expect that the medical professionals and staff members attending to you are competent, will do their best to diagnose and treat you, and otherwise take care of you and your condition.

Unfortunately, you may not always receive the level of care you deserve. In many cases, no real harm comes to you, but in other cases, you could end up suffering from the lifelong ramifications of a medical mistake. In fact, some instances are so egregious that they qualify as "never events," which are events that should never happen but do.

A patient's rights after a missed medical diagnosis

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

When a Virginia patient goes to the doctor, he or she has the right to expect that the medical treatment received meets a certain standard. It can be devastating when the care provider acts negligently or makes a mistake, as this can often result in significant patient harm, accentuated pain and prolonged suffering. This is medical malpractice, and it is often grounds for a civil suit.

One of the most common reasons for medical malpractice is a missed diagnosis or erroneous diagnosis. This may happen when the doctor does not do adequate testing, does not listen to patient concerns or does not properly interpret the results of tests. If the patient suffers consequences that were avoidable with the right diagnosis and subsequent treatment, the doctor may be liable.

Get the facts: Large truck and commercial crash statistics

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in truck accidents on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

Getting into a car crash can change your life instantly. That's why it's so important to learn more about the causes of crashes and how to avoid them.

As a driver of a passenger vehicle, it's your right to be able to drive safely on the roads. You and other drivers all have the responsibility of following traffic laws and making sure that other vehicles, as well as your own, are being driven safely.

Know what to expect from your attorney in Virginia

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Friday, May 8, 2020.

If you commit a crime, even without realizing you did, then you could face charges. If you don't take the opportunity to defend yourself seriously, those charges could be much more significant than you expected, and you could end up with a conviction.

The main role of your criminal defense attorney is to help minimize the impact of an arrest, charges or conviction on your life. Your criminal defense attorney will help in a few different ways. Here are some of the things they'll do to support you.

After a crash, you should look into seeking compensation

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, April 23, 2020.

After a car crash, one of the most pressing concerns people may have is money. Their finances may be under pressure from the medical expenses, lost wages and other impacts of the collision.

Did you know that traffic collisions with deaths and injuries cost the United States over $75 billion annually? That's just considering the cost of medical care and productivity losses.

What common characteristics do drowsy drivers share?

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

Do you get seven to nine hours of sleep every night? If you do, you may be part of a small number of people who do. The more likely scenario is that you hope to get that much sleep on the weekend or whatever days you have off from your employment. However, even then, you may have family or other obligations that keep you from getting enough sleep regardless of what day of the week it is.

The point is that you may suffer from sleep deprivation to some extent. You may turn to caffeine, nicotine or some other stimulant in order to get through your day. When you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, you may not be at your best, and it could affect your ability to drive safely. Now, imagine that the majority of drivers you share the road with are in the same position.

Truck drivers to use weigh stations for rest breaks in Virginia

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in truck accidents on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

When truck drivers get too tired, it's important for them to pull over and avoid driving further. They need to take breaks and rest because failing to do so can put their lives, and the lives of others around them, at risk.

That's why news out of Virginia from April 9 is so important. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is now offering to allow truck drivers to use weigh stations as additional rest stops.