Blacksburg Law Blog

Blacksburg celebrates first snow but sees crashes, stuck vehicles

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

Located in Montgomery County, Blacksburg is a beautiful town to live in. There are lots of friendly people and plenty of things to do. Unfortunately, like many other places, there is still a risk of getting hit by a car or suffering an injury as a result of other people's actions.

One thing that you do have to be cautious of in Blacksburg is poor weather conditions for driving. At the local schools, students have enjoyed the season's first snowfall in January, but that doesn't mean that the roads and sidewalks aren't treacherous. Students were warned that sidewalks, though clear in the evening, could become slick and refreeze, putting them at risk of falling.

There are many consequences for a teen drunk driving conviction

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

Blacksburg area parents know that their teens do not always make the best decisions. Teens can make decisions that may land them in a situation that they cannot get out of. Teens often are victims of peer pressure and sometimes choose to drink alcohol to fit in. If a teen then gets into his car after drinking, they can find themselves in serious trouble, including criminal charges.

Virginia has a zero tolerance for underage drivers consuming alcohol. This law means that any teen who has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.02 or more and who is caught driving a car will be charged with an underage DUI. If a teen is found guilty of the DUI, they face fines, a license suspension and a criminal record that follows them for years. The penalties may increase with a higher BAC or subsequent DUIs.

Be cautious before you sign a commercial lease agreement

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. on Friday, December 20, 2019.

When you find the perfect space for your Virginia company, you may be excited to move ahead as soon as possible. It can be quite difficult to find the right kind of storefront, warehouse or commercial building for your business, but there are plenty of reasons you should proceed cautiously and carefully. One way you can do this is by negotiating the terms of your commercial lease.

If you sign a lease, the terms of this agreement will impact your company for a long time. Landlords often have standard agreements they ask tenants to sign, but this may not be in your best interests. It could be more prudent for you to try and negotiate the terms, seeking a lease that will provide security for your company long-term. Whether you are drafting an agreement or reviewing a contract before signing, there are important things you will need to take into consideration.

Self-driving trucks now on Virginia roads

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in truck accidents on Friday, December 20, 2019.

What just a few years ago sounded like science fiction is quickly becoming a reality in Virginia and across the United States. Self-driving vehicles are slowly hitting the market for consumers and businesses. These vehicles, which use computers and sensors to avoid obstructions and other vehicles, include the potential of reducing the number truck accidents.

A truck manufacturer and a technology firm have teamed up to create a self-driving truck, and they are testing it in Virginia. The trucks are now driving on Interstate 81 in Virgin. During the testing phase the trips require an engineer who oversees the systems and a certified safety driver with a commercial driver's license who understands automated systems and vehicle dynamics.

Steps to take after a car accident

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

Most Blacksburg area drivers understand the importance of driving safely. They obey traffic laws and pay attention to their surroundings. Despite doing everything right an accident can still occur. If a person finds themselves involved in a car accident, there are certain things they should do.

After an accident occurs it is important for all drivers to remain at the scene. Everyone should be checked to see if there are any injuries. The police should be called if there are injuries or serious property damage. Pictures should be taken of the accident scene, surrounding areas and the damage that was caused. Detailed notes should be taken about the accident and insurance information, phone numbers and names should be exchanged among all who were involved. If there were any witnesses, their information should be collected as well.

Is failure to properly diagnose grounds for a malpractice claim?

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

When you to go your Virginia doctor, you trust that the medical care you receive will be adequate and up to acceptable standards. It can be devastating to learn that your doctor failed to provide adequate care by misdiagnosing you or failing to properly diagnose your medical condition. In some cases, this could be grounds for a medical malpractice claim against the liable party.

If you suffered because of a delayed diagnosis, it is possible that you may have a valid reason to pursue compensation through a claim. However, it is important to first understand what counts as medical malpractice in order to determine how to move forward. Victims of malpractice, including failure to diagnose, do not have to suffer in silence.

Survey: Distracted driving involves more than just cell phones

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in car accidents on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, in the last several months studied recent statistics pertaining to traffic fatalities.

The results of this study reaffirmed that distracted driving is a common cause of deadly car accidents both in Virginia and in other parts of the country. According to the study, two years ago, almost 1 out of 10 of all fatal accidents involved at least one distracted driver. Moreover, 6% of all drivers, and 8% of all teen drivers, who were involved in a fatal accident were reportedly distracted at the time of the collision.

Virginia's residential property disclosure rules

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. posted in real estate transactions on Friday, November 8, 2019.

Buying a house is an important financial step in the life of a family. In addition to being the family's home, a house also often represents a family's most costly, and valuable investment. If it turns out that the house is not in the condition which it appeared to be in, what started as a family dream can quickly degenerate into a nightmare.

At best, a family may have to spend thousands of dollars in repairs or write off a lot of equity in the home. At worst, the home may turn out to be unlivable, and the family will need to move. It is therefore little wonder that, these days, the old legal doctrine of let the buyer beware does not apply to the sale of homes in Virginia.

How to draft a strong business contract

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

Contracts are a vital tool in the business industry, but they can only protect you to the degree of their strength. Their power is a reflection of the thought and effort you put into them. A hurried, vague contract is much more likely to bring you disputes than a clear, thorough agreement.

As you create contracts for your company, keep the following in mind to ensure an accurate, legally binding document.

Common causes of hunting accidents

On behalf of Spicer, Olin & Associates, P.C. on Saturday, October 26, 2019.

Hunting season is here in Virginia. Hunting can be a satisfying sport whether you live for catching wild game or just enjoy being in peace and quiet out in nature. However, it comes with its own risks.

While many people may automatically assume that the biggest danger lies in the firearms and other weaponry used to take down game, these do not pose the greatest threat. In fact, hunters following safety measures has reduced the number of shooting accidents in Virginia, reports the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. What else, then, causes injuries to hunters?