Legal

This section highlights updates on Virginia laws, important court rulings, and consumer protection issues. We also analyze how state and local legal developments impact individuals and families. From new legislation to high-profile cases, our goal is to keep readers aware of how the legal system shapes life across Virginia.

Virginia Police Arrest DUI Driver Who Killed 1

Police in Loudoun County, Virginia have arrested a 26 year old man in an alleged drunk driving crash that killed a women and injured one other on Feb. 21. The Virginia State Police reported that the drunk driver crashed his Jeep into a traffic divider…

By Randy Appleton

/ 25 Feb 2017

Driver Charged in Bland County, Virginia Pedestrian Deaths

Two women died and a third was seriously injured after a car hit three pedestrians in Bland County, Virginia on Feb. 19. Virginia State Police have charged a 27 year old male driver with three felony counts of hit-and-run, one count of reckless driving and one…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 22 Feb 2017

6,000 Americans Die Due to Drowsy Driving Annually

A recent study suggests that as many as 6,000 Americans die annually in drowsy driving-related wrecks. Researchers in the journal Sleep noted that millions of American drivers fall asleep at the wheel every month, and 15% of deadly crashes involve a driver who fell asleep.…

By Randy Appleton

/ 13 Feb 2017

Driver Killed When Tractor-Trailer Goes Off CBBT

An investigation is under way to find out what caused a tractor-trailer to drive off the side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) and plunge deep into the waters Thursday afternoon. Emergency responders managed to pull the 47-year-old driver of the truck from the bay,…

By Randy Appleton

/ 11 Feb 2017

Woman Dead in Petersburg, VA Dump Truck Crash

Virginia State Police are investigating a deadly dump truck crash in Petersburg, Virginia on Jan. 30. The police stated that the fatal dump truck crash involved three other vehicles. The crash happened near Wagner Road in Petersburg. Two dump trucks were traveling on Rt. 460, and…

By Randy Appleton

/ 11 Feb 2017

Will the NHTSA Change Its Vehicle Recall Process?

A recent decision by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be an indication that the agency could eventually change the process by which it issues vehicle recalls. The current recall process involves manufacturers notifying vehicle owners by mail and owners of those vehicles

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 10 Feb 2017

Tennessee Legislator Pushes for School Bus Seatbelts

Tennessee State Rep. JoAnne Favors is using a bill that was written in 2015 in response to a fatal Knoxville, Tennessee school bus crash as the starting point to address safety concerns regarding lack of seatbelts in Hamilton County TN school buses. The bus crash in…

By Randy Appleton

/ 2 Feb 2017

3 Dead in Head-On Truck Crash in Fluvanna County, Virginia

Fluvanna County, Virginia Sheriff Eric Hess is urging county residents and truckers to drive with more caution after a terrible Jan. 24 truck crash near Bremo Bluff. The Virginia State Police reported that the deadly tractor trailer crash happened that day at 9:10 am when a big…

By Randy Appleton

/ 1 Feb 2017

Truck Rear Ends Car in Greensville County, Virginia, Killing 1

A 2014 Kenworth tractor trailer rear ended a Volkswagen on Route 58 in Greensville County on Dec. 31, Virginia, causing the car to veer off the road and slam into a tree. The front seat passenger, Sandra Kennedy, 61, in the VW was seriously…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 18 Jan 2017

Virginia State Police: Weekend Winter Weather Leads to Hundreds of Car Crashes

Last weekend’s stormy weather resulted in hundreds of car accident calls for the Virginia State Police. Falling temperatures led to frozen roads, causing more than 500 crashes on Virginia roads. The beginning of the snowy and icy season often leads to an increase in car…

By Edwin Booth

/ 13 Jan 2017

Washington DC Metro Sued for $50 Million in Head Injury Case

A Williams & Connolly senior attorney in Washington DC has sued the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority for $50 million, stemming from a Metro station head injury that he claims left him unable to work. The attorney claims that he has not been able to…

By Randy Appleton

/ 12 Jan 2017

1 Dead in Virginia Beach Dump Truck Crash

One person died and two others were hurt in a rear end crash with a dump truck in Virginia Beach on Dec. 29. Virginia Beach police stated that the dump truck accident happened at 10 am in the 2800 block of Princess Anne Road in…

By Randy Appleton

/ 6 Jan 2017