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Fall and winter weather are synonymous with luxurious meals, sledding, family bonding, and fireside relaxation. And yet  as we enter the holiday season, nearly 27,900 Americans will be seriously injured in auto accidents, and more than 250 will die according to AAA.

Matters are made only worse in Virginia, where our stretch of I-95 has been dubbed one of the deadliest in the country. Between 2004 and 2008 there were roughly two accidents every mile and a half.

Winter weather is fun to play in, but very dangerous to drive in. If you do need to brave the weather (emphasis on “need to”), we have some tips that can help make the drive somewhat safer:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Dont try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning “ nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• Dont stop if you can avoid it. Theres a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Dont power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
• Dont stop going up a hill. Theres nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have anti-lock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Be sure your car is fully maintained and ready for winter weather. This includes appropriate tires, antifreeze, a good battery, new wiper blades, and appropriate oil.

Lastly… stay home. If you really dont have to go out, dont. Driving during the busiest times of the year (especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas) is extremely risky and should be avoided if at all possible. Plan ahead for the occasion now and buy a plane ticket if possible.

And if all of your best efforts fail you, and you end up in a fender bender or serious accident. Call The Law Office of Collier & Collier, P.C. for a free consultation to discuss your case. Let us put our resources to work for you.

According to the NHTSA, during the Christmas and New Year period, the average number of fatalities involving an alcohol-impaired driver rises by 34%. Over a five-year period, more than 4,000 people have died in alcohol-related incidents in December alone. Crashes are 4-times more likely to happen at night, and though there has been a recent decline in incidents overall – 840 people died in December of 2015.

Make sure you can enjoy the festivities without incurring a DUI or endangering others by planning ahead to avoid drinking and driving altogether. If you know you are attending an event with alcohol, there are certain strategies you can employ before and during the get-together to have a great time and stay safe.

• If you are going to drink, entrust your keys to the host of the event or other responsible person as soon as you get there. This can be a Designated Driver, a close coworker, or a relative. It has to be someone who will not allow you behind the wheel after you begin drinking.
• Avoid driving late at night. Crashes are 4-times more likely after dark during the holidays. The safest way to avoid incidents on the road, is to stay at home altogether during peak drive times.
• Keep a list of nearby cab companies in your wallet or saved on your smartphone. Dial 1-800-TAXI-USA for immediate taxi service or download the companys free mobile app, Taximobile, to find a taxi service near you.
• If you are intoxicated and need a ride home, consider using a service like Lyft or Uber. The popular ride-sharing applications cost about as much as one drink per ride and keep your hands off the wheel.
• Remember there is no stigma attached to deciding not to drink at a party. If you dont want the task of finding alternate transportation home, your best option is to not drink.

As the host of a get-together this season, you are an important part in helping to prevent drunk driving and DUI arrests. If you serve alcoholic beverages, be sure to also serve plenty of food, as a full stomach helps alcohol absorb more slowly into the bloodstream. Provide tasty alcohol-free alternatives to alcoholic beverages so that designated drivers wont feel left out or be tempted to indulge. Pay attention to your guests behavior and serve alcohol accordingly. Its usually smart to stop serving alcoholic drinks an hour or two before the party ends.

However, if you find yourself in an accident involving alcohol or other substances, call the experienced attorneys at The Law Offices of Collier & Collier, P.C. toll free here 877-825-0543. We serve clients in Richmond and the surrounding areas. If you are injured in an automobile accident, its very important to contact an experienced lawyer right away.

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In 2014 there were forty four fatalities due to dog bites. Just like people, dogs have personal boundaries and can act aggressively or unpredictably when approached in a disrespectful manner. Its important to protect yourself and your children from possible bites; and there are simple steps you can take that will help minimize the possibility of a bite.

1. If you want to approach a dog, be sure that you ask the owner for permission first.
2. Be mindful of the dogs body language and keep a safe distance. Do not try to approach a dog that is without an owner, or is restrained to a post or behind a fence.
3. Some signs a dog may feel uncomfortable and feel the need to bite are: a tensed body, stiff tail, pulled back ears, furrowed brow, eyes rolled so the whites are visible, yawning, flicking tongue, intense stare, backing away.
4. If a dog is exhibiting the above signs it is very important that you back away slowly from the dog while maintaining eye contact.
5. Do not run. If you run, instinct may drive the dog to chase you.
6. If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, try not to panic. After you get away from the dog, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water. Contact your physician for additional care and advice. Report the bite to your local animal care and control agency.

If you are attacked by a dog and call animal control, tell the animal control official everything you know about the dog, including his owner’s name and the address where he lives. If the dog is a stray, tell the animal control official what the dog looks like, where you saw him, whether you’ve seen him before and in which direction he went.

Virginia allows those injured by dog bites to seek compensation from negligent owners, but the states dog bite laws can be rather complicated, especially if the dog has no previous history of violent behavior. For this reason, it is very important to secure an experienced Richmond dog bite lawyer immediately. The attorneys at Collier & Collier, P.C. pursue all legal avenues in order to provide our clients with the results and compensation they deserve.

If you or a loved one is injured by a dog bite you can call Collier & Collier P.C. at 877.825.0543 for an experienced personal injury lawyer.