The Department of Transportation says that in 2008 more than 5,800 people, or 16 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation, died in a distracted-driving accident, and that 515,000 were injured. Perhaps it is this kind of information that has caused 23 states to debate bans on texting while driving — 19 already have laws in place.

Bills were introduced in both the House and the Senate last week that would ban texting while operating a motor vehicle in West Virginia. The House bill would impose a $25 fine, but the Senate bill has a little more teeth. Under that proposed bill, the fine would be $100 and offending drivers would have three points added to their license. Both bills make texting while driving a secondary offense, meaning an officer could not stop a driver for that particular offense. But if a driver is pulled over for some other moving violation, they could be cited for texting.

Accidents can happen in an instant. You might look down to change the station on your radio. You might be reaching for a ringing cell phone. You might be taking a sip of coffee on the commute to work. But taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds could be costly. And the currency could be lives.

And if those scenarios take the attention of a driver for a second or two, imagine how long of a distraction texting a message could be be. Some studies show that the effect of texting on the brain reduces the ability to safely operate a vehicle by 37 percent — as much as the legal limit of blood alcohol content. There’s no message on Earth so important that a driver should risk damage to property or lives to send it. Perhaps only the threat of a fine or points on a license would cut the frequency of distracted driving.

Leaders in Washington, D.C., want to send a message, too. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has introduced federal legislation that bans e-mailing or texting while driving. If the proposed legislation passes, states would risk losing 25 percent of federal highway funds if they fail to pass or enforce the measure.

Though a similar texting bill was introduced during the 2009 regular session, state lawmakers failed to pass it into law. We hope this year, lawmakers get the message — texting while driving is deadly. And it shouldn’t take the threat of losing highway funds to make this law happen.

Driving while texting (DWT) is nearly as dangerous as driving while intoxicated (DWI).  If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a car accident involving a cell phone or text messaging, contact the Morgantown Car Accident Lawyers of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

As a West Virginia injury lawyer handling truck accidents, I have found the web site published by the Truck Safety Coalition very helpful. The organization is a partnership between The Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH) Foundation, and Parents Against Tired Truckers (P.A.T.T). The Truck Safety Coalition is dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by truck-related crashes, providing compassionate support to truck crash survivors and families of truck crash victims, and educating the public, policy-makers and media about truck safety issues.

Recently, the Truck Safety Coalition issued a report card based on truck accidents that have occurred throughout the U.S., ranking the worst truck accident states. The Truck Safety Coalition looked at the number of truck accident deaths that occurred for every 100,000 people. Over 114,000 people were injured in truck accidents in 2005, and 5,200 people were killed in truck accidents, making the average number of truck accidents with fatalities 1.76 deaths for every 100,000 people.

West Virginia ranked as one of the 10 states with the highest average of truck accident deaths per population. Others included Kentucky, Kansas and South Carolina.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed in a truck accident, contact the West Virginia Truck Accident Attorneys of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

My law firm has represented numerous car accident victims who have sustained life-altering injuries. We know how dangerous driving can be and how important it is to be as safe as possible. Of course, you can't completely control what happens when you're on the road, but you can take action against aggressive driving.

There are two parts to combating the effects of aggressive driving – being polite behind the wheel and backing off from aggressive drivers. According to AAA, aggressive driving can double your chances of getting into a car accident, so observing the following rules can make a big difference in everyone's safety on the road:

Being a Polite Driver

• Don't block or drive under speed limits in passing lanes.
• Don't fill more than one parking space.
• Never tailgate (this is a major cause of rear-end collisions).
• Avoid yelling out of your window.
• Don't speed up when someone tries to merge into your lane.

Avoid Aggressive Drivers

• Let aggressive drivers win the driving "battle" – there's no point in fighting them.
• Don't challenge them by honking your horn, racing, or flashing your lights.
• Avoid making eye contact.
• Ignore gestures and don't return them.
• Report unsafe driving to law enforcement.

And remember, you should always wear your seat belt and avoid talking and texting when you drive.

Colombo & Stuhr recently completed a 12 week video series titled "Legally Speaking" that was televised on WDTV. The series was aimed to help consumers make informed decisions regarding a variety of  legal issues.

Each week we focused on a different topic aimed to help inform the viewing public. We started off by discussing how our law firm handles cases and explained how to make informed decisions that will be financially sound . 

In week 2, the topic was "Who do you call first after an accident?" providing valuable information regarding the appropriate steps to take after a car, truck or motorcycle accident.

Week 3 covered "How cases get resolved." The discussion centered around the difference between settlements and cases that go to trial.

Next we discussed "Insurance coverage." Types of coverages, limits of liability, state minimum coverage, the uninsured and the underinsured were covered.

In week 5 we introduced our exclusive "eCase Status" system that allows us to provide near real time updates to our clients' cases 24/7 via our website.

Our website was the week 6 topic, which currently features answers to Frequently Asked Questions and other useful information that can be accessed anytime for free.

The next topic was "Medical payments coverage" on your automobile insurance policy and how it can help when you are involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident.

Motorcycle accidents led the discussion in week 8. We talked about how motorcycle accidents can be among the worst accidents, especially when the accident involves a car or truck.

Have you ever thought to yourself "Do I need a lawyer?" We discussed how a qualified and trusted attorney will handle your case and can help you get through your situation in the best possible way.

Week 10 we covered health insurance and medical expenses after an accident. Who pays the bills before your case is resolved?

One of the questions we get asked most often is "How much is my case worth?". We cover this topic in order for you to make a better informed decision regarding your situation. 

In the final episode, the advice given was "Hire an experienced lawyer that is looking out for your interests"

Thanks for watching!

Davis Health System Foundation will hold its 2nd Annual Motorcycle Ride on June 27, 2009 with Colombo & Stuhr as the primary sponsor.

The ride is approximately 150 miles traveling from Elkins to Thornwood to Monterey, VA, to Franklin, to Harman, and ending back in Elkins. There will be six stops (see map in attached flyer).

9:30 until 10 a.m.
Registration at HomePlus parking lot located at the corner of Buffalo St. & Randolph Ave.

10 a.m.
Ride begins from HomePlus parking lot

3 p.m.
Return to Elkins

3 until 5 p.m.
Meal at HomePlus parking lot

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, contact the West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorneys of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

The law firm of Colombo & Stuhr continues its community involvement by being a proud sponsor of the St. Jude Dream Home being built in Monongalia County.  Colombo & Stuhr is the law firm that individuals and families turn to when they are involved in an automobile accident, trucking accident or motorcycle accident.  However, Colombo & Stuhr is more than just a personal injury law firm serving Harrison County, Randolph County, Upshur County, Monongalia County, Marion County, Taylor County, and Lewis County.  The law firm is dedicated to improving the lives of their clients and at the same time dedicated to helping the community as a whole.  That is exactly why we are part of the St. Jude Dream Home. 

In economic times where people in our community are hurting the St. Jude Dream Home gives a lucky family the opportunity to win a $300,000 home.  There is nothing more satisfying than helping a family who is experiencing difficult times because of lost wages, medical bills or other financial difficulties.  This is who we are and this is what we do. 

More and more we are seeing insurance companies making low ball settlement offers to people injured by motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, and trucking accidents.  The insurance companies are counting on injured victims to take the low ball settlement offer because they are desperate for cash.  Unfortunately, this settlement strategy has worked very well for the insurance companies when dealing with an injured person who is not represented by a lawyer.

The attorneys at Colombo & Stuhr represent children and adults in Morgantown, Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Fairmont, Elkins, Buckhannon, Weston, and throughout North Central West Virginia who have been injured in car wrecks, motorcycle accidents, and trucking accidents.  We know how to handle aggressive insurance adjusters and the insurance company attorneys.  Clients know that when they hire our law firm that they are hiring a law firm that is ready, willing and able to try the most complex case.

For example, Dino Colombo recently tried a case for a client where State Farm had offered only $10,000 to settle a rear end collision type of accident.  The client had a permanent neck injury and $10,000 would just barely cover the medical expenses.  The case went to trial and a Monongalia County jury returned a verdict of over $400,000 for this client.

There is no way any attorney can guarantee a result for our client.  Also, simply because there was a significant verdict for this particular client it does not automatically mean that all cases will end this way.  However, what is important to know is that a well prepared trial attorney, who has the experience necessary to try complicated cases involving permanent spinal cord injuries or brain injury cases, is vital to a successful outcome. 

Colombo & Stuhr conducted its annual child photo ID program at the Meadowbrook Mall Baby Fair.  This is the 4th year that Colombo & Stuhr has provided parents with free child photo IDs at the Baby Fair.  As usual, the child photo ID booth was the busiest in the mall and we provided over 100 free child photo IDs to parents throughout the area.

Colombo & Stuhr not only provides first class representation to individuals and families hurt in automobile accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents, but we are involved in many community activities.  Over the years Colombo & Stuhr has provided thousands of free child photo IDs to parents in Harrison County, Randolph County, Upshur County, Marion County, Monongalia County, Taylor County, and Lewis County.

We are the injury law firm that families have turned to for years to provide legal representation in serious personal injury matters and in cases involving wrongful death. 

Using a cell phone, and especially texting, can serve as a major distraction while operating a motor vehicle. That goes for anyone of any age. When you factor in the lack of experience behind the wheel that teens contend with, along with a cell phone, you've got a recipe for disaster — or worse, death.

Five states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington) and the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands prohibit driving while talking on hand-held cell phones.

Unconvinced of the wisdom of these bans? AAA surveyed 1,000 teen drivers ages 16-17 and found that 61 percent of the group admitted to risky driving habits. Of that 61 percent, 46 percent of the teens reported texting at the wheel and 51 percent said they talk on cell phones while driving.

A research study of 900 teens from 26 high schools nationwide done by the group Students Against Destructive Decisions and insurer Liberty Mutual Group revealed texting was ranked as the most distracting activity the group of respondents participated in while driving.

Driving is a full-time job; treating it as anything less is to risk one's own safety, as well as that of other people on the road.

Texting and driving - like drinking and driving - don't mix, even if it is to text back just a single letter. Anyone operating a motor vehicle, no matter their age, should pull over if they want to make or receive a cell phone call.

Driving while texting (DWT) is nearly as dangerous as driving while intoxicated (DWI).  If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a car accident involving a cell phone or text messaging, contact the Morgantown Car Accident Lawyers of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

Motorcycle riding has become more popular in recent years, appealing to a new group of enthusiasts consisting of older and more affluent riders. Sales of all types of two-wheelers reached about 1,158,000 in 2006, a level not seen in about 30 years. At the same time motorcycle fatalities have also been climbing, reaching their highest level in 2006 since 1981. There has been a dramatic jump in the number of deaths among motorcycle riders age 40 and older in recent years.

Motorcycles are by their nature far less crashworthy than closed vehicles. They are also less visible to other drivers and pedestrians and less stable than four-wheel vehicles. Operating a motorcycle requires a different combination of physical and mental skills than those used in driving four-wheel vehicles. Motorcyclists and their passengers are more vulnerable to the hazards of weather and road conditions than drivers in closed vehicles.

Motorcycle insurance is widely available. As motorcycles became more popular, more insurers entered the market. Now, most of the top ten auto insurers offer motorcycle insurance, either as an endorsement to a personal automobile policy or as a separate policy, in most of the states in which they operate. Many have recently expanded into new states.

KEY FACTS
-According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2006 4,810 people died in motorcycle crashes, up 5.1 percent from 4,576 in 2005 to the highest level since 1981.

-Motorcycle crash fatalities have increased every year for the past nine years.

-There were 6.2 million motorcycles on U.S. roads in 2005, according to the latest data available from the Federal Highway Administration, compared with 137.4 million passenger cars.

-Motorcycles accounted nearly 3 percent of all registered motor vehicles and 0.4 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2006, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Some 104,000 motorcycles were involved in crashes in 2006, including property damage-only crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

-Motorcyclists were 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2006, per vehicle mile traveled, and eight times more likely to be injured,according to NHTSA.

-The fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2006 was 5.5 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants per registered vehicle, according to the latest data from NHTSA.

Motorcycle accidents are very dangerous. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, contact the Morgantown Motorcycle Accident Lawyers of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.