Hillsville Legal Blog

Several brain injuries can occur in accidents

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. posted in personal injury on Friday, October 4, 2019.

Many accidents can lead to brain injuries, and the severity of these varies greatly. Brain injuries don't always involve a hit to the head. Even in a situation where the head is flung about in a violent manner, such as a car crash, damage is possible. Because of this, anyone who is in an accident should have an evaluation for this.

Doctors who are trying to determine what's going on will have several possibilities to consider. This can involve using different types of tests and imaging studies but having a proper diagnosis ensures the patient receives a suitable treatment plan.

Reduce the chance of co-parenting conflicts with your ex

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. posted in family law on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Conflicts in co-parenting are bound to happen at some point. Making plans to address these before tensions rise can help you to determine the best way to resolve the contentious matter. There are several things that you can do before an issue arises that can benefit you greatly.

First, put the past to sleep. Thinking about what led to the divorce isn't going to make the child custody arrangements any easier. Instead, keep your thoughts focused on the relationship between your ex and your child and how much your child benefits from it. This can make it easier to work with your ex.

Find out as much as you can about your criminal case

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. posted in criminal defense on Friday, September 6, 2019.

If you've been charged with a crime, you need to take careful steps moving forward as you explore your options. Even though your charges may be the same as someone else's, your options may depend heavily on the circumstances surrounding your case.

One of the first things that you need to do when you know your charges is find out more about the potential penalties you are facing. When you first meet with your defense attorney, sit down and discuss the possibilities so that you can evaluate all of your choices. Your attorney won't be able to guarantee any kind of specific outcome in your case -- but he or she will likely understand what you can expect given the judge, your jurisdiction, any aggravating factors that might be involved in the case and any mitigating factors you might be able to present.

Are you about to become a non-custodial parent?

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. on Friday, September 6, 2019.

If you file for divorce in a Virginia court, the judge overseeing your case will issue a decree. This might come after mediated sessions between you and your spouse or once litigation is resolved. Either way, your ultimate goal is likely to achieve a fair and agreeable settlement that keeps your children's best interests in mind. If your spouse is probably going to have custody of the kids, you might be a bit worried about your new role as a non-custodial parent.

Many other Virginia parents are currently going through similar experiences. People might automatically think of child support problems and constant disagreements between parents when they think of non-custodians. However, that is often far from the reality because many parents try their best to get along and work together for their children's sake. They know their children will fare best if they put forth a team effort. There are several things to keep in mind that can help you avoid non-custodial parent problems.

Whiplash comes with considerable financial responsibility

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, August 23, 2019.

You probably never expected that another driver would slam into the back of your vehicle while you are stopped at a stop sign or red light. When this happens, you might assume that you are fine because you don't feel anything right away. Unfortunately, whiplash is one injury that might take days or even weeks to appear.

Whiplash is a medical condition that occurs when the head is flung about. During the crash, your head probably went flopping about. This can lead to damage in the neck's structures. This condition is associated with headaches and a stiffness of the neck.

Does your busy lifestyle limit the amount of sleep you get?

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. on Friday, August 9, 2019.

When you live in a fast-paced society, it may seem normal to be constantly busy. You may juggle work, your household needs, your children’s after school activities, play dates and more, and it may feel like you are constantly on the go. However, this much activity can leave you exhausted, especially if you are not getting enough sleep at night.

There is nothing inherently wrong with having a busy lifestyle, but it is important to make sure you get enough sleep every night. Driving a vehicle after even one night without enough sleep could put you and others at risk.

Consider each aspect of divorce on its own

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. posted in family law on Friday, August 9, 2019.

Family law matters are usually emotional matters. You have to think about how you and your children will be affected by every decision you make. This can put stress on you when you are dealing with something like a divorce or child custody matter. One way that you might be able to address this potential stress is to find out what options you have and what you can expect.

We know that there are a lot of variables that come into the picture for divorce and child custody matters. We have to look at your specific situation so that we can determine how we might need to handle specific points. We can help you learn about the choices you might have for each of these --so that you can determine how each might impact you now and into the future.

Set your parenting plan up for a successful future

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. posted in family law on Friday, July 26, 2019.

Parents who are going through a divorce have to quickly decide that they are going to work as a team. Trying to fight against each other in matters about the children can set a difficult precedent about how the future of the parenting relationship is going to go. One of the most important things that you need to do at this point is to remember that your children are perceptive. They probably know what is going on.

It might help your children to speak to you and your ex together, so they can get their questions answered with both parents together. This is a time to tell them what is going to happen and to reassure them that they didn't cause the divorce. When you are speaking to them, don't make promises that you can't keep. Only let them know things that you know for sure, and don't be afraid to say you don't know the answer to something.

Carefully consider traffic violation case options

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. posted in traffic violations on Friday, July 12, 2019.

Traffic violations are often thought of as things that can be just paid and left alone after that. Some individuals might not realize that doing this can have very serious impacts on their life. This is especially true if you count on a clean driving record to be able to do your job duties. Instead of just paying these tickets, you should explore the options that you have and determine which is in your best interests.

There are several things that paying a traffic ticket can do to you. One of the most immediate is that you will have to pay the fine by a certain date. This can have a negative financial impact on you. In the long-term, it means that you might have to pay more for your car insurance since you don't have a clean record now.

Community mourns girl killed in Virginia pickup truck crash

On behalf of McGrady & McGrady, L.L.P. posted in personal injury on Friday, June 28, 2019.

A teenage girl who was a passenger in a truck was killed when the truck crashed into a home in the Kempsville area on June 24.

According to the Virginia Beach Police Department, the truck crashed into the house on South Parliament Drive. The truck overturned, and two of the three people in the truck were ejected.