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Think that distracted driving just means using your phone while you drive? Texting and driving is dangerous, and it’s good to be aware of that. However, the truth is that distraction goes much deeper than texting alone. Anything that takes your mind off of the road — a cognitive distraction — may lead to an accident. Take, for example, a study that showed daydreaming caused about 61% of distraction-based accidents. Drivers didn’t look away from...

A bicyclist’s safety on the road depends on the five essential bicycling skills. These skills can reduce your risk of a bicycle injury. Handling Control your bike. Know how to handle (start, stop, turn, ride in a straight line, keep balance at slow speeds, check over should without swerving) your bike property so that a collision could be avoided. Also, equip your bike with the required safety features (brakes, front and rear reflectors and lights)...

A child custody hearing can be a very emotional process. Parents love their children and want what’s best for them, and often that comes with opinions as to how the custody process should go. Four Ways To Prepare Before You Head Into A Child Custody Hearing 1. Arrive With Forms Prepared and Completed With any legal process, child custody hearings notwithstanding, you will often be asked to submit particular forms. Make sure that you have...

When you have a spinal cord injury, any chance of recovery seems slim to none. There are no significant treatments that can help you get your movement back once paralyzed, though there are therapies. One good piece of information you may want to know about is a new report of scientists regenerating neurons in mice who have spinal cord injuries. While this is still far from being a cure for humans, it’s a step in...

Johnny Cash sang, “Because you’re mine, I walk the line,” but what happens when lines get crossed in a marriage? How far are you willing to let your partner go before you find your limit, and how badly will the ensuing argument(s) fracture your relationship? What happens to everything you brought into the marriage if it ends? When a couple gets engaged, there may be only love in their eyes. However, the American Psychological Association...

First things first—if you are in imminent danger from your abusive spouse, get out of the house with your children and call the police. Do not worry about eventually getting custody or alimony when you file for divorce—your safety comes first. However, if you are not under immediate threat, and you believe that you can safely take a bit of time to get some things in place first, it could benefit you during the divorce...

There is no other job quite like serving in the military. While servicemembers are on active duty, they are basically at work 24/7. In many cases, they are out of the country for months at a time. Because of this, they cannot respond to civil litigation in the same way civilians can. That is why, under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), members of the military are protected from civil litigation while they are on...

When MacKenzie Scott filed for divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2019, it made headlines owing to the vast wealth that would be divided. Many people were surprised when she re-married in 2021, but we should not be that surprised that she has now filed for divorce for a second time. Over 60 percent of second marriages end in divorce, and apparently, the uber-wealthy are no exception. You might not have a net worth...

You are divorced and have an opportunity for a better life in a state other than Virginia. Maybe the move will take you closer to your family, or perhaps you have been offered a better job. Regardless of the reason, if you believe it is the right decision for you, you should be free to make the move. However, if you have children and share custody with your ex, you will have to get their...

Now that you've decided to end your marriage, you may wonder whether you need to hire a lawyer or if you can handle the divorce on your own. Though you may be a competent and capable do-it-yourselfer in many other areas, law – and especially divorce law – is one field that's best left to the professionals. Here's what you need to know about the dangers of a DIY Virginia divorce and how MacDowell Law...