Mr. Berry was born in Charlottesville, and raised in Madison County, Virginia.  He graduated magna cum laude from Washington & Lee in 1976, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  He attended law school at the University of Virginia, graduating and then joining the Bar in 1979.  He began his legal career at the law firm of Puryear, Chandler and Early with offices in Charlottesville, Madison, and Greene Counties.  He was in solo practice from 1982 to 1984, at which time he founded the law firm of Berry and Early with his partner Jeff Early.

Mr. Berry was elected by his peers to represent the 16^th Circuit as a member of the Bar Council, the governing body of the Virginia State Bar, from 2000 to 2006.  He served on the 7^th District Ethics Committee of the Virginia State Bar from 1999 to 2005, including a term as Chairman.  Mr. Berry was subsequently named by the Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court to the faculty of the Virginia State Bar Course on Professionalism, serving a three year term from 2008 to 2010.

During August, 2008, Mr. Berry was named to the Circuit Court bench in the 16^th Circuit by the Virginia General Assembly, and has served that Court as Chief Judge from November, 2010 to the present.  The 16^th Judicial Circuit includes the City of Charlottesville and Goochland, Louisa, Fluvanna, Orange, Albemarle, Greene, Culpeper, and Madison Counties.

About the Firm: Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is the oldest and largest law firm in Virginia limiting its practice exclusively to personal injury. Founded in 1910, the firm currently has 21 trial lawyers who handle all types of personal injury claims including wrongful death, motor vehicle and tractor trailer collisions, brain injury, spinal injury, medical malpractice and products liability.

The firm’s attorneys have represented injured residents of Charlottesville and surrounding counties for decades and have won significant verdicts and settlements on their behalf.  In 2008, Allen & Allen opened its seventh branch located at 2100 Rio Hill Center in Charlottesville.  To better serve its Piedmont region clients, the new office is conveniently located in the former Albemarle Veterinary Hospital on Route 29 across from Lowe’s.

The Allen Law Firm has eight offices located throughout Virginia, including Richmond, Charlottesville, Chesterfield, Mechanicsville, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Garrisonville, and Short Pump.

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For questions regarding this topic, please contact:

W. Coleman Allen, Jr. at 804-257-7512 or coleman.allen@allenandallen.com

or

Doug Barry at 804-257-7534 or doug.barry@allenandallen.com.

Author: Gayle C. Bragg

Gayle Bragg

You’ve got your eye on a new vehicle because it’s sporty or maybe luxurious. How safe is that vehicle that you will be making payments on for several years? Will it protect you and your family if you are involved in an automobile crash? If you are searching for a new car it might be worth your time to review information on website of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).[1]

IIHS rates crashworthiness or how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash. “The Institute rates vehicles as good, acceptable, marginal and poor based on performance in high speed front and side crash test, a rollover test, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear end impacts. To earn Top Safety Pick for 2011, a vehicle must have good ratings in all four Institute tests.”[2] We have probably all seen these tests on shows like Dateline and 60 Minutes. The violent car crash as portrayed on film clips may seem like a waste of a good vehicle, however these tests have caused manufacturers to create new technology to protect passengers and save lives.  Having visited IIHS numerous times, I find the technology used there to be  amazing.  As soon as the vehicle is crashed, computers are hooked up to the “crash dummies” to download information and determine what forces they were subjected to, what their injuries would be, would a person likely have survived the crash, and so on. IIHS says that “The dummies mimic the movement of humans in real crashes and record the forces that would be inflicted on the body. Each dummy has 25 to 40 sensors to record forces on head, chest, abdomen, legs and other body parts”.

According to the Institute “all vehicles have basic features to reduce crash likelihood; lights so other motorists can see you, brakes to stop, etc.” Some new features, including alerts if you stray from your lane or get too close to a car in front of you, have not been scientifically evaluated yet.  Electronic stability control seems to be an effective new technology.  Electronic stability control is an extension of antilock brake technology that “helps drivers maintain control in the worst situation; loss of control at high speed. These systems engage automatically to help bring a vehicle back in the intended line of travel”.

Electronic stability control lowers the risk of fatal single-vehicle crash by about half; it lowers the risk of a fatal rollover crash by as much as 80 percent, according to IIHS. You can go to an IIHS website to determine if a vehicle you are considering has electronic stability control.[3]

When you are out there shopping for a vehicle, make sure the vehicle doesn’t just catch your eye because of its looks; take the time to make sure the vehicle is safe for you and your family.

A few of the Institute’s Top Safety Picks for 2011:[4]

LARGE CARS

• Buick LaCrosse
• Cadillac CTS
• Dodge Charger
• Ford Taurus
• Hyundai Genesis
• Mercedes E Class Sedan and Coupe

MIDSIZE CARS

• Audi A3
• Chevrolet Malibu
• Ford Fusion
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia Optima
• Volkswagon Jetta Sedan

SMALL CARS

• Honda Civic
• Mitsubishi Lancer
• Nissan Cube
• Scion TC
• Subaru Impreza
• Toyota Corolla

About the Author: Gayle Bragg is a claims consultant for the Charlottesville personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. Working under the supervision of a Charlottesville car accident lawyer, Gayle helps victims with their injury cases. Locally, Gayle is involved in the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Community Children’s Dental Center in Charlottesville.

August

C-ville Weekly will honor the Best Of “Class of 2011” at an event Friday August 19, 2011. The party will also recognize the winners of the 2011 Allen & Allen Hometown Heroes who will be featured and introduced at the celebration. The Allen Law firm is sponsoring FREE Sober Rides Home for the Best Of C-ville party, with over 1000 expected in attendance, through Wahooptie Taxi.

For decades, the personal injury lawyers of Allen & Allen has represented residents of Charlottesville, the Piedmont area and the Shenandoah Valley.   The law firm’s personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys have obtained significant verdicts and settlements for clients residing in this region.  To better serve its Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley clients, the Allen Law Firm opened a Charlottesville, VA branch office in March, 2008.   The local presence now gives Allen & Allen the opportunity to reach more clients in this growing Charlottesville area.

Scott Fitzgerald, Law Clerk

Author: Scott Fitzgerald, Law Clerk

Experts estimate that one in every eleven drivers will be involved in a motor vehicle accident this year.[1] There are over six million reported car crashes in the United States each year, and many other minor accidents that go unreported.[2] Yet most people do not know what to do if they are involved in a motor vehicle collision.

In the aftermath of a car crash, there is often chaos and confusion.  Without planning, it can be difficult to think of what do to.   Knowing in advance the right steps to protect your interests is critically important.  Here are ten steps to take if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident:

1.    Call 911.  The operator will ask if anyone is injured, so the vital first step is to check on anyone who might be injured.  Notifying the police is required by law in most states before you can leave the scene if anyone is injured.  Even if it’s clear that no one is hurt, it is still a good idea to involve the authorities.

2.    Keep Safety in Mind Before Authorities Arrive.  If there are no injuries, try to avoid any.  Move all cars to the side of the road or off the road wherever possible.  Many accidents occur at the scene of earlier crashes, and moving out of the intersection or travel lanes helps minimize that risk.  Turn on your hazard lights and set out cones or flares.

3.    Exchange Information.  Always write down the name, address, phone number, drivers license number, license plate number, insurance company, and insurance policy number of all the other drivers involved in the accident.

4.    Do Not Admit Fault.  Do not admit fault, either to the other driver or the police.  The issue of fault is complex and often a legal question.  However, always cooperate with the police officer at the scene.  In the immediate  aftermath of the crash, you may blame yourself. But you may in fact be blameless, because you may not realize what the other driver did to cause the collision.  .

5.    Get Contact Information for Witnesses.  Identify witnesses and obtain their contact information.  Write down the police officer’s name and badge number to help you acquire a copy of the accident report later.

6.    Take Pictures.  Many cell phones today have cameras, so use them to take pictures of the accident scene before the vehicles are moved.  A picture is worth a thousand words, and can be important evidence for a legal claim.

7.    Seek Medical Attention.  Even if the rescue squad does not transport you to the hospital, if you are hurt it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately.  Keep in mind that the “adrenalin rush” of the excitement of a crash can chemically mask pain immediately afterwards, so you may want to be “checked out” anyway at the emergency room.

8.    Take Notes.  If you are able, draw a diagram of the accident scene and write out an explanation of how the crash occurred.  Even if you cannot do this at the scene, at least do this as soon as you can while your memory is fresh.  Your ntoes can serve as vital memory aids later on, as the resolution of any insurance or legal claim can take months or even years.

9.    Call Your Insurance Agent to Report the Accident.  Most insurance policies require the insured to report all accidents within a reasonable time.  Give a brief description of what happened, but do not give a recorded statement.

10. Call an Attorney to protect your legal rights.

*** If you have a smart phone, download the Mobile Accident App from Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen and always be prepared at the scene of an accident. If you don’t have a smart phone, click here to request or download an accident guide to keep in your glove compartment box.

About the Author: Scott Fitzgerald is a law clerk with Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. This article is brought to you by the Charlottesville car crash attorneys of the personal injury law firm. If you have been involved in a car crash, call an experienced car crash attorney in our Charlottesville, Virginia office or any of our eight Virginia personal injury law office locations.

[1]Estimate from the National Safety Council for 2010; see “See What to Do When You are Involved in a Car Crash” at http://www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Documents/What_to_Do_When_You_Are_Involved_In_a_Car_Crash2.pdf.

[2] See NHTSA statistics, http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx.

Gayle Bragg

Author: Gayle Bragg, Claims Consultant

May marks Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. It’s that time of year when riders want to dust off their motorcycles and hit the open road.  As we begin the summer and many of us will be traveling on the road, we all need to realize the differences between motorcycles and cars.   No one wants to be involved in a collision. Thinking about safety while driving can help us avoid an accident.

If you are not a motorcycle driver, then you should start by understanding the challenges faced by a motorcyclist.  Motorcycles have the right to the full use of the lane, and often riders need the lane’s full width to respond to and handle hazards such as potholes, shifting traffic, strong winds or blasts of air from passing vehicles.  Never try to share a lane with a motorcycle. You should respect its space and position in traffic.  Here are a few steps to follow when sharing the road with motorcycles.

1.         Pass as you would pass a car, and do not pass too close or too fast, as the blast of air and then vacuum as you pass can knock a motorcycle out of control.

2.  Signal your intention to turn while watching for oncoming motorcycles.  If a rider is dealing with a gust of wind or a wobbly passenger on back, the rider may not be able to stop as quickly as you think, so allow plenty of time or wait until the motorcyclist passes you before beginning your turn.

3.  Allow a lengthy following distance so the cyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.  Both cyclists and drivers are more likely to make bad decisions if there is not enough stopping distance or time to see and react to conditions.  Also, remember that a motorcyclist may be able to stop faster than a car, so you need to allow extra following distance to allow yourself time to stop.[1]

4.  Check your blind spots when changing lanes. Cyclists riding alongside a line of cars are often out of the view of a driver in the line. An unsuspecting driver may change lanes and clip or hit a motorcycle. The No. 1 reason bikes crash is because motorists don’t see them.

5.   Anticipate motorcyclists’ maneuvers. A cyclist will change lane position to prepare for upcoming traffic and road conditions.

6.   Expect and allow room for the rider to adjust to road hazards that you cannot see.

7.   Compensate for difficult driving conditions: rain, wet roads, ice and heavy winds.  The motorcycle’s braking and handling abilities are impaired.

8.    Pay extra attention at night. You can easily misjudge distance because the single headlight and single tail light of a motorcycle can blend into the lights of other vehicles.

9.   At intersections, where most collisions and injuries occur, wait until the rider’s intensions are absolutely clear (turning or going straight) before you move into the path of travel.

10. Don’t be fooled by a flashing signal from a motorcycle.  Often their signals do not always cancel out or click off after making a turn, and the rider may have to stabilize after the turn before turning it off manually.  Sometimes the motorcyclist may not realize their signal is still on, so make sure the motorcycle is actually going to turn before you proceed.

Please be careful and cautious this summer.  Watch out for those motorcycles. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimates that 4,762 motorcyclists died in accidents in 2009.  And that was the first time in 12 years that the number of motorcycle fatalities decreased.  Hopefully that can become a trend.  Think safety while driving!

About the Author: Gayle Bragg is a claims consultant for the Charlottesville personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. Working under the supervision of a Charlottesville motorcycle accident attorney, Gayle helps victims with their motorcycle injury cases and automobile injury cases. Locally, Gayle is involved in the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Community Children’s Dental Center in Charlottesville.

[1] Because a car has 4 tires and a motorcycle only 2, some people think that a car should be able to stop more quickly.  But the opposite is true, mostly because motorcycles have squishier tires that grip the road better. For instance, LAPD studies found that the motorcycles they tested could decelerate in an emergency stop from 60 mph to 0 in a range between 126 and 156 feet. See  http://www.lasdhq.org/sites/motorcy…est/2011.pdf.  But the Va Code recognizes that a car would take about 303 feet to make the same stop. See Va Code §46.2-880 at  http://leg1.state.va.us/000/cod/46.2-880.HTM. So, at 60 mph, you need to allow an extra 150 feet or so – that’s about 10 carlengths!

Download the Mobile Accident App Today

P.I. firm offers accident guide phone app

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen’s My Lawyer™ Accident App guides users through what to do during and after an accident.

The personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is pleased to announce the launch of its new, FREE mobile app for Android Smartphones. The My Lawyer™ Mobile Accident App guides users through the immediate steps to take after being involved in a car accident. Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is bringing this mobile app to Virginians because the firm had concern that drivers may not know what steps to take after an accident to protect their rights and secure evidence.

“There is a lot of talk about avoiding accidents but not a lot of discussion about what to do if you are in an accident. The minutes after a car accident can be scary and confusing” says attorney Courtney Van Winkle. “Often those involved are shaken up and not thinking clearly. The My Lawyer™ Accident App can dial 911, guide the user through documenting the accident, fault, property damage and injuries. It will also explain your rights under Virginia accident law.”

My Lawyer™ Accident App gives the user pertinent information about legal rights in Virginia in the event of a car accident. The app arms the user with vital tools and checklists that allow you to organize and document important evidence after an accident. You can catalog photographic evidence, keep witness and insurance information and more. It even has a fun quiz to test your knowledge about your legal rights.

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen’s My Lawyer™ Accident App is FREE for anyone with an Android Smartphone. The app will also soon be available for iPhone. If the app’s user is injured outside of Virginia, it will help connect him or her with an attorney who can help.

Features of the My Lawyer Accident App:

• Know what to do at the scene of the accident
• Dial emergency help
• Record all pertinent accident information
• Take photos
• Document injuries
• Be informed of relevant state laws
• Know what to do after an accident
• Accident check list
• Free phone consultation if you think you may need a lawyer
• Free case evaluation
• Fun legal knowledge quiz

For more information about the My Lawyer™ Accident App or to download, visit: http://www.allenandallen.com/my-lawyer-app.html

Date: March 31st 2011
Time: Reception 6:30 pm, Comedy show 7:30 pm
Location: Jefferson Theater, 110 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Ticket price: $75 — Reception and comedy show, $20 — Comedy show only

For more information and tickets:
Website: http://building-a-bridge.org/news
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124942894245476&index=1
Call: Daniela Ghaida (434) 989-1274; daghaida@building-a-bridge.org
Tickets also at Siips at the downtown mall
Tickets online at the Jefferson Theater

Details:
At the reception and silent auction that precedes the comedy show, our honored guest UVA football coach Mike London will take a few minutes from his busy schedule to remind us why we must never give up. Coach London will share with us some of his compelling personal narrative. As a community leader who shares our determination to make the most out of what we’ve got and our vision to move forward with our lives Building a Bridge will present him with our first ever “Never Quit” award.

Comedy show:
After the reception the evening continues with Jane Foy from WINA, Co-host and Producer at the Charlottesville Radiogroup who will host the comedy show introducing our two comedians: Frequent guest on The Tonight Show and recipient of the National Humor Treasure Award, Brett Leake will be headlining the evening. Brett, himself no stranger to adversity, describes himself as a sit-down stand up comic as he performs his act from a wheelchair.

Tony Deyo, a comic and former professional symphony musician, who bills himself as semi-obscure but who co-authored The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Jokes and was part of HBO’s U.S. Comedy Arts Festival will also entertain.

The brain injury attorneys of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen are proud to sponsor this event and Building A Bridge. Building A Bridge is a private, long-term residential community for adult survivors of traumatic brain injury in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Gayle Bragg

Author: Gayle Bragg, Claims Consultant

The personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen and Allen is listed in the February 2011 Virginia Business Magazine as one of the “Best Places to Work in Virginia.” Prior to joining this Firm, I worked for a national company with offices throughout the states. There was little time or thought given to community involvement. One of the reasons I enjoy working at Allen and Allen is because the law firm is family-oriented and is always involved in the surrounding communities where we have offices. We are involved in our communities even as we sit in our offices working Monday thru Friday – especially on Friday. During the summer months of 2009 and 2010, the Firm chose a charity for each month. If we contributed $5.00 to the charity of the month, then we were allowed to wear jeans on Friday!

Named one of 2011's Best Places to Work in Virginia

This year, the employees were asked to assist in choosing the charities for our “Jeans Day for Charity Campaign” in 2011. In early December 2010, an email was sent Firm-wide asking us to list OUR favorite charities. A drawing was held and the following list was compiled:

• January: Muscular Dystrophy Association
• February: CHIP of VA
• March: Central VA Food Bank – Legal Food Frenzy
• April: Make a Wish Foundation
• May: SPCA
• June: Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville
• July: Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters
• August: American Diabetes Association
• September: Autism Speaks
• October: American Cancer Society – Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
• November: United Way Annual Giving Campaign
• December: Children’s Hospital

There are also other opportunities for us to be involved in charities or nonprofit organizations which are mentioned in our monthly Newsletter. Sometimes a personal connection story is written about one of our employees or their families who may have been assisted by a nonprofit or charitable organization such as a Ronald McDonald House. The newsletter also makes us aware of needs other than monetary donations. Recently a newsletter article featured the Community Children’s Dental Center in Charlottesville. The Center gives each of their patients a book after the child’s treatment. Their patients are children who range in age from one to nineteen years old. These children rely on Medicaid assistance for their dental needs. To help the Center with this program, we are collecting “gently” used books for the Center to give to their patients. Another article was about the Firm’s “Adopt the Troops” campaign in January 2011. We have “adopted” the 3rd Brigade/1st Infantry Division in Afghanistan in which one employee’s son-in-law is currently serving in his third deployment. These men and women are bravely serving our country and so, to give something back to them, we are sending messages of support and familiar items from the states as morale boosters and to show our appreciation for these troops who are deployed far from home.

To me, Allen, Allen, Allen and Allen truly is one of the best places to work in Virginia!

About the Author: Gayle Bragg is a claims consultant for the Charlottesville personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. Working under the supervision of a Charlottesville car accident attorney, Gayle helps victims with their injury cases. Locally, Gayle is involved in the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Community Children’s Dental Center in Charlottesville.

Named one of 2011's Best Places to Work in Virginia

Founded on family values and a commitment to client service, the personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen has been named one of the 2011 Best Places to Work in Virginia. The annual list of “Best Places to Work” was created by Virginia Business and Best Companies Group. The ranking of the 1^st annual Best Places to Work in Virginia will be unveiled and published in the February 2011 issue of Virginia Business.

This survey and award program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Virginia, benefiting the state’s economy, its work force and businesses. The Best Places to Work in Virginia list is made up of a total of 50 companies, split into three groups: 14 small employers < 100 employees, 16 mid-sized employers 100-250 employees, and 20 large-sized employers >250 employees. Allen & Allen has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Virginia in the medium category.

Organizations from across the state entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Places to Work in Virginia. Companies were evaluated on workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics and an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top organizations and the final ranking managed by Best Companies Group.

In business for over 100 years, the Virginia law firm was founded by George E. Allen, Sr., who was later joined in practice by his three sons. The family business has since grown to over 120 employees with offices located throughout Virginia.

The firm believes in respecting the personal lives and family priorities of its employees. This is a strong part of the firm’s culture with flex scheduling, support for employees going through a rough time, workload coverage for absent employees and family-friendly events.  Employees enjoy an open-door environment where suggestions and feedback are encouraged. “Throughout the years one thing has remained constant – Allen & Allen’s recognition that its people make the company successful. The firm’s goal of providing excellent client service is consistent with the firm’s emphasis on staff development.” says Grace Myers who has been with the firm over 20 years.

Employees are recognized through bonuses, special awards and appreciation gifts. During “Legal Week” the staff enjoys gifts and treats each day to honor their hard work. Allen & Allen offers a top notch benefit plan including 100% paid medical/dental insurance for employees, firm paid life and long term disability insurance, a 401K plan with rich contributions, and generous personal, sick and vacation leave. “For me, not only did the benefits package meet my expectations,” says Legal Assistant Linda Lawrence, “… after my elderly mother came to live with me, the firm began to offer flexible work hours and I was given a shift that is just perfect for my personal situation.”

What makes Allen & Allen a Best Place to Work in Virginia – Legal Assistant Amanda Brinkley answers “Allen & Allen has team oriented employees who work hard for our clients and I feel fortunate to be a part of Allen & Allen and enjoy helping our clients get the best results possible.”

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For more information, contact Cheron Smalls at 804-353-1200 or click to email.

For information on careers at Allen & Allen, click here.