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There are over 59,556 miles of state-maintained highways in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. There are also many more miles of private roads, alleys, and parking lots, and a car accident can happen in any one of those areas. In addition to all the injuries and property damages that occur in vehicle collisions, there were also 1,008 fatalities, according to the most recent data collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
If you’ve been involved in a serious collision, you need to speak with an experienced Alexandria car accident lawyer. At Curcio Law, our team of dedicated attorneys brings decades of combined experience into every case.
We have successfully represented hundreds of Virginia residents and helped them find a fair resolution for their damages due to an accident. We want to help you do the same. So, let’s talk. Contact us to schedule an initial case consultation.
Common Causes of Car Crashes in Virginia
Despite ever-evolving vehicle safety features and stricter driving laws, car wrecks, truck collisions and motorcycle accidents still happen quite often on Virginia’s roads and highways. The reasons for these accidents vary, but many of them are preventable if drivers take the time to understand the most common hazards on the road better.
The following are some of the most common causes of car crashes resulting in personal injuries in the Alexandria area:
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol poses one of the most significant risks to both drivers and passengers. As in most states, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles outlines how you are considered legally intoxicated if you are driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%.
Substance abuse impairs drivers’ motor skills and reduces their ability to respond effectively to traffic conditions. It is important that your Alexandria car accident lawyer retrieves all the information related to the drunk driving crash, including the police citation and driving history of the at-fault motorist, in order to achieve a fast resolution for your claim.
Speeding
Traveling too fast leaves less time for drivers to react to avoid a crash and tends to make accidents more severe. It is also a traffic violation that can clearly establish negligence on the part of the at-fault driver.
Distracted Drivers
If you are driving at 60 miles an hour, you will need a braking distance equal to the length of a football field to come to a complete stop. Taking your eyes off the road for a second or two while you check a text on your phone, could equal that distance. While other causes of car accidents are decreasing, the number of accidents caused by distracted driving is increasing.
Keep in mind that cell phone use is not the only form of distracted driving. Another motorist could be cited for this unlawful practice if they are engaged in the following:
- Eating, drinking, smoking
- Changing radio stations
- Putting on makeup
- Brushing your hair
- Conversing with passengers
- Adjusting GPS
- Rubbernecking
These distractions pose dangers to everyone on the road, including other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Driver Fatigue
Unfortunately, driver fatigue is also increasing and is a cause of motor vehicle accidents. This is especially true in the Northern Virginia area, where we work long hours, and people spend an inordinate amount of time commuting to and from work. When drivers are tired, they are more likely to make mistakes behind the wheel that can have devastating results.
Aggressive Driving
Impatient or pushy drivers exhibit behaviors that can increase the likelihood of an auto accident. These behaviors include tailgating, frequently changing lanes, failing to yield to other cars and flashing lights at other motorists.
Weather
Although we cannot control the weather, it is important to recognize that it can have a tremendous impact on drivers’ safety on the road. Rear-end accidents are common collisions that occur on wet or icy roads. A driver who loses control of their car in bad weather can still be held liable for the wreck.
Rideshare Accidents
Many Virginia residents make good use of the many rideshare apps as an alternate form of transportation. As a passenger in an Uber, Lyft, etc., car you need to trust your driver will be responsible. If you get into a rideshare accident, your Alexandria car accident attorney can help you file a claim against the driver and the motorist involved in the incident.
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What To Do After a Car Wreck in Virginia
First and foremost, be safe. Pull the car as far off the road as possible, and turn on your hazard lights. Get out of the vehicle and stay clear of the roadway and other vehicles. Unfortunately, many secondary crashes occur when a passing motorist strikes a disabled car on the side of the road. Check yourself, your passengers, and occupants of the other involved vehicles for injuries and call 911 if medical care is needed.
Call the Police
Police officers may create a report based on the amount of damage to the cars or the injuries involved. However, even if a full report is not written, the police may give a citation to the driver at fault and will facilitate the exchange of information between the involved drivers. You especially want to call the police to the scene if you were involved with a hit and run injury.
Tell the Truth and Do Not Admit Fault
After the accident, you may be interviewed by police, medical providers, and insurance companies. Answer their questions honestly, but leave it to the officer, judge, or insurance carrier to determine fault.
Exchange Information
You will need to collect the other driver’s pertinent information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, and driver’s license number. Do not forget to get the name and contact information of any witnesses. The more information you gather, the better it will help your Alexandria car accident lawyer.
Take Pictures
In today’s world, almost everyone has a smartphone with a camera. During the claims process, it will be extremely helpful to have pictures of the vehicles involved and the location where the accident happened. So, take a few while you are at the scene.
Call Your Insurance Company
You are required by your automobile insurance contract to notify your insurance carrier when a collision has occurred as soon as possible. It is also imperative that all drivers understand what their insurance covers and what kind of insurance they have. You might also be dealing with a crash caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. That does not mean you won’t get compensation. It just means you might need to get that from your own insurance company or take that motorist to court in a civil lawsuit.
Seek Medical Care if Needed
You may feel fine immediately after the accident, but symptoms from crashes often manifest hours and sometimes days later. It is best to seek medical care if symptoms develop, which may help speed up your recovery.
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Injuries Motor Vehicle Collisions Cause
Speaking of injuries, here’s a list of impairments car accidents in Alexandria, VA often cause along with symptoms to be alert for which may need to be addressed by a doctor sooner rather than later:
Head Injuries
Head injuries suffered in car crashes can range from a mild concussion with short-lived symptoms such as headaches to more severe concussions leading from cognitive issues to visible damage to the brain. Be especially alert to your cognitive functioning following a crash, as such indicates a need for prompt medical attention.
Back and Neck Injuries
The extreme physical forces put upon the head, neck, and back in a car crash can range from sprains and strains of muscles and ligaments to disc herniations to fractures of the bones of the spine. Whiplash injuries are very common in car accidents, and the symptoms might not show until the next day.
Facial Injuries
Again, the extreme forces experienced during a car crash often cause the head and face to contact parts of the passenger compartment causing injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to broken facial bones, fractured teeth, scalp wounds, or eye injuries.
Broken Bones
Unfortunately, it is very common for bones throughout the body to be broken during a crash as the body is tossed about the passenger compartment or the passenger compartment is compromised during a crash. Common fractures include fractured ribs, arms, wrists, legs, and feet. Be mindful of swelling or persistent pain and the inability to bear weight, as all indicate the need for prompt medical care.
Internal Injuries
In more severe car accidents, any number of internal organs can be injured. The more common of these are punctures to the lungs and ruptured spleens. Such injuries require immediate medical attention.
Psychological Injuries
Being involved in a serious car accident is a harrowing experience, with emotional results ranging from depression and anxiety to a more serious and ongoing condition such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Such emotional issues can have wide-ranging effects and merit seeking the help of a medical professional when detected.
Contact an Experienced Alexandria Car Accident Lawyer
Again, if you or a loved one has been injured in an auto collision, you will be well-served by reaching out to a law firm experienced in handling such cases. A complimentary consultation will help you understand your rights and how best to protect them. The team at Curcio Law is ready to assist you.
To schedule an appointment with a skilled Alexandria car accident lawyer on our team, call us or use our online contact form.
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