Did you get hurt in a car accident in Arlington, Virginia? You are not alone. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reports that nearly 1,800 traffic crashes occurred in Arlington County alone in one recent year. That’s about five accidents every day – most of which are entirely preventable, the result of careless drivers who put others at risk.
These at-fault drivers can and should be held accountable for the damage they cause. The Arlington car accident lawyers at Marks & Harrison want to help you do that. We have the skills, resources, and resolve to take on negligent drivers and their insurers and win. You shouldn’t have to suffer the financial repercussions of someone else’s poor choices. Let us demand that they compensate you accordingly.
Contact Marks & Harrison today for a free consultation with one of our experienced Arlington car accident lawyers to learn more about your options.
What Types of Car Accidents Occur in Arlington, VA?
Many different types of car accidents can occur in Arlington, including the following:
- Rear-end accidents – A rear-end collision involves one vehicle hitting another in front of it, usually because one driver doesn’t keep a safe following distance. According to the Virginia DMV, about 25,000 Virginia accidents occurred in one recent year due to drivers following too closely.
- Head-on accidents – A head-on collision is where two vehicles traveling in opposite directions strike each other front-first, frequently resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
- T-bone accidents – These accidents happen when the front of one vehicle hits the side of another, often when drivers fail to yield at intersections.
- Sideswipe accidents – A sideswipe accident involves the side of one vehicle striking the side of another vehicle. These accidents often happen due to unsafe lane changes, improper merging, or failure to check blind spots.
- Hit-and-run accidents – The term “hit-and-run” refers to a driver who crashes into another vehicle and flees the scene without stopping to help or exchange information as required by law. The Virginia DMV reports nearly 6,000 hit-and-run accidents occurred in Virginia in one recent year.
- Rollover accidents – Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle flips over onto its roof or side. High speeds, sharp turns, and collisions contribute to rollovers.
What Are Common Causes of Arlington Car Accidents?
Various negligent driving behaviors can contribute to Arlington car accidents, including the following common examples:
- Distracted driving – According to the Virginia DMV, over 20,000 distracted driving crashes occurred in Virginia in one recent year. That’s almost 20 percent of all traffic crashes statewide. Distracted drivers injured more than 11,000 people and killed 117 that year. The leading three distractions for drivers were taking their eyes off the road, looking at roadside incidents, and using cell phones.
- Drunk driving – The Virginia DMV also reported nearly 7,000 alcohol-related crashes in Virginia that year, killing 247 people and injuring another 4,000. About 12,500 drivers tested positive for blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.08 or greater.
- Speeding – Per the Virginia DMV, around 25,000 speed-related crashes occurred in Virginia in one year. These accidents killed 445 people and injured nearly 13,000.
- Improper lane change – Additional data from the Virginia DMV shows over 8,000 improper lane change accidents occurred that year statewide, accounting for 4 percent of all accidents.
- Reckless driving – Under Virginia law, reckless driving behaviors can include driving at high speeds, driving vehicles with bad brakes, improper passing, failing to give proper signals, failing to yield right-of-way, and street racing.
- Fatigued driving – Driving while tired is extremely risky for drivers, passengers, and other road users nearby. Drowsy drivers are more likely to miss road signs or traffic lights, make unplanned lane changes, or react too slowly to avoid collisions.
What Are Some Injuries Caused by Arlington, VA Car Accidents?
Car accident injuries can range from minor nicks and bruises to severe, life-threatening trauma.
Some common injuries caused by Arlington car accidents include:
- Whiplash – Whiplash is a common crash injury that occurs when the force of a collision jerks the head back and forth quickly, damaging the soft tissues in the neck.
- Brain injuries – Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can come from blunt force trauma to the head or violent shaking of the brain within the skull. These injuries range from comparatively mild concussions to severe brain trauma that results in permanent cognitive challenges.
- Spinal injuries – Injuries to the spine, especially those that directly affect the spinal cord, can result in permanent disability or paralysis below the injury site.
- Broken bones – Many car crashes result in fractures, including breaks in the arms, legs, and ribs.
- Internal injuries – Car accidents can damage internal tissues and organs, which could lead to life-threatening injuries that require immediate medical attention.
- Back and neck injuries – Car accidents can injure the muscles, ligaments, and nerves in the back and neck. Back and neck injuries often result in chronic pain and loss of mobility.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Involved in a Car Accident?
By now, you’re likely at home, recovering and following your doctor’s orders. If you haven’t seen a doctor yet, do so immediately and follow the treatment plan they prescribe.
While your car accident injuries heal, you can take the following steps to protect your rights:
- Keep a pain journal – As you recover, keep a daily journal. You can track the ups and downs in your recovery, including your physical progress, pain levels, and mental and emotional challenges.
- Collect evidence – Make sure you save any records or documents you receive about the accident and your losses. You will need these when filing an insurance claim or pursuing a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
- Contact a lawyer – Consult an experienced car accident attorney. Pursuing the compensation you’re owed takes time, effort, and legal skills you likely do not have. Let your attorney handle the details while you focus on your recovery.
How Do I Prove Who Is Responsible for the Car Accident?
You can prove fault for a car accident with a thorough investigation and compelling evidence.
Depending on the circumstances, the following types of car accident evidence could play significant roles in your case:
- Police report – The police report created at the accident scene can provide valuable information, including the responding officer’s informed opinion of what caused the accident.
- Eyewitness statements – Witnesses who saw the accident can confirm your claims about its causes and consequences.
- Expert testimony – Experts in fields like crash reconstruction and medicine can use physical evidence and other information to determine how the crash occurred and how your injuries affect you.
- Photos and video – Photographic evidence from the accident scene or video footage from nearby traffic, surveillance, or dashboard cameras can also offer valuable support for your claim.
Who Can I Sue for My Injuries and Damages?
If someone else caused the accident that injured you, you could file a lawsuit against them for compensation.
Depending on the facts and circumstances of your case, any of the following parties could be legally responsible for your car accident losses:
- Another driver – Many accidents are caused by motorists driving too carelessly, aggressively, or recklessly for conditions, making them liable for the consequences.
- The other driver’s employer – If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer could be legally responsible for their actions.
- The vehicle manufacturer – If a vehicle defect contributed to the accident, the company that designed or manufactured the unsafe component could be to blame.
- A government agency – If a dangerous road condition like a faulty traffic light contributed to the accident, you could sue the responsible government agency for failing to address the issue.
What If I Am Partly to Blame for the Car Accident?
Virginia law bars accident victims from recovering compensation if the court determines they are partially responsible for their injuries – even if their share of fault is as small as one percent. However, an experienced car accident attorney knows how to investigate an accident to determine who’s truly at fault. While you might think you are partially to blame for an accident, from a legal standpoint, you might not be. Let an attorney make that determination on your behalf. Contact our Arlington car accident lawyer today.
What If the Driver Who Hit Me Has No Insurance?
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 10.5 percent of Virginia drivers do not carry their legally required car insurance. Fortunately, most policies include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage because Virginia law requires all insurers to include it unless customers reject it in writing. UM coverage pays for an injured driver’s damages if the at-fault driver lacks insurance.
In some cases, you could also seek compensation from an uninsured at-fault driver by filing a lawsuit. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you evaluate your options and determine whether a lawsuit is feasible.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Virginia?
Virginia law establishes a two-year deadline to file a car accident lawsuit against an at-fault driver. Two years might seem like plenty of time, but that’s no reason to delay. Car accident lawsuits take significant time to prepare and file. The longer you wait, the less negotiating power you’ll have. You should consult an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident to avoid leaving money on the table.
Contact an Arlington, VA Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in an Arlington car crash, the experienced lawyers at Marks & Harrison are ready to help. You could be owed compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and more – and we want to help you demand it. Contact us now to speak with our Arlington car accident lawyers for free.
