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“They sent somebody to visit me in the hospital and get my side of the story (totally free). I was assigned Mr. Crawford and told that we had a case. Fast forward about 9 months later and I received literally 14x what the insurance company had offered me. This is after the lawyer and medical fees as well. So basically this was totally free and I barely had to do anything I am so glad I called Marks and Harrison and I will be recommending them to all of my family and friends.”
— Robert Smith
Car crashes happen for many reasons, but a large majority involve some sort of negligence on the part of a driver. According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the majority of traffic accidents can be attributed to driver recognition errors, poor driving decisions, and driver performance errors.
Drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of others on the roadways. When they fail to do so and accidents and injuries result, our experienced car accident attorneys in Richmond believe that those drivers should be held accountable. At Marks & Harrison, we help injured auto accident victims pursue full and fair compensation when they have been injured through the negligence of other drivers.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Some car accidents are caused by weather conditions, dangerous roads, and vehicle equipment failure; however, most are caused by the actions of drivers. Common car accident causes include the following:
- Distracted driving: The NHTSA study found that approximately 18% of the drivers involved in the accidents studied were engaged in at least one type of non-driving activity at the time of the crash, and about 12% were talking to a passenger or on a cell phone.
- Speeding: Drivers exceeding the speed limit have less time to react in traffic situations, and the greater the speed, the greater the force of impact in a collision.
- Tailgating: Following too closely is dangerous driving activity, as it allows insufficient braking distance in case the vehicle in front has to stop or slow suddenly. This driving behavior is particularly dangerous at highway speeds.
- Driving too fast for weather or road conditions: Traveling within the posted speed limit may not be slow enough under certain conditions, such as when roads are wet or icy or when visibility is limited.
- Faulty vehicle equipment: Brakes that fail, tires that blow out, airbags that deploy unnecessarily, and other vehicle equipment failures can cause accidents and injuries.
- Road conditions and hazards: Soft shoulders, potholes, cracks, and poor road design can cause or contribute to traffic crashes.
- Drunk driving: The NHTSA reports that alcohol-impaired driving contributed to 32,719 traffic deaths in 2013, accounting for 31% of all 2013 traffic fatalities.
- Failure to obey traffic signals: Approximately 36% of the accidents investigated in the NHTSA study involved drivers crossing or turning at intersections. When drivers fail to obey traffic signals, it puts other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians who have the right-of-way at serious risk.
Legal Help for Richmond Car Accident Victims
If you have been injured in a traffic accident in Virginia, our seasoned Richmond personal injury lawyers can help. Our firm was founded more than 100 years ago and our practice is focused exclusively on injury matters. Our attorneys have received many distinguished honors, including listing in the 2012 Edition of Best Lawyers in America in Personal Injury Litigation and inclusion in the list of Super Lawyers®.
Our firm offers a free, confidential, no-obligation case consultation. Contact us today to get started taking action to obtain the compensation you deserve if you have suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
Sources:
- NHTSA: National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey
- NHTSA: 2013 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview
