Any car accident can potentially cause serious injury and severe psychological trauma. It can also be incredibly costly, especially when facing medical expenses, missed time at work, and considerable property damage. If you were hurt in a car accident in Fairfax and someone else is to blame, you need an experienced legal team with the tenacity to fight for the compensation the at-fault party owes you.
The team at Marks & Harrison has handled and won some of the largest cases in Virginia history over our 100 years of practice, securing millions of dollars on behalf of clients like you. Don’t navigate this challenging time alone. Contact our office today for a free consultation to learn more about how a Fairfax car accident lawyer with our firm can help you.
What Types of Car Accidents Are Most Common in Fairfax, VA?
Car accidents come in many different forms. Our team has worked with people who have suffered injuries in all kinds of collisions. In Fairfax, VA, the most common crash types include the following:
- Rear-end collisions often occur when a driver is following too closely or not paying attention.
- T-bone accidents generally happen when drivers ignore traffic signs and signals or fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections.
- Hit-and-run accidents leave victims with physical injuries and the added stress of a missing at-fault party.
- Head-on collisions are often the most devastating and frequently occur due to wrong-way driving or crossing center lines.
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups typically involve multiple parties and serious injuries, making determining fault complicated.
- Rollover accidents often involve high speeds, sharp turns, or large, unstable vehicles.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fairfax?
The root causes of car accidents vary widely. In Fairfax, common causes include the following:
- Drunk driving – Despite being illegal, driving under the influence remains a serious danger to Virginians forced to share the roadway with intoxicated motorists.
- Distracted driving – Anything that takes a driver’s attention from the road can lead to an accident. These distractions are only growing more common in our tech-obsessed society.
- Driving too fast – Speeding reduces reaction times and increases the force caused by a crash.
- Reckless driving – Especially aggressive, careless driving shows a disregard for traffic laws and other road users.
- Tailgating – Following too closely often leads to rear-end collisions.
- Teen drivers – Because they have less experience behind the wheel, teens are statistically more likely to be in accidents.
- Improper lane changes – Unsafe lane changes can lead to sideswipes and other preventable collisions.
What Injuries Result from Car Accidents?
The injuries that result from a car accident can range from minor wounds to severe, life-changing trauma. Here are some common examples:
- Whiplash is a common neck injury resulting from sudden, jerky movements.
- Broken bones and fractures are especially common in high-impact collisions.
- Spinal injuries can lead to paralysis and other long-term complications.
- Brain injuries can cause cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments.
- Herniated discs and other back injuries are often painful and long-lasting.
- Burns can be caused by contact with fires, hot metal, and scalding fluids.
- Eye injuries can occur due to airbag deployment, shattered glass, or debris.
- Internal bleeding or organ damage can be life-threatening.
What Should You Do After a Fairfax Car Accident?
The moments following a car accident in Fairfax can be chaotic and stressful. Knowing which steps to take is crucial for your safety and health, as well as your car accident claim. Here is what to do:
- Exchange information – Collect essential details from all drivers involved in the wreck, including their names, contact information, insurance details, and driver’s license numbers. Remember to gather vehicle information such as make, model, and license plate numbers. If any witnesses saw the accident occur, approach them and politely ask for their names, statements, and contact information.
- Document the scene – Use a phone or camera to take pictures or video footage of the accident scene. Capture the damage to all vehicles, skid marks on the road, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.
- Seek medical attention – A medical professional can diagnose, treat, and document your condition after the accident. The records they create of your visit can also serve as valuable evidence for your accident claim. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely and keep all follow-up appointments.
- Consult a car accident lawyer – The Fairfax car accident attorneys at Marks & Harrison can file your claim, deal with insurance companies, and file a lawsuit on your behalf. We’ll work diligently to protect your rights and pursue the money you deserve.
Should I Go to My Doctor Even If I Feel OK?
You should always seek medical attention after an accident. Your body produces adrenaline when faced with a traumatic event like a car accident. This chemical can mask pain and other physical symptoms that normally signal an injury. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or brain trauma, might not be immediately noticeable while still posing serious health risks. For your health and safety, it’s always a good idea to go to the doctor as soon as possible after a car accident – even if you feel fine.
Is Virginia an At-Fault or No-Fault State?
Virginia operates under an at-fault system for car accidents. Drivers who cause accidents bear financial responsibility for any resulting injuries or property damage.
If you have suffered injuries in a car accident in Virginia, there are a few key ways to recover money for your crash-related losses, including:
- Filing a third-party claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party
- Filing a claim with your own insurance company
Be sure to speak with an attorney before you settle on a course of action. They can give you the benefit of their considerable experience in the field and help you decide on your next steps.
How Do You Prove Who Was At Fault for the Car Accident?
Proving fault in a car accident involves investigating to gather and present evidence showing the other party’s negligence. Here are some key steps in the investigation process, which your attorney can handle while you rest and recuperate:
- Collecting evidence at the scene – Photos or videos of the accident scene can illustrate what happened. This includes images of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries you suffered in the accident.
- Obtaining a police report – Police officers who respond to the crash scene create reports detailing their observations and any relevant traffic law violations. This report can serve as valuable evidence when determining fault in an injury claim.
- Gathering witness statements – If there were witnesses to the accident, their accounts can provide independent, unbiased accounts of the factors that led to the collision.
- Obtaining expert testimony – In some cases, accident reconstruction experts can help determine fault. These professionals use the evidence from the scene, vehicle damage, and other factors to recreate the accident and identify possible causes.
- Consulting medical records – Medical records documenting your injuries and their relation to the accident can also support your case. Your attorney can submit document requests and compile relevant records to submit along with your injury claim.
What Damages Can I Claim in My Car Accident Lawsuit?
When filing a car accident lawsuit in Virginia, you can seek financial compensation for various losses. The legal team at Marks & Harrison can calculate the full value of your expenses and demand fair compensation on your behalf for losses like:
- Past and future medical expenses you incur due to the accident, including the costs of hospital stays, doctor’s office visits, and physical therapy
- The value of any income losses you experience while you are too hurt to work
- The projected value of losses in your lifetime earning potential if your crash injuries leave you with permanent impairments that affect your ability to work.
- The subjective cost of intangible losses, such as your physical pain, mental anguish, emotional distress, and lost quality of life
- Repair or replacement costs for crash-related property damage
What Is the Virginia Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Claim?
A statute of limitations is a law that sets strict time limits on certain types of legal proceedings. In Virginia, the statute of limitations says you have two years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against a liable party.
If you wait too long, you could lose your right to sue. This could affect your ability to recover money even if you never intend to file a lawsuit. To preserve your legal right to recovery, contact a trusted Fairfax car accident lawyer as soon as possible after getting hurt in a wreck.
Contact a Fairfax, VA Car Accident Lawyer
Life after a car accident can be challenging. Let the skilled Fairfax car accident attorneys at Marks & Harrison guide you through it. We are dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve so you can move forward with your life.
Contact our office today for a free, no-obligation consultation to speak with a Fairfax car accident lawyer about your legal options. We look forward to working for you.
