According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 131,848 motor vehicle accidents across the state in 2018. In other words, Virginia residents were involved in a crash every 4 minutes that year.
Those accidents resulted in 819 fatalities and more than 66,000 injuries. It was the highest number of crashes in over five years and a 3.5% increase over 2017.
Nelson County and Caroline County had the highest death rate per 1000 drivers in the state. Fairfax County, Richmond County, and Virginia Beach County had the highest number of crashes that year.
According to the data, the majority of crashes in Virginia occurred on non-interstate roads (81.7%).
If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, the experienced car accident attorneys at Patrick Malone & Associates can help. Call us today at 1-202-742-1500 or 1-888-625-6635 or fill out our confidential contact form for a FREE Consultation and review of your case.
Types of Car Accidents in Virginia
At Patrick Malone & Associates, our Virginia car accident attorneys have extensive experience representing victims who have been injured in a wide variety of car accidents, including, but not limited to:
- Side impact accidents
- Rear end collisions
- Frontal or head-on crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or impaired driver accidents
- Hit and run accidents
- Under-Insured Motorist/Uninsured Motorist (UIM/UM) accidents
- Car accidents due to defective parts or tires
- Distracted driving car accidents
- And more
Each of these car accidents is investigated and handled differently to achieve maximum results for our clients.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Virginia
There are numerous causes of car accidents in Virginia, including, but not limited to:
- Distracted driving – Did you know that using a cell phone increases your risk of getting into a serious car accident by 3x? Using handheld cell phones to text, talk, or surf the Internet is dangerous and can cause horrific and deadly crashes. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, there were more than 26,000 accidents caused by “self-reported” distracted driving in 2017 alone.
- Driving under the influence – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only illegal – but it is also extremely dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,265 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2015. In Virginia, alcohol use was responsible for nearly 30% of all motor vehicle fatalities.
- Speeding – In 2017, speeding was responsible for the lives of over 9,700 people. It is also one of the main causes of car accident fatalities. In Virginia, speeding contributed to 37.7% of all 2017 Virginia motor vehicle fatalities.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may face a long, uphill road to recovery. Even with proper medical care and treatment, some injuries will never completely heal and may result in a lifetime of pain and suffering, as well as permanent disability.
Some of the most common car accident injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Fractures
- Facial injuries
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- And more
What to Do After a Car Accident in Virginia
If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in the state of Virginia, it is important to know what you can do to protect your rights to compensation. In the initial hours and days after a car accident, many car accident victims make mistakes that can have an adverse impact on their ability to collect the money they need.
No matter who is to blame after a car accident, take the following steps:
- Call 911 – immediately after the accident, it is important to alert the police and emergency medical services to the accident scene. The police will do a preliminary investigation and write an accident report. This accident report will be useful when establishing liability after a crash.
- Seek medical attention – even if you believe that you are uninjured, it is best to be examined by a medical professional. Adrenaline surges after a car accident, and this adrenaline spike can mask serious injury. A healthcare professional can evaluate your injuries and help you obtain treatment quickly.
- Gather evidence – if you are able, it is important to gather any evidence that could help your case. This includes getting the contact information for the “at fault” driver, as well as any eyewitnesses. It also means writing down important details of the crash, such as the weather, road conditions, or overgrown shrubs that may have blocked traffic signs.
- Take pictures – most people have a camera on them at all times that is built into their smartphones. Use this camera to snap pictures of the accident scene, the damage to the vehicles, and any other important evidence. Visual evidence will go a long way when trying to establish liability after a crash.
- Never admit fault – some accident victims inadvertently hurt their cases by simply saying, “I’m sorry.” Unscrupulous and skilled insurance adjusters may use this as an admission of guilt. Avoid admitting fault – even if you believe you are the one responsible for the crash.
- Talk to a Virginia car accident attorney – if you’ve suffered serious injury or damages after a car accident in Virginia, the best way you can protect your rights to compensation is to speak to an experienced Virginia car accident attorney. Most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation, so you can review all of your legal options carefully before choosing the legal path that is best for you and your loved ones.
Why Should I Hire a Virginia Car Accident Attorney?
Many injured car accident victims believe they can go into negotiations with the insurance company alone. They mistakenly trust that the insurance companies have their best interests in mind after a crash. Nothing could be further from the truth. After a car accident, insurance companies and their adjusters will be looking for any way to reduce their claim and pay you as little as possible. By hiring an attorney, you will be able to level the playing field and negotiate a fairer settlement.
There are numerous reasons for hiring a car accident attorney in Virginia, including:
- Won’t miss any critical deadlines
- Assistance understanding the full scope of damages
- Ability to establish clear liability even after a complex accident
- Extensive resources are often needed when winning a car accident case
- Safeguarding future with maximum compensation
- Full knowledge of insurance company tricks and tactics
- Better negotiation with more favorable results
Seeking Compensation After a Virginia Car Accident
If you or someone you love has suffered injury after a car accident in Virginia, it is important to know that the law is on your side. You have a right to seek compensation from the “at-fault” driver for:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Long-term care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Car damages
- Pain and suffering
Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always play fair after a car accident. They may offer car accident victims a lowball settlement that is only a fraction of what they may need to recover. They then use a “take it or leave it” tactic to pressure injured accident victims into signing this lowball settlement.
When this occurs, it is important to speak to an experienced and skilled Virginia car accident attorney immediately. In the state of Virginia, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you could be prevented from collecting the compensation you need.
Building Your Car Accident Case in Virginia
Immediately after your accident, our Virginia car accident lawyers will begin building a case that is designed to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
We do this by thoroughly investigating the accident and the circumstances leading up to the crash. We may need to obtain toxicology reports, examine police evidence, review the accident report, and speak to eyewitnesses. If necessary, your lawyer may even employ accident reconstruction experts or forensic specialists to establish a clear chain of liability.
Once liability is established, your lawyer will work with your doctor and medical professionals to evaluate your injuries and determine your long-term prognosis. Any settlement you are offered must include enough compensation to tackle any future long-term complications or special needs.
Car Accident FAQs
- What if I’m involved in a hit and run accident? If you’re involved in an accident, and the other driver flees the scene of the crash, it is important to contact an attorney immediately. There will likely be a criminal investigation ongoing, but you need someone on your side who can help you obtain the money you need.
- What if the other driver is uninsured? If you’re injured by an uninsured driver, you may need to turn to your own insurance company for help. If you purchased an UM/UIM policy in Virginia, then your attorney may be able to help you obtain the money you need – up to your policy limits.
- I want a lawyer, but how can I afford one? Fortunately, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t owe them a dime unless they can win or settle your case for you. In most cases, your attorney will be paid a percentage of the total settlement. Before choosing an attorney, it is best to understand their fee structure and how they expect to be compensated after your case.
- The insurance company offered me a lot of money, should I sign the settlement? While the insurance company’s offer may look like a lot of money upfront, chances are it’s only a fraction of what you may need. Never sign any settlement agreement without first speaking to an experienced Virginia car accident attorney. Your attorney will help you understand the full scope of damages and ensure that you receive a fair settlement that covers all of your expenses.
- How long will my car accident injury case take? No two car accident injury cases are ever alike. The time it takes to settle your case depends on numerous factors, including the extent of your injuries, the damages done, the parties involved in the accident, and long-term complications of your injuries. Your attorney may be able to give you an estimate of how long it will take your case to settle.
Contact Our Experienced Virginia Car Accident Lawyers
At Patrick Malone & Associates, our Virginia car accident attorneys will fight aggressively for you and your rights to full compensation. After a serious car accident in Virginia, you need a law firm on your side that you can trust. Contact our law firm by calling (202) 742-1500 or (888) 625-6635 or filling out our confidential contact form. We offer a free initial consultation for all injured accident victims and can help you choose the legal path that is best for you. Call today!