No one ever expects to be in a car accident. But when it happens, you can be left feeling devastated and vulnerable, with medical bills piling up. Worse, if your auto collision happened due to someone else’s negligence, the at-fault driver and their insurance company could make things difficult. They may offer you a meager settlement or flat-out refuse to pay for your losses.
If a car wreck caused serious injuries to you or your loved one, D. Michael Mullori, Jr., Attorney at Law is here to demand the compensation you’re owed. As one of Virginia’s most respected lawyers, Mike has a track record of remarkable wins for motor vehicle crash victims. He’s committed to standing up to the insurers, recovering full and fair compensation, and helping you move on with your life.
Let Mike fight for your rights and interests as you focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact him today for a free consultation.
What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Many factors can cause a car accident in Virginia, so there are multiple reasons for an accident to occur. Typically, one or more of the following factors play a part in an auto wreck:
- Distracted driving (texting, adjusting vehicle controls, snacking)
- Speeding
- Failure to yield or stop
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy driving
- Drunk driving
- Unsafe or erratic lane changes
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Aggressive driving/road rage
- Wrong-way driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Poorly designed roads
- Poor road conditions (such as wet, icy, or snowy pavement, road debris, or potholes)
- Defective auto parts or vehicle defects
- Negligent Uber/Lyft/rideshare drivers
- Adverse weather conditions
What Are Among the Common Types of Car Accidents in Virginia?
The circumstances surrounding a motor vehicle accident are unique. However, the majority of crashes in Virginia fall into the following categories:
- Rear-End Collision ─ This is among the most common types of car accidents. It’s caused by one car slamming into the back of another when the driver in front applied the brake. These are often due to tailgating (following too closely), and could also involve a third vehicle if the force from the initial impact is enough to push the victim’s car into another vehicle.
- Side-Impact Collision – These crashes typically happen when a driver runs a red light or disregards a yield or stop sign. They’re also called a T-bone crash, as the vehicles collide at a perpendicular angle, forming a T-shape.
- Sideswipe Crash ─ This auto collision can stem from a number of factors. A driver could drift from their lane into another driver’s lane, scraping the side of the other vehicle. Another example is a driver not checking their blind spots before changing lanes, causing a car crash. These collisions could start a chain reaction of road accidents because other vehicles may swerve to avoid those cars or be pushed into other lanes.
- Head-On Collisions ─ These happen when two cars collide head-first into each other, and everyone involved could have serious injuries due to the impact. A head-on collision could happen because a driver went the wrong way or mistakenly swerved (or was pushed) into oncoming traffic.
- Rollover Accidents ─ These are among the deadliest kinds of auto accidents. Trucks and SUVs are more susceptible to rolling over in crashes, as they have high centers of gravity.
- Single-Vehicle Crashes ─ Contrary to popular belief, these types of accidents are not always due to the driver’s fault. Poorly designed or inadequately maintained roads, defective auto parts, and other careless drivers could lead to a single-vehicle crash and serious injuries.
- Multiple-Vehicle Crashes ─ Often referred to as pile-ups, these accidents involve more than two vehicles. A multiple-vehicle accident often leaves victims with severe injuries and complicated personal injury claims. It takes a car accident lawyer skilled in complex auto cases to investigate and determine fault in wrecks involving several drivers and go after the multiple insurance carriers who cover them.
What Should I Do if I Am Involved in an Accident?
You must take careful steps if you or a loved one were injured in an auto accident. A wrong or delayed move or an erroneous answer could significantly impact the strength of your injury claim. To protect your legal rights and your well-being, you should:
- Seek prompt medical care, so your injuries are diagnosed, treated, and documented
- Follow your physician’s care plan, in order to support your body’s natural healing process
- Gather crash evidence, such as wreckage photos, the other driver’s contact information and insurance details, police reports, and eyewitness statements
- Hold on to important documents, including medical bills, proof of income (such as paycheck stubs), and other crash-related information
- Watch what you say to the at-fault driver, the insurance companies, and all other third parties, before you review your claim with a lawyer
- Refrain from sharing information or photos to social media as your case is pending
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney in Prince William County for the legal advice you need
