Alexandria, VA Car Accident Attorney

Lawyer Helping Car Accident Victims Obtain Compensation in Alexandria, Virginia

A car accident can happen quickly, and in many cases, a person will have no warning before they are struck by another driver who was acting negligently. However, even though an accident may be over in a matter of seconds, it can affect a person for years. Physical injuries, financial losses, and emotional trauma can be difficult to deal with, but a victim can take steps to address these issues by obtaining financial compensation from a negligent driver who injured them.

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our law firm can help car accident victims understand their legal options and take the right steps to obtain the compensation they deserve. We provide personal attention to each client, gaining a full understanding of the ways they have been affected by an accident. We will gather the evidence needed to support a claim for compensation, and we will work to achieve results that will help a person recover from their injuries and move forward.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end collisions take place in a wide variety of locations in and around Alexandria. They often occur in high-traffic areas and intersections where vehicles need to stop for red lights. Some of the reasons why people may strike other vehicles from behind include:

• Distracted Driving: When a driver is checking a phone, adjusting their radio, eating, grooming, or engaging in other activities, they can easily miss the fact that a traffic light has turned red or a vehicle in front of them has slowed down. Drivers who do not fully pay attention to the road may be unable to react in time to avoid hitting other vehicles.
• Tailgating: Drivers who become impatient or behave aggressively may drive too close to other vehicles. This can leave them with no room to stop when necessary and no way to prevent a collision.
• Sudden Stops: Heavy congestion on roads in Alexandria may increase the risks of rear-end accidents. Drivers who do not take care to drive safely may be caught off guard when another vehicle brakes suddenly, and they may crash into the other vehicle from behind.
• Speeding: When a person is exceeding the speed limit, they will need more distance to stop. They may have no way to do so safely, and even when slamming on the brakes, they may hit another vehicle from the rear.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Rain or fog can reduce visibility on the road. On wet, snowy, or icy roads, traction will decrease. Drivers who fail to account for these conditions by slowing down and maintaining more distance from other vehicles may cause rear-end accidents.

T-Bone Accidents at Intersections

A car that strikes another vehicle from the side can inflict serious injuries, especially when there is a direct impact on the driver's-side door or a door where a passenger is sitting. These are known as T-bone crashes, and they may happen at intersections or in other locations where drivers behave unsafely and strike other vehicles or place themselves in the path of a person who has no opportunity to slow down or swerve.

Side-impact collisions may be caused by drivers who run red lights or stop signs and collide with other vehicles traveling through intersections. Accidents can also occur when drivers turn in front of oncoming traffic without paying attention to how fast vehicles are approaching. In many cases, the impact that occurs when the front of a vehicle hits the side of another vehicle can lead to catastrophic injuries because of minimal protection for a driver or a vehicle's passengers.

Severe Injuries in Head-On Collisions

Some of the most dangerous car accidents involve frontal-impact collisions. Head-on crashes may be caused by drunk driving or drowsy driving, which can lead a driver to stray out of their lane and cross over to the other side of the road. In other cases, drivers may cause head-on accidents when they lose control due to speeding, distracted driving, or other factors.

Due to the speeds of both vehicles involved in a head-on collision, the forces that may affect the people in the vehicles can be much greater than in other types of car accidents. This can lead to catastrophic injuries that may result in long-term or permanent disabilities. The risks of fatalities are high in these accidents, and the family members of a person who has been killed will need to determine their options for filing a wrongful death claim.

How Car Accidents Can Affect Victims

The injuries that can occur in car accidents can be severe. A person may need emergency treatment, including being transported to a hospital in an ambulance. An extended hospital stay may be needed, and surgery may be required to address damage to internal organs, severe bone fractures, or other injuries. As a person recovers, they may need ongoing medical care, which may involve regular doctor visits, medications, and physical therapy.

Even after a person recovers, they may experience ongoing problems that may affect their life. They may be unable to work for several weeks or months, which can lead to financial difficulties. They may experience long-term or permanent disabilities, which can affect their career and their daily life. While dealing with all of these issues, they may also struggle with ongoing pain, personal difficulties related to physical impairments, and issues that may affect their mental health.

How Compensation Can Address a Victim's Damages

A personal injury claim can provide a person with compensation for the losses they have experienced and the harm they have suffered because of a car accident. They may be compensated for specific financial losses, including all expenses related to their medical treatment, any future medical care that will be required, and property that has been damaged. The loss of income may also be addressed, including wages lost while recovering from an injury and impairment to their overall career because of ongoing health issues or disabilities.

The non-economic damages that a person has experienced may also be addressed. These damages are commonly known as pain and suffering, and they may address physical pain, emotional trauma, and other ways a person's life has been affected.

Contact Our Alexandria Car Accident Lawyer

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., we can review the details of a car accident and make sure a person understands the steps they can take to recover compensation for their damages. We will fight to secure the compensation needed to fully heal from an injury and address its effects. Contact our Alexandria, VA auto accident attorney at 703-591-0067 to set up a free consultation.