Burke, VA Car Accident Injury Attorney

Skilled Car Accident Lawyer Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable in Burke, Virginia

Collisions happen every day on the roads in and around Burke. While some may be minor collisions that leave vehicles dented and drivers shaken, others may be serious crashes that can cause severe injuries. In many car accident cases, victims will need months or years of medical treatment, and they may encounter financial hardship that will continue to affect their lives long after their wounds have healed. Drivers who cause accidents through negligence may be held responsible for harming others, and injury victims can obtain financial compensation that will address the damages they have suffered.

Securing full and fair compensation for the injuries and damages in a car accident is not always easy. Fortunately, an injury victim can take steps to maximize the compensation they will be able to receive by working with an experienced personal injury lawyer. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., we can provide skilled representation in these cases, making sure our clients will be able to show that they were injured because of someone else's negligence and fighting to secure the compensation they deserve.

How Different Types of Car Accidents Can Happen

Rear-End Collisions

Some of the most common types of car accidents occur when one vehicle strikes another from behind. Rear-end accidents may take place in areas that see heavy traffic, and they may occur because a driver fails to realize that another vehicle has slowed down or stopped. Distracted driving may be a factor that can prevent a driver from reacting in time to avoid a rear-end crash, or drivers may cause collisions due to speeding or tailgating.

The injuries that occur in rear-end collisions may be more serious than people may expect. Whiplash can occur due to the sudden impact of a collision, and it may damage tissues in the neck and upper back. Back injuries such as herniated discs can occur in some cases, or people may experience head injuries and brain trauma.

Head-On Collisions

Crashes between vehicles traveling in opposite directions can be devastating. The force of impact in head-on accidents can be massive, and multiple types of catastrophic injuries may occur. Victims may experience permanent disabilities and ongoing health issues that may affect them for the rest of their lives. The damage in a collision may be so severe that it can result in a person's wrongful death.

A driver may cause a head-on collision when they drift across the road and into oncoming lanes of traffic. This may occur due to distracted driving, or a driver who is fatigued may fall asleep and fail to take any actions to prevent a collision with oncoming vehicles. Accidents may also be caused by drivers who pass other vehicles illegally or who lose control while speeding or making other unsafe maneuvers.

T-Bone Accidents

Crashes that take place at intersections may involve one vehicle hitting the side of another vehicle. These are known as T-bone collisions, and they may be caused by drivers who run red lights, ignore stop signs, or turn into the path of other vehicles. The door panels of a vehicle may not provide protection against a vehicle that is traveling at a high speed. These accidents may lead to multiple types of severe injuries, including broken or crushed bones and spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis.

Sideswipe Accidents

A driver who drifts out of their lane or attempts to merge without signaling or checking surrounding traffic may strike another vehicle on the side. Sideswipe accidents may sometimes result in minor damage to vehicles, but they can also lead to serious injuries. A vehicle that is struck from the side may be forced out of its lane, causing it to strike a barrier or an object on the side of the road. Secondary collisions, including head-on accidents, may occur when a sideswiped vehicle is pushed into another vehicle.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

A chain-reaction collision or multi-vehicle pileup can occur when an accident takes place on a high-speed road or a busy intersection. One driver may strike a vehicle with enough force that it may be pushed into other vehicles. The vehicles involved in a collision may block the road, and other drivers may be unable to avoid crashing into the wreckage. These accidents can involve complex questions about who was at fault, and claims may need to be filed with multiple insurance companies. Our attorney can investigate a multi-vehicle accident to determine its causes and help a victim take the correct steps to obtain compensation for their damages.

Accidents Involving Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers

In a situation where a driver who was at fault for a car accident is uninsured, an injury victim may worry about whether they will be able to obtain compensation for their damages. Fortunately, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage will often be available in these situations.

Uninsured motorist coverage can address an accident in which a driver has no automobile insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage can help address a person's damages in a situation where a driver's insurance policy will not fully cover the costs of an accident and the injuries a victim has suffered. Most car insurance policies include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Our lawyer can provide representation when filing insurance claims, and he will work to obtain the coverage an injury victim needs.

Contact Our Burke, VA Car Accident Attorney

After being injured in a car accident, you can reach out to Shevlin Smith, P.C. to get legal help with your case. Our attorney can assist with your claim, making sure you will be treated fairly by insurance companies, working to negotiate a settlement that will address your damages, and advocating on your behalf during any legal proceedings that may be necessary. Contact our Burke auto accident lawyer and schedule your free consultation by calling 703-591-0067.