Oakton, VA Car Accident Injury Lawyer

Trusted Car Accident Attorney Fighting for Injured Clients in Oakton, Virginia

On the roads running through Oakton, traffic can be busy. Commuters, delivery vehicles, commercial trucks, pedestrians, and others all share these roads, and the consequences when drivers act negligently can be serious. Car accidents can lead to serious injuries for the people who are involved, and drivers who choose to speed, drive while intoxicated, allow their attention to wander, or violate other traffic laws may be held liable for the harm they cause.

At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our attorney can provide the legal representation needed to help ensure that car accident victims will be able to address the injuries and damages they have suffered. He can take steps to show that an accident was caused by a negligent driver, and he will fight to secure financial compensation for damages such as lost income, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. By treating clients honestly, providing them with personal attention, and advocating for their needs, he can make sure car accident cases are resolved successfully.

Speeding and Car Accidents

Speed is a significant factor that may determine the severity of a car crash. As a vehicle travels faster, the distance required to stop will increase, and the amount of time in which a driver will be able to notice and respond to a hazard will decrease. At higher speeds, the force of a collision will be much higher. Because of these issues, speeding can result in serious car accidents.

When traffic conditions change suddenly, a driver will need to be able to slow down and stop. Issues such as a vehicle that brakes to turn into a side street, a traffic signal that has changed, or a pedestrian who has stepped into the road require a fast response to prevent a collision. A driver who is speeding may have no way to slow down in time, and even if they brake hard, they may skid into another vehicle and cause a rear-end accident or collide with a pedestrian.

The injuries that can occur in car accidents involving speeding are likely to be more severe than in crashes that take place at lower speeds. The force of impact in a collision will increase as a vehicle's speed increases. Collisions may result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, serious fractures, internal organ damage, or other types of serious bodily harm.

Distracted Driving and Car Accidents

In many cases, accidents that should have been preventable may occur because a driver is distracted. When a person is not fully paying attention to the road, they can miss important details, and they may fail to respond in time to avoid a collision.

Many of the most common forms of distracted driving involve cell phone use. When reading a text message, typing a message, checking a navigation app, scrolling through social media, watching videos, or using a phone for any other purpose, a driver may look away from the road, take a hand off the steering wheel, and pay attention to their phone rather than driving. They may travel a significant distance without looking at the road or being in control of their vehicle, and they may not notice hazards at all before causing a collision.

Distractions that affect drivers are not limited to phones. A person who is adjusting the radio or other controls may look away from the road. A driver who holds food or a drink in one hand may not have full control of their vehicle. Turning around to check on children in the back seat or reaching for items on the floor of a vehicle can also prevent drivers from paying attention to the road and maintaining control in situations that could be dangerous.

Showing that a driver was distracted and caused a crash may require a close review of different types of evidence. Cell phone records may show that a person was making a call, sending a text message, or using an app in the moments before a collision. Witnesses may observe that a person was driving erratically while holding a phone, eating, or engaging in other activities. Data from a vehicle may also show whether the driver used their brakes or took too long to react to hazards. Our lawyer can take steps to obtain evidence of distracted driving to ensure that a negligent driver will be held liable for an accident.

Other Traffic Violations That Can Lead to Car Accidents

Tailgating

Drivers are required to maintain a safe distance when following other vehicles. A person who follows too closely behind another vehicle may have no way to stop when necessary. In some cases, tailgating may occur because of distracted driving, while in others, a driver may behave aggressively in an attempt to intimidate others. Regardless of the reasons for tailgating, a driver who causes a rear-end accident because of unsafe driving may be held liable for the injuries suffered by others.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Drivers may change lanes without ensuring that the road is clear or without signaling. This can occur because of carelessness, such as the failure to check blind spots before moving to a different lane. In other cases, drivers may behave aggressively and try to force their way into a lane when there is not enough space. These types of unsafe lane changes can lead to sideswipe accidents, and a driver may be held responsible for injuring people in other vehicles or anyone else involved in a collision.

Illegal Turns

In intersections or other locations, drivers may make unsafe turns that put other people at risk of harm. An improper left turn may occur when a driver does not yield to oncoming traffic, turns from the wrong lane, or does not check for cross-traffic or pedestrians. This may lead to a T-bone collision, or a driver may strike a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Illegal right turns may occur at intersections where drivers are prohibited from turning right at a red light. A driver may turn right from the wrong lane, or they may cut across the path of cyclists in a bike lane. These illegal turns could lead to bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, or collisions with cross traffic.

Contact Our Oakton, Virginia Car Accident Attorney

Following a car accident that has led to injuries or other types of damages, the attorney at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can help a victim take steps to obtain financial compensation. To arrange a free consultation and get legal help with a claim, contact our Oakton auto accident lawyer at 703-591-0067.