ROUTE 1 CAR ACCIDENTS IN VIRGINIA

Route 1 Car Accidents

Route 1 in Virginia is a north-south artery that funnels a lot of people from Prince William County and Fairfax County up to Alexandria, the Beltway, and farther into Washington, DC. It is a heavily traveled road, crowded with shops and stores on every side. Anyone who has driven on this road, knows just how congested it can be, and how aggressive some drivers are!

Car accidents happen all the time on this road, and you have to be very careful. Unfortunately, you can be doing everything right, and still be involved in a crash caused by a negligent driver. This can lead to serious injuries, and an incredible amount of stress. But the good news, is that you do not have to fight for your rights alone! Call Blaszkow Legal today for a free consultation. Our team of attorneys and staff members will begin fighting hard for your rights, to get you the compensation that you are entitled to.

The Causes of Car Accidents on Route 1

Most car accidents along Route 1 happen because drivers are being negligent. Negligence can be defined as doing the wrong thing, or alternately, by failing to do something that another reasonable motorist would have done (or should have done). While every crash is different, there are some common causes in many of the car accidents along this roadway:

• Distracted driving

• Aggressive driving

• Drunk driving

• Following too closely

• Speeding

• Running Red Lights

• Ignoring stop signs

• Crossing three lanes of traffic

• Failing to signal

• and more

What you should do after a Route 1 Car Accident

If you have been involved in a car accident along Route 1, you need to take the following steps to protect yourself, ensure your safety, and protect your claim:

1. Call the police. You should call 911 after every car accident, no matter how minor you think it is. Even if you are afraid that they are not going to come out, you should still call. This call documents the crash, and logs the time, parties involved, and location, just in case there is a dispute about this later on.

2. Stay safe. Sometimes, given the location of the crash, it is not safe to get out of your vehicle. Even in a vehicle that has been involved in an accident, the safest place is still inside the car, because the vehicle still has airbags, and other safety features inherent in its design. If you try to get out of your vehicle during times of heavy traffic, another motorist may hit you! Always stay safe!

3. Take lots of pictures. You can never have enough pictures or videos, so record everything. Get pictures of the damage on your vehicle, on the other person's vehicle, pictures of any witnesses, or passengers. Take pictures of roadway debris, traffic lights, anything that you think may be related, even a little bit.

4. Identify the other driver. Always take a picture of the at-fault driver's State-issued driver's license. Remember that insurance cards only provide basic information on who is paying for the vehicle. Your claim is against the negligent driver, not an insurance company! Exchanging insurance information is not enough!

5. Do not speak to insurance companies until you speak to an attorney! All motor vehicle accidents in Virginia are governed by the rule of contributory negligence. The insurance companies want to speak to you right away, before you get a lawyer, so that they can use whatever you say against you. Remember, if they can allege that you were even 1% responsible for the accident, then you may be able to claim your claim on a legal technicality!

6. Get medical treatment. Always get checked out in an emergency room, or at least an urgent care center after a motor vehicle accident. Proper diagnostic testing is going to make sure that you do not have internal injuries, or other ailments which may affect you later on. Some providers who may be part of your treatment team later on, such as chiropractors, are not able to perform a comprehensive, post-trauma exam.

7. Call an attorney. Even if you think the crash is relatively modest, always call a lawyer. A lawyer is legally and ethically obligated to do what is best for you, whereas insurance adjusters and insurance companies only want to do what is best for their stockholders. Never talk to an insurance company without a lawyer!

Photo credit: WUSA9

Common Injuries after Route 1 Car Accidents

Every accident is different, and it is very possible for two people who are in the same car, and hurt in the same accident, to have vastly different injuries.

Some of the most common injuries after car accidents include:

• Sprains and strains of muscles

• Broken bones

• Whiplash

• Neck pain

• Back pain

• Lower back pain

• Head injuries

• Concussions

• and more

Some Frequently Asked Questions after Route 1 Car Accidents

What is my case worth?

No lawyer can answer that right after a crash, and any lawyer who does, has a crystal ball. You may have a claim for your damages. Damages is a broad term that seeks to include all of the ways the accident has impacted you: financially, emotionally, physically and more. Damages contain elements, such as the cost of medical bills, vehicle repairs, diminished value, pain and suffering, time lost from work, and others.

How long will my case take?

This is also a question that no lawyer can answer right after a crash. Much will be determined by your medical condition, and the length of your medical treatment. We cannot competently and effectively value your case until your treatment is done. Your treatment is unique to you, and to the injuries that you have sustained. Someone who has whiplash, and treats with only a chiropractor for a month, as a vastly different case than someone who suffered a broken arm and is going to be in physical therapy for 6 months.

Is my case going to go to court?

It is possible that every case may have to be litigated. Statistically, however, we can say that over 80% of the clients that we represent in car accident cases do not have to go to court. However, there are certain instances where we do have to file a lawsuit. For example, if the insurance company is not offering you fair value for your injuries and your damages, we may have to sue. Also, if the insurance company is denying your claim, and alleges that their insured is not negligent, we may have to file a lawsuit to fight for your rights.

How does my lawyer get paid?

At Blaszkow Legal, we work all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless you collect money, just like the commercials say. There is no cost for a personal injury consultation, and that includes for all car accidents, bus accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian strikes, and more.

Should I talk to my own car insurance company? Aren't they on my side?

This answer is surprises a lot of people. Your car insurance is most definitely not on your side. In some cases, they are contractually obligated to help you, but no insurance company stays in business by paying everyone who files a claim. In fact, even if you were stopped at a red light, and struck from behind, your car insurance may still not be on your side if the other person did not have any car insurance of their own. This is called an uninsured motorist claim, which is handled through your own car insurance company. You should never speak to any car insurance company, including your own, without the benefit of speaking to a lawyer.

Get help from an experienced Route 1 car accident lawyer in Virginia today

Attorney Joe Blaszkow and his team have been fighting for the rights of injured Virginians for over 40 years. He has developed the Blaszkow Legal Method to take the fight to the insurance companies, and show them that we are ready willing and able to fight for our clients, and will not settle for low offers, just because they are easier to get.

If you have been hurt in a car, truck, or bus collision anywhere along Route 1 in Virginia, call an experienced Virginia personal injury lawyer today.

Alexandria/Northern Virginia Office:
5270 Shawnee Road #102, Alexandria, Va. 22312
703-879-5910

Richmond Office:
7824 Shrader Road, Richmond, Va. 23294
804-273-8929

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