Virginia Car Accident Attorneys

Millions Recovered for Auto Accident Victims in Alexandria & Beyond

Were you recently injured in a car crash in the greater Alexandria area? If you are facing serious medical bills and lost wages, don't delay - you may have the right to pursue compensation for all of your accident-related costs.

Virginia injury laws limit the amount of time you have to seek compensation after an accident. You only have two years to file a claim or lawsuit. Each day that passes may diminish your ability to collect fair compensation as evidence may become lost or destroyed. Our Virginia car accident lawyers are standing by to help you get started!

Put Over 75 Years of Experience on Your Side!

With more than six decades of legal experience behind us, we are confident in our abilities to help you seek the compensation you are entitled to under the law. We can offer you more specific guidelines on what to do after a serious auto accident and the various options available to you.

Our team is well versed in all of Virginia's car accident laws and understands how to advocate effectively for your best interests, both inside and outside of the courtroom.

Common Types of Car Accidents

A car accident occurs when two or more vehicles collide, resulting in damage to property, injuries, or even fatalities. These incidents can happen due to various factors such as human error, mechanical failure, road conditions, or environmental factors.

Here are some common types of car accidents:

• Rear-end Collision: This occurs when a vehicle crashes into the back of the vehicle in front of it. It often happens due to sudden stops, distracted driving, or tailgating.
• Head-on Collision: This involves two vehicles colliding front-to-front. These accidents usually happen at high speeds and can result in severe injuries or fatalities.
• Side-impact Collision (T-bone): This occurs when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. Intersection accidents often result in T-bone collisions.
• Rollover: A rollover happens when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. This can occur due to sharp turns, high speeds, or a collision that causes the vehicle to lose balance.
• Sideswipe: In this type of accident, the sides of two parallel vehicles make contact. This can occur when changing lanes without proper checking or misjudging the space between vehicles.
• Single Car Accidents: These involve just one vehicle and can include collisions with fixed objects like trees, guardrails, or poles due to driver error, weather conditions, or mechanical issues.
• Multi-Vehicle Pileup: This occurs when multiple vehicles are involved in a chain reaction collision. Factors like reduced visibility due to weather or sudden stops can lead to these accidents, often on highways.
• Hit-and-Run: This occurs when a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without providing identification or offering assistance. It can involve hitting another vehicle, a pedestrian, or property and is illegal in most jurisdictions.
• Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Accidents: These occur when an at-fault driver involved in an accident doesn’t have insurance or their insurance coverage is inadequate to cover the damages, resulting in challenges for the affected party in receiving compensation.

Negligence is the leading cause of car accident injuries and death in the United States. The Barrera Law Firm is here to fight for the justice you deserve after suffering an injury in a negligence-caused accident, including:

Our team is ready to help prove who was at fault for your accident so that you can pursue compensation for your losses for any and all liable parties.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents can happen due to various reasons. Some of the common causes include:

• Distracted Driving: This includes activities like texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio while driving, diverting the driver's attention from the road.
• Speeding: Driving above the speed limit reduces reaction time and control, increasing the likelihood of accidents and the severity of resulting injuries.
• Impaired Driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time, leading to accidents.
• Reckless Driving: Erratic or aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, weaving through traffic, or ignoring traffic signals contribute to accidents.
• Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, ice, fog, and other adverse weather conditions can reduce visibility and make the road surface slippery, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Fatigue: Driving while tired or drowsy reduces alertness and responsiveness, leading to slower reaction times and an increased risk of accidents.
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signals/Laws: Running red lights, ignoring stop signs, improper lane changes, and failure to yield right-of-way contribute to collisions.
• Vehicle Defects/Malfunction: Mechanical failures or issues like brake failures, tire blowouts, or steering problems can cause accidents even with careful driving.
• Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven surfaces, lack of proper signage, or road construction can contribute to accidents if drivers are unable to navigate them safely.
• Inexperienced Drivers: Lack of experience or knowledge of driving laws and techniques can lead to errors and contribute to accidents, especially among new drivers.

Fatal Car Crash Claims

Although car accidents occur quite often, some of them can result in the wrongful death of a loved one. Not only must the rest of the family grieve over the tragic loss, but they may also have to pay for all the expenses related to the collision, especially if the other party involved denies liability. It is important for the victim’s family to hire an experienced attorney to help them hold the negligent driver accountable.

At The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC, we can help you and your family recover your entitled financial compensation. While our legal team understands that no amount of money will ever bring back your loved one, but it will help you deal with all the financial repercussions associated with the tragedy.

Proving a Car Accident Claim in Virginia

In Virginia, to succeed in a car accident claim and seek compensation for injuries or damages, you typically need to establish certain elements:

1. Duty of Care: You must prove that the other party owed you a duty of care. This means they had a legal responsibility to act reasonably and prudently while driving to avoid causing harm to others.
2. Breach of Duty: You must demonstrate that the other party breached their duty of care. This could include actions like speeding, running a red light, driving recklessly, or any behavior that deviates from what a reasonably prudent person would do.
3. Causation: You need to establish a direct link between the breach of duty and the accident. It means proving that the other party's actions or negligence directly caused the accident and resulting injuries or damages.
4. Damages: You must provide evidence of the actual losses suffered due to the accident. This could include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other related expenses resulting from the accident.

To succeed in a car accident claim in Virginia, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, medical records, and documenting damages is crucial. Consulting with a legal professional experienced in handling car accident cases in Virginia can greatly assist in navigating the complexities of the legal process and building a strong case.

Virginia's Contributory Negligence Law

Did you know Virginia's car accident negligence laws might make it difficult to recover compensation after a crash? Virginia's pure contributory negligence law prevents any victim who is found to be even one percent at fault for a crash from recovering compensation from in an injury lawsuit. Another driver can be 99% responsible for your accident and still not have to pay you any compensation.

This is why it is so important to have an Alexandria car accident attorney on your side. The Barrera Law Firm works tirelessly to help prove you were in no way responsible for the accident and are therefore entitled to full compensation in an injury action by carefully collecting evidence and witness testimony, and investigating the details of the crash.

Can I Negotiate a Fair Settlement with an Insurance Claims Adjuster?

A car accident can add more expenses to your life than vehicle repairs, including, medical bills and lost wages. An insurance settlement should be enough to fully reimburse you for all costs related to your injury, but often, adjusters only offer a small percentage of what you will need in the long run.

You shouldn’t say yes to a settlement unless you’re happy with it. Presenting evidence such as bills, pictures of the accident scene, and notes on your condition may convince the insurer to increase their offer. However, you’ll need to be careful while sharing these details. If you suggest you were even 1% at fault for the accident, they may refuse to pay you anything.

The best negotiation tool when dealing with the insurance company is an experienced Virginia car accident attorney. Having a member of our team advocate for you will show the insurers you’re serious about getting a fair result. You’ll also have the benefit of our knowledge to help you evaluate expenses and challenge the excuses used to sidestep or deny certain parts of your claim. Remember, insurers don’t want to pay you, and they assume most customers are too naïve to spot their manipulative tactics. When a lawyer joins the case, they’re more likely to drop the gimmicks and put in a good-faith effort.

When Do Car Accident Cases Go to Trial?

Most accident cases are resolved outside the courtroom. The insurance company is motivated to offer you an acceptable settle that appropriately covers your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to your accident. However, if you and the insurance company cannot come to an agreement, the case will be litigated at trial, and both sides will have the opportunity to present their version of the facts to a jury or judge.

The most common reasons an accident case will go to trial include:

Disputed fault and liability

It is common for at-fault parties and insurance companies to dispute liability. After all, they do not want to pay; they're in business to make money. This means they may challenge the very basis of your claim by stating that their driver was not at fault and therefore not liable for causing your damages.

In some cases, they may also argue that you contributed to the cause of your wreck, which could prevent you from recovering compensation at all. Our experienced auto accident attorneys in Virginia work to avoid liability disputes by clearly and convincingly establishing fault and liability for the accident, and preparing an effective presentation of these issues at trial when needed.

Disputed damages

In some cases, insurance companies may disagree with the damages claimed by car accident victims, like saying a victim was not really injured, or that their injuries are not as severe as they claim. To bolster their arguments, they might use your medical information against you, working with their own medical team to take away credibility from your claims, or to say that you were over-treated by your doctor.

Knowing how to handle these disputes is essential to recovering the compensation you need, especially if you have future medical needs. It is why Alexandria car accident lawyers have a network of professional connections, such as medical experts, who can provide testimony about the nature and extent of your injuries.

Low settlement offers

After you have obtained the medical treatment you need, or have gotten as well as you can, the full scope of your economic and noneconomic damages can be calculated. Our legal team carefully assesses how an accident impacted a victim’s life financially, physically, and emotionally. In some cases, we also take into consideration the damages experienced by victims’ families. With this information, we work to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company that meets both your current and future needs. If insurance companies continue to place profits over people and fail to make fair settlement offers, we can take the case to trial.

Remember, insurance companies are more concerned about collecting premiums and protecting their bottom line than they are about your wellbeing. Their reluctance to pay victims what they deserve is often a large reason why cases go to trial. With a Virginia car accident attorney on your side who has the experience and resources to fight back, you can be confident our team will be ready to take your case to trial.

Virginia Car Accident Resources

If you're looking for local car accident resources in Virginia, here are some organizations and services that can provide assistance:

1. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): The Virginia DMV provides information on reporting an accident, obtaining accident reports, and handling insurance claims. You can visit their website or contact them directly for guidance.

2. Virginia State Police (VSP): The VSP investigates accidents involving serious injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage. They can provide accident reports and assist with any legal matters related to the accident.

3. Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Depending on the location of the accident, you may need to contact the local police department or sheriff's office. They can help with on-scene assistance, accident reports, and traffic-related matters.

4. Virginia Insurance Bureau: If you encounter difficulties with your insurance claim or have questions about insurance coverage after a car accident, the Virginia Insurance Bureau can provide assistance. They regulate insurance companies in the state and can help you understand your rights and options.

5. Local Hospitals and Medical Facilities: In case of injuries sustained in a car accident, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Local hospitals and medical facilities can provide necessary care and document your injuries for insurance purposes.

Remember to contact emergency services immediately if anyone is seriously injured or if there is a significant risk to public safety. It's also essential to gather information about the accident, including the names and contact details of involved parties, witnesses, and any police officers at the scene.

Protect Your Right to Financial Recovery: Avoid these Mistakes

There are a few key ways in which you can protect yourself against Virginia's contributory negligence laws and the insurance companies who may try to diminish your personal injury claim.

It is also a good idea to keep a journal. It will be your personal record of what happened both during and after the auto accident and will detail all the physical consequences of someone else's negligence and its long term effects. Journals help when insurance adjusters try to claim you are exaggerating pain.