Manassas, VA Car Accident Lawyers

Attorneys Assisting With Car Accident Claims in Manassas, Virginia

Car accidents happen every day on the roads in and around Manassas. Some collisions may result in minor property damage, while others may involve catastrophic injuries that can change people's lives permanently. Regardless of where a crash falls on that spectrum, an injury victim will need to understand their legal options, and they can work with an attorney to obtain financial compensation for the damages they have suffered.

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we provide car accident victims with legal representation during every stage of their cases. From the initial investigation of an accident to negotiations with insurance companies and, when necessary, litigation, our legal team will handle the complex issues involved in a car accident so our clients can concentrate on their recovery.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Most car accidents are caused by acts of negligence, which include decisions or failures by a driver that created an unreasonable risk to others. Understanding the forms of negligence that are often addressed in car accident cases can help victims determine what steps may be taken to hold another driver responsible

Speeding

Excessive speed is a form of driver negligence that takes place regularly on roads throughout Virginia. Speed limits are meant to ensure that traffic can flow safely. Drivers who exceed those speed limits or who drive at speeds that are dangerous based on weather, visibility, or traffic conditions may not be able to respond to hazards in time to stop or take other actions to prevent a collision. Victims of speeding-related car crashes may suffer severe injuries due to the higher force of impact when vehicles are traveling at high speeds.

Distracted Driving

A driver whose attention is divided between the road and anything else, such as a phone, a navigation screen, food, or passengers, will be less likely to be able to respond correctly to the conditions around them. A driver who looks down for a few seconds at the wrong moment may not have the opportunity to brake before a collision occurs. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents across all types of roads and driving environments. Victims of distracted driving crashes can take steps to hold an inattentive driver accountable for the harm that they caused through their negligence

Drunk and Impaired Driving

Alcohol can impair virtually every skill required to operate a vehicle safely, including a person's reaction time, their ability to see the road and other vehicles, their physical coordination, and their ability to assess and respond to risks. Drugs can have similar effects, and multiple types of substances may lead to impairments that can cause car accidents. Drunk driving crashes can be serious, because a driver who is impaired may not brake or take evasive action before colliding with another vehicle or pedestrian.

Other Forms of Driver Negligence

Negligence can take many other forms, and dangerous behaviors can put people at risk of injury in car accidents. Refusal to yield the right of way, running red lights and stop signs, improper lane changes, tailgating, driving while fatigued, and unsafe passing are forms of negligence that can cause harm to others. Drivers who engage in negligent behavior may be held responsible for causing collisions.

Types of Car Accidents

Different types of crashes can lead to different types of injuries, and they may involve different legal issues. Our legal team has represented victims across the full range of motor vehicle accidents, including:

Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end collisions occur when a driver fails to stop in time to avoid striking the vehicle ahead of them. These crashes are common on congested roads in Northern Virginia, and they can lead to whiplash and soft tissue injuries, herniated discs, traumatic brain injuries, and other forms of bodily harm.

Head-On Collisions

When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide, the combined force of both vehicles can have catastrophic results. Head-on collisions are among the deadliest crashes, and the injuries that affect survivors may be catastrophic, potentially resulting in permanent disabilities.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover crashes will often involve extreme forces, and a vehicle's safety systems may not be able to provide protection against serious injuries. A rollover may occur when a vehicle's tire strikes a curb, when a driver swerves sharply at a high speed, or due to the impact of a collison from the side. Certain vehicles, including taller SUVs, pickup trucks, and passenger vans, are more likely to roll over due to their high centers of gravity. Rollover accident victims may sustain traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, crush injuries, and other serious damages.

Intersection Accidents

In intersections, traffic will cross from multiple directions, and traffic signs and signals can help ensure that vehicles will be able to move through these locations safely. Drivers who run red lights or stop signs or make illegal turns can cause dangerous broadside collisions that may cause serious harm to the occupants of a vehicle that is struck from the side.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

When a vehicle strikes a person on foot or a bicycle rider, the injuries inflicted may be severe or fatal. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents may take place in crosswalks at intersections or in areas where cyclists share roads with motor vehicle traffic. Drivers may be held liable for the harm inflicted when they strike someone due to negligence.

Car Accidents Involving Complex Liability Issues

Some car accident cases involve circumstances that can make it more difficult to determine who was responsible or recover full compensation from the liable parties. Our lawyers have the experience needed to navigate these situations and protect our clients' rights. We can assist with:

Hit-and-Run Accidents

When a driver who causes a crash leaves the scene rather than stopping and providing aid or exchanging information as required, a victim may be uncertain about how they can recover compensation. Our attorneys can work with victims of hit-and-run accidents to identify drivers or take the proper steps to receive insurance coverage.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Accidents

Some drivers may carry no insurance, or their policies may provide minimum liability limits that will fall short of what is needed to address serious injuries in car accidents. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may provide victims with a path to compensation through their own insurance policies. However, accessing these benefits is not always straightforward. An insurer may dispute coverage, challenge the extent of injuries, or take other steps to reduce payouts. Our attorneys work with clients to handle these claims and obtain the full benefits their policies provide.

Construction Zone Accidents

In active construction zones, the risks of car accidents can increase because of issues such as narrowed lanes, changing traffic patterns, heavy equipment, and uneven surfaces. When a construction zone crash occurs, responsibility may extend beyond a negligent driver. Construction companies, contractors, subcontractors, and government entities may be held liable for their failure to ensure that a work zone was safe. In these cases, our lawyers will take steps to identify all responsible parties and help our clients obtain compensation.

Rideshare Accidents Involving Uber and Lyft

The presence of increasing numbers of rideshare vehicles on Virginia's roads has led to more accidents involving drivers working for companies like Uber and Lyft. These accidents may involve complex questions about what levels of insurance coverage are available. Our attorneys can help clients determine their options for recovering compensation in these cases, and we will work to ensure that rideshare companies and insurance companies are held responsible for the injuries suffered by victims.

Contact Our Manassas Car Accident Attorneys

No matter how your accident happened or how complicated it may seem to be, the team at Locklin & Coleman, PLLC can help you understand your rights, and we will work closely with you to obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact our Manassas, VA motor vehicle accident lawyers by calling 703-392-6686 and scheduling a free consultation.