Reston, Virginia Car Accident Attorneys

Qualified Lawyers for Clients Injured in Car Accidents in Reston, VA

Fatal and catastrophic injuries are some of the most devastating effects of motor vehicle collisions, and they can impact anyone involved in an accident, including pedestrians, drivers, passengers, and bicyclists. Driver negligence is a leading cause of car accidents in the United States. If someone else's negligent or reckless actions have caused you or a loved one to suffer harm, reliable legal representation can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our car accident attorneys strive to reduce your stress and guide you through the legal process with ease. If you have experienced a car accident in Reston, you do not need to deal with it alone. With more than 100 positive reviews and over 60 years of combined legal experience, our lawyers approach every case with comprehensive, personalized strategies to help our clients move forward as they recover from serious injuries.

We Represent Clients in a Variety of Accidents

Every car accident has its own unique circumstances. The severity of injuries, the extent of property damage, and the degree of emotional turmoil can all affect the amount of compensation that a victim may receive. Our Virginia car accident attorneys have seen almost every type of collision, and we can help you regardless of the circumstances of your case or the severity of your injuries. Some of the most common vehicle collisions will involve:

Rollovers

Top-heavy vehicles such as SUVs and trucks can be more difficult to maintain control of in the event of a collision, poor road conditions, or dangerous weather. At high speeds, even sudden bumps or turns can roll the vehicle and cause severe injuries and serious property damage.

Drunk Driving

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs, alcohol, or a mix of substances can have disastrous consequences. While drivers may be criminally prosecuted for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI), offenders who fail to obey the rules of the road can be held financially responsible for injuries or damage they inflict on others in collisions.

Distracted Driving

Drivers are legally obligated to pay full attention while driving. Common behaviors such as talking on the phone, texting, reaching for objects in the car, or eating can divert a driver's focus from maintaining safety while driving. Distracted driving can result in multiple types of serious collisions.

Head-On and Rear-End Collisions

Even seemingly minor rear-end accidents can cause serious injuries such as concussions or whiplash. In more severe cases, dangerous actions such as switching lanes, passing recklessly, or traveling the wrong way can lead to head-on accidents.

How Does Virginia Determine Car Accident Liability?

Most states, including Virginia, follow fault-based systems in which the party or parties at fault for causing a car accident can be held legally and financially responsible for the damages and injuries they inflict. Liability may be established by considering four main issues:

1. Did the person accused of causing the accident owe the victim or the public a reasonable duty of care?
2. Did the person fail to meet the expectations of this duty?
3. Did the person's violation of their duty directly cause someone else's injuries?
4. As a result of injuries inflicted by the defendant, did the victim suffer financial or personal damages?

However, Virginia is one of a few states to operate under one of the strictest liability rules in the country. The "pure contributory negligence" rule under state law prohibits victims from recovering damages if the court finds them even one percent responsible for causing a collision.

For example, a drivers who hit another vehicle from behind will usually be found to be at fault for the accident. However, if the person who was hit stopped suddenly due to distracted driving, they may be considered to be partially responsible for the collision. If this accident had taken place in Virginia, the driver who was hit would not be entitled to compensation.

Because of Virginia's strict rules, car accident victims may sometimes face difficulty recovering compensation. Insurance companies may try to assign a small percentage of fault to a person and claim that this will disqualify them from receiving a payout. Our lawyers know how to counter these arguments, and we will work to ensure that our clients will be able to obtain the compensation they deserve.

Reach Out to a Reston Auto Accident Lawyer

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our attorneys will fight to help you get the most possible compensation for a car accident. If you are struggling with accident-related injuries and believe that you should be entitled to compensation, we will help defend your rights and take steps to safeguard your future. Contact our car accident injury attorneys who handle cases in Reston, VA at 703-392-6686 to schedule a free consultation and review your options.