Northern Virginia Car Accident Attorney

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia’s busy roads and highways are prone to car accidents caused by various factors. Understanding these common causes can help drivers stay alert and reduce their risk.

• Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes. Using smartphones, eating, or adjusting the radio takes a driver’s attention away from the road, increasing the chance of collisions.
• Speeding is another major factor. Exceeding speed limits reduces reaction time and makes crashes more severe. Northern Virginia’s highways and suburban roads often experience speeding despite posted limits.
• Failure to obey traffic signals at intersections also contributes heavily to accidents. Running red lights or stop signs can cause dangerous T-bone collisions, especially at busy intersections.
• Impaired driving—due to alcohol or drugs—is a serious problem that leads to impaired judgment and slower reaction times, resulting in crashes with severe injuries.
• Aggressive driving, such as tailgating, sudden lane changes, and road rage, escalates the risk of accidents in the region’s heavy traffic.
• Weather conditions like rain, fog, and snow reduce visibility and road traction, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

A Northern Virginia car accident lawyer can investigate the crash and help determine the cause. You must show that someone else was negligent, usually the other driver, to receive financial compensation for your injuries. In the car accident context, negligence means the following:

• Someone else owed you a duty of care
• They breached that duty by acting in a manner that the normal driver would not have under the circumstances
• You suffered an injury
• You would not have suffered an injury had it not been for the wrongful actions of the other party