Fairfax, Virginia: Car Accident Lawsuits
Car and large truck accidents such as collisions with semi tractor-trailers can result in extremely serious injuries — or death. It may be clear from witness statements and police and accident reconstruction reports that a particular person caused the accident due to careless or reckless driving or, in some instances, there may be evidence that the operator of a motor vehicle acted willfully and wantonly with a “conscious disregard for the rights of others”, such as drunk drivers thereby allowing you to sue for “punitive damages.”
In both situations, it is usually possible to sue the negligent driver to secure fair and just compensation for your injuries. If you have survived a car or motorcycle accident or sustained an injury in a large truck wreck, consult an experienced personal injury attorney for advice on how to proceed.
What to Do After an Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of your car accident and the extent of your injuries, it may be a good idea to consult with an attorney while you are receiving medical attention. There may be additional medical tests that your attorney can recommend that may be useful later, when your lawyer can use those test results to help prove your case in settlement discussions.
Who Caused the Accident?
If a driver's careless or reckless driving caused the motor vehicle accident, then that person may be required to pay for any damage caused by his or her negligent actions. Signs of careless or reckless driving include:
- Turning without a turn signal
- Disobeying traffic signals or traffic signs
- Driving too slow or speeding
- Driving without regard to weather conditions
- Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs
- Excessive or improper lane changes
- Improper passing
If the accident involves a commercial driver, your attorney will look for additional signs of negligence on the part of the truck driver, such as:
- Improper loading or balancing
- Defective or improperly maintained equipment, such as brakes, tires and load straps
- Driving while tired or driving too many hours each week
What if No One Caused the Accident?
In rare instances, some collisions occur with no driver at fault. Perhaps the road conditions were terrible or you were injured because your air bag did not deploy. In these situations, it is still a good idea to talk to a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer.
An experienced attorney can look at the facts and circumstances with a fresh eye. For example, if road conditions caused your accident, an investigation would be needed to determine whether VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation), a town, a city or a government employee was to blame for failing to repair or correct a dangerous road condition. If your air bag didn't deploy, was the air bag defective?
Contact the Law Offices of P. Clark Kattenburg, P.C.
For additional answers to your questions about getting compensation after a car accident or any type of motor vehicle accident, we invite you to contact our offices today to speak to attorney Clark Kattenburg.
