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Dealing with post-collision road rage
When car accidents happen, many people are so caught up in the incident that they never consider their personal safety until another event occurs that causes them new and further injury. In the middle of traffic is not the only time motorists should be on guard against aggressive behavior and rage. They should also watch for them after car accidents in Winchester. Not all crash victims end up with life-threatening and debilitating injuries. Some individuals emerge just fine from the wreckage only to sustain injuries from the possibly at-fault party.
Car accidents can cause people to feel many different emotions. It is not uncommon for people to become angry when the reality of their predicament hits them. They become overly aggressive and attack the parties they feel are responsible for the collisions, causing new or further injury to accident victims. Consider the following pointer about post-collision road rage:
Play it safe
Your first reaction may be to jump out of your vehicle to inspect the damage. Squelch the urge and assess the scene and all individuals before getting out of your car. If the other driver is screaming and acting/advancing aggressively towards you, stay in your vehicle and lock the doors (only if it is safe to do so). Contact the police and let them know that in addition to reporting the accident, you feel you are danger from the other person.
Staying safe on Northern Virginia roads
Driving in Northern Virginia presents a variety of hazards. It is important to ensure you follow safe driving tips and obey the rules of the road so you can avoid dangerous and harmful motor vehicle accidents.
Accidents are prevalent on Northern Virginia roads, and the state even has a specific program, the Northern Virginia Traffic Management program, to help ensure improved safety in this area of the state. Here are some tips for safer driving and information about what you can do if you have a car crash:
Staying safe on Virginia roads
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Safety Service Patrol (SSP) is a program that began in the late 1960s and helps with incident management and emergency response. The SSP responds to approximately 147,000 incidents per year in Virginia. It helps move debris and hazards out of the way when accidents occur. It also provides assistance to motorists for less-critical incidents, such as tire changes, jump starts, fuel to get to the closest station and phone access to call a tow truck. Despite the efforts of state programs such as the SSP, VDOT reported that there were 121,763 crashes in 2017.
Winchester vehicle accidents from speeding and aggressive driving
Any size community is susceptible to serious motor vehicle accidents. The reasons for crashes are numerous, from distracted driving to impaired driving due to alcohol, but some of the most frequent crashes come from reckless driving including aggression and speeding.
Speeding and aggressive driving can cause accidents that result in catastrophic injury. People who have suffered a serious injury in a motor vehicle accident in Winchester should be aware of their rights and to pursue compensation if someone else was negligent in causing the accident.
Speeding and aggressive driving
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, the risk of death or serious injury increases as speed increases. The effectiveness of safety devices such as airbags and seat belts decreases at higher speeds. Speeding is hazardous for a number of reasons, including decreased reaction time and stopping time, as well as affecting pedestrians’ and other drivers’ ability to accurately estimate the speeding driver’s actual speed.
3 steps to immediately take after an auto accident
Car accidents are far too common in the state of Virginia. According to an official report, 65,029 people suffered car accident injuries in the state in 2015, which was a 2.6 percent increase from the previous year.
From handling an insurance claim to potentially taking the other driver to court, there are many things that may arise from a collision. You want all of this to go as smoothly as possible, so you need to take the right actions from the start. In the event you ever find yourself part of a motor vehicle accident, here are the things to do right away.
Call 911
In the state of Virginia, the law requires people involved in car crashes to contact the police if resulting damage exceeds $1,000, if anyone suffered an injury or if there was a fatality. Additionally, a police report will help tremendously with your insurance claim. Calling 911 is also good for getting an ambulance out to the scene right away. You should check on your passengers and the people in the other car to see that everyone is okay. Even though all parties involved may seem fine, it is still good to receive an examination from a doctor.
Factors that aid in an auto accident claim
There are a few steps to take after an auto accident if you desire to build a claim against the party responsible for your injuries. Along with these general steps, it may also be helpful for you to understand the claim process.
Filing a claim requires extensive information and proof. Take some time to review a few key things that aid in the process of a personal injury claim after an accident.
Medical records
The DMV provides insight on the claim process after an auto accident. One of the key factors that may affect a claim is the claimant’s medical records. The courts consider how quickly the individual seeks medical aid after an accident, along with the actual diagnosis and cost of treatment. Patients have the right to obtain a copy of their medical records, which they may request from the doctor or medical facility. However, the physician and facility may be able to deny the patients’ requests under certain circumstances. In such instances, it may be helpful to consult a knowledgeable attorney and begin the appeal process.
Trying to self-treat an injury could cost you more
Not everyone has a ton of money at their disposal, nor does everyone have generous health insurance plans. So, it makes sense when people try to self-treat injuries sustained in car accidents and in other personal injury matters such as sliding on ice and banging up your head.
However, the reality is that self-diagnosing and self-treating injuries can end up being extremely costly. For example, head injuries may not be immediately apparent, and by the time you realize the severity of your injury and that you need extensive treatment rather than a few visits to the doctor, you may have accepted a lowball offer from your insurance company.
Could hinder compensation efforts
Head injuries and injuries such as whiplash or skier’s thumb can get worse over time. Seeking medical attention as soon as possible helps you set up a medical paper trail and track records that aid any compensation efforts you may seek. For example, say you went to the doctor after being in a car accident and the doctor gave a prognosis that has you functioning at about half your capacity for a year.
Proper driving distance matters on Interstate 81
You may remember the two-second rule from driver’s education. It says that your car should be at least two seconds behind the car in front of it. For example, the other vehicle passes a road sign, and you count to two. If you got to the road sign before the time was up, you were following too closely. Here is a quick look at the importance of proper driving distance on Interstate 81.
Interstate 81 can be risky
It is well-documented that Interstate 81 is the site of many crashes and traffic backups. Many of these crashes occur in part because of rear-end collisions, and what causes these? Frequently, it is driving too quickly and/or too closely, also called tailgating. Interstate 81 has a lot of traffic and a lot of tractor-trailers. A match between a car and big rig probably will not end well.
The two-second rule is not enough
The two-second rule is easy to remember, but it has its flaws. For example, it does not take into account speed variables and weather conditions. Perhaps more importantly, two seconds is often not enough time to brake to a stop. When you are on Interstate 81, this is even truer since you could be going in excess of 70 miles per hour.
Distracted driving takes many forms
In Virginia, 80 percent of car accidents stem from distracted driving. We’re all aware that our actions when driving can affect our safety. We know how children arguing or crying in the back seat can take our focus off the road, and that if we reach to turn the radio up for a favorite song we’ll only have one hand on the wheel and may be looking down for a second or two. Those distractions have almost always been part of the driving experience. So what makes something like texting while driving so dangerous?
When you use your smartphone while driving, you are 23 times more likely to be in an accident. Texting or using a smartphone for any task requires different kinds of attention from us. Basically, there are three kinds of distractions.
(1) Visual: When drivers look away from the traffic ahead to glance at a map, navigation system or phone, they’re not clued in to what is happening in front of them. If traffic comes to a stop, they could be caught unaware. They won’t see a pedestrian crossing or a vehicle pulled over at the side of the road. Any action they take will be late-possibly too late to avoid a crash.
Our law firm has offices in Winchester and Manassas, and we provide legal services to clients throughout Virginia, including Prince William County, Woodbridge, Haymarket, Gainesville, Front Royal, Berryville, Boyce, Fairfax, Strasburg, Woodstock, and Warrenton.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
