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.
Taking action after a crash
If you get into a crash on a Virginia roadway, there are a few critical things you should be sure to do right away. First, ensure that anyone injured receives immediate medical attention. It is a common occurrence fornegligent drivers to cause other drivers injuries. Those are cases in which a personal injury attorney should get involved, because the injured party has rights under the law and will likely encounter costly medical bills as well as lost wages due to time off work to recover from injury.
Be sure to exchange all pertinent information with the other driver, even if no one is hurt. Sometimes injuries appear later, and delayed-onset injuries can be serious, such as head traumas. If you do not have the other driver’s information, you will not be able to file a claim or pursue compensation. By taking the proper steps right after a crash, you can ensure you have the tools for pursuing a personal injury claim if necessary.