Attorney
On November 20, a 20-year-old man was killed in a violent car accident near Route 28 in Fairfax County, Virginia, according to ABC 7 in Arlington.
The accident happened around 2 p.m. at the intersection of Old Centreville Road and Route 28. The 20-year-old was driving a pickup truck when he ran a red light and hit a car driven by a 16-year-old girl. Upon impact, the truck flipped and the driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle, according to Fairfax County Police.
After the accident, the driver of the pickup was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he later died. The 16-year-old escaped the crash with only minor injuries. Police are still investigating whether alcohol or speed were factors in the wreck.
I Was Injured in a Car Accident. What Do I Do Now?
After a car accident, as Virginia injury attorney Peter C. DePaolis advises in the video above, you should call the police and if you are injured, seek immediate medical attention. Once you have received medical treatment, call your insurance company to report the accident. Following that, have a Virginia injury lawyer review your case to find out if you may have a cause of action against a negligent party, such as a distracted driver, for personal injury or wrongful death.
In the case of the 20-year-old killed in the Fairfax County rollover accident, he nor his family are likely to be entitled to compensation due to his apparent negligence. However, his family members could still benefit from having an experienced attorney review their case, because if it is found that the 16-year-old driver played any part in causing this accident, she may not be entitled to compensation either.
That is because in Virginia a plaintiff can be barred from any recovery in a personal injury case if his or her negligence was a material cause of the accident. Due to this, it is important to analyze the facts of each case, especially in cases in which one of the parties dies in an accident, because that party cannot speak for himself or herself. In addition, it is important to investigate the statements of the surviving party, because he or she has an interest in the outcome of the case.
If you were involved in a car accident, please contact us so that we can advise you on how you can protect your rights.
Have you suffered because of a car accident? Let us know your story. If you feel comfortable, please tell us about what you went through and any advice you have for those facing a similar situation in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Injury Attorneys