One person died following a high speed car accident involving multiple vehicles in Arlington, Virginia, on January 27.
According to news reports, the Arlington County Police Department were called to Wilson Boulevard and North Glebe Road around 2:40 p.m. When arriving at the scene, the police reported that a pickup truck was going east on Wilson Boulevard at a high rate of speed before colliding with another vehicle that was turning onto Wilson Boulevard. The two cars then hit two other vehicles that were stopped at the traffic light.
Two people were taken to the hospital with critical injuries. One of the people, the driver of the turning car, had died at the hospital.
North Glebe Road was closed for 14 hours as police investigated the accident. It has since been reopened.
Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Arlington, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. In 2023, there were over 25,284 speed-related accidents in the Commonwealth, a 1.6% increase over 2022. Of those accidents, 449 were killed and 13,474 were injured.
Virginia follows the “pure contributory negligence” rule, which is one of the strictest in the nation. If a person involved in a speeding accident is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they may be completely barred from recovering any damages. This makes speed-related accident cases particularly complex, as even minor contributory negligence can defeat an entire claim.
Victims of speeding accidents have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Virginia’s statute of limitations. If death results from the accident, the family typically has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
Insurance considerations are also significant in Virginia speeding accidents. Virginia is one of the few states that doesn’t require mandatory car insurance if drivers pay an uninsured motorist fee. However, if you cause a speeding accident without insurance, you’re personally liable for all damages, and your license and registration will be suspended until you’ve paid all obligations and shown proof of insurance.
In cases involving excessive speed, Virginia courts may also allow claims for punitive damages, particularly if the defendant was driving more than 20 mph above the speed limit or over 85 mph. These damages are meant to punish particularly egregious behavior and can significantly increase the potential liability.
If you were involved in a speeding accident in Arlington, Virginia, an experienced Arlington car accident lawyer can explain your rights. Contact Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation.
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This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. If you or a loved one has been injured, please seek immediate medical care.