Each year, thousands of crashes occur on Virginia’s roads, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. Understanding the most common causes of these accidents can help drivers make safer choices and policymakers implement better traffic laws. According to the Virginia Traffic Crash Facts report, driver-related errors remain the top cause of accidents, with specific factors like speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield playing significant roles.

Driver Error – The Leading Cause of Car Accidents in Virginia

The vast majority of car accidents in Virginia stem from driver-related mistakes. In 2023, driver errors accounted for over 45% of all crashes, with common mistakes including:

  • Following too closely – A leading cause of rear-end collisions, with 26,053 cases reported.
  • Failure to yield the right of way – Caused 18,075 crashes, making it one of the most common violations.
  • Improper lane changes – Led to 9,809 crashes in 2023.
  • Running traffic signals – A significant cause of intersection-related crashes, contributing to 7,345 accidents.
  • Speeding – Responsible for 4,909 crashes, often leading to more severe injuries.

While no single driver error causes all crashes, these behaviors collectively make up the largest contributor to traffic accidents across the state.

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Speeding – The Most Dangerous Driver Behavior in Virginia

Speeding is a critical factor in Virginia’s traffic fatalities. In 2023, there were 25,274 speed-related crashes, representing nearly 20% of all accidents. More alarmingly, 449 people lost their lives in speed-related accidents, accounting for almost half of all traffic fatalities.

Speeding not only reduces reaction times but also increases the severity of crashes. Fatalities from speeding were significantly higher on rural roads (243 deaths) than on urban roads (206 deaths), highlighting the dangers of high-speed driving in areas with limited infrastructure and emergency response times.

Distracted Driving – A Rising Concern on Virginia Roads

Distracted driving is another leading cause of crashes in Virginia, contributing to 21,528 accidents in 2023, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous year.

Key distractions that led to accidents include:

  • Drivers taking their eyes off the road (most common distraction category).
  • Cell phone use and texting while driving.
  • Looking at roadside incidents, such as accidents or construction zones.

Distracted driving accounted for 64 fatalities and 11,521 injuries in 2023. Despite Virginia’s hands-free law, which bans handheld cell phone use while driving, distracted driving continues to be a persistent issue.

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Alcohol-Related Accidents – A Persistent Threat

Driving under the influence remains one of the most preventable causes of fatal accidents in Virginia. In 2023:

  • 6,979 alcohol-related crashes occurred, an increase from 2022.
  • 293 fatalities were attributed to drunk driving, accounting for 32.3% of all traffic deaths.
  • 4,400 people were injured in alcohol-related accidents.

Despite strict DUI laws and enforcement efforts, impaired driving continues to be a major risk factor on Virginia’s roads.

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Failure to Use Seat Belts – A Preventable Cause of Fatalities

Although not a direct cause of accidents, failure to wear a seat belt significantly increases the risk of severe injury or death in a crash. In 2023:

  • 335 fatalities involved unrestrained occupants, representing 53.8% of all traffic deaths.
  • 3,936 injuries were sustained by drivers and passengers who were not wearing seat belts.

Wearing a seat belt remains one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of serious injury in an accident.

What Is Contributory Negligence and How Does It Affect Your Case?

Virginia is one of the few states that still follow the pure contributory negligence rule. Under Virginia law, if an injured person is found to be even 1% at fault, they are barred from recovering any compensation—no matter how severe their injuries are or how reckless the other driver was.

This means that insurance companies aggressively look for any reason to claim the victim contributed to the crash, even in minor ways. Some common tactics used by insurers to invoke contributory negligence include:

  • Claiming the victim was speeding – Even if the other driver ran a red light, the insurance company may argue that the injured driver was going too fast to avoid the crash.
  • Blaming distracted driving – If phone records show the victim was using their phone, insurers may argue distraction played a role in the accident.
  • Challenging lane changes – In cases where a driver merged before an accident, insurers may claim they failed to check their blind spot properly.
  • Disputing pedestrian right-of-way – Even if a pedestrian is hit by a car, the insurance company may argue that they were outside of a crosswalk or crossed against the signal.

Because Virginia’s contributory negligence standard is so strict, even the slightest mistake on the part of an injured driver can result in a denied claim. That’s why working with an experienced Virginia car accident lawyer is critical—they can gather strong evidence, dispute unfair claims of shared fault, and negotiate with insurers to prevent contributory negligence from blocking your compensation.

How a Lawyer Can Help Overcome Contributory Negligence Claims

When an insurance company tries to shift blame onto the victim, an experienced car accident lawyer can fight back by:

  • Gathering and analyzing evidence – Our car accident attorneys work with accident reconstruction experts, traffic engineers, and medical professionals to prove that the at-fault driver’s actions—not the victim’s—caused the crash.
  • Countering false claims – Lawyers can challenge insurance adjusters who attempt to unfairly apply contributory negligence, using witness testimony, police reports, and surveillance footage.
  • Negotiating with insurers – Insurance companies often use contributory negligence claims as a negotiation tactic, hoping victims will settle for a lower amount. A skilled attorney can push back and ensure the full value of the claim is considered.

Since even a minor mistake can bar compensation in Virginia, it’s essential to have a legal team that understands how to navigate contributory negligence arguments and build a strong case for full recovery.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes – Vulnerable Road Users at Risk

Pedestrians and cyclists continue to be at high risk in Virginia traffic. In 2023:

  • 1,699 pedestrian crashes occurred, a 15.1% increase from 2022.
  • 133 pedestrian fatalities were reported, though this was a 22.2% decrease from the previous year.
  • 1,658 pedestrians sustained injuries.
  • 15 bicyclists were killed, marking a 36.4% increase in fatalities.

Many of these accidents occur due to driver inattention, failure to yield, and high-speed impact zones, especially at intersections and crosswalks.

Consult Tronfeld, West & Durrett – Your Advocates in Virginia Car Accident Cases

When a car accident turns your life upside down, you deserve a legal team that fights for your rights and maximizes your compensation. At Tronfeld, West & Durrett, our experienced personal injury attorneys have spent decades holding negligent drivers, reckless corporations, and uncooperative insurance companies accountable.

Why Choose Us for Your Car Accident Claim?

  • Decades of experience handling Virginia car accident cases – We understand the complexities of Virginia traffic laws and how to build strong claims against at-fault drivers.
  • Proven track record of success – Our firm has recovered millions for accident victims. See our latest case results to understand how we fight for our clients.
  • Aggressive negotiation and litigation strategies – Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, but we know how to counter their tactics and secure fair settlements or verdicts.
  • No upfront fees, no risk – We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.
  • Personalized legal representation – We treat every client with the dedication, respect, and attention they deserve—no case is too big or too small.

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If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Virginia, don’t face the insurance companies alone. You need a car accident attorney who will fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Or contact us directly to discuss your case: Contact Tronfeld, West & Durrett.

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