The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm | September 25, 2025 | Car Accidents
Car accidents are a daily reality for thousands of Virginians and people nationwide. These events range in severity from minor disturbances that damage property to catastrophic mishaps that upend people’s lives and sense of safety. While each wreck that occurs may seem like a unique and unpredictable affair, available statistics paint a different picture.
In particular, regardless of where they occur, the majority of car accidents are typically the result of one or more negligent actions. Becoming a safer driver involves understanding what these actions are so you can refrain from committing them yourself and avoid other drivers who do.
Top 5 Reasons For Car Wrecks In Virginia
Over 129,000 traffic crashes were reported in Virginia in 2024, the highest number of accidents the state has seen since 2020. Five of the most commonly reported reasons as to why these car accidents took place are as follows:
1. Speeding
Speeding, both in the form of exceeding the posted speed limit and driving too fast for prevailing road conditions, was a factor in one out of every five fatal crashes throughout Virginia in 2024. Drivers who speed not only have greater difficulty controlling their vehicles, but also less time to see and react to other traffic and dangers on the road.
2. Distracted Driving
A distracted driver is any motorist whose attention is focused on something besides the road ahead, or whose hands and feet are not fully in control of their vehicle. Cell phones and other electronic devices are common sources of distraction, as are eating and drinking. Altogether, distracted driving was a factor in over 20,000 crashes in Virginia in 2024.
3. Improper Lane Changes
Lane switching is a common maneuver, especially on multilane highways. Still, it can be dangerous if the driver fails to check their blind spots before switching lanes, forgets to signal before moving, or moves aggressively and loses control of their vehicle as a result. Each of these circumstances can lead to a sideswipe crash that impacts several cars.
4. Impaired Driving
Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs is unsafe, both for the impaired driver and others on the road around them. Different substances can affect a driver’s judgment in different ways, leading some to engage in aggressive, risky, or erratic behavior.
A total of 6,767 alcohol-related crashes took place in Virginia in 2024, a slight decrease from 2023’s numbers (but an eye-opening amount nonetheless).
5. Failing To Yield The Right Of Way
Right-of-way rules must be obeyed to ensure everyone can navigate intersections and merge points safely. These laws also govern how turns should be made and how individuals like bicyclists and pedestrians can cross streets without being struck by vehicles. When drivers ignore these rules, crashes are the (near-certain) result.
The Importance of Identifying the Cause of Your Crash
Understanding what led to your accident is not just helpful for improving road safety—it’s also critical for protecting your legal rights. Insurance companies often try to downplay or dispute the cause of a wreck to minimize payouts.
By pinpointing the negligent act that caused your injuries—whether it was speeding, distraction, or impaired driving—you strengthen your ability to hold the at-fault driver accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation
When a crash occurs in Virginia and someone is hurt, that injured individual is entitled to recover compensation from another driver, but only if that other driver committed a negligent act that was the cause of the crash. Thus, in the aftermath of a wreck, understanding what caused it is essential to understanding your legal rights.
For more information, please contact our experienced car accident attorneys at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free consultation today. We have two convenient locations in Manassas, VA and Fairfax, VA.
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Manassas
9208 Lee Ave, First Floor, Manassas, VA, 20110
(571) 229-1800
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Manassas
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.7523907,-77.5566859
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Fairfax
4000 Legato Rd #1100, Fairfax, VA, 22033
(571) 200-5424
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Fairfax
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.8657713,-77.3652474