When a calm drive home turned into a sudden two-impact collision on I-95N, a woman in her seventies found clarity, care, and steady support with Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm. Her $160,000 settlement helped her regain stability after a frightening and disorienting evening on the interstate.

What Happened

It was about 7:05 p.m. on a dry, clear night as the family traveled northbound on I-95N in Stafford, Virginia, heading home to Haymarket. They were riding in the second lane from the right when everything changed in a split second.

A white Nissan Altima suddenly collided with their vehicle on the left side with significant force. The impact shattered the driver-side mirror and violently pushed their SUV toward the right, where it crashed into the concrete barrier lining the interstate.

The collision was so forceful that it sent their vehicle back toward the middle lane, scraping along the Altima, and then pushed it into a second impact with the wall. The SUV climbed the concrete barrier before dropping back down, breaking the opposite axle and the passenger-side mirror. With both front wheels destroyed, the vehicle dragged along the roadway until it finally came to rest on the shoulder.

Dazed and shaken, the occupants tried to process what had just happened. Emergency personnel soon arrived, including Virginia State Police. The clients were insured with GEICO, and the defendant’s insurer was ERIE Insurance.

How It Felt

For the client, a woman in her seventies, the crash was not only physically traumatic but emotionally overwhelming. The violent side-to-side jerking caused severe neck whipping, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. She experienced immediate neck pain and symptoms consistent with concussion.

Seeing their elderly mother confused and in pain left the family distressed. When the ambulance arrived, paramedics recommended taking her to the hospital, but they could not transport her husband or daughter. No alternative ambulance was offered, and the family feared the panic and disorientation of being transported alone would worsen her condition.

They made the difficult decision to stay together, arranging a ride to safety. As the hours passed, the client’s pain, numbness, bruising, and neurological symptoms only intensified.

She felt frightened, vulnerable, and unsure of what steps to take next.

Our Approach

When the family contacted our firm, they were overwhelmed and still trying to understand what had happened. Their car was destroyed, their bodies were in pain, and they had unanswered questions.

We began the way we always do: by listening.

From there, our role included:

  • Reviewing the Virginia State Police crash report for accuracy and sequencing.
  • Handling all communication with ERIE Insurance as the at-fault carrier.
  • Collecting and organizing medical records documenting concussion symptoms, cervical injury, shoulder and arm pain, numbness, tingling, and loss of consciousness.
  • Ensuring her age-related medical considerations were fully understood and not minimized.
  • Documenting the mechanical damage, axle failures, and dual impacts to support the mechanism of injury.
  • Guiding the family step-by-step through treatment, paperwork, and claim development.
  • Reassuring her during the emotionally difficult phases and making sure she felt supported, heard, and never brushed aside.

Our experience as a Virginia car accident lawyer allowed us to anticipate insurer issues, protect her from dismissive treatment, and present her injuries and trauma with the clarity and respect they deserved.

The Outcome

After steady medical treatment and thorough case development, the matter resolved for $160,000. For the client, the outcome meant far more than financial relief. It meant validation of what she lived through, the ability to focus on healing, and the reassurance that her pain was taken seriously.

She shared that she finally felt safe again, understood, respected, and supported through every step.

Why Hiring Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Matters

Accidents involving older passengers, multiple impacts, and complex injury patterns require patience, empathy, and strategic advocacy. At Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm, attorney James Parrish’s background working for insurance companies gives our team deep insight into how insurers evaluate injuries, challenge claims, and attempt to minimize payouts.

Our firm is built on a listening-first approach, compassionate communication, and persistent advocacy for those who need help the most. Families throughout Northern Virginia trust us to stand beside them and guide them toward stability after life-changing collisions.

If you or a loved one has been injured, we are here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.