Fairfax County, along with the rest of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, is among the most walkable regions in the entire United States. However, in spite of local governments’ heavy investment in a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly infrastructure, enjoying the outdoors is not without risks. Accidents can and do happen with alarming regularity.
In any collision between an automobile and an individual, the motor vehicle usually avoids damage and the driver avoids injury, while the walker, cyclist, or jogger sustains serious and even life-threatening injuries. Although local traffic safety advocates have aggressively campaigned for better-marked crosswalks and bicycle lanes, Fairfax County still has a number of dangerous roads and routes.
The Most Dangerous Roads in Fairfax County
Virginia tries to protect pedestrians and bicyclists by affording them the right of way over motor vehicles in all crosswalks and intersections, as well as granting bicyclists the same rights as automobiles on public roadways. However, even stringent laws cannot prevent every accident. Fairfax County has several areas that witness unusually high incidences of automobile collisions, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle crashes. While many accidents are caused by reckless motorists, sometimes a combination of poor driving, heavy traffic, and flawed road design can increase the risk of collisions, and there are many dangerous roads in Fairfax County, including:
- Route 7, especially between Baileys Crossroad and Seven Corners. This high-traffic commercial area adjoins several closed-access motorways but lacks numerous crosswalks and bicycle lanes.
- Route 1, between Alexandria and Dumfries. Similar to Route 7, this road passes through a number of high-traffic commercial areas.
- Route 29, between Centreville and Fairfax.
- Route 50, a heavily trafficked route that passes through commercial areas as well as densely settled residential neighborhoods.
- Backlick Road, a major multi-lane road plagued by fast-moving traffic and hazardous intersections.
- Telegraph Road, which receives heavy commuter and city bus traffic, despite passing through predominately suburban and semi-rural areas.
- Shreve Road at the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, a particularly hazardous blind turn across a popular suburban hiking trail and bicycle path.
- Old Keene Mill Road and Franconia Road, between Franconia and North Springfield.
- The Columbia Turnpike, especially the eastbound portion near the Virginia-Washington, D.C. border.
What to Do After a Virginia Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident
If you were injured in a Fairfax County pedestrian or bicycle accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. However, proving that a motorist was at-fault could be difficult.
Building Your VA Legal Case if You Were Struck by a Vehicle
- Seek immediate medical attention. You should always visit a physician after a pedestrian or bicycle accident, even if you do not believe you sustained severe injuries. Some common, seemingly minor injuries, such as road rash, could become more serious if not properly treated. Additionally, seeing a doctor shows the insurance company that you have serious concerns about your physical well-being and are not simply trying to make money from a settlement.
- Call the police. While calling 911 after an accident might seem inconvenient, a police report can assist your attorney and the insurance adjuster in determining whether the motorist should be held liable for your injuries. Even if law enforcement cannot determine who or what caused the accident, their report could still be used as evidence in negotiations or at trial.
- Collect evidence. If you do not need emergency medical treatment, you could collect evidence from the accident site. You could take pictures of your visible injuries, your damaged bicycle, and any nearby crosswalks and traffic control signals.
- Speak to eyewitnesses. If another person witnessed your accident, ask them for their name, phone number, and other contact information. Their testimony could help you at trial.
- Contact an attorney. You stand your best chance at making a full legal recovery when you have an experienced attorney on your side. Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi, PLLC have years of experience fighting for the rights of pedestrian and bicycle accident victims in court. We can help you construct a compelling, evidence-based claim to help you get the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.
Contact Our Virginia Car Accident Attorney Today!
If you have been injured in a Fairfax County pedestrian or bicycle accident, send Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi, PLLC a message online today, or call us at 877-652-1553 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
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