Most Virginia residents know that some Virginia roadways are more dangerous than others. Unfortunately, no one is safe from a potential collision.
Even the most cautious drivers can be involved in a crash. Gaining knowledge about conditions on roadways that are essential to our travel can help mitigate existing risks and keep you safer.
Read on to learn more about the most dangerous roads in Virginia and what you can do to reduce your risk of becoming part of Virginia’s fatal car accident statistics.
If you have questions, or would like to speak with a Richmond car accident lawyer, contact us today.
What are the Most Dangerous Roads in Virginia?
Certain roads, highways, and interstates are more prone to accidents due to myriad factors. Learning more about these factors can help you become more aware of dangers and reduce your risk of getting into an accident.
US 58
This stretch of highway runs near Virginia Beach and along the Virginia and Kentucky border. Accidents often occur on this roadway due to road maintenance issues, weather-related collisions, and unsafe driving.
US 64
Interstate 64 is Virginia’s main east-west interstate thoroughfare and stretches more than 300 miles, from the rural and mountain areas near West Virginia to Richmond.
A 2021 improvement report recorded approximately 21,000 crashes on the interstate over five years.
Interstate 295
Interstate 295 is a heavily trafficked interstate with no alternative transportation routes. As a result, drivers on the interstate can experience significant delays at different portions of the roadway.
The many interchanges utilized by drivers entering and exiting the road also create conditions for collisions.
Interstate 81
Interstate 81 has many accidents because it runs north to south and is heavily trafficked by large commercial trucks delivering goods.
Due to the high commercial truck traffic, it’s essential to be extra vigilant when traveling on Interstate 81.
Avoiding these roads and highways may not be a possibility. However, every time you find yourself on these dangerous roads, staying focused and reducing distractions can keep you safer every time you travel.
How to Prevent an Accident on the Most Dangerous Roads in Virginia
Driving requires concentration, not just on your actions, but also on the behaviors of those around you. We are all responsible for driving responsibly to protect ourselves and the lives of those around us.
While we can’t control the behaviors of others, there are specific actions we can undertake every time we get behind the wheel to reduce our likelihood of being in a collision.
Don’t Drink and Drive
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is incredibly dangerous. Operating a vehicle or motorcycle while under the influence of these substances is illegal for a reason.
Alcohol and drugs slow our reaction times, increase drowsiness, and make staying focused behind the wheel more difficult.
Distracted Driving
Texting, talking on the phone, eating, applying makeup, fiddling with your radio or GPS, and talking to other passengers are all activities that distract a driver’s attention from the road.
A few seconds of your eyes off the road can cause catastrophic collisions. Whether on congested highways or windy mountain passageways, even taking your eyes off the road is dangerous.
Speeding
Driving above the lawful speed limit is incredibly dangerous. Doubling your speed quadruples your stopping distance.
On congested highways or freeways, rear-ending the car in front of you could involve multiple vehicles and injuries. Speeding also makes it impossible to avoid or prepare yourself for sudden changes in road conditions.
Car Maintenance
Maintenance issues create and contribute to car accidents in various ways. Worn brake pads, worn tire treads, broken tail lights, and non-functioning windshield wipers are maintenance issues that can endanger you and the lives of others.
Maintaining your vehicle’s routine maintenance is vital to avoid a collision due to a blown-out tire or failing brakes.
Inclement Weather
Avoiding driving in inclement weather can protect your safety. High winds, torrential rain, snow, sleet, and dense fog limit a driver’s visibility and create slippery road conditions, making some accidents unavoidable.
Take into account current weather conditions to plan your trips, and stay home if you can if the weather forecast looks dangerous.
Plan Trips in Advance
If you plan a trip to an unfamiliar area, looking at roadways to become as familiar with your route as possible is essential.
Changing lanes at the last minute to make an unanticipated exit or accidentally winding up on dangerous roadways can increase your chances of being involved in a collision.
What Can I Recover?
If you are involved in a collision on deadly Virginia roads due to the fault of a negligent driver, you have a right to recover compensation.
Compensatory damages seek to make a victim whole after their experience and are divided into economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic damages represent calculable losses that directly result from your injuries. These damages include the following losses:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future earnings, and
- Property damage.
Documentation, including invoices, pay stubs, and receipts, supports your claim for these damages and also assists your attorney in calculating their value.
Noneconomic damages include subjective losses that usually result in psychological, physical, and emotional harm to a victim. These losses include the following:
- Emotional distress,
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of consortium,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Permanent disfigurement or disability.
These losses affect everyone differently and, as a result, are challenging to prove without the help of a qualified personal injury attorney.
Despite the difficulty in establishing these losses, they should never be overlooked. In many circumstances, these damages help victims recover and move forward with their lives after suffering from their injuries.
Contact an Experienced Richmond Car Accident Attorney
At River Run Law, we map your recovery and work tirelessly to get you the necessary resources to get back on your feet. You deserve justice if someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions caused your accident.
Our legal team aggressively pursues justice and fair financial compensation on your behalf. You deserve to have a passionate advocate on your side.
When you don’t know where to turn for help, our experienced attorneys can help you get the job done.
Contact us today by phone or email for a free consultation and learn how we can help you.
Brooke Alexander
Brooke graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Brooke worked for five years in private practice with a law firm specializing in insurance defense litigation before becoming the trial litigator for Allstate Insurance Company in the metro Richmond area.
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