Rush hour can wear down even a seasoned driver. Congested roads, impatient motorists, and unpredictable delays all raise the odds of a crash, and in Hampton Roads the bridge-tunnels and river crossings turn ordinary congestion into some of the worst bottlenecks in the state. A few sound habits can get you through it safely and with far less stress. If another driver's carelessness leaves you injured, a Norfolk car accident lawyer can explain what compensation you may be owed.
Our firm has represented injured clients throughout Virginia and North Carolina since 1985, and we handle injury cases exclusively. Read more about our background at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp. The tips below can help you avoid a wreck in the first place.
Plan Your Route Before You Leave
A little preparation goes a long way. Check traffic conditions before you pull out of the driveway using an app like Waze, Google Maps, or Apple Maps, which show real-time congestion, flag accidents and closures, and suggest faster alternate routes. In this region, that means knowing before you leave whether the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or the Monitor-Merrimac is backed up, and having a second option ready. Leaving even ten or fifteen minutes early gives you a cushion for the unexpected and takes the pressure off, which itself makes you a safer driver.
Keep a Safe Following Distance
Stop-and-go traffic is where rear-end collisions happen, and following too closely is the cause. A good rule is roughly one car length for every 10 miles per hour, and more in heavy traffic or bad weather. Watch several vehicles ahead, not just the bumper in front of you, so a sudden wave of brake lights doesn't catch you off guard. Braking gradually beats slamming the pedal, both for your safety and for the driver behind you.
Signal Early and Watch Your Blind Spots
Communication prevents collisions. Use your turn signals well before you change lanes or turn, and check your mirrors and blind spots every time. Sudden, unsignaled lane changes are a common cause of crashes in dense traffic, where cars are packed close, and drivers have little time to react. Smooth, predictable moves keep traffic flowing and keep you out of trouble.
Stay Calm and Cut the Distractions
Frustration and inattention are two of the biggest rush-hour dangers. Aggressive habits like tailgating, weaving between lanes, and leaning on the horn raise the risk of a wreck without getting you there any faster. So do distractions. Put the phone down, leave the food for later, and set your music or navigation before you start driving. Congested traffic changes fast, and it demands your full attention.
Drive Defensively
Defensive driving ties it all together. Stay alert, scan the road ahead, and anticipate what other drivers might do rather than assuming they will do the right thing. Be ready to yield, to let an aggressive driver pass, and to adjust your speed to keep space around your vehicle. Assume someone nearby isn't paying attention, because on a crowded highway, someone usually isn't.
When Another Driver Causes the Crash
Even a careful driver cannot control everyone else on the road. No amount of caution fully protects you from a distracted or reckless motorist, and when one causes a crash, the consequences are not your fault. That is where we come in.
Our firm has built a reputation for fighting hard for injured clients and has recovered more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts over the years. In one matter, we obtained a $235,000 settlement for a client who suffered a concussion, soft-tissue injuries, and a facial laceration when another driver failed to yield the right of way. Results depend on the specific facts of each case, but an outcome like that reflects the care we bring to proving fault and documenting a client's injuries.
Injured in a Rush Hour Crash? Contact Us Today
If another driver caused your car accident, a Norfolk car accident lawyer at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can review what happened, determine who is responsible, and pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact us at 833-997-1774 for a free consultation with one of our dedicated Norfolk car accident lawyers. We have offices in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Norfolk, and Chesapeake, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you and your family.
