Richmond I-95 Is the Site of Multi-Vehicle Crashes, Closures, and Delays

Although Richmond is not the largest city in Virginia, it has its share of heavy traffic, congestion, and motor vehicle accidents. Here is a sampling of accidents that have recently occurred on Interstate 95 in Richmond:

• A Richmond truck driver was killed on August 24 when he ran off the road and struck a tractor-trailer illegally stopped on the shoulder of I-95.
• On August 10, a multi-vehicle accident occurred on I-95 South near the Chamberlayne Avenue exit, resulting in a 4.5-mile-long backup.
• Multiple accidents in the same area of I-95 – including one that led to a downed powerline resulting in lane closures in both directions – occurred on May 29. According to law enforcement, low visibility due to fog and light rain caused at least eight crashes that shut down I-95 several times that morning.
• On May 4, a multiple-vehicle accident sent drivers crashing into the shoulder and median of I-95, at one point closing all northbound lanes and resulting in numerous delays.
• In January 2022, drivers were stranded for 24 hours on a 50-mile stretch of I-95 in Stafford County after a collision involving numerous trucks during a major snowstorm caused a major backup.

Because I-95 in Richmond is heavily traveled, many of the accidents occurring there are multi-vehicle collisions, which often result in extended delays and lane closures.

What are multi-vehicle collisions?

Multi-car accidents are common on highways like I-95 where hundreds of vehicles travel side by side at highway speeds. Since many highway drivers approaching an accident have a difficult time stopping at a safe distance, multi-vehicle collisions occur when three or more vehicles get into a collision or chain of accidents that result in a pile-up. There are various types of multi-vehicle accidents, including:

• Head-on – When the front of one vehicle strikes the front of another after swerving out of its lane into oncoming traffic.
• Rear-end – When one driver hits another in the rear, the sudden and unanticipated stop often causes the driver behind to crash into them, creating a chain reaction where many cars rear-end the ones in front of them.
• Side-impact – When one vehicle hits the side of one or more vehicles. Side-impact collisions often happen when a driver fails to yield at a stop sign or a red light.
• Pile-ups – When several cars are crushed or stacked together due to poor road conditions, truck jackknifes, or the poor decisions of impaired or careless drivers.

How is fault for a multi-vehicle accident determined?

Determining fault for multi-car accidents can be extremely difficult and requires careful examination of the facts. Events must be pieced together from beginning to end to determine exactly who or what initiated the chain of events that resulted in the collision. One driver or multiple drivers could be determined to be liable, and could face criminal as well as civil consequences.

Some types of evidence that can help establish liability for a multi-vehicle accident include:

• Skid marks
• Vehicle damage
• Accident recreation
• Security camera footage
• Dashboard cameras
• Accident reports
• Medical records
• Witness statements
• Photos and videos from the scene

Virginia has a pure contributory negligence system, meaning if an injured person is at fault for the accident – even just one percent – they are barred from recovering any compensation for their damages. Therefore, it is extremely important that anyone involved in a multiple-vehicle accident in Virginia retain an experienced Richmond personal injury attorney who can help them prove that other drivers share 100 percent liability for the accident and they bear no fault.

What are the most common causes of car accidents in Richmond?

There are many reasons car accidents happen on I-95. Here are some common causes:

• Distracted driving. Texting and talking on a cellphone, operating a vehicle’s GPS, and eating while in transit diverts drivers’ attention from the road, which can lead to crashes.
• Fatigued drivers. Many crashes occur during late nights and early morning hours due to driver fatigue, which is also a frequent cause of commercial truck accidents.
• Impaired driving. Those who drive while impaired put everyone on the road at risk. Numerous early morning and late evening crashes involve impaired drivers.
• Road construction. Road construction is always present in Richmond, but unfortunately, many drivers ignore reduced speed limits in construction zones, or do not understand that traffic and lane patterns have changed, which can result in accidents.
• Speeding. High speed leads to numerous accidents in Richmond and around the nation. Drivers should obey the speed limit, not weave in and out of traffic, or drive aggressively and put others in danger.
• Inclement weather. Richmond gets its share of wintry and inclement weather every year, and drivers need to lower their speed and distance to prevent a collision when I-95 is wet and slippery.
• Road conditions. Other common causes of car accidents on I-95 include poor road conditions, like potholes and nonfunctional traffic lights.

Injuries resulting from multi-car accidents

Serious injuries often result from multiple-vehicle crashes since these types of accidents involve hits from multiple angles, multiple vehicles, and cars traveling at different speeds. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 43 fatalities occurred related to multi-vehicle accidents in Virginia in 2021. Common injuries that may result from a multiple-car crash include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Spinal column or cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Internal bleeding
• Facial injury

Calculating the full value of a Virginia multi-vehicle accident requires detailed investigation, expert insight, and well-crafted legal strategies. Phelan Petty’s Richmond auto accident lawyers have one mission: helping our clients receive fair compensation for their injuries. Depending on the circumstances of your injuries, you may be entitled to receive compensation for:

• Medical bills – present and future
• Lose wages – present and future
• Decreased earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage to your vehicle and other possessions

When you work with our Richmond car accident lawyers, we spend time getting to know you and your case. We also work closely with expert witnesses, including physicians, long-term care experts, and accident reconstruction specialists to accurately calculate our clients’ damages. To schedule your free initial consultation, call us or fill out our contact form today. Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers serve clients throughout Virginia from our offices in Richmond.