You had the green light. The other driver ran the red. Open and shut case… right?
Not always.
In Virginia, fault in a car accident isn’t determined by one detail alone. Even if you had the right-of-way, your actions leading up to the crash still matter.
For example:
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Were you speeding through the intersection?
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Were you distracted?
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Did you fail to keep a proper lookout?
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Were road conditions poor?
Virginia follows a strict legal doctrine called pure contributory negligence. That means if you are found even slightly at fault, you may be barred from recovering compensation.
So yes — you can have the green light and still face questions about responsibility.
Don’t Assume. Know.
If you’ve been involved in a crash in Lynchburg, VA or the greater Lynchburg area, it’s important to understand how fault may be evaluated under Virginia law.
The attorneys at Overbey, Hawkins, Wright & Vance PLLC have decades of experience representing injured drivers throughout Lynchburg and surrounding communities. If you have questions about liability after a car accident, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity.
