Motorists Killed Outside Their Vehicles on DC Area Highways

Two motorists were killed on Friday in tragic accidents that occurred on the Baltimore Washington Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road.  These deaths were especially tragic because they occurred - not when the vehicles collided - but when their occupants were outside their vehicles.  In one instance, a man was struck by another driver while standing outside his vehicle after having been involved in a "fender bender" accident.  In the other case, the driver's car had broken down, and rather than move to safety to the side of the road, he tried to push his car, and was struck by another motorist.  Both of these cases are classic examples of the legal doctrine of "contributory negligence" applicable in Virginia, which says that if an injured party is partly negligent and to blame for the accident that causes the injuries (or on this case, deaths), that person is barred from recovering compensation for their injuries.  If you would like to learn more about contributory negligence and how it works, you can send for my free book entitled "WRECKED: YOur Legal Rights In a Motorcycle Accident."  Our thoughts and prayers go out to these victimes and their families.  Remember: if you are in a minor accident on the highway, do everything safely possible to get yourself to safety on the side of the road, and call police immediately.  Don't stay in harm's way.