Auto Accident Injury in District of Columbia, DC

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Washington, D.C.? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around DC that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Washington, D.C.

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. In our nation’s capital city in 2020, the D.C Metropolitan Police Department reported a rise in traffic fatalities of 44% when compared with 2019 data. According to the D.C.’s Official Government Website, the most recent data set shows there were a total of 26,459 accidents reported back in 2017. Over six thousand, or nearly 23% of those accidents involved injuries. All together, D.C. area accidents involved 63,359 individuals, and almost 12,000 of those individuals suffered varying degrees of injury.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

In an auto accident in Washington, D.C. If officers are not needed on site, because there is no significant damage to property or injury, you can submit a form online with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. File for any lost property, lost vehicle tags,theft/theft from an automobile, or destruction of property/damage to property. The D.C. MPD may take up to two days to review any report before contacting you.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention D.C. driver’s experienced $65.3 million in work loss compensation only for accidents involving fatalities in 2018. That same year, there were only 36 fatalities linked to accidents. An additional 26,000 accidents involved either injury claims, or personal property damage claims. On average, of course these claims pay out less than any claim involving a death, but the national average expense for an accident involving injuries is over $60,000.

Auto Accident Laws in Washington, D.C.

Liability Laws for DC

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

D.C. is one locality among 12 states that has “no fault” car insurance and accident compensation laws. The insurance rules state that, if you contribute at all to an accident even if you are only one percent at fault, you can or will be barred from collecting damages from the other driver.

Statute of Limitations in DC

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Specifically in D.C. the code of law requires that a lawsuit for personal injury or injury to property be filed within three years of the date of the accident.

While this may seem like a decent amount of time, many injuries and problems can surface months or even years after your accident. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Washington, D.C.

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Washington, D.C.!