Washington D.C. is a populated metropolitan area where hundreds of car accidents occur each day. If you have been injured in a car accident you may have suffered minor or serious car accident injuries and may be eligible to receive car accident injury compensation.

The District of Columbia is a no-fault state which means all drivers are required by the state’s car accident laws to carry car insurance. No-fault car insurance provides compensation for car accident injuries (up to a policy limit) regardless of who caused the car accident.  No-fault car accident insurance assumes all drivers will receive medical coverage because all drivers are required to purchase car accident insurance. The initial goal of no-fault coverage was to reduce the legal costs of settling car accident insurance claims.

Can I file a car accident injury lawsuit in Washington D.C.?

Almost all states have some type of loophole which allows a driver to be held financially responsible if they caused another driver’s car accident injuries. Some states have a dollar threshold, which require the car accident victim’s damages to be greater than a certain dollar amount, to file a car accident law suit. Other states have what is called a “verbal threshold” and can only file a car accident law suit if they can prove their car accident injury is “serious and permanent”. It is important to discuss your car accident injury with a Washington D.C. lawyer to determine if you can file a car accident law suit.

In the District of Columbia a defendant will only have to pay for damages if it is determined he is 100% responsible for the car accident. The District of Columbia utilizes the concept of contributory negligence, and if the plaintiff had any responsibility in the car accident they will not be eligible to receive any personal injury car accident compensation.

The statute of limitations for filing a car accident law suit in the District of Columbia is three years from the date of the car accident. Exceptions exist for minors, who have three years from the date of their eighteenth birthday, and plaintiffs who are disabled.

Car accident insurance requirements in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. car accident laws require all drivers to purchase the following car accident insurance coverage:

• · $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 for each accident
• · $10,000 in property damage replacement for each accident
• · Uninsured motorist car accident insurance coverage

Do I need a car accident lawyer?

Given the complexity of the car accident laws in Washington D.C. and the need to successfully argue against contributory negligence, if you have been injured in a car accident it is important to hire a car accident lawyer who understands the District of Columbia’s car accident law.

Steps after a car accident in Washington D.C.

Some steps after a car accident injury may seem like common sense, but if you have been injured in a car accident it is easy to panic and make decisions which can hurt your chances to receive adequate car accident injury compensation. The following steps should be taken immediately following a car accident:

1. Never flee the scene of a car accident. You can be charged with a hit and run.
2. Make sure all drivers are fine and if needed call 911.
3. Talk to your car accident lawyer before accepting a car accident insurance settlement.
4. Make sure you have the contact information for all of the drivers who are injured in the car accident (names, addresses and insurance information).
5. Do not make statements of guilt.
6. Take pictures of the car accident scene.
7. Go to the doctor to evaluate your car accident injuries.

Do you live in Philadelphia and have you been injured in a car accident? If you have, you may need the help of a car accident lawyer who can give you legal advice and evaluate your car accident injury claim. Bad road conditions, driver distraction, speeding and recklessness all can cause car accidents, and each year thousands of Pennsylvania drivers are injured in a car accident.

Car Accident Insurance Claims in Philadelphia

Philadelphia car accident insurance offers two types of tort options on their insurance policies.

• Limited Tort – Drivers who have the limited tort option on their car insurance policy may give up the right to receive compensation for their pain and suffering if they are injured in a car accident in Philadelphia. Choosing the limited tort option does save about 10% on insurance coverage, but individuals give up their right to sue for pain and suffering even if another driver is responsible for the car accident injuries except in cases where:
  • The victim passes the limited tort threshold test by suffering a serious injury which results in loss of body function or serious disfigurement.
  • Another driver is convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • The driver has committed an action to intentionally cause your car accident injuries.
  • The driver is driving a car which is registered in another state.
  • The driver does not have car insurance.

• Full Tort – Full tort car insurance will provide full compensation to a victim injured in a car accident. Full tort coverage will pay for past, present and future lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, scarring, spousal support and medical costs. Full tort coverage provides compensation for your car accident injuries regardless of how serious the injuries are and gives the injured driver the right to sue the guilty party for their car accident injuries.

What can a car accident attorney do for me?

Whether or not a car accident lawyer should be hired often depends on the complexity of the car accident injuries. If the car accident has caused only minor property damage, a car accident attorney may not need to be consulted. If however, there is a dispute over liability or the insurance company is refusing to provide coverage, it may be a good idea to discuss your car accident injuries with a car accident attorney.

Steps to take after a car accident

1. Make sure everyone is okay.  If necessary call 911 to transport the injured person to the hospital.
2. Notify the police. This may not be necessary if there are no injuries and all the vehicles can be driven from the scene, but some times car accident insurance claims require a police report.
3. If possible, remove all vehicles from the road.
4. Exchange information with all of the drivers involved in the accidents in the car.
5. Contact your insurance company about the car accident injuries.
6. Photograph the accident scene.
7. Seek medical attention for your car accident injuries. All medical bills should be sent to the insurance company.
8. Seek legal representation for your car accident injury claim.