It is unfair that you have to bear not only physical injuries and mental repercussions of an accident caused due to someone else’s neglect, but also the financial losses which may come in the form of medical bills or repair bills, which can sometimes be substantial.
We are also experienced with medical malpractice cases, defective product accidents, and so on. If you were involved in an accident that you believe was the result of sheer negligence on the part of someone else, be it an individual or an organization, you can sue for damages via a civil lawsuit and that is exactly what we will help you in successfully doing.
Don’t accept a settlement offer without talking to us first
We urge you to make an appointment for an initial consultation with an attorney on our site as soon as possible since it will allow us to determine how much your case is worth. The defendant or his or her insurer may approach you before you get a chance to reach out to us and they may offer you a sum of money to settle the case outside of court.
What you need to know is that accepting this settlement will with immediate effect void your right to file a civil lawsuit pertaining to the accident. And this amount is not going to cover your trauma, missed time at work, medical costs, and so on. You lose nothing by getting some legal assistance in this matter and you have much to gain.
Furthermore, the amount of money the insurer offers will most likely be only a fraction of what your case may actually be worth. Therefore, you would be best served by one of our accident legal counselors who will evaluate your case and help in negotiations with the insurance adjustors to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
However, if the defendant and you cannot find any middle ground during negotiations, then your legal representative will be confident to take the case to trial. The legal professional will help build your case, file the lawsuit if necessary, and hire a private investigator to investigate the accident and gather more evidence, and so on. You do not want to undermine your case. What the insurance company may offer you is not appropriate. On top of this, in most cases, your legal pro is only paid when you are paid as well.
Why accept $26,000 when you should receive $73,000, for instance?
Once the lawsuit is filed, your legal professional will represent you in trial and effectively present the supporting evidence to back your claims in front of a judge or jury. Our DOC accident legal professionals have an excellent track record and zealously work for their clients, which would be you, so make that first important step and contact us as soon as possible.
We will perhaps call you back that same day! We often return phone calls inside two hours, possibly during the early evening time and even on the weekends.
Or, as insinuated before, you can use USAttorneys.com to contact a legal counselor directly using the interactive map on the site. It is up to you but doing one or the other is vital. Make it happen with USAttorneys.com!
Should I consult a lawyer after an accident in Washington D.C. resulting in damages?
A lawyer in Washington D.C. (D.C.) can offer an accident victim a wealth of relevant experience regarding personal injury civil actions that provide for payment, or indemnity when an injured party is not at fault, referred to as “damages. Experienced attorneys are familiar with an insurance company’s desire to close out claims quickly, so it is important to call them shortly after an accident involving injury and property damage. They have valuable resources to support a case by:
- Sending investigators to the accident scene
- Reviewing police reports, witness testimony and medical reports
- Hiring appropriate financial personnel to make valuations of loss
- Determining the cause of the accident
- Supporting victim’s rights against aggressive insurance companies
- Drafting and filing complicated insurance and legal documents
Accidents are unplanned, often expensive occurrences, leaving a victim with no recourse but to sue for a necessary monetary award to stave off insurmountable debt related to medical bills, lost wages, or funeral expenses. Since accidents do not discriminate and can happen at work, while visiting someone’s property, in the hospital, on vacation, during recreational outings, or in motor vehicles, it is important to understand how the law applies in each setting.
What damages can a victim recover from accidental injuries?
Compensatory damages are meant to restore an individual back to the state they were in prior to an accident and include an award of money that may address:
- Economic damages related to present and future lost wages, medical bills, future medical care, household expenses and
- Non-economic damages that include pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of consortium, or companionship.
Punitive damages.
Under D.C. law, punitive damages are awarded in certain cases, but it is best to speak with an attorney about accident case specifics, based on proof that a defendant deliberately, or with reckless disregard acted in a manner that would cause harm.
What types of accidents result in legal action toward fiscal recovery?
D.C. motor vehicle, personal injury, premises liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ on-the-job accidental injuries are at the root of legal action in pursuit of economic, and non-economic damages, plus punitive damages in specific situations. Civil actions for accidents in the District of Columbia resulting in personal injury caused by negligence, misconduct or malpractice must be filed within three years from when the injury was sustained, discovered or should have been discovered through reasonable care. An attorney can inform a claimant of any deviations from that timeline.
Motor vehicle.
If an individual is injured in a motor vehicle accident in the District of Columbia, where 31 related deaths occurred in 2018, there may be questions about how the laws will affect property damage and personal injury claims. Accidents can be caused by blatant negligent acts, such as reckless driving, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, which may result in criminal action and civil action. An experienced attorney can help with the intricacies of a complex accident case by addressing criminal components, insurance coverages, degrees of fault and the severity of the accident damages toward a timely award.
D.C. is a compulsory “no fault” insurance state with regard to car accidents, so an accident victim may seek compensation from their own insurance to cover damages. If the damages are too severe, they may need to initiate a lawsuit for any residual damages related to an accident.
Personal injury.
If a person is hurt because of the actions, or inaction of another individual, they may be able to recover compensation when fault and/or liability is proven for the resultant harm. The recovery of damages is contingent upon filing within the statute of limitations, proving that the individual, or entity was negligent, caused the injury and owed a duty of care to the victim.
Premises liability.
Individuals who are hurt in an accident on someone else’s property may take legal action when it was caused due to poor conditions on the property, or negative resident/pet interaction. The responsibility of a property owner depends on the standard of care owed to the injured person based on the reason for their visit to the property. While an invitee is owed a duty of care, a trespasser may not be owed that same duty. Homeowners’ insurance may cover these types of injuries, depending on the individual policy.
Medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice occurs when a person becomes injured while under the treatment of a health care provider. Legal actions can be taken in D.C. after notice within 90 days of intent to file has been given to healthcare provider, and within the three year limitation. There are no caps on court-approved damage awards after successful proof of negligent harm.
Workers’ compensation.
When a person becomes injured on the job, or contracts an illness that is job-related, they can make a workers’ compensation claim for monetary damages. Injuries may be caused by an accident, or event that results in a physical injury, a medical condition that develops over time caused by repetitious use of a body part, or a condition associated with the workplace environment itself. The D.C. Department of Employment Services, Workers’ Compensation outlines steps to be taken in these cases.
Wrongful death.
Legal representatives and loved ones can file a wrongful death legal action in court within two years from the date of the death, when a person dies because of the negligent, reckless, or deliberate act of another. Damages in these lawsuits can include:
- Medical bills and burial expenses
- Compensation for lost wages
- Compensation for the pain and suffering
- Punitive damages that are intended to punish the person who caused the death.
Legal action after an accident.
D.C. accident victims do not have to deal directly with insurance companies to resolve damage losses. Experienced accident lawyers in D.C. can carry that burden and save time, reduce stress, and point accident victims on the right path toward a comprehensive financial award.
