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A car accident can be a life-changing event. It can result in catastrophic injuries and can put you in financial debt. When you've experienced major losses from a car accident in Washington, DC, you need a car accident lawyer to help you recover your total losses. Whether you're having trouble getting the compensation you need for your recovery or you're unsure what to do after your accident, a Washington, DC car accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long can help. Call (202) 960-4596 or send our team a message now to schedule a free consultation to discuss your car accident and plan your steps forward.
The Washington, DC car accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long have helped thousands of injured victims obtain successful recoveries in car accident cases. From settlement negotiations to trying your case in court, Regan Zambri Long is ready to help you receive the compensation that you are entitled to following a car accident.
Our Washington, DC car accident lawyers understand that you want to put the incident behind you and continue on with your life. But that’s not always an option. A severe injury could have consequences that affect the rest of your life. The injury may prevent you from returning to work or enjoying the daily activities you once loved. It’s critical to speak with a top car accident lawyer from our personal injury firm that is well-versed in the law and has the resources and credentials needed to get you back on your feet.
With more than 100 years of experience combined and a proven track record of success against hundreds of insurance companies, our DC auto accident attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and aggressiveness needed to get your life back on track.
An auto accident may cause several different types of issues — physical injuries, mental trauma, loss of wages, and in some cases, the loss of a loved one. The compensation you may receive from a car accident claim falls into three separate categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Talking to an experienced Washington, DC car accident lawyer about the damages you can receive for your personal injury claim will give you peace of mind. You will know that your claim is being handled by a professional and that the negligent party will be held accountable for all damages relating to the accident.
No matter what type of car accident you are in, you could experience serious injuries that can take months to recover from. If you are having issues with your auto accident claim, our Washington, DC car accident attorneys are here to help.
Some of the types of car wrecks that our car accident attorneys handle include but are not limited to:
Every driver is required to follow the laws and regulations when they’re behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Many times, negligent behavior such as texting while driving, drinking and driving, or driving while drowsy can result in devastating motor vehicle accidents and serious injuries.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Washington, DC include the following:
Your DC car accident attorney will protect your rights and give you the freedom to focus on the healing process during this tough time. Once you hire our personal injury attorneys, they will start the investigation process, gathering evidence that you cannot get on your own. They’ll reach out to the insurance companies and negotiate the highest settlement possible to cover your medical bills, lost wages, car damage, and pain and suffering, if it applies to your case.
Our DC car crash lawyers will investigate the accident, discover who is at fault, and begin speaking with the insurance company on your behalf. Rarely, an insurance company may be willing to give a fair amount to settle for your injuries, but more often than not, they are only interested in one thing: its bottom line. That’s why you need a car crash lawyer fighting on your behalf and reminding your insurance carrier that it is still responsible for all the costs associated with your injury. We will begin negotiations to get you the maximum amount of compensation.
Sometimes, the insurance company will not negotiate and refuse to pay the amount your claim is worth. If this is the case, our car accident lawyers are not afraid to go to court to get you the compensation you deserve. With decades of experience in the courtroom, we will fight on your behalf to make sure you are properly compensated.
If you were involved in a car accident in Washington, DC, contact a DC car accident attorney at Regan Zambri Long PLLC as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation.
What you do immediately after a car accident in Washington, DC is vital for your future claim. Evidence will need to be collected right away, injuries will need to be treated and assessed, and a police report will need to be filed out. Follow these guidelines to protect your future car accident claim:
Whether it is you, a passenger in your car, or someone in another car, make sure that no one needs any immediate medical help. If they do, you can inform the authorities by calling 911 or telling the investigative officer(s) upon arrival. Police will coordinate emergency medical help and help you or a loved one get treated immediately. Take a look at all injuries and other damages, in general, after a car accident. Note any damage to your car and your personal possessions, as well as any aches and pains you may feel. You can take pictures, write down notes, and more. Keep documentation safe.
The Washington DC Office of Unified Communications can connect accident victims to emergency services following an auto accident. It is required that anyone who gets into a motor vehicle accident involving an injury and property damage must call the emergency services hotline, commonly known as 911. The office will then dispatch fire or emergency medical personnel, as well as the Metropolitan Polce Department.
Once the police arrive on the scene, they will help settle the scene by directing traffic when necessary, helping with any immediate medical needs, and creating the police report. The responding officer will interview any parties involved, as well as any witnesses, to help determine how the accident happened, who was at fault, the extent of the damage, and more. Cooperate with the police throughout the process and stay at the scene until you are told you’re free to go.
If the other driver tries to persuade you not to call the police, don’t listen to them. And if they offer you money not to call the police or insurance, don’t take it. It’s not going to be enough to cover your expenses and it could hurt your chances of getting the proper compensation from the insurance company.
It’s important to exchange information with the other driver after a collision. You’ll need basic identification information and car insurance provider details, just in case a claim needs to be filed. Plus, you’ll want to take down the other driver’s license plate number. You may simply take a picture on your smartphone of the other driver’s license plate, insurance details, and driver’s license for your own documentation. If you have any trouble getting this information from the other party, the officer will have the information and can give it to you in the police crash report.
Evidence is crucial for getting the full compensation that you are entitled to receive. Document anything that proves the damages you’ve incurred from the accident. This may be done through photos, videos, written notes, testimony, bills, and more. Throughout the process, keep any medical bills and other expenses that are related to your damages, and note any mental or physical pain and suffering you experience. If you have to miss work due to treatment or you are unable to work due to your injury, gather past pay stubs and other employer information to calculate lost wages.
If there are any witnesses around, collect their statements and contact information just in case you need to get in touch at a later date. Take note of any security or traffic cameras around that might have captured the accident, no matter if the other driver stayed on the scene or you are the victim of a hit and run. Witnesses may give differing statements, but a video gives an unbiased and solid recording of the accident.
Any injury that is more than a small scratch or bruise should be assessed early on by a physician. You should do a full checkup with a doctor and get X-rays taken because seemingly minor injuries can get worse or turn into something different. Report any pain you’re experiencing, no matter how minor it seems. Follow your doctor’s orders by going to appointments and taking any medicine they prescribe to you. Be sure to get documentation of all treatments, analyses, test results, and more to help prove your condition when needed and get reimbursed for all costs.
Call your insurance provider after the scene is settled. They will need to know the basic details of the accident but will also receive information from the police report. When reimbursing costs for damages, they may interview other parties or yourself to determine the exact details of the damage(s) and claim that is being made.
Once you get home, call a car accident attorney to protect your rights. They will tell you that if the other driver’s insurance company calls you to offer you a settlement, you shouldn’t take it. Insurance companies have a reputation for trying to offer very low settlements, and people will take them because they don’t know any better.
The sooner you contact a qualified and experienced car accident lawyer in DC, the better your representation will be. It’s imperative that you seek legal representation as soon as possible to know whether or not you have a case, and the right lawyer won’t waste your time. The Washington, DC car accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long will communicate exactly whether it’s worth it to start a case or not.
After you call the police and make sure everyone is medically okay, you’ll probably start thinking about calling your insurance company to report the accident. Before you do, give a DC car accident lawyer a call for a no-obligation, free consultation to see if you have a case. Because of DC’s contributory negligence law, you may need to be careful in how you phrase things to be sure you don’t self-incriminate yourself by accident.
Due to this law, if you are deemed even 1 percent responsible for the accident, you cannot receive compensation for damages. The defendant’s representation could take something as simple as empathizing or admitting partial fault in the accident. Talk with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer before you talk to any insurance companies to protect your rights.
When you’re ready to bring a claim to the local court, you’ll need to look to Washington DC’s statute of limitations, which defines the time period in which you need to file your claim. Outside of the designated time period, you will most likely not be able to recover compensation through a lawsuit.
For personal injury and property damage claims occurring in DC, you have up to three years from the date of the accident to file a legal claim for the recovery of damages. For wrongful death claims, the family has up to two years to file this type of claim with the local court.
Even if you think the settlement is enough because you’re only experiencing a mild case of whiplash or a little bit of back pain, you never know how much your injuries will cost you in the long run. Pain can always get worse, and healthcare is costly. You might have to take off multiple days from work to make your appointments and end up losing income. It’s hard to predict how high your costs are going to end up being. The best way to get a higher settlement is to contact a Washington, DC auto accident lawyer as soon as possible who will negotiate with the insurance company for you.
If you were involved in a car accident anywhere in Washington, DC, we’re here to help. Contact an experienced Washington, DC car accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation.
1919 M St NW Suite 350,
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 960-4667
