Washington, DC Head-On Collision Accident Lawyer

Several other causes of head-on collisions include:

• Severe weather conditions: Heavy rainfall or snow can reduce visibility on the road. If a driver does not slow down when there is decreased visibility it can increase the chances of a head-on collision at a high speed, which can be deadly.
• Driving while intoxicated: Any type of impairment while driving can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The driver can become disoriented and unknowingly drive down the wrong side of the road, leading to a head-on crash.
• Aggressive driving: Weaving in and out of the lanes, failing to use turn signals, and cutting off other drivers is a recipe for disaster on the road and puts every other driver in danger. An overly aggressive driver, especially when trying to get ahead of other vehicles, is prone to causing head-on collisions.
• Inexperienced driving: New drivers, especially teenage drivers, are prone to cause accidents because they cannot quickly correct a problem they made in traffic. Their inexperience also makes them unable to think quickly and avoid imminent danger, leading to head-on collisions.
• Speeding: The higher speed a vehicle is going, the worse the crash will be. Habitual speeders are often unsafe in many other ways while operating a vehicle, increasing the chances of a car accident. However, speeding alone can cause the driver to miss road signs and/or pedestrians. Speeding also makes it more difficult to stop the vehicle suddenly.
• Failure to obey traffic signs and signals: This is when drivers don’t yield, or stop at red lights or stop signs. This type of negligence can cause pedestrian accidents, as well as head-on collisions. Drivers who don’t pay attention to construction zones or altered traffic patterns are also very dangerous. They often miss detour warnings and can cause accidents around a construction site.

What Should I Do After Being Involved in a Head-On Collision in Washington, DC?

The most important thing to do immediately following a head-on collision is call 911 and report the accident. The police will be able to direct traffic away from your vehicle and assess the need for immediate medical attention. If you have sustained injuries that need immediate medical care the police will be able to get an ambulance on site quickly. Once medical needs are taken care of, the responding officers will begin their investigation of the scene, including talking to any witnesses. Make sure you cooperate with the police throughout the process. Do not, under any circumstance, leave the scene of the accident until you are told you can go. If the other driver tries to persuade you not to call the police, do not listen. Do not take any money from the other driver, as this can hurt your chances of receiving proper compensation from the insurance company.

After the police are called and medical needs are assessed, you can start evaluating the damage done to your car. Make sure to take note of your possessions in the car – were they damaged as well? Keep a record of those damages too. Take pictures and videos. Write down notes. If you speak to any witnesses, make sure to take down their information, including names and phone numbers.

You will want to exchange the following information from the other driver:

• Full name
• Address
• Phone number
• Make and model of his/her car
• License plate
• Driver’s license
• Insurance company and policy number
• Location of the accident

There are situations in which the other driver refuses to provide that information. Don’t worry – if the driver does not willingly give you the information necessary, you can retrieve it from the police report.

In the days following the accident, make sure to document all the bills you incurred from the accident (emergency room visit, x-rays, and other scans, ambulance ride, medications, and treatments). Continue to note any pain or aches you feel. Some injuries, especially traumatic brain and spine injuries, do not always present themselves right away. If you have to miss work due to treatments or because of any injuries, you can ask your employer to calculate the wages you are losing.

A full checkup with your doctor, including x-rays, is necessary following a car accident, especially a head-on collision. Minor injuries can worsen or even develop into something else. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders and keep a record of all the costs. Go to follow-up appointments, follow recommended therapy, and take the medications prescribed. This will not only ensure that you heal properly following the accident, but it will also help in your claim.

Finally, you will need to report the accident to your insurance company. However, do not speak with the insurance companies without contacting a Regan Zambri Long lawyer for head-on collisions first. Even if you are dealing with your own insurance company, it’s important to know they are not on your side. After reporting the accident, your insurance company will send an adjuster, whose main job is to save money for the company. Adjusters often use manipulation tactics to get you to accept the lowest amount of compensation possible.

A Regan Zambri Long car accident attorney will guide you through the claims process so that you never have to speak with the insurance adjuster by yourself. The attorney will be equipped with the evidence from the scene of the accident, including security or traffic cameras, witness statements, and pictures of the damages. They will negotiate with the company while you continue to focus on healing.

Head-On Collison Accidents FAQs

How Long do I Have to File a Lawsuit After My Car Accident?

The statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident is three years. The clock could start as soon as the accident happens or when harm is first noticed. For example, if you have a concussion or traumatic brain injury that does not present itself right away, a case could be made that three years begins the day you discover the injury. This is one of the reasons it is so important to hire a DC car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The lawyer will know the deadlines for filing your claim.

How is Fault Determined in a Head-On Collision in Washington, DC?

The answer to this question requires investigation of the accident and interviewing witnesses, which is why it is essential to have a lawyer for head-on collisions by your side. There could be a dispute in liability if both drivers blame the other. The Regan Zambri Long car accident attorney will be able to investigate the site of the accident, the police report, and interview any witnesses who were there at the time of the accident.

Will DC’s Contributory Negligence Law Affect the Outcome of My Claim?

Washington, DC is one of the five jurisdictions that use the contributory negligence law instead of the comparative negligence law. The other four jurisdictions to use the contributory negligence law are Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, and North Carolina. Under the contributory negligence law, if you have any fault in the accident, even a single percent, you cannot file a claim for compensation. Comparative negligence laws will allow the victim to pursue a claim even if the accident is partly their fault. Contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation so you can speak to a car accident attorney who will be able to give you a reasonable assessment of your case. Call (202) 960-4746 today

I was involved in a head-on collision while riding in an Uber in DC. Can I still file a claim?

Yes, you can file a claim. Rideshare companies often have insurance to cover accidents while passengers are on a ride. However, these companies such as Uber and Lyft will try to save money and deny liability for the car accident. A Regan Zambri Long ridesharing accident lawyer will be able to guide you through the claims process so the rideshare company you used will properly compensate you for the injuries sustained while in their vehicle.

I was in a head-on collision accident in Washington, DC with an uninsured motorist. Can I still file a claim?

Yes, you can still file a claim. Almost 12% of motorists in Washington, DC are uninsured. That is why the DC DMV requires uninsured motor vehicle coverage in order to register your car. If your car is registered in Washington, DC, then you will have insurance protection for accidents with the uninsured and underinsured. However, it’s important to have a car accident lawyer present to make sure you receive the proper amount of compensation for an uninsured motorist claim.

What are the common types of injuries in a head-on collision?

The most common type of physical injuries sustained from a head-on collision are traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, broken bones, deep bruising, and organ damage. Victims of head-on collision accidents also suffer from PTSD symptoms including:

• Nightmares
• Severe anxiety or depression
• Difficulty sleeping
• Not being able to concentrate
• Irrationally blaming yourself or another person for the accident
• Forgetting details about the accident

What should I tell the DC Police at the scene of the accident?

Give the police a simple statement. You could be suffering from shock or an injury, so don’t try to give too much detail. If the police keep questioning you, you should insist on speaking with a lawyer first. Never admit fault to the police or to the other driver. Tell the police about any pain you’re experiencing due to the accident so that it is noted in the police report.

What damages can I recover from My Washington, DC car accident?

The Regan Zambri Long car accident attorneys will work to ensure you are properly compensated for:

• Economic and property damages: This includes all medical bills – hospital stays, rehabilitation, ambulance rides, treatments, and future medical costs. It also includes car repairs, replacement, personal property lost in the accident, and rental cars while your vehicle is being repaired. Finally, economic damages will cover lost wages due to the car accident, as well as loss of earning capacity if injuries prevent you from returning to work right away.
• Non-economic damages: These damages are “intangible,” but can severely impact the victim’s life following a car accident. These damages include physical pain, emotional and mental trauma, unexpected losses, mental anguish, and loss of social standing.
• Punitive damages: These damages are recovered when simple negligence, gross negligence, or willful and wanton negligence occurred in the accident. Simple negligence is when someone did something they weren’t supposed to and caused someone else harm, such as texting while driving. Gross negligence is willful behavior that disregards the health and safety of others. Willful and wanton negligence is when someone is aware of what they’re doing and knows it will most likely result in an injury, but continues to do it anyway.