What Are My Options After a
Car Accident in a No-Fault Jurisdiction?

In most states, when someone has a car accident, the driver who is at fault is responsible for paying for the damages and injuries. This payment usually comes from the insurance company after a claim is filed. However, Washington, DC, follows the “no-fault insurance” law. No-fault means that the injured person’s car insurance coverage pays for the medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident.  Each driver will file a claim with their own insurance company.  Filing a claim can be tricky, so it may be wise to speak with a Washington, DC, car accident lawyer to ensure you don’t miss anything.

 

Contact Us today to schedule a free consultant

Contact Us Form

Complete this form and our team will get back to you as soon as possible

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Can I Sue After an Auto Accident in a No-Fault State?

Photograph shows a person taking a clear image of a heavily damaged black car using a smartphone on the side of a rural highway. Capturing vehicle damage immediately after a collision is critical for insurance claims and legal action. If your car was damaged in a crash in Washington, DC, you may have grounds to file a property damage lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC are experienced in representing victims of auto accidents and helping them pursue compensation. For a free consultation, call (202) 937-3310.

Unlike a tort liability state, better known as an “at-fault” state, no-fault policy states limit personal injury lawsuits from auto accidents. However, there are times when accident victims can file a car accident lawsuit. These lawsuits can make the at-fault driver pay for significant and permanent losses. These exceptions to limits on liability center on the severity of injury or damage called thresholds. These thresholds can be verbal or monetary. In a verbal threshold, one must meet the definition of various types of injuries or damage as defined by the state. In a monetary threshold, a dollar amount in medical costs or property damage must be met or exceeded. In these instances where the threshold has been met, the at-fault driver may be sued for things like pain and suffering. Talk to a Washington, DC car accident lawyer to understand your legal options.

 

What to Do After an Auto Accident in a No-Fault Jurisdiction Like DC

After any accident, your safety is the number one priority. If able, move to a safe location and contact police and emergency medical services if needed. It is important that you do not admit fault to the other driver or emergency services that arrive. If you are able, document the scene with your camera. Try to gather photographs of your car, the other involved car, and the surrounding area. This may help your attorney in proving fault. When possible, ensure you are capturing the license plates in the photographs.

 

Due to the complications associated with DC car accident laws, you should contact Regan Zambri Long immediately. Our experienced car accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for the damages you suffered. Additionally, if you could be held responsible in any way in a shared fault accident, you need to talk to an experienced car accident attorney to understand the implications of contributory negligence and your ability to receive compensation.

 

The Costs of Car Accidents in No-Fault States

The expenses that result from a car accident can add up quickly. The National Highway Traffic Administration reports the economic cost of traffic accidents is $150 billion annually. Some of these costs include:

 

  • Ambulance transportation costs
  • Medical bills
  • Medication expenses
  • Medical devices
  • Physical therapy
  • In-home care
  • Lost wages

This figure does not include pain and suffering, which can be significant after a car crash. There is no dollar figure one can put on missing important family events or suffering from pain every day. For this reason, it is important to speak with the skilled car accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC. They can help you  through the complicated process of recovering damages in “no-fault” state traffic accidents.

What Is Personal Injury Protection Insurance (PIP)?

In true no-fault states, drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage pays for the medical costs sustained by the driver and passengers regardless of fault. States with a no-fault system require PIP coverage in addition to collision insurance. However, PIP is optional in Washington, DC. Car insurance companies in these areas generally have higher car insurance rates because of this additional personal injury protection coverage.

Navigating No-Fault Systems After an Auto Accident

Unfortunately, not all car accidents are preventable. In those instances, especially when handling no-fault insurance, be sure to contact the car accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC. Regan Zambri Long PLLC’s car crash lawyers have over 30 years of experience and have recovered over $1 billion for their clients. Let Regan Zambri Long PLLC help you seek compensation for your accident in a no-fault jurisdiction so you can focus on what matters: returning to normal.

 

Table of Contents

Practice Areas

Construction Zone Accidents
Distracted Driving Accidents
Drowsy Driving Accidents
Drunk Driving Accidents
Elderly Driver Accidents
Fatal Auto Accidents
Head-On Collisions
Hit and Run Accidents
Rear-End Accidents
Left Turn Accidents
T-Bone Accidents
Teen Driver Accidents
Texting While Driving Accidents
Uninsured Motorist Claims
Vehicle Defect Accidents
Wrong Way Driver Accidents

award logo.png
logo 1.png
nbta.png
superlawyers 1 2 1.png
superlawyers 1 1.png
isob 1.png
copy of washingtonian 1.png

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

  • Please do not send any confidential or sensitive information in this form. This form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.