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Jeff Marootian, the former director of DC’s Department of Transportation, said recently,” We know that there is a subset of drivers that are putting others at serious risk with excessive speeding and red-light running,” Mr. Marootian was also one of the leading forces in promoting an innovative program designed to reduce some dangers associated with driving in and around our nation’s capital. Within the next year, motorists could begin seeing messages sent directly to their phones warning of the risks of getting into a fatal accident based on their history of traffic violations. On our crowded roadways, the odds of being involved in a rear-end accident are statistically high.
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According to a 2021 report from Allstate, Washington DC is the most dangerous place to drive. Nationally, motorists can expect to be involved in an accident once every ten years. In DC, the average is once every 4.7 years. If you or a family member has been involved in a rear-end accident in Washington DC, contact a rear-end car accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long today.
How likely is it for a DC resident to get into a rear-end collision in Washington, DC? Here are a few facts to keep in mind:
Tourists from all over the country flock to DC every year. Being unfamiliar with the area can easily result in distracted drivers and an increase in car accidents. In 2018, 23.8 million people visited the district. Being unfamiliar with local roads, traffic patterns, as well as speed limits can easily lead to distracted and dangerous driving. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Being involved in a motor vehicle accident with an out-of-state driver can be complicated when seeking compensation.
A rear-end collision occurs when the front of a vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle. The main causes of a rear-end accident are speeding and running a red light. When negligent drivers ignore speed limits, they do not have the time to slow down and stop in time to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of them. All drivers are expected to use reasonable care in keeping a watch out for other vehicles, pedestrians, as well as obstacles on the road. All motorists have a responsibility to control the speed and movement of their vehicles and maintain a safe distance, at all times, from the vehicle in front of them. Failure to use reasonable care in driving a vehicle is negligence. And negligence is compensable when it causes harm to another. Logic also might tell us, if a car is struck from behind, most likely the driver in the rear was either:
It might be reasonable to assume most drivers who cause these rear-end traffic crashes will be found 100% negligent. Making a case for compensation is not always as easy as it would seem. Due to the complex nature of this area of personal area law, victims should contact a Washington DC rear-end accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
Washington, DC is one of only 5 districts (along with Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia) in the country to follow a contributory negligence rule. Under this ruling, if a driver is found to be even slightly responsible for the accident, and no matter how severe the injury, they may not receive any compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.
The lead driver may be considered at fault in a rear-end accident if they were behaving in a negligent manner, such as:
All car accident lawyers from Regan Zambri Long understand the complex nature of this situation. We have more than 100 years of combined experience as well as an established reputation of excellence. We stand ready to negotiate with insurance carriers or pursue a lawsuit on your behalf. Call us to request a no-cost evaluation of your case.
When liability is in dispute, we leverage all available resources to thoroughly investigate each case for valuable evidence. Some things we scrutinize are:
Injuries and damages caused by a rear-end collision range from a small dent and fairly minor self-limiting abrasions and bruising to a totaled car, traumatic brain injury, and unfortunately, death. Even at speeds under 10mph, when a car is struck from behind, the driver and passengers can suffer neck and soft tissue injuries. Additionally, rear-end collisions are particularly hazardous when they involve bicycles or <motorcycles.
Cyclists have very little personal protection and are prone to suffering permanent or fatal injuries. Almost one out of every three car accidents involve a vehicle struck from behind. No matter where, or how, or why it happens, a rear-end vehicle accident can easily become a defining and life-altering moment. Additionally, after any rear-end auto accident, our car accident lawyers in D.C. recommend having a medical evaluation as soon as possible to identify any potential physical problems. Do not assume that your injuries are not serious.
The sudden and unexpected nature of a rear-end collision leaves no time to brace for impact. Whiplash and neck injuries can last for weeks as well as leave a victim with headaches, muscle spasms, and dizziness.
Back and spinal injuries are also common in rear-end car accidents. Spinal injuries can stay with a person indefinitely and cause pain, numbness, as well as tingling throughout the body. In addition, spinal injuries may be permanent or require years of treatment and physical therapy to gain even partial recovery. The National Institute Of Neurological Disorders reports:
The annual cost of managing the care of spinal cord injury, per person, ranges from $2,837,031 to $5,162,152 depending on age at the time of injury.
Because a motorist has both hands on the steering wheel, broken wrists, wrist sprain, stress fractures, as well as dislocated shoulders are common in this type of accident.
An airbag punching into a driver’s chest can cause broken ribs. Cracked ribs are often the result of the seatbelt pulling taut upon impact.
Facial scarring and disfigurement are serious side effects of a rear-end car accident. Resulting from being hit with shattered glass, flying objects, or banging the head against the dashboard or steering wheel, these injuries often cause:
In addition to the possibility of needing long-term as well as potentially expensive treatment, these injuries frequently require counseling before a victim can fully recover emotionally.
Any rear-end collision can lead to brain or head injury. Serious traumatic brain injuries may take days or even weeks for the full effect to present themselves. The most dangerous type of head injury is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Treatment for a traumatic brain injury can last for years, and the physical, as well as emotional damage, may be permanent or deadly.
A severe car accident that involves high speeds and a chain reaction involving multiple cars can cause serious injuries to the spine, leaving a victim partially or fully paralyzed. Additionally, crushed limbs and amputations are serious, life-altering injuries often requiring multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, physical and occupational therapy, as well as a decreased quality of life. The long term costs of recovery include:
The emotional aftermath of a rear-end accident can also take a toll on an injured victim and their family. Mounting medical bills, financial obligations going unpaid due to missing time from work, changes in one’s normal lifestyle, as well as anxiety and depression, can leave a person feeling overwhelmed and distressed. Psychological harm is always a possibility following any motor vehicle accident. Although subjective, science tells us that fear as well as anxiety influence pain. In our practice, we have observed first-hand the emotional consequences of being a victim in a motor vehicle accident can cause. Some examples include:
Coping with unexpected lifestyle changes can be problematic in terms of social, professional, as well as personal relationships. We at Regan Zambri Long PLLC have obtained countless successful results for our clients. We are also committed to helping accident victims throughout the district and surrounding areas obtain the best possible settlements for their injuries and losses.
Although a car accident happens in a flash, the consequences can last a lifetime. Protect your future and choose to partner with a Washington, DC car accident lawyer who will give you as well as your family peace of mind while you focus on your physical recovery. We are able to curate evidence that can prove negligence, breach of responsibility, causation, as well as damages. We can also identify all possible sources of insurance coverage, and we work collaboratively with your health care providers.
We can help. Our personal injury law firm remains focused on making the legal process involved with a rear-end accident as stress-free as possible.
At Regan Zambri Long PLLC, we take pride in the fact that our firm is regularly recommended by lawyers as well as judges across the country. We realize the outcomes we achieve have the ability to dramatically improve a person’s life. We know your rights as well as the applicable laws. Our firm offers our clients no-cost initial consultations, all-hour availability, and seasoned trial skills. By working together, we can also make our respective communities safer places to live and work for us all.
Let us speak for you. We are your advocates and we are experts at negotiating with powerful insurance companies. We are here for you, and now, more than ever, experience counts.
