Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims

Q: What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

A personal injury lawsuit is a legal dispute that occurs after an individual is injured by an accident caused by another person or entity’s negligence. If a person is found liable for the accident, their insurance company is responsible for paying the injured party’s expenses such as medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.

Personal injury law covers accidents ranging from car and truck accidents to medical malpractice and birth injuries to premises and product liability. Most personal injury claims are resolved outside a courtroom. However, a former lawsuit will be initiated if negotiations break down and a settlement cannot be reached.

Q: Why Should I File an Injury Claim?

Whenever you suffer an injury or loss from an accident caused by negligence, you have the right to file a claim to get the other party to pay for their actions. Even a minor accident can result in thousands of dollars in medical bills and property damage. Although your insurance company is responsible for paying these bills, sometimes you just don’t have enough insurance or your insurance carrier will refuse to pay. This may mean that you will be responsible for paying out of pocket for these expenses for any accident you are not at fault for.

However, it has been shown that having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side and filing a claim may increase the amount of compensation that you can recover following an accident. That’s why it’s always smart to set up a free consultation with one of our DC metro personal injury attorneys to learn your legal options.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Expect to Receive?

It is hard to predict or calculate exactly how much compensation you can expect to receive. The amount depends on the severity of your injuries and your need for extensive medical care and rehabilitation. If an attorney tries to give you a dollar value for your claim before they investigate it, be wary. The attorney may make an unrealistic promise to settle your case immediately.

When you meet with your personal injury attorney during the initial consultation, we will examine the facts of the case and determine how much your claim is truly worth. Once we know the specifics of your case, we can give you a better understanding of your next steps.

Each personal injury case is different, and it is in your best interest to speak with a personal injury attorney from Regan Zambri Long PLLC before accepting any settlement offers from the insurance company.

Q: Is There a Time Limit on Filing a Claim?

Each state has a different time limit on when you can file a personal injury claim. Virginia law, for example, requires a victim to file a claim or lawsuit within a predetermined amount of time from the date of injury.

Below is a breakdown of the maximum time frames you can file a personal injury claim in the DC Metro area:

Washington, DC

Injury to Person – 3 years
Damage to Personal Property – 3 years
Medical Malpractice – 3 years
Injury by Dog or Other Animal – 3 years. Owners will be held liable for injuries caused by their dog (or another animal) if the injured party can prove that the owner “should have known” the animal was dangerous.

Maryland

Injury to Person – 3 years
Damage to Personal Property – 3 years
Medical Malpractice – 5 years
Injury by Dog or Other Animal – 3 years. Owners will be held liable for injuries caused by their dog (or another animal) if the injured party can prove that the owner “should have known” the animal was dangerous.

Virginia

Injury to Person – 2 years
Damage to Personal Property – 5 years
Medical Malpractice – 2 years
Injury by Dog or Other Animal – no specific statute in Virginia. Owners will be held liable for injuries caused by their dog (or another animal) if the injured party can prove that the owner “should have known” the animal was dangerous.

Q: Does Your Firm Handle Catastrophic Injury Cases?

Yes, our firm handles catastrophic injury cases, such as traumatic brain injuries and burn injuries. We often consult with medical experts to strengthen the claims we prepare and file on behalf of our clients. We can help you understand catastrophic injury insurance.

Q: What Information Will My Attorney Need About the Accident?

Before we can begin our investigation for your claim, we will need some information from you about your case. When you first meet with your attorney, make sure you have the following information available:

The date, time, and location of the accident
Any contact information of witnesses
Contact and insurance information of the other party or parties involved
Your insurance information such as car insurance or health insurance
Any information about the injuries you sustained such as medical records and the treatment plan you received or will be receiving
Any information on your losses, such as repair estimates
Photographs of the accident scene

Q: How Long Will It Take to Settle My Personal Injury Case?

Much like how much your case is worth, the time it will take to settle a personal injury claim differs from case to case. If it’s a straightforward case where it’s easy to determine who is at fault, then the matter could be resolved in a matter of a couple of months. However, if the claim is more complex with multiple parties at fault and catastrophic injuries, it could take a couple of years to settle.

During your first consultation with our injury lawyers, we will sit down with you to explain the personal injury process and give you realistic expectations of how long your case will take. We will be in constant communication with you so you are aware of what is going on with your case and advise you on the next steps for your claim.

Q: What are the Types of Damages I Can Receive in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

There are two types of compensatory damages you may recover in a personal injury claim: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages are expenses that have a monetary value attached to them. These damages include:

Medical bills, such as lab tests, doctor visits, ambulance services, ER visits, x-rays, and rehabilitation.
Property damage
Lost income
Any out-of-pocket expenses like medications, parking fees, or a rental car

Non-economic damages are a little more complex to figure out. These expenses are not always available in every case and usually depend on how severe your injuries are. These include:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress, such as experiencing depression or PTSD
Loss of enjoyment of life. This means you can no longer enjoy certain activities that you once did, such as taking a walk or playing with your children.
Loss of consortium means your injuries prevent you from enjoying family relationships. An example of this would be unable to care for your children because of your injuries.

In rare cases, punitive damages may be rewarded for personal injury. Punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party for their behavior.

Q: What Is the Contributory Negligence Rule in Washington, DC?

Contributory negligence means that if the plaintiff had contributed to their own injury, the court could reject the claim. For example, a driver runs the red light and hits a pedestrian. It is later discovered the pedestrian was looking down at the phone and did not notice the other vehicle heading for them. In this case, the pedestrian’s personal injury claim may be thrown out because they should have been paying attention during the accident.

Q: What Is a Contingency Fee?

Many accident victims fear speaking or hiring a personal injury attorney because of fees. They are already dealing with hospital bills and other expenses from the accident and don’t want to add to the growing financial debt.

But Regan Zambri Long works on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not be charged a fee until your case concludes. Once your case is settled or reaches a successful verdict, our fee will be a percentage of the compensation. If we do not successfully get you the compensation you deserve, then our fee is waived.

Q: Do You Offer Free Case Evaluations?

Yes, we offer prospective clients free case evaluations. This allows us to better understand their needs and explain how we can assist them.

Q: Why Should I Hire Regan Zambri Long PLLC to Represent Me?

You should hire our reputable law firm to represent you because we have the experience and the track record needed for your injury case. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, allowing them to get back on their feet after being wrongfully injured. Our legal team includes skilled trial lawyers who fiercely protect our clients’ rights inside the courtroom. With the resources needed to handle cases of all sizes, Regan Zambri Long will be your partner for justice.