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Regan Zambri Long does not handle car accident property damage claims; however, we are providing this information so you know your next steps.
If you were involved in a car accident but were not injured, you’re probably wondering if you can sue someone for damaging your car. A lawsuit may even be necessary to recover money if your insurance provider will not pay to repair your vehicle. Even if you believe that you were not injured in a car accident, you should be mindful of delayed injuries, such as emotional distress or other physical injuries that may not appear until days or weeks after the accident.
Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC car accident lawyers bring nearly 200 years of combined experience securing life-changing results for crash victims. Our board certified attorneys have achieved major car accident settlements of $15 million, $10.6 million, $10 million, and $9.5 million, helping clients recover and rebuild their lives after devastating injuries. We retain top experts to establish fault and create a clear, evidence-based picture of your injuries and long-term needs. Plus, we front all costs, ensuring every resource is available from day one. Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will call you back. We are available 24/7 days , and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
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It is clear from car accident statistics that victims are often forced to pay the cost of the damage to their own vehicle even when it is caused by another driver. For reference, as many as 50 million people sustain non-fatal injuries in car accidents per year, and in 2015, 391,000 people were injured by distracted driving alone. By 2023, the number had decreased to 324,891, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2013, nearly 13 years ago, the average automobile liability claim for property damage was $3,231, which has only gone up in recent years. The most recent data the Insurance Information Institute from 2023 places the average claim at $6,551.
In that same year, there were an estimated 9.6 million crashes involving property damage or non-disabling injuries nationwide, with total motor vehicle injury costs reaching $513.8 billion. Generally, private insurers pay about 50% of all car accident costs, with victims paying 26%, and third parties paying only 14%.
A property damage claim like this will normally resolve the problem, and a lawsuit will be unnecessary; however, if the other party is not insured, this can create a bigger issue. Many drivers are uninsured or underinsured. Studies from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) showed that in 2019, 12.6% of motorists were uninsured, which is a little more than 1 in every 10 drivers. By 2023, that figure had grown to 15.4%. In a 2021 study, the IRC found that 1 in 8 drivers are uninsured. By 2023, that number was down to 1 in 7. Washington, D.C., ranked 9th in the United States in 2019 for the highest percent of uninsured drivers, with an estimated 19.1% of drivers uninsured. By 2024, DC had reached the top of the list, with 25.2% of drivers uninsured. In other words, 1 in 8 drivers in DC are driving without insurance.
When the negligent driver is uninsured or if the insurance company denies your claim, a lawsuit may be necessary to cover the cost of the damage to your vehicle. For smaller damages, you may be able to file your claim in small claims court, but if your damages are more significant, you may need to file a civil court claim.
Regardless of whether you were injured in a car accident, you will still have to prove the elements of a negligence claim to succeed, so it is important to document as much information about the accident as possible.
First, you should collect proof of the accident immediately after it took place. This includes:
It is critical to your claim that you can prove that the other driver caused the damage to your vehicle based on negligent or careless conduct. This could be distracted driving (texting, eating, or phone calls), drowsy driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or other reckless or irresponsible driving like speeding or ignoring redlights or stop signs. Finally, you must demonstrate that the property damage to your vehicle caused a legitimate financial loss to you.
Normally, in a property damage claim, you will be compensated for the following:
Even if you don’t think you were injured in a car accident, you should keep delayed injuries in mind. Many injuries won’t appear until days, hours, or even weeks after the accident. It is very likely you will experience some delayed or residual physical injuries after a car accident, such as:
The lawyer’s answer is: “It depends.” Insurance companies often deny personal injury claims, so it’s important to follow several guidelines after your injury to maximize the chance that you can recover from your injury:
Hiring an experienced Washington, DC car accident attorney is critical when you sue someone after being injured in a car accident in Washington, DC. The right lawyer can assist you in handling a situation where the other driver was uninsured and you have no option for a property damage claim through insurance or a situation where your insurance claim is denied. At Regan Zambri Long, our results and reputation set us apart.
Over the past 30 years, our firm has recovered more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements in personal injury claims, including life-changing recoveries for car accident victims:
Our attorneys are recognized leaders in personal injury law. Every lawyer at the firm is listed in Best Lawyers’ Washington, DC top personal injury attorneys list, and all six partners have been named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America.
President and Senior Partner Patrick Regan is a Fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and a past president of the DC Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Senior Partner Salvatore Zambri also served as a past president and now represents the DC chapter at the national level.
Senior Partner Victor Long chairs the DC Court of Appeals Client Security Trust Fund, which safeguards client funds and adjudicates claims of loss due to attorney misconduct.
When you hire Regan Zambri Long, you gain the support of a firm trusted by clients and respected by peers across the legal community. Call Regan Zambri Long PLLC today for a free case evaluation.
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.