Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC car accident lawyers know that most car accident cases are not clear-cut. You may be thinking that you cannot collect any compensation for a car accident that was your fault. That is not entirely true. Accidents unfold quickly, and the moments leading up to a crash are rarely as straightforward as they first appear. This is why so many people come to us to establish whether the facts leave room to pursue a claim.
When you sit down with our award-winning car accident lawyers, you are tapping into almost 200 years of combined experience. Our board-certified founding partners hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, and we’ve secured over $1 billion in recoveries for injured clients. With over 100 5 star Google reviews, and the resources and skills to front all case costs, we bring in top witnesses who help us sort through the details, explain what the evidence shows, and build a clear picture of liability.
Have you been involved in an accident that may be your fault and are unsure what your options are? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will personally call you back. We’re available 24/7, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
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Determining fault for the accident is arguably the most important step of any personal injury claim. To collect compensation, we must first decide who should be writing the check. Many drivers have an impulse to quickly blame the other driver, but that doesn’t help the situation. If it is only the driver blaming the driver, then your personal injury claim becomes a he-said/she-said game.
At the same time, some drivers admit fault too quickly, which will hurt your chances in your claim. The best thing you can do immediately after a car accident to protect yourself is to exchange contact information with the other driver, but say nothing more. Once you exchange information, go back to your car and wait for the police to arrive.
The following parties can help determine who is the at-fault driver:
After a car accident, you should call the police immediately. They will not only be able to coordinate any medical assistance you need, but they will also begin their investigation of the accident scene and generate a police report. The report will be extremely useful to you during your claim. The officer will interview any witnesses and ask you and the other driver similar questions you’d be asked in court.
Once a claim is made to any insurance company, they decide if they will pay and how much they will pay. They will look over the accident report, speak to the accident witnesses, and decide the damages they will award. This is where Regan Zambri Long personal injury lawyers will be most helpful to you.
Insurance companies are notorious for lowballing victims and even their clients. 95% of personal injury cases reach a settlement before trial, which means negotiations with the insurer are usually where the outcome is decided. A Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyer will handle the insurance company negotiations on your behalf.
If the driver’s insurance company is not willing to offer a fair settlement, your case may go to court. While you are not required to have legal counsel, it is in your best interest to hire an attorney.
The Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyers have secured millions for clients and can do the same for you. Even if you think you are partially at fault for the accident, you should speak to a lawyer right away. The circumstances surrounding car accidents are sometimes complicated, and you may be entitled to more
After determining who was at fault in a car accident, we have to look at another key component of the claims process: at fault vs no-fault states.
A no-fault accident state requires drivers to file a claim with their insurance, regardless of who was at fault for a car accident. An at-fault state allows one driver to sue the negligent driver for damages after a car accident.
Washington, DC, however, is a choice no-fault state. This means each driver has to file a claim with their own insurance company regardless of fault for a car accident. This rule may help the at-fault driver’s situation – they may not have to pay for damages even though they were at fault for a car accident. However, if the driver sustained any injuries and wants to file a claim against the other driver, it can get tricky in Washington, DC.
If your accident occurred in Washington, DC, reach out to a Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyer today for a free case evaluation and to find out what happens if you are at fault for a car accident. We will provide a reasonable assessment of your situation and offer advice on all your legal options.
The last component of the claims process that you should understand, especially if you believe you were at fault in a car accident, is the contributory and comparative negligence laws in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC follows pure contributory negligence law. This law states that the accident victim can only recover compensation if they bear no responsibility for the accident in any way. However, if you are even partially at fault for the accident, you may not be able to collect compensation for your accident.
During a free consultation with Regan Zambri Long, your lawyer will discuss if your accident happened solely because of your negligence, or only partially because of your negligence. If you were not fully responsible for the accident, then you should not be fully responsible for the medical expenses and property damage.
Washington, DC is one of only five states in the U.S. that do not practice comparative fault or modified comparative fault laws. This type of accident law allows both parties to collect compensation, even if they are partially liable for the accident. For example, if you were slightly over the speed limit but the other driver ran a red light because they were distracted, you may be found 40% at fault, while the other driver is found 60% at fault. If that’s the case, your insurance company will pay 40% of the damages while the other driver’s insurance company will pay 60% of the damages.
Our attorneys are regularly featured in Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers, with honors that include Patrick Regan, Salvatore Zambri, and Paul Cornoni being named among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, and Sal Zambri earning a place on the prestigious Top 10 list. Best Lawyers has also named our attorneys Lawyer of the Year on multiple occasions, and Lawdragon has included all six of our partners among their list of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America.
We are committed to our clients, and we take our role in the DC Metro community seriously, which is why our attorneys remain active in the organizations that shape safety and accountability in the District. Three partners have served as President of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, one currently sits on its Board of Governors, and Victor Long serves as Chair of the DC Court of Appeals Client Security Trust Fund. These leadership roles show how invested we are in protecting injured residents and in helping shape the standards that keep our community safe.
Local publications have taken note as well. Washingtonian Magazine described Sal Zambri as among the “Top 1%,” and “one of Washington’s best, most honest and effective lawyers,” and called Patrick Regan a “poster boy for legal ethics and integrity” and “one of the most successful advocates for clients in negligence.” These comments reflect the same qualities our clients tell us they rely on when they come through our doors.
We understand that life is rarely black and white. Car accidents are no different. Even if you think you are partly to blame for the accident, there is usually more to the story.
We will help discover the truth behind the crash to prove that you were not the only responsible party. We will work with medical consultants, accident reconstruction, and other legal experts to prove you deserve compensation. With our help, you are more likely to see a settlement in your favor to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Call today for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. While you recover, we will do everything we can to protect your rights.
No, Washington, DC follows pure contributory negligence. This means you can only recover compensation if you were not at fault in any way. Even actions you may not consider significant could affect your ability to recover under DC’s contributory negligence rules, which is why speaking with a lawyer before making any assumptions is essential.
In most cases, yes your insurance rates will increase after an accident. DC insurers are allowed to increase rates after an at-fault accident. The amount of the increase depends on the insurer, your driving record, the severity of the crash, and your policy history.
You don’t automatically pay the other driver’s medical bills if you were at fault for an accident in DC. Because DC is a no-fault jurisdiction, each driver first files a claim with their own insurer for medical expenses and lost wages. Liability only becomes an issue if the injured party chooses to pursue a separate claim and contributory negligence does not apply.
No, you should never admit fault to the police or insurance company after a crash. You should provide factual information only. Fault is determined through evidence, not personal statements made under stress. Something as simple as a traffic camera or a witness interview can change the entire understanding of the crash.
Yes, you need a lawyer if you think you caused the accident. Many drivers assume they are fully responsible when the evidence shows shared fault or circumstances they were not aware of at the time. An attorney can review the crash details, explain how DC’s contributory negligence rules apply, and help protect you from taking on more liability than you should.
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.