Between local commuters and millions of tourists visiting the area each year, the DC metro area has some of the worst traffic in the country. Car accidents are common and can injure drivers and their passengers. These injuries can have significant financial and emotional consequences, including medical bills, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering. If you were injured as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, you have the right to seek compensation with help from a knowledgeable car accident attorney. A DC passenger injury lawyer can help you understand the process.
In the legal realm, liability refers to the legal responsibility to compensate someone for physical harm caused by negligence or an intentional act. When a passenger is injured in a single-vehicle accident caused by the driver, they can file a claim against the driver’s liability insurance coverage. If the accident involved multiple vehicles, the claim can be filed against the liability insurance coverage of the individual or entity involved.
The type of compensation that may be available for injured passengers includes economic costs, such as medical expenses, wage loss, loss of future earning capacity, and more. The compensation, also called “damages,” includes non-economic effects such as physical or emotional pain and suffering or loss of the enjoyment of life. Although relatively rare, some claims also involve punitive damages. A jury awards this type of compensation to punish the defendant for extraordinary negligence or the willful infliction of harm. A DC passenger injury lawyer could determine what damages may be awarded in a case.
The claims process for passengers injured in DC car accidents usually begins when they hire a DC passenger injury lawyer and learn more about their legal options. Next, the legal team will begin investigating the case, learning about all insurance resources that can be accessed for compensation, and gathering evidence to prove the claim.
Several factors determine the value of the claim, including:
The claimant’s attorney submits a demand for the claim’s value to the at-fault party’s insurance provider. The provider can either pay the claim in full, make a settlement offer, or deny the insured’s liability. A lawsuit can be filed in court if the provider does not resolve the claim by paying it or engaging the claimant in a settlement. In DC, claimants have up to three years after the accident to file their lawsuit in most cases.
Even if the driver of the vehicle you were riding in is a friend or relative, you can seek compensation through a claim against the driver’s auto liability insurance coverage when you are injured in an accident as a passenger. An experienced DC passenger injury lawyer from Price Benowitz could listen to the details of your case, help you understand your legal options, and handle the claims process for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
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