Washington DC Jewish Car Accident Lawyer
As anyone who has ever lived or worked in the nation’s capital knows all too well, DC traffic can be a hassle on a good day and downright apocalyptic during some Beltway rush hours. Given the sheer number of vehicles that travel on the District of Columbia’s roads every day, there are innumerable opportunities for accidents to occur—and unfortunately, for drivers and passengers to suffer severe injuries as a result.
Fortunately, you have a few options available for seeking financial compensation after a car wreck in DC, depending on your insurance policy and the circumstances leading up to your crash. Seth Price, an experienced personal injury attorney, a member of Congregation Beth El, supporter of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington can help you hold the negligent driver accountable for your damages. By retaining a Washington DC Jewish car accident lawyer, you could rest assured that whatever kind of case you choose to pursue is in capable and dedicated hands.
How Car Accident Lawsuits Work in DC
Car accident litigation works differently in the District of Columbia than in many other U.S. states. First, the District of Columbia has a “no-fault” car insurance system, which means that drivers generally must seek compensation under the personal injury protection (PIP) clause of their car insurance policy before pursuing civil litigation. No-fault insurance claims allow recovery for medical expenses regardless of fault, but a person who makes such a claim cannot file a separate lawsuit against the party to blame for the accident in order to recover for other damages.
Alternatively, if a crash resulted in severe or permanent losses that insurance will not cover in their entirety, it may be possible—and preferable—to file a third-party lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s insurance provider or against the driver themselves. In this situation, a plaintiff’s ability to recover compensation will depend on their ability to prove that another person or entity was to blame for their damages, a process that an experienced Washington DC Jewish car accident attorney could provide irreplaceable assistance with.
Another element of a car accident lawsuit that skilled legal counsel could be invaluable for is contesting allegations of contributory negligence. In Washington DC, a plaintiff found to bear any degree of fault whatsoever for their own damages is ineligible to recover any civil compensation whatsoever, so it is essential to show that a plaintiff’s actions did not contribute to causing their car wreck in any way.
Recoverable Damages Through a Successful Claim
If a car accident victim can prove both that someone else is to blame for their injuries and that they themselves are not, they should be able to recover comprehensively for every form of harm they can trace back to that incident. These include not just losses with objective economic values like medical bills and car repair expenses, but subjective non-economic damages like physical pain and lost enjoyment of life.
When is The Deadline to File a Car Accident Claim in DC?
As with any personal injury claim, though, a filing deadline applies to car accident lawsuits in Washington DC. As per D.C. Code §12-301, anyone who fails to file suit—or have their seasoned Jewish lawyer do so for them—within three years of their Washington DC car accident will generally be prohibited from recovering anything for that specific incident.
Seek Help from a Washington DC Jewish Car Accident Attorney
Working with a qualified legal representative can be critical to getting fair financial restitution after a traffic accident, whether you do so through insurance claims or a separate civil lawsuit. From start to finish of your claim, a Washington DC Jewish car accident lawyer could provide the guidance and support you need to effectively seek a positive resolution. Call Seth Price today to schedule a consultation.