Washington, D.C. Auto Accident Lawyer

Auto Accident Lawyer | Fighting for Injured Motorists in Washington, D.C.

Were you hurt in an auto accident of any kind? If so, our legal team is ready to help you get the compensation you need to heal. Reach out to a seasoned Washington, D.C. injury lawyer right here at Simeone & Miller, LLP to learn more about what we can do for you.

Auto Accident Cases We Handle

Simeone & Miller, LLP proudly handles a wide range of auto accident cases on behalf of our clients. Just some of those cases are as follows:

• Bicycle Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Train Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Drunk Driving Accidents
• Uber Accidents
• ATV Accidents
• Hit-and-Run Accidents

Common Injuries Sustained in Auto Accidents

As you know, auto accidents can lead to motorists sustaining a wide range of injuries. Just some of the most common types of injuries that we see as a result of auto accidents are as follows:

• Whiplash
• Herniated Disks
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Brain Injuries
• Burn Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Dislocations
• Nerve Damage
• Lacerations
• Wrongful Death

What to Do After an Auto Accident

If you are injured in an auto accident, it is of paramount importance that you take the necessary steps to document exactly how the accident occurred and that you receive medical treatment at once, even if you do not feel particularly hurt. Some injuries take days, or even weeks to set in, so it’s important that you are proactive and get formally examined by a medical professional. That said, after an auto accident, you should do what you can to take the following steps:

• Call the police. Once they arrive, they will write up an accident report. This report will contain the facts of the incident, including where it happened, when it happened, and how it happened. They should also send an ambulance to the scene, which will give you the necessary immediate treatment you need, and, from there, transport you to a hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
• Get the other driver’s insurance information. Be polite, but don’t apologize, even if you think you may have contributed to the accident in some way. Just get the information written down/photographed and end the conversation there.
• Ask witnesses for their contact information. Witness testimony can prove invaluable when filing a personal injury claim.
• Take pictures of the accident, including pictures of your injuries, damage to your vehicle, damage to the other driver’s vehicle, and any other property/objects involved in the accident, such as guardrails, trees, or streetlights.
• Keep copies of all medical documentation regarding your injuries once you receive medical treatment.
• Hire an experienced Washington, D.C. auto accident lawyer who can work to obtain all other evidence necessary for satisfying the burden of proof in a personal injury claim.

Taking Care of Your Medical Bills

Naturally, one of the very first questions you may have after getting hurt in an auto accident is “who will pay my medical bills?” Fortunately, even if the accident was your fault, at least a portion of your medical bills should be covered by Personal Injury Protection (or PIP) insurance. Essentially, PIP is a type of no-fault insurance coverage that ranges anywhere from $2,500 to $100,000. As long as you have purchased PIP insurance, it should help you deal with your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages.

You should note, however, that the laws surrounding PIP are quite complex here in Washington, D.C. For example, if you file a PIP claim, it could potentially waive your right to file a personal injury claim against the other driver (which may be your best shot at getting fully compensated for your injuries and property damage). For this reason, it’s always best to first speak with a seasoned auto accident lawyer who can assess the circumstances of your crash, determine whether the other driver is at fault, and advise you on whether you’d be best served filing a PIP insurance claim or a personal injury claim.

Additional Damages

If we file a personal injury claim and successfully satisfy the burden of proof (meaning we prove that you were injured as a direct result of another party’s negligence) you should receive compensation to not only help cover the cost of your medical bills and lost wages, but also the following:

• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• The loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of consortium

Time Limits on D.C. Injury Lawsuits

In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims here in Washington, D.C. is three years. This means that those who’ve been wrongfully injured in auto accidents will only have three years from the date of their accident to file a personal injury claim against the party who caused their accident. However, in some cases, you will have even less time to sue, so it’s important you reach out to a knowledgeable auto accident lawyer as soon after your injury as you can. For example, if you were injured in an auto accident involving a public bus or train, you will only have only six months from the date of your accident to file a Notice of Claim letter.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer Today

The bottom line is that if you have been injured in an auto accident of any kind and the accident wasn’t your fault, our firm is here to help. We understand just how stressful it can be to go through the injury claims process, but you do not have to do it alone. We have decades of experience representing auto accident victims in Washington, D.C., and throughout the DMV area, and we’re prepared to put that experience to work for you in your case. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation with our dedicated legal team.