Unfortunately, far too often, people think they can handle a Washington DC car accident claim on their own and come away with less compensation than they deserve. Consider allowing an attorney with experience handling car accident cases to help you manage your claim for several reasons.
A personal injury attorney can thoroughly investigate your auto accident, determine who owes you money, and negotiate with the insurance companies to seek full and fair compensation. If the other side won’t make a fair offer, your attorney can take your case to trial.
What Is the Best Time to Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
The best time to hire a Washington DC car accident attorney is immediately following a crash. Even if time has passed since your crash, you should hire an attorney, especially if you feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the claims process. In short, there is never a wrong time to seek legal help.
When you work with an attorney immediately after a crash, your attorney can preserve vital evidence before it is lost or destroyed. Be aware that you do not have unlimited time to pursue your case. If you wait too long to file a claim, you could be barred from going to trial and lose leverage with the insurance companies in settlement negotiations.
How Can a Washington DC Car Accident Lawyer Help Maximize My Compensation?
Individuals working with a car accident lawyer in Washington DC tend to recover more compensation than those who negotiate with an insurer independently. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that want to maximize income and minimize expenses. So, they have an incentive to deny claims or offer low payouts to vulnerable accident victims who are desperate to pay their medical costs and other accident-related bills.
An attorney can help maximize your compensation by advocating for you and aggressively negotiating for the compensation you deserve. The process starts by accurately calculating the fair value of your claim. An attorney should take the time to evaluate your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other factors that impact the value of your claim. Armed with this evidence, they can negotiate the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
An attorney can also be helpful when an insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith. Your attorney should be ready to file a Washington DC personal injury lawsuit seeking maximum compensation for your injuries.
Is Washington DC a No-Fault Insurance Jurisdiction?
In a traditional at-fault system, injured accident victims seek compensation from the insurance company of the driver at fault for causing the accident. In a no-fault system, drivers start by filing an insurance claim with their insurance provider, regardless of who is to blame for the accident. Washington DC follows a modified no-fault system.
In Washington DC, drivers must have minimum insurance liability coverage. The “modified” in “modified no-fault system” comes into play because DC also requires insurance companies to offer drivers personal injury protection coverage. PIP helps pay for an individual’s medical expenses and lost wages following an accident, no matter who is responsible for causing the collision.
The law gives individuals with PIP coverage 60 days after a crash to choose whether they want their insurer to pay their PIP benefits. Individuals can also step outside of the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault driver if their medical expenses and lost income exceed the limits of their PIP policy or the victims suffer permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Washington DC’s modified or “choice” fault system can be confusing. Like many people, it may be challenging to understand your rights. It pays to enlist the help of a knowledgeable and experienced car accident attorney following a crash.
How Can an Attorney Help Me If I Was Partly to Blame for the Crash?
Some people think they should avoid hiring an attorney because they are partially responsible for causing the accident. Regardless of the situation, it is always in your best interests to talk to a skilled car accident attorney. Washington DC follows a contributory negligence rule, which means that an individual who contributed in any way to the cause of an accident can be barred from recovering any compensation. Because of this rule, filing a personal injury lawsuit can be challenging when a victim is partially to blame for causing a crash. However, the rule has exceptions, which a lawyer can help you explore.
For example, under the “last clear chance” rule, a driver who was solely capable of preventing an accident from happening but failed to do so could still be held liable for the consequences — even if the victim was also to blame for their injuries. Proving these facts is challenging, however. Most accident victims lack the knowledge or experience to do it on their own.
Working with a resourceful attorney also gives you access to the information you need to make informed decisions about your situation. By assuming you have no case, you could leave compensation on the table.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Claim in DC?
Depending on the circumstances, a personal injury lawsuit might give you the best opportunity to recover maximum compensation from the at-fault party. However, in Washington DC, the law limits the time to file a lawsuit to three years from the injury date. Don’t put off getting started — contact an experienced car accident attorney today.
Contact a Washington DC Car Accident Lawyer Now
How can an attorney help after a car accident? As you can see, an experienced personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference by providing skillful and knowledgeable legal representation. At Marks & Harrison, we have built a reputation for delivering the results our clients deserve. See what our clients have to say about our services themselves. To discuss the specific facts of your car accident and learn more about your rights and options, contact us today and receive a free consultation.
