Are you searching for a trusted car accident lawyer in Washington, DC? Roger Gelb, a renowned DC car accident lawyer and DC accident attorney, is your premier legal advocate for all auto accident claims. As a top Washington DC personal injury lawyer and traffic collision attorney, Roger Gelb has dedicated his career to advocating for victims’ rights across the District.
Ideally located near the Farragut Metro station, our Washington DC car accident lawyers are easily accessible to residents of Downtown, Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle, and Mount Vernon Square, making us the go-to firm for anyone seeking a trusted DC car accident lawyer. This makes us a convenient choice for anyone needing help with their insurance claim.
With hundreds of thousands of motorists in and around the District of Columbia, car accidents happen with unfortunate regularity. Driving is an everyday occurrence for many people, so drivers often become too comfortable behind the wheel. Whether it be texting, drunk driving, or overall exhaustion, drivers have become complacent, risking the well-being of everyone else on the road. These accidents range from minor fender-benders to severe collisions. Our team of dedicated DC car accident lawyers boasts a rich history of navigating complex legal battles in the courtroom, including personal injury lawsuits, insurance disputes, and wrongful death claims. We know motorists in these accidents can suffer permanent or even fatal injuries.
A motorist or passenger hurt in a traffic accident caused by a driver’s carelessness should not hesitate to consult a seasoned car crash attorney who can help them pursue compensation. Knowledgeable, experienced DC car accident lawyer Roger Gelb is here to assist you with protecting your legal rights following a car crash, as he’s done with thousands of cases in past personal injury accidents. Reach out to the best DC car accident attorneys to explore your entire range of options for securing compensation, including litigation and settlement negotiations.
When searching for the best car accident lawyer in DC, finding an attorney who understands accident victims’ immediate and long-term needs is crucial.
Boasting over 70 years of experience, our DC car accident lawyers possess unparalleled skills in case evaluation, legal strategy formulation, and claim management. A plaintiff must show that he suffered measurable damages in the accident. Depending on the harm suffered by an accident victim, damages in a personal injury case arising from a car crash may include payment for time off work and loss of future wages, reimbursement for medical expenses that were the reasonable consequences of the injuries resulting from the accident, and compensation for pain and suffering. If the injured party was married when the accident occurred, their spouse may also assert a related claim. This may be a wrongful death action or a negligent infliction of emotional distress claim, depending on the facts. A DC car accident lawyer in our office will provide you with a checklist for what to do following a car accident.
Car wrecks in DC can cause all sorts of problems. But different car wrecks have unique legal implications. Some are easier to prove liability than others. Moreover, some tend to result in more money for clients than others. Below is a list of types of auto accidents we have experience handling. If you were in one of these types of accidents, call our office for more information or click below to learn more.
We always recommend speaking with a DC car accident lawyer to best understand the laws applicable to your case. DC operates under unique laws and regulations, making navigating the aftermath of a car accident difficult to handle alone. There are many aspects to understand, some of which are time-sensitive.
As seen above, medical expenses and lost wages qualify as economic damages. Meanwhile, the third column on the right represents noneconomic damages. All, except punitive damages in the bottom right, are damages for which you should receive equal compensation. Then, punitive damages act more as a punishment against the defendant. However, they are only available in limited circumstances and rarely in car accident cases. But, given how much they increase the monetary value of your claim, our DC car accident lawyers will always investigate them as an option. You may also use our accident settlement calculator.
Damages in a negligence action cover all costs, expenses, and pain and suffering you incur. This includes adequate compensation for damages you suffered in the past, present, and future related to your accident. Covering the past and present may seem obvious, but the best DC car accident lawyer also knows how to win you compensation for the future. You may lose earning capacity due to your injuries because you may not be able to work the same job. Or, you may have future medical treatment because of your accident. Once your case ends, we will ensure you don’t handle these expenses alone.
You may also receive compensation for property damage beyond the medical expenses, which will be reimbursed. Our DC car accident lawyers calculate this by considering the reasonable repair cost. Or if it is destroyed, then by the fair market value at the time of the accident. There is also a chance you may obtain punitive damages. These act as a multiplier of your compensatory damages. For example, if you recover $20,000 in compensatory damages, you may receive up to $180,000 in punitive damages, depending on how egregious the defendant’s actions are.
There is an alarmingly high number of car accidents that occur every day. In 2023, the alarming statistics revealed 47 fatalities and over 6,000 injuries resulting from car crashes, underscoring the urgent need for skilled legal representation in cases of aggressive driving, bad weather conditions, and distracted driving incidents. These statistics come nine years after DC launched an initiative to reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths. In DC, several things can cause serious accidents. Some of the most common causes of an auto collision include:
With car accidents occurring at an unprecedented rate, knowing how to react is essential. Please contact a DC car accident lawyer to learn about the steps to take following a crash.
Determining whether the other driver was negligent is a critical step. A car accident lawyer in Washington, DC, or Maryland can resolve these claims before trial. However, the insurance company is unlikely to make a settlement offer without evidence that their driver is negligent.
The insurance company will commence its investigation into the crash. This often holds up a settlement offer for weeks or even months. During that time, the insurance adjuster may request documents or a recorded statement from the plaintiff. Insurance adjusters want to pay the most minor settlement to keep profits high. Their concern is the company and its shareholders, regardless of whether the settlement appropriately compensates a victim. A great DC car accident lawyer could deal directly with the other insurance company to protect the plaintiff’s rights and work toward a reasonable settlement.
Founded in 1954, our DC car accident lawyers have over 70 years of experience handling accident cases in D.C. Experience is vital in any industry but is particularly important in law. When you trust our firm, we use 70 years of experience to work towards obtaining the best possible result in your case. Experience lends itself to practical case assessment and strategy, negotiation skills, understanding of insurance company procedures, access to an extensive network and resources, and in-depth knowledge of legal precedents effective in Washington, D.C.
Communication between the client and the DC car accident lawyer is of the utmost importance. Proper communication keeps a client informed of all critical aspects of a case without badgering or wasting the client’s time. We know your time is valuable. And the road to recovery is long and often arduous. We’ll make sure that your process goes as smoothly as it possibly can. We know you will have questions, and we are always on call to help you with any concerns.
Our client-centric approach provides each client with a tailored legal strategy based on the facts of your case. While personal injury law involves only a few separate causes of action, each case differs because of the client. There are countless variations in insurance coverage for the plaintiff and the defendant. Most importantly, our clients’ needs range greatly. Some clients need money right away to pay for essential needs, while others can afford to wait a few more weeks for potentially an even larger settlement. On all critical decisions, our DC car accident lawyers consult the client client because this is your case. So then, we provide personalized legal representation that prioritizes what interests you.
First, make sure you are ok. If you are seriously injured, you should seek immediate medical attention. But if you are able to, exchange information with the other driver. Gather contact information, full name, insurance information, and information on the car that hit you. Then, reach out to a personal injury lawyer for the next steps applicable to your case.
If you are in an auto accident collision, you must immediately stop and provide identifying information to the owner or operator of the property. It is illegal in D.C. to get into a car accident and leave, also known as a “hit and run.” If another person is injured, please call 911 or make sure someone else does and remain on the scene until law enforcement arrives. See DC Code § 50-2201.05(c).
The statute of limitations in Washington, D.C., is three years. This allows you three years after the date of the accident to file suit in a DC court. While there are exceptions, those exceptions generally do not apply to car accident cases.
D.C. law makes it relatively easy to determine how much money you should receive following a total loss to your vehicle. Unfortunately, the law does not take sentimental value into account. The general measure of recovery is based on determining the fair market value of the plaintiff’s motor vehicle immediately before the accident. In addition, you can obtain compensation for the loss of use of your automobile. See Gamble v. Smith, 386 A.2d 692 (D.C. 1978).
You may obtain financial compensation if you receive medical treatment that our DC car accident lawyers can causally relate to your car accident. Common law supports total compensation for all reasonable medical treatment related to your negligence claim. Insurance companies sometimes try to discount thousands of dollars in medical expenses to $0 because they believe it is excessive. However, the law does not support this. If the jury finds that the plaintiff suffered an injury, DC Appellate Courts have not allowed unreasonable discounting of injuries. See Anthony v. Allstate Ins. Co., 790 A.2d 535 (D.C. 2002).
UM coverage applies in three instances. First, when a motor vehicle is not insured by a liability policy applicable to the accident. Second, when the at-fault driver’s insurer denies coverage for any reason. And third, when you cannot identify the owner or operator of the at-fault vehicle.
Car accidents can significantly impact physical health and finances. Dealing with the fallout of a crash can be difficult, especially when medical bills begin piling up. A personal injury claim can remove the financial pressure from this situation and ensure you get the medical treatment you need. Our services include representing victims with claims as car accident attorneys in Washington, DC, providing sound legal advice as your DC car accident attorney, and navigating the complexities of auto accident law in DC.
You don’t have to do that alone for an injury claim. You can contact a DC car accident lawyer for a free consultation.