Copyright © 2025 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.
Car accidents remain a leading cause of injuries throughout the nation. Unfortunately, vehicle collisions can leave individuals in severe physical pain, with life-altering disabilities. Careless or aggressive drivers, or those who fail to exercise reasonable caution, may be held accountable for causing a collision. If you suffer one of the below-covered common injuries in DC car accidents, injured victims can file a personal injury claim in order to recover compensation for their harm.
At Gelb & Gelb, our auto accident attorneys in Washington, DC, strive to maximize the damages our clients receive from at-fault parties by pursuing costs for past, present, and future medical needs. Accident victims may require ongoing physical rehabilitation, home modifications, and other costs that must be accounted for in a complete damages calculation. For decades, dedicated Washington, D.C., car accident attorney Roger Gelb has focused his legal practice on advocating for injured victims. Whether you or a loved one suffer from minor injuries or more catastrophic harm, we can help. Our goal is to provide effective legal representation so that you can focus on your recovery. Attorney Gelb is recognized as a leading personal injury lawyer in the area and has recovered over one hundred million dollars for accident victims injured by the negligent or careless acts of others. He represents clients throughout Washington, D.C.
The momentum of a moving vehicle means that upon colliding, its occupants remain in motion until restrained by a seatbelt, airbag, or the vehicle’s structure. Unfortunately, unrestrained passengers may be violently thrown around the car and even ejected.
Injuries suffered in car accidents range from minor cuts and scrapes to debilitating harm. These injuries affect the amount and type of compensatory damages that successful personal injury plaintiffs can recover.
Injuries in a car accident typically fall into impact or penetrating. Impact injuries result when the victim’s body strikes the car while penetrating injuries are caused by an object penetrating the victim’s body. Monetary damages recovered by a successful plaintiff in a personal injury claim are intended to place the victim in the position they would be in had the accident not occurred. In most cases, these damages cover medical bills, repair fees for property damage, and lost wages.
It is important to understand that a valid claim for damages is essential. Anticipating future medical costs can help alleviate the financial burden caused by an accident. A skilled lawyer can help assess costs and the potential need for medical evaluation and testimony if necessary.
Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries are a common type of injury caused by a car accident. Although these types of injuries range in severity, they can potentially permanently alter the victim’s life. In a high-speed collision, for example, a victim’s head may strike the steering wheel or the side window. Not only can this cause cuts and bruises, but it can also likely result in internal brain damage.
Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash and neck and back pain, are common injuries in car accidents. An individual will likely suffer pain when the muscles and ligaments are forcefully stretched. Whiplash affects the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. It is often associated with rear-end collisions, although this type of harm may be endured in any situation in which the victim’s neck rushes back and forth.
Permanent scarring and disfigurement are among the common injuries in DC car accidents. Often, these affect an accident victim’s physical and emotional well-being, as they may suffer from being unable to return to their former quality of life. This kind of injury tends to be lifelong and carries the devastating effect of being physical and emotional.
The most common injuries in DC car accidents include noneconomic injuries. Of course, some are more common than others. But in most cases, we tend to see the same noneconomic injuries rear their ugly head. First, we see pain and suffering. This is a broad term that covers a lot of ground. It can include physical discomfort, chronic pain multiplied by the number of years you are expected to live if you are diagnosed with permanency, and other mobility issues. Additionally, it is unfortunately common to suffer PTSD, depression, and road anxiety from a car accident. You may be afraid to get back behind the wheel. This is normal and can go away over time. However, that does not alleviate your stress as you go through it.
We also consider the following to be common injuries in DC car accidents:
Broken bones in a DC car accident are an unfortunate yet common occurrence. When clients call our office for a consultation, we usually get the same few questions. First, clients want to know whether they have a case worth pursuing. If the answer is that they do, their next question is how much their case is worth. We look to address both of these common questions here. While many expected flying cars and autonomous vehicles by 2024, technology and safety have yet to make the strides we expected. While safety technology has advanced tremendously over time, they are only incremental evolutions year after year. However, with their extensive experience and expertise, our DC car accident lawyers are still tasked with fighting for victims following catastrophic accidents.
The broken bones that result from car accidents are varied. They can be serious and life-threatening accidents that also have severe fractures, or there can be minor hairline fractures. Naturally, the x-rays in evidence will tell the story there. But how do we measure the value of your broken bone? Is it true that all fractured elbows should be valued the same? When negotiating a settlement for a case outside of court, we have to generalize based on the venue where we would file your lawsuit. Note that even if your car accident occurs in DC, we may still file it in Maryland if it is a favorable venue. But every case is different. There are various facts, such as more likable plaintiffs and more unlikeable defendants.
Moreover, some juries are more generous and compassionate than others for common injuries in DC car accidents. Thus, putting a blanket value on what a broken bone in a DC car accident is worth is impossible. However, we will explore the factors that a jury or attorney will consider when valuing your case.
Ultimately, the number of scenarios that lead to broken bones in a DC car accident is infinite. Any number of accident scenarios can cause a fracture. Part of the question revolves around the victim. If it is an older plaintiff, such as a grandparent, they may be more prone to breaking a bone than a younger person in their 20s. Whether someone is wearing a seatbelt or has a functioning airbag, there are more factors to consider. Lastly, the speed at which the cars drive is an impactful factor. But beyond those factors, there are common car accident scenarios that lead to broken bones.
A head-on collision is the most likely accident scenario for fractured bones. When cars are traveling in opposite directions, there is a considerable amount of force that is meeting. If both cars go 60 miles per hour, that is double the force of one car going 60 and rear-ending a stopped vehicle. This is why head-on collisions contribute not only to the most broken bones but the most fatalities in DC car accidents. Unfortunately, there are many roads in DC where this is possible. Unlike some highways with concrete medians, many well-traveled streets in DC have only a yellow line, splitting the two ways of traffic.
Broken bones in a DC car accident plague several accidents in Washington, D.C., every day. Whether on K Street, Capital Hill, Southeast DC, or anywhere else downtown, head-on collisions and other severe accident types inflict pain on accident victims.
The femur is the largest, heaviest, and longest bone in the thigh. It is the biggest bone and arguably the hardest to break. However, the impact and force in a car accident are more than enough to cause a snap. The femur plays a tremendous role in whether a person can perform basic tasks like standing or walking. Accordingly, a femur fracture can significantly disrupt your quality of life. If you cannot perform a task as simple as walking or standing, you cannot perform even the most basic human activities. There is significant compensation available for this pain and suffering.
Different femur fractures have different implications. For example, of the four possible femur fractures, a femoral shaft fracture is a break in the thicket part of the bone. So, a fracture there almost always requires surgery and an extended recovery time. A distal femur fracture is a break at the top of the knee joint. While not as thick a part of the bone, it can disturb your knee usage and require surgery.
Arm breaks are even more common broken bones in a DC car accident than a femur. It is natural to try to brace yourself in a car accident. While studies have shown this is not the best action plan, it is instinctive and hard to resist. But when you do brace, you risk fracture. Whether it is the humerus, radius, or ulna, you may suffer either a simple or complex fracture. When you suffer a simple fracture, it is simply a fracture that occurs without puncturing your skin. When you suffer a compound fracture, the bone has pierced the skin and is vulnerable to the air. The risk of a compound fracture is the risk of infection. Thus, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention to close off the wound.
A rib break can be distinguished from the other broken bones in a DC car accident. When an accident victim fractures a rib, the treatment plan is typically to rest and recover. In most cases, no physical therapy is prescribed for a rib break. Thus, a jury might see little medical treatment and think the injury is not severe. However, a rib break is anything but unserious. A rib break, while not as debilitating as a fractured femur, also affects nearly every aspect of your life. Even something as simple as breathing can become strained and painful. Thus, your quality of life will suffer. Our past clients have also complained that sleeping is difficult. Naturally, lying on your side is difficult with a broken rib. Poor quality of sleep can also affect all aspects of your day.
So, how does one break a rib in a DC car accident? While a seatbelt is highly advisable as it prevents far more severe injuries caused by flying through the windshield, the force going against the seatbelt can be enough to crush your rib.
When a car accident victim slams their head against their steering wheel or even against the airbag, it can lead to a cranial fracture. Of course, this is one thing the airbag is intended to avoid. However, the airbag can also propel one’s head into the window, causing a cranial fracture. Similar to the seatbelt with a rib fracture, the airbag’s net effect is positive but imperfect.
For common injuries in DC car accidents, the victim must show the fault of the defendant driver to recover compensation. Many car accidents are caused by driver negligence. Negligent driving takes various forms, including failing to obey traffic regulations, driving aggressively, or texting while behind the wheel. For all negligence legal claims, the plaintiff victim must set forth evidence that supports this legal theory.
A successful negligence suit results when the plaintiff shows the four elements of this claim: duty, breach, causation, and damages. Negligence is not necessarily intentional.
The duty element refers to the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to drive reasonably, obey traffic laws, and remain in vehicle control.
In a negligence claim, the element of breach refers to a breached duty of care, which can result from various behaviors, including speeding, aggressive driving, and failing to yield. Witness statements, police records, and property damage may be relied upon to support a finding of a breached duty of care.
The third element of a negligence claim is causation, which includes setting forth evidence that the defendant’s actions directly caused the plaintiff’s harm. The common injuries in DC car accidents must also be reasonably foreseeable that the defendant’s actions would harm the plaintiff.
Finally, the plaintiff sets forth the damages resulting from the accident. In a negligence lawsuit, a successful plaintiff may recover property damage, medical expenses for treatment and rehabilitation, and emotional pain. Additionally, costs associated with accident injuries that prevented the victim from returning to work may be recouped in a legal claim. However, proving damages is not as simple as it may sound. Just because we prove the first three elements of negligence does not mean there is a presumption of damages. If you have pictures of your scarring or choose to show your scarring to a judge or jury, that may speak for itself. However, if you fractured two bones requiring surgery, we may need to call on your surgeon to testify that the injury was related to the accident. They must testify within a reasonable degree of medical certainty for their testimony to be effective.
If someone else’s negligence caused your common injuries in a DC car accident, skilled personal injury lawyer Roger Gelb may be able to help. Mr. Gelb and the team at Gelb & Gelb can provide efficient legal representation that enables you to seek the compensation you may be entitled to. Attorney Gelb is prepared to set forth your claim in a manner that accounts for your current and future medical needs. Our office takes pride in helping clients maintain direct client communication with Mr. Gelb so that they remain aware of the status of their case and receive answers to any outstanding questions. We represent people and their families throughout Washington, D.C. To contact our office and assert your legal rights, call (202) 331-7227 or contact us online.
Copyright © 2025 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.