DC Bridge Accident Lawyer
Bridges in Washington, DC, are notorious for having high traffic levels during peak rush hour. This is partially why the Washington, DC, area is known to have some of the heaviest traffic in the country. While the scenic Potomac River has many advantages, such as offering a kayak, white-water raft, and escape to nature, crossing that body of water can cause problems for commuters. However, our DC bridge accident lawyers have seen first-hand the destruction and injury that can occur on these bridges. Of course, not all of these bridges cross the Potomac. There are about 200 bridges in Washington, DC. Some of these bridges cross other roads, and others over small bodies of water. Some of the most well-known bridges in DC include the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, the Arlington Memorial Bridge, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge, the George Washington Bridge, and the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The Prevalence of Bridge Accidents in DC
Our DC bridge accident lawyers have witnessed the devastation these accidents can cause. There are several factors to consider in a bridge accident, the least of which is its effect on traffic. For one, the injuries are just as severe as anywhere else. Around DC, the bridges tend to have higher speed limits than they do downtown, where there are more pedestrians. Naturally, a higher speed limit implies a more severe collision. Additionally, in the case of a life-threatening car accident, paramedics may find it challenging to get on the bridge amid traffic. When you are in a car accident on a DC bridge, this has a drastic effect on traffic flow. If there is no traffic flow due to the accident and nowhere for drivers to pull off if paramedics run their sirens, this can spell trouble for those involved.
Moreover, people drive more timidly on bridges. We will discuss this as a common cause below. We will also touch on the types of injuries common in bridge accidents and how our DC bridge attorneys can help you.
Call our office today for a free consultation at (202) 331-7227.
Common Causes of Bridge Accidents
There are countless common causes of bridge accidents that our DC bridge accident lawyers want you to be aware of. But here we discuss the most common causes specific to bridge accidents.
Structural issues and lack of maintenance
Suppose you have a severe accident due to structural issues or lack of maintenance. In that case, you have a claim against the District of Columbia or a neighboring state, depending on which bridge you are on and where on that bridge you are injured. This case is challenging to win because it requires expert witnesses to testify regarding the structural issues at trial. This may be a structural engineer who works on bridges and presents well at trial. Then, the defense will attempt to counter our witness by providing a structural engineer to testify that the bridge was structurally sound and that no issues or lack of maintenance caused the accident.
This is a very winnable case, but litigating it can be expensive. Accordingly, your damages must justify pursuing a claim against the District. Moreover, please be aware that there are notice requirements for any time you sue DC. The notice requirement is typically 60 days from the day of the accident.
Inclement Weather Conditions Affecting Bridge Safety

Of course, if inclement weather conditions affect bridge safety and are an actual cause of your injury, that does not give you a legitimate cause of action. While adverse weather conditions can unquestionably be an actual cause of an accident, they cannot be the legal cause. This is because we cannot sue anyone for inclement weather. Moreover, drivers have a legal duty to maintain control of their vehicles despite inclement weather conditions. Thus, while inclement weather conditions affect bridge safety regularly and make it more likely to be involved in an accident, your legal claim is still against the driver who hit you.
That driver cannot hide behind the fact that inclement weather conditions affect their ability to stop. Instead, the driver still has a duty not to rear-end your vehicle and breaches that duty when they fail to maintain control on the bridge, even if that is because of snow. If driving on snow, ice, or a puddle, the driver must account for that hazard and slow down.
High Traffic Volumes and Congested Routes
Especially for the bridges connecting Virginia to Washington, D.C., drivers may enter from the left and feel they need to get over to the left to exit quickly. Driving into DC, some bridges have four lanes, and each lane has a different exit. This causes a significant problem and can increase accident volume significantly. This is why our DC Bridge Accident Lawyers advise you to exercise caution when on DC bridges. These are highly congested routes with deep traffic volume.
Types of Injuries Common in Bridge Accidents
You can suffer any number of injuries in DC bridge accidents. Bridge accidents are responsible for countless injuries every year. Drivers tend to be extra skittish while on bridges. They understand that you may go through the barrier and into the water if you make a wrong turn. So, the consequences are even higher than usual. Unfortunately, it is not always helpful to drive while stressed out.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries result in the most severe of accidents. You may slam your head onto the steering wheel if you are a driver. Even if the airbag deploys, slamming your head into the airbag can be painful and cause broken bones in your face and hurt your neck. Brain injuries can range anywhere from a minor concussion with occasional headaches to traumatic brain injuries that can alter the rest of your life. If you suffer a brain injury, it is crucial to speak to a DC bridge accident lawyer immediately.
Broken Bones
You may break any number of bones while in a DC bridge accident. Some of the most common fractures we see are broken wrists, broken ribs, and broken noses. Of course, breaking a bone or agitating a preexisting injury is legally treated as a new injury. Insurance companies may try to say during negotiations that this injury already existed. However, suppose we can prove that the bridge accident aggravated the preexisting injury and is not in a worse condition than before the accident. In that case, it is treated as a new injury, and you are entitled to compensation.
How a DC Bridge Accident Lawyer Can Help
Our DC bridge accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. Our team of attorneys will account for all medical expenses causally related to your accident within a reasonable degree of medical certainty as written by your doctors. Additionally, we will account for future medical expenses, such as costs for pain medications. Moreover, we will seek compensation for lost wages for time missed from work that your doctor also excuses. We also will calculate any loss of future earning capacity if applicable in your case. Last, we will consider the pain and stress that you have had to undergo as a result of your accident. This is a critical component in the calculation of the value of your case.
Contact a DC Bridge Accident Lawyer Today
Our DC bridge accident lawyers at Gelb & Gelb, P.C. stand ready to fight. Call us today for a free consultation at (202) 331-7227.
