After a car accident, it’s tempting to handle the insurance claim yourself, especially when it seems clear that the other driver was at fault. The insurance adjuster sounds reasonable on the phone, so you think you can save yourself some money by skipping the professional help.
While this is an option, what you need to know is that Washington DC is one of the least forgiving places in the country to pursue an injury claim without help. Here’s what you need to know and why working with an experienced car crash attorney in Washington, DC is so important.
D.C.’s Contributory Fault Rule Can Erase Your Entire Claim
Washington DC follows pure contributory negligence when it comes to most motor vehicle accidents, a doctrine nearly every state has abandoned because it’s unreasonably harsh to victims.
Under this rule, if the insurance company can pin even one percent of the blame for the crash on you, your claim can be barred completely. This means you wouldn’t be able to collect any compensation whatsoever. Insurance adjusters in D.C. know this, and they use it.
Expect arguments that you were speeding slightly, glanced at your phone, braked too late, or could have swerved. Any of these claims could end your case. When you work with a personal injury attorney, it’s their job to shut down these arguments with evidence and make sure you aren’t unfairly blamed for something you didn’t do.
Your Claim Is Probably Worth More Than You Think
Most people add up their medical bills and repair estimates and assume that’s the value of their claim. It isn’t. A properly valued car accident claim in D.C. accounts for future medical treatment, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and the ways an injury changes your daily life.
Future losses in particular are easy to underestimate and hard to prove without medical and economic experts. Once you settle, you can’t go back for more. A car or truck accident lawyer in DC makes sure the number on the table reflects everything the crash will actually cost you.
Deadlines Are Shorter Than They Look
D.C. generally gives you three years to file a lawsuit, but that’s not the only clock running. If your crash involved a District government vehicle or a dangerous road condition, a written notice of claim must reach the city within six months. If your policy includes personal injury protection, electing those benefits involves its own strict timeline.
Evidence is also on its own timeline. For example, surveillance footage is routinely overwritten within days. A lawyer can send out preservation letters to try to keep important evidence available.
Hiring a Lawyer Costs Nothing Upfront
Car accident attorneys work on contingency, which means no hourly bills, no retainers, and no fee at all unless money is recovered for you. Consultations are also free. This means you can find out what your case is worth and fight for what you’re owed without spending a single penny out of your own pocket.
If you’ve been injured in a crash in the District, talk to a D.C. car accident attorney before you talk to the insurance company. Call our team today to schedule a free consultation.