Personal injury laws vary from state to state, but the basic concept is the same. They protect you when you have been injured or affected by another person, business, government agency or even a machine. Whether you’re walking down the street, visiting an indoor mall, or going to a friend’s house, accidents can happen at any time. When an accident occurs, it may be a life altering experience.
Washington, D.C., is home to many top national personal injury lawyers. There are so many lawyers to choose from, that you will likely be overwhelmed when you begin looking. Don’t make the mistake of hiring the first lawyer that you find. There are steps that you can take to ensure that you get a good result. If you are in need of a Washington, D.C., law firm to represent you, here are some things to consider:
Ask about the possible punitive damages. Most Washington DC personal injury lawyers will advise their clients to seek out not only monetary compensation for physical, but emotional as well. This can include medical costs, prescription costs, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages can also be sought by the victim if the person who caused the accident is found to be responsible for your injuries. These damages are normally awarded at trial, but may be reduced if the defendant can prove that they were not negligent.
You may qualify for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you were injured in a car accident in Washington, D.C., or any other state. This coverage protects the injured party and the driver of the other vehicle if the driver is found to be at fault for the accident. Most personal injury lawyers will advise their clients to seek this coverage, as it often requires little or no deductible.
It is important to remember that even if the driver of the other vehicle is found to be at fault, you may still be able to obtain compensation for any damage to your car. Many Washington, D.C., personal injury law firms will inform their clients that the vehicle owner may be liable for the damage to their own car. Some jurisdictions have what is called an omnibus accident law, which holds that an injured person can seek damages from any part of the transportation system that was damaged or that caused harm to themselves or to other individuals. This is commonly referred to as “driving under the influence” (DUI) law and is one of the reasons that Washington, D.C., personal injury lawyers are often very familiar with the laws of this state.
Personal injury lawyers in Washington, D.C., are often very familiar with the issue of negligence. Negligence is the failure to act in a reasonably competent manner, which causes personal harm to another individual. This can include a car wreck, an injury at work, dental malpractice, medical malpractice, and poisoning. Negligence can cause severe financial and personal hardships for the victim and his or her family. These lawyers represent clients who have been seriously injured because of negligent medical care or the failure to appropriately exercise caution when operating a vehicle.
If you need legal representation but do not have any experience in these types of matters, you should keep in mind that most attorneys offer a free consultation. This means that you will not have to pay any fees up front for the services that they provide to you. During this consultation, they will assess your personal injury case and see if you have a strong case. At this time, you should evaluate the fees that you would expect to pay, including any settlement money if awarded. You may also want to discuss the cost and timing of any compensation payments with your attorney before signing any agreements.
If you suffer serious physical injuries as a result of another person’s negligence, you should not let your trauma go untreated. Rather, seek help from a Washington injury lawyer as soon as possible. These lawyers are experienced in handling these types of personal injury cases and know how to navigate through the court system and get the compensation that you deserve. In Washington, there is a time limit on how long you can file a claim. If you wait past this time limit, you may not be able to file another claim for several months.
If you are in need of personal injury lawyers in Washington D.C., we recommend the law offices of Regan Zambri and Long:
Regan Zambri Long 1919 M St NW Suite 350, Washington, DC 20036, United States
Call at (202) 960 4667