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In most states when someone has a car accident the driver who is at fault is responsible for paying for the damages and injuries. In most cases, this payment comes from the insurance company after a claim is filed. However, Washington, DC follows the “no-fault” law. No-fault means that the injured person’s own car insurance coverage, regardless of who caused the accident, pays for the medical expenses. Each driver will file a claim with their own insurance company. Filing a claim can be tricky so it may be wise to speak with a Washington, DC car accident lawyer to make sure you don’t miss anything.
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In true no-fault states, drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage pays for the medical costs sustained by the driver and passengers regardless of fault. States with a no-fault system require PIP coverage in addition to collision insurance. However, PIP is optional in Washington, DC. Car insurance companies in these areas generally have higher car insurance rates because of this additional personal injury protection coverage.
Unlike a tort liability state, no-fault policy states limit personal injury lawsuits from auto accidents. However, there are times when accident victims can file a car accident lawsuit. These lawsuits can make the at-fault driver pay for things like a significant and permanent loss. These exceptions to limits on liability center on the severity of injury or damage called thresholds. These thresholds can be verbal or monetary. In a verbal threshold, one must meet the definition of various types of injuries or damage as defined by the state. In a monetary threshold, there is a dollar amount in medical costs or property damage that must be met or exceeded. In these instances where the threshold has been met, the at-fault driver may be sued for things like pain and suffering. Talk to a Washington, DC car accident lawyer to understand your legal options.
After any accident, your safety is the number one priority. If able to do so, move to a safe location and contact police and
emergency medical services if needed. It is important that you do not admit fault to the other driver or emergency services that arrive. If you are able, document the scene with your camera. Try to gather photographs of your car, the other involved car, and the surrounding area. This may help your attorney in proving fault. When possible, ensure you are capturing the license plates in the photographs.
Due to the complications associated with no-fault states, you should contact the attorneys of Regan Zambri Long PLLC as soon as possible. Our experienced car accident lawyers can help guide you through the process of recovering compensation for the damages you suffered.
The expenses that result from a car accident can add up quickly. The National Highway Traffic Administration reports the economic cost of traffic accidents is $150 billion annually. Some of these costs include:
This figure does not include pain and suffering, which can be significant after a car crash. There is no dollar figure one can put on missing important family events or suffering from pain every day. For this reason, it is important to speak with the skilled car accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC. They can help you navigate through the complicated process of recovering damages in “no-fault” state traffic accidents.
Unfortunately, not all car accidents are preventable. In those instances, especially when handling no-fault insurance, be sure to contact the car accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC. Regan Zambri Long PLLC’s lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience and have recovered over $1 billion for their clients. Let Regan Zambri Long PLLC help you seek compensation for your accident in a no-fault state so you can focus on what matters: returning to normal.
