Car Accidents
Car Accident Attorney – Auto Accident Lawyer DC
As a top Washington DC car accident lawyer, at Cohen & Cohen, we understand that being involved in an accident can be devastating; especially if it is caused by the negligence of someone else. Not only is there property damage to consider but there are costs associated with medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These factors can often become overwhelming and can require extensive insurance negotiations- or even civil action if the liable party is unwilling to offer the compensation you deserve.
In other words, it can be really scary when you have to deal with insurance and legal professionals. It can be incredibly frustrating when the person or people who are at fault for your accident do not own up to this and try their best to make right on the damages and hardship they have caused you and your family. If this situation is unfortunately familiar to you, do not try to face these challenges alone. Call an experienced and trusted Washington DC car accident lawyer who will fight for you and your rights today at (202)-955-4529.
Cohen & Cohen
At Cohen & Cohen, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those who were injured by someone else’s negligence. For over 20 years, we have helped thousands of injured victims get the compensation they deserve. Our experience makes us well equipped to settle our clients’ cases quickly and for the highest level of compensation possible; while also making us fierce opponents in the courtroom should a settlement agreement be unreachable.
Protect Your Rights
If you think that everything will work out just fine because you know that you are a good person who has done nothing wrong, one can hope for this. The reality though is that there are many people and entities, such as insurance adjusters and defense lawyers, who will do everything in their power to give you as little money as they possibly can. They may do this regardless of what is right, wrong, or fair. This is why it is so important to work with a trusted and experienced Washington DC car accident lawyer from Cohen & Cohen
We Offer a Free Case Evaluation
Because there will be so many people who do not care about you in the aftermath of an accident, get someone on your side who cares AND knows the laws that will protect you and your rights. Get in contact with a Washington DC car accident lawyer who has compassion and experience. For a free case evaluation call us at (202)-955-4529.
For many people, calling an attorney feels like an extreme move. We’ve been raised to be polite, to not rock the boat, to put our heads down and work hard. While this builds strong and good character, this does not win against insurance companies and people who are out to keep as much of their or their employer’s money as possible. If you are someone who works hard and tries not to cause problems for others, do yourself a favor by calling a top Washington DC car accident lawyer that is trusted by your community. At Cohen & Cohen, our attorneys do not hesitate to fight hard in order to protect the rights of our clients. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients and we can help you too.
Call Cohen & Cohen Today
If you get in contact with an attorney who wants to fight for what’s right for you, you are securing a potentially better outcome for your future. Call a car accident lawyer in Washington DC who wants to fight for you. After a free evaluation and assessment of your case, there is a good chance that one of our knowledgeable lawyers at Cohen & Cohen can start working on your case and thus begin to ease your stress and worry.
For more information, please review our automobile accident counsel services, or schedule an appointment to meet with a top Washington DC car accident lawyer for a free, no-obligation consultation, today.
Car accidents happen frequently and pose a serious threat to human safety, and often may require a car accident lawyer. As anyone who has ever driven on the beltway during rush hour can attest, driving in the Washington, D.C. region is a trying ordeal. It’s also dangerous. A recent study by a national insurance company found that Washington, D.C. ranked #1 in the nation for car accidents (Alexandria, Virginia was #10 on the same list). Car accidents are so common in our region that — except for the traffic they cause — you probably barely notice them during your commute.
All of this changes when it’s you in the accident on the side of the road or in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. A car accident lawyer is often much needed in the wake of a car accident. While car accidents are a common occurrence for the D.C. area, they are anything but common for the people involved. Even if you’re lucky enough not to be injured — dealing with insurance companies, taking time off work to get your vehicle fixed, and not having transportation while the car is getting repaired — it’s a huge hassle. Now, if you add that to a severe injury, the inconvenience can become a nightmare.
In Washington DC, there are almost 450,000 active drivers registered, according to the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV). But the unique thing about D.C. is that millions of drivers from other states, like Mayland and Virginia, commute daily to D.C. In addition to those drivers, D.C. is a hotbed of tourist action.
In May 2019, Destination DC reported that almost 22 million domestic tourists visited the District in 2018, which is 1 million more domestic tourists than in 2017. Many of those tourists either rented a car or drive their own, causing a great deal of traffic and drivers on the roadways, which of course, leads to more accidents.
D.C. has notoriously terrible traffic, which is often a result of a car or motor vehicle crash. Motor vehicle accidents can also involve public transportation, government vehicles, taxis, rental cars, and commercial vehicles. Almost 6,000 taxis ferry around riders throughout the D.C. area. Adding to the traffic on the road are Uber and Lyft drivers, which drive around residents and visitors.
To give you a little perspective, analysts estimate that the average driver in the U.S. will spend 7 hours a year in traffic and waste 6 gallons of gas. Meanwhile, D.C. drivers are estimated to spend 67 hours a year in traffic and waste 32 gallons of gas while sitting in traffic.
While many cars are on the road in D.C., not all Washington D.C. area drivers are insured. According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 12% of motorists in Washington D.C. are uninsured. Many drivers let their insurance lapse after showing proof of motor vehicle insurance, while others can’t afford the payments or forget to renew their policy. If you have been in a car accident with someone who does not have car insurance, you may want to contact an expert car accidents lawyer in Washington D.C. to discuss your situation.
Washington D.C. has uninsured motorist coverage requirements, which is why Washington D.C. also has some of the highest insurance rates in the country. D.C. reportedly ranks 6th in the nation for the highest average insurance premiums, with the average D.C. driver paying $1,773 a year in car insurance.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, there were 36 traffic fatalities in D.C. in 2018, up from 30 traffic fatalities in 2017. As of July 2019, there have been 14 traffic fatalities in the District. An estimated 40,000 people lost their lives to car crashes in 2018, which is a 1% decline from 2017, which saw 40,231 deaths from car accidents, and 2016, which resulted in 40,327 deaths due to a motor vehicle accident. In 2018, 4.5 million people were seriously injured in car crashes, a 1% decrease over 2017.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a hit and run car accident, taxi car accident, parking lot car accident, head-on car accident, rear-end car accident, side-impact car accident in the D.C. area, you may want to speak with an expert car accidents lawyer at Cohen & Cohen to discuss the facts of your case. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, or injuries.
Car accidents can happen for many reasons. Some of the most common causes of an accident include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Reckless driving
- Severe weather conditions
- Design defects/ Faulty manufacturing
The car accident lawyer D.C. trusts can help in many of these cases. According to the 2016 studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 37,461 people were killed in 34,436 motor vehicle crashes. This comes out to an average of 102 fatalities per day caused entirely by car accidents. While death is the most extreme result of a car accident, there are also many other injuries that car accidents can cause. These can include:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Cervical fractures
- Neck or back strain
- Bruises and scrapes
- Head and brain injuries
- Dislocated jaw
- Physiological injuries
In addition to human injury, there is also the risk of property damage. A car accident lawyer may help deal with both human harm and the damage of property. Car accidents cause thousands of dollars in damage. Depending on the severity of the accident and the type of insurance available, a car accident poses a financial burden on all parties involved. The financial impact can be overwhelming to deal with and often confusing.
At Cohen & Cohen, we specialize in representing people who have been injured in automobile accidents. We’ve built our reputation, in part, on providing passionate representation to car accident victims. If you have experienced an accident, a car accident lawyer on our team may help. Our attorneys have decades of experience successfully litigating car accident cases. We know how to deal with insurance companies. We know how to get fair compensation for our clients. We are never intimidated or out-gunned.
If you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident, call us right away. Don’t wait by the phone for insurance adjusters to call you back with a fair settlement. Get the automobile accident lawyers who know what it takes to win. Get in contact with Cohen & Cohen to discuss your case details. We will be more than happy to set you up with an experienced car accident lawyer to make sure we’re getting all the facts to gain you reasonable compensation.
Steps to Take if You Were a Passenger in a Car Accident
When you get in the car with another driver, you are entrusting that they will take you from point a to point b safely. We may sometimes get in the car with another driver with little thought to the impact should an accident occur. As a passenger in a car who has been in a collision, you may find yourself suffering severe injuries as a result. Victims are likely left wondering what to do next. At this point, making a call to Cohen & Cohen should be one of your top priorities. Our team of experienced legal professionals can provide guidance and support while also outlining the most appropriate steps that you should take.
If you were a passenger in a car that was in an accident, take the following steps to ensure your rights are protected:
Gather Information
Despite being a passenger, it’s crucial that you not leave the responsibility of gathering information solely up to those around you. Gather as much information as possible, including drivers and eyewitnesses, take pictures, and make sure that law enforcement is contacted. Taking these steps at the scene may be critical for all involved, especially if an accident claim is pursued. In addition, write down your account of the accident in the days or weeks to follow. The more documentation you have, the better.
Seek Care From a Medical Professional
Your safety and well-being are imperative, which is why seeking treatment from a medical professional will be one of the most important steps you can take for yourself. The scene of an accident is sure to be chaotic, and with adrenaline pumping, you may be unaware that you are injured. Seeking immediate care can ensure that injuries are treated, and any underlying conditions are diagnosed. If you choose not to seek treatment immediately after the accident and discover injuries later on- immediately see a doctor. Taking these steps is critical to your care, and your accident case should you pursue damages.
Speak with a Lawyer
Accident cases are complicated, and as the passenger in a car- you may have a few different options to explore. Seeking counsel from an experienced car accident lawyer can help victims understand whether or not they have a case to pursue. Speaking with a lawyer should be reasonably accessible, and often initial consultations are complimentary. As a victim, it’s important not to pass up the opportunity to have a professional review your case.
File a Claim
Depending upon the situation’s specifics, passengers who have been injured in a car accident typically have three options available. They can:
- File a claim with their insurance
- File a claim with the insurance company of the person who was driving you
- File a claim with the insurance company of the other driver
Keep in mind options are contingent upon the details of your case and the recommendations of the lawyer you are working with. Your lawyer will work with you to determine who should be held responsible for the losses you are facing. Once they have reviewed the case, they will work to assign a fair value to your losses and begin the process of outlining a demand letter for the at-fault party’s insurance company.
The process of filing an insurance claim as a passenger in a car can be cumbersome and even overwhelming. To simplify the process and have confidence in knowing you are taking the proper steps moving forward, contact Cohen & Cohen for the representation you deserve.
