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Wrongful Death Claims in Washington, D.C.
After a death caused by negligence, families need to obtain the insight of an experienced lawyer about wrongful death claims.
Under the D.C. Code of Civil Damages, families can file wrongful death claims against a negligent party if their actions caused the death of a loved one. For most families, this is the furthest thing from their minds. Instead, they are consumed by grief, anger and feelings of helplessness. They want to know why their loved one died and how they can make the at-fault party be brought to justice. In a civil case, there are no criminal charges; however, if any were made, they can be used in structuring wrongful death claims.
Common Injuries Suffered in a Pedestrian Accident
A pedestrian accident is a common sight in Washington, D.C. Learn what you can do if this type of trauma causes injuries and lost wages.
Public transportation is plentiful in Washington, D.C. However, many people enjoy walking to work or to run errands, which is not only good exercise but lets them enjoy the many beautiful sights the city offers. Unfortunately, the District is also congested with drivers, and all of them seem to be in a hurry. This contributes to the number of pedestrian accidents in the area. Nationwide, the number of pedestrian accident fatalities increased by 20 percent nationwide from 2019 to 2020, and Washington, D.C. saw its share of deaths caused by negligent drivers.
Why Does a Tow Truck Accident Happen in Washington, D.C.?
We’ve all seen tow trucks trying to weave in and out of traffic to get to an accident scene. Often, they are parked in or to the side of the road as the operator tries to move a damaged vehicle. All of this is usually happening when traffic is backed up and tempers are high. Let’s take a detailed look at the tow truck drivers, the different types of tow trucks and when they become a danger on the road.
In some cases, tow trucks are a danger to other drivers. They are big, heavy and difficult to maneuver, especially with another vehicle attached or on board. However, for the most part, tow trucks put the operator in a dangerous place.
Filing a Survivor Action in D.C. Alongside a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A survival action is often filed in conjunction with a wrongful death lawsuit. It is the personal injury claim the person would have filed had they lived. In this sense, the estate is filing it against the at-fault party in the deceased’s stead. While filed simultaneously, a wrongful death lawsuit and a survival action differ in their purpose. Let’s look at these two lawsuits dealing with the death of an individual.
The family files a wrongful death lawsuit. It aims to compensate the family for their losses due to their loved one’s death. While compensation, in this case, will not relieve the grief, anger and disbelief the family suffers, it will allow them to move forward without financial difficulty.
Pedestrian Safety in Washington, D.C.
With accidents involving walkers escalating nationally, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian safety efforts are essential. This is caused in part by an increase in both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Other reasons as we shall see are due to driver distraction and reckless behavior.
Some roadways are especially dangerous for pedestrians. This includes those at intersections where vehicles, walkers and bicyclists converge. Intersections also have a significant problem with red-light runners or those who sail through a stop sign without looking. If a pedestrian is in a crosswalk when this happens, the likelihood of a catastrophic accident is high. So, how do pedestrians protect themselves?
Truck T-Bone Accidents in Washington, D.C.
Truck T-bone accidents usually cause severe injuries or deaths. The main reason for the damages that accrue is the weight of the truck compared to a smaller vehicle. Passenger vehicles generally weigh in at roughly 4,000 pounds while a fully-loaded semi can weigh in the neighborhood of 80, 000 pounds. If you factor in speed, the risk of injury is high when a big rig plows into a passenger vehicle.
Because of this, a trucker’s driving skills must be honed, and big rig drivers need to qualify for a CDL license issued by the government before getting behind the wheel of a semi-truck. With this added training comes the enhanced liability truckers have when an accident occurs. In addition, a truck driver is often employed by a trucking company that carries a high insurance policy.
Drunk Driving Injuries in Washington, D.C.
Drunk drivers are notorious for causing catastrophic accidents. Innocent drivers often have their lives turned upside down in a matter of seconds. Many times, the family learns that a loved one has died at the hands of a drunk driver. In other cases, people experience serious injuries that limit their lives or cause disabling harm. Let’s look at some of the most common drunk driving accidents and the injuries they cause.
The Roeser Law Firm helped numerous clients obtain the compensation they deserve in accidents involving a drunk driver. We firmly believe that no one should have to pay both financially and physically for the negligent actions of another.
Winter Weather Leads to Serious Accidents in the D.C. Metropolitan Area
Those who live in and around Washington, D.C. know that winter weather combined with heavy traffic can make driving quickly turn into a nightmare. A few years ago, a mere inch of snow that happened to fall during rush hour turned the entire area into a skating rink of crashing cars when the roadways turned into ice. Some people stayed all night in their vehicles, while others just abandoned theirs and headed on foot toward the nearest hotel. Hundreds of accidents occurred.
Tis the Season to Call a Rideshare and Avoid Drunk Driving
Did you know that up to 38 percent of all traffic fatalities occur during holidays due to drunk driving? With the holidays coming up soon, motorists need to be more aware of drunk drivers on the road to stay safe. While Memorial Day is the number one holiday for intoxicated drivers to be on the road, according to AutoInsurance.org, Thanksgiving and New Year’s also rank fairly high. When you’ve been injured in a collision with a drunk driver, you have the right to compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages and for your pain and suffering.
Was Your Auto Accident Caused by Manufacturer or Road Defects
Although the majority of accidents in Washington, D.C. are caused by driver error, a good number are the result of manufacturer and roadway defects. The problem here is that for the most part accident reports are geared toward blaming the driver of a vehicle. But, what if the driver was not at fault, and no evidence pointed to that? The key is looking for other reasons such as manufacturer and road defects.
We’ve handled many accident cases over the years and helped injured people obtain the compensation they deserve. Our investigative team is unparalleled and works tirelessly to determine the cause of the accident and find evidence to support that determination.