BLOGS
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.
Concrete Slip and Fall Accidents
Concrete slip and fall accidents can have catastrophic, unforgiving results, causing significant injuries. Concrete can be found everywhere, from ramps and steps leading into a government building to sidewalks and private driveways. Because of its hardness, concrete is durable. However, this attribute is why a slip and fall accident can cause such disastrous injuries.
Concrete abounds in Washington, D.C. Slip, trip and fall accidents occur all over the city, At Roeser Law Firm, we have helped residents recover the financial damages such accidents cause. This includes all medical expenses associated with the injury and time lost at work due to the accident.
Collisions with a Big Rig – Two Common Accidents
Passenger cars are much smaller and lighter than big rigs. The average, loaded big rig weighs in at about 80,000 pounds while a passenger vehicle with occupants weighs in the neighborhood of 2,900 to 3,900 pounds. The sheer difference between the size and weight of these two vehicles explains why a passenger car accident with a big rig is frequently devastating.
While the size and weight differential can easily account for the catastrophic injuries in a car/semi collision, there is more to the story. A large truck is also higher than the passenger vehicle, and this can result in a violent crash. Let’s examine this in further detail.