Speeding happens far too frequently in Washington DC. Around 50,000 motorists get ticketed for going 20 to 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit in the District each year. Additional data from Vision Zero DC reports speeding accounted for nearly half of all traffic fatalities and 20 percent of all injuries in the Metro area over a five-year period.
An injury from a speeding accident can throw your life into chaos. The cost of medical bills, coupled with the strain of lost income if you cannot work due to your injuries, can cause immense stress. You shouldn’t bear these burdens if a speeding driver is responsible for hitting you.
Speeding is exceptionally reckless behavior, and drivers who break the law can be civilly and criminally liable for their actions. If you suffered injuries in a speed-related crash, reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Marks & Harrison today. Our law firm will help you demand compensation from the at-fault driver to pay for your losses and help you rebuild.
For over 110 years, injured people have turned to Marks & Harrison for top-quality legal services and results that count. Contact us today to speak to a Washington DC speeding accident attorney.
What Makes Speeding Accidents in Washington DC So Dangerous?
Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Washington DC. Speed-related accidents are exceptionally hazardous due to the laws of physics: A car’s force of impact grows exponentially with speed, so even a minor increase can drastically increase crash forces. For example, doubling a car’s acceleration from 30 to 60 miles per hour increases the violence of a collision by fourfold. These extreme forces in speeding accidents can easily cause severe injuries and fatalities.
Speeding also reduces a driver’s reaction time, making them less likely to avoid a collision when traffic conditions change.
What Are Some Common Causes of Speeding Accidents in DC?
Common causes of speed-related crashes in DC include:
- Traffic congestion
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Running late
- Racing
- Road rage
- Driver inexperience
- Intentional disregard for road rules
- Bad driving habits
What Are Some Injuries That Happen in Speeding Accident Crashes?
Collisions involving speeding vehicles cause a wide range of injuries, including:
- Concussion and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Cuts and lacerations
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Disfigurement
- Amputation
- Death
- PTSD and emotional distress
What Should I Do If a Speeding Driver Hit Me?
If a speeding driver strikes you, staying calm in the aftermath and documenting the accident scene is essential. Take photos of your injuries and vehicle damage, and get the contact and insurance information of the other driver.
If you didn’t need emergency care at the scene, see a doctor to diagnose your injuries. You will need formal medical documentation from a healthcare professional if you plan to file an insurance claim. Get hard copies of lab reports, diagnostic paperwork, imaging results, and discharge paperwork. The more documentation you have, the better.
Finally, contact a Washington DC car accident attorney. Depending on your auto insurance coverage, you may need to file multiple claims to recover adequate compensation. An attorney can start building your case and negotiate with insurance companies if they try to deny or underpay your claim.
Is DC a No-Fault State?
Most jurisdictions in the United States follow one or two car insurance models: fault and no-fault. In fault-based systems, the victim files an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company seeking compensation for their injuries after an accident. In no-fault states, the accident victim files a claim with their own insurer, no matter who caused the collision.
Washington DC does car insurance a bit differently. The District of Columbia uses a hybrid or choice no-fault car insurance system. When a driver is involved in a motor vehicle accident, they must notify their car insurance company. They have 60 days following the crash to choose whether they want to receive personal injury protection benefits (PIP) from their insurance company to cover their medical expenses. PIP benefits are outlined in D.C. Code § 31-2404. Under this no-fault option, an accident victim who elects PIP cannot file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault motorists unless they meet specific conditions set out in D.C. Code § 31-2405. You can still go after the at-fault driver if you have no-fault coverage under two conditions:
- The cost of your injuries exceeds your PIP coverage limits, or,
- You sustain a serious bodily injury.
According to DC law, a serious bodily injury is one involving a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or an extended impairment of a bodily function. If either of the above two conditions apply, you can step outside of DC’s no-fault coverage rules and sue the at-fault driver for a wider range of damages.
If an accident victim chooses not to receive PIP benefits from their insurance company, they can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.
What Are Some Factors That Can Affect the Settlement in a Car Accident Case?
The exact amount of compensation one can recover from a speeding accident claim depends on several factors, including:
- The severity and scope of the victim’s injuries
- Amount of work missed due to injuries
- Whether the accident left the victim permanently disabled
- The victim’s age and occupation
- The degree of physical pain and conscious suffering
- Whether there are disputes over fault
At Marks & Harrison, our strategy is to pursue maximum compensation so you can have peace of mind and the stability to move forward with your life.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Speeding Accident Case in Washington DC?
Washington DC’s statute of limitations on car accident claims allows three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Exceptions apply that could shorten or extend the deadline. For example, accidents involving federal government vehicles require a notice of claim to the appropriate government agency within two years of the crash date.
Contact a Washington DC Speeding Accident Attorney
Marks & Harrison has been protecting speeding accident victims in Washington DC since 1911. Our team is comprised of over 30 talented attorneys who assist clients in all types of personal injury matters. Many of our partners are former insurance lawyers, so they understand how best to approach car accident claims to maximize your compensation. We won’t rest until we have exhausted every legal avenue for recovering the financial compensation you deserve.
Contact us online or call our law firm today for a free, no-obligation case consultation with a Washington DC speeding accident attorney.
