Whether or not you have a strong car accident case can depend on a variety of factors. If you got hurt in a crash and you’re not sure if it’s worth it to pursue a lawsuit, you should contact our Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers. We have plenty of experience with cases like yours and we can tell you if we think it will be possible to sue for compensation.
What Kind of Evidence Can Help in a Car Accident Case?
If you want to build a strong car accident case, you’re going to need evidence. There are a few things that can help you make your lawsuit stronger, including:
- A police report
- Surveillance or dashcam footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Testimony of expert witnesses
- Photos of the accident scene and damaged vehicles
What Kinds of Injuries Do I Have to Pursue Damages in a Car Accident Case?
Victims who walk away from accidents with only minor injuries can often use their own PIP coverage, making it unnecessary to sue. If you have serious injuries that cannot be adequately addressed by your own insurance policy, that’s when you need to think about building a car accident case. It’s often worthwhile to sue for damages when dealing with injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Broken ribs
- Facial injuries and scarring
- Burns
- Loss of limb
These injuries could result in a pile of medical bills and force you to miss work. You should be ready to pursue compensation that can make up for that.
Can I Pursue Compensation If I Contributed to a Crash?
Fault is important in a car accident case, especially in Washington, D.C. This is due to a strict contributory negligence law. If you contributed to the accident in any way, you cannot recover damages.
Let’s say that you got hit by a drunk driver, but you were running a stop sign at the time. The inebriated driver is obviously more to blame, but that doesn’t mean that you did not contribute to the crash. If a lawyer or insurer can pin any percentage of the fault on you, that can hurt your car accident case. This is why it’s helpful to have an experience lawyer who will defend you from accusations of wrongdoing.
How Long Can a Car Accident Case Take?
This depends largely on the complexity of a case and how much evidence there is. If your case seems simple, with ample evidence and a clear neglectful party, then the case probably won’t take long to settle. If there are arguments about fault or multiple parties involved, that can extend negotiations. Generally, we expect this process to last somewhere between a few months and a little more than a year, but there are never guarantees.
Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have questions and want to find out if you have a valid car accident case, contact Trombly & Singer, PLLC. Schedule a consultation with our team and learn more about what we can do to help you pursue compensation.
