Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Washington DC

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Washington DC?

  311 is the non-emergency contact number for the Metropolitan Police Department. People from outside the District can call (202) 737-4404 to reach the 311 Call Center Operation.

• Where can you get a copy of the police report for the accident in Washington DC?

  Copies of police reports for truck accidents in Washington, D.C., can be obtained from the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, located at 441 4th Street, NW, 7th Floor. Police report requests via email can be made at mpd.public-docs@dc.gov.

• Where in Washington, D.C., are the most dangerous intersections for truck drivers and other motorists?

  The intersections in Washington, D.C., where motor vehicle accidents frequently happen include Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue, which was named by Time Magazine as the most dangerous intersection in the District. Another heavily trafficked crossroad that frequently experiences pedestrian and vehicle accidents is Florida Avenue and New York Avenue NE. Accidents are also common on 14th Street due to the use of the designated bike lane by rideshare vehicles.

• Are there additional rules that truck drivers must follow in Washington, D.C., in addition to federal rules?

  Washington, D.C., limits what streets semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles can use, though trucks are completely barred from only a few streets. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also maintains rules to prevent or reduce the incidence of motor vehicle accidents, including limiting the number of hours truck drivers can drive, tracking break and driving time, and checking cargo weight.

• How does the contributory negligence rule in Washington, DC, affect truck accident claims?

  A truck accident claim in Washington, D.C., can be rejected by the court if the at-fault driver invokes the contributory negligence defense. If the plaintiff contributed to his own injury, this is referred to as contributory negligence. A pedestrian struck by a truck while using his phone at a red light may have his personal injury claim dismissed because he should have been paying attention at the time of the accident.

• Do truck accident victims in Washington, D.C., always need an attorney to file a claim with a commercial trucking insurance company?

  Individuals injured in truck accidents in Washington, D.C., do not always require the services of an attorney at any stage of a personal injury claim. Victims, on the other hand, should avoid directly negotiating with an insurance company because insurers strive to limit compensation for any single claim. The insurance provider for a trucking company is also used to dealing with high-stakes claims and high-value settlements.

• How do truck blind spots contribute to motor vehicle accidents in Washington, D.C.?

  Truck blind spots play a role in catastrophic truck accidents in Washington, D.C. Blind spots are spaces that cannot be seen in a truck's rear or side view mirrors. The blind spots around a truck trailer's left rear, right front, and back are quite large. A car that moves into a truck's blind spot is usually invisible to the truck driver, resulting in a collision.