Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Washington DC

FAQs

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

  The Washington DC Police Department can be reached at (202) 576-8222 and (202) 698-0555.

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

  1. You can pick up accident reports yourself by going to Room 3075 of the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, the Henry J. Daly Building, 300 Indiana Avenue, N.W. Please provide the time, date, and place of the incident, along with the report number.

  2. You can also obtain the report by mail. Write a letter asking for a copy of the incident report and send it to the following address: Metropolitan Police Department, Public Documents Unit ATT: Accident/Incident Reports, Room 3075 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001 The mailed request must include your full name; the time, date, and place of the incident; the six-digit report number or CCN. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with $3 made out to the DC Treasurer.

• If your insurance includes Personal Injury Protection, should this cover all of your expenses after a motorcycle accident in Washington DC?

  It depends on the severity of your injuries following your motorcycle accident and if the medical care required to treat you does not go above your coverage. Fortunately, having PIP in Washington DC means not having to wait for the insurance carrier to determine who was at fault, and the bill gets paid right away. Be informed that PIP does not cover lost income or non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, and trauma.

• If you get into a motorcycle accident in Washington DC with someone who is not a local, can you still sue the other driver?

  Yes, you can still sue out-of-state motorists. It doesn't matter where all the involved parties come from. If the motorcycle accident happened within the territories of Washington DC, then the individuals who are involved will be held to the laws of the jurisdiction and the authority of the local courts.

• The driver who crashed into your motorcycle in Washington DC was drunk. What do you need to know?

  Because the other party was driving under the influence, which is a criminal offense, the motorcycle accident is no longer just a personal injury case. One important difference you have to take note of is the drastic difference in the statute of limitations, which has now been reduced to just one year. However, just because the at-fault, drunk driver has been charged with a crime, it does not mean that you will automatically be compensated for whatever losses you are suffering from. Civil claims are different from criminal proceedings, which means you would still have to pursue your own insurance company and theirs, and navigate Washington DC's civil legal system.

• You damaged a parked motorcycle in Washington, DC, but you couldn't find the owner so you left. Are you in trouble?

  In Washington, DC, this is specifically known as Leaving After Colliding and carries some criminal weight. If this is your first time committing this crime, you may be fined up to $250 and spend 30 days in jail. Luckily, this does not happen a lot. You are most likely to undergo a period of unsupervised probation and a diversion program, such as community service, in exchange for the charges being dropped. Your driving privileges in Washington DC will most likely get suspended for at least 6 months, however.

• Is there an option to go the no-fault route after a motorcycle accident in Washington DC?

  Yes, you do. You have 60 days to do this. Be informed that choosing to file for no-fault insurance compensation means that you won't be able to submit a claim against the other driver later. However, if your medical bills soar higher than your insurance coverage or if you suffered severe injuries or impairment that lasted for more than 6 months, then you can file a claim on your own policy AND submit a claim against the at-fault driver.

• What does a motorcycle accident attorney do?

  Motorcycle accident attorneys provide legal advice, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent accident victims in and out of court. They investigate the cause of collisions, establish fault, value claims, prepare legal documents, and fight to recover adequate compensation for their clients. Most lawyers in this practice area also handle car and truck accidents and other personal injury claims.

• What is my motorcycle accident injury claim worth?

  Injured motorcyclists may be eligible for several types of compensation depending on their losses, state of residence, and level of fault. Whether or not they were wearing a helmet may also come into play. A lawyer can help to evaluate claims based on medical expenses, property damage, past and future lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.

• How long after a motorcycle accident can you claim an injury?

  The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically two years from the date of the accident. However, each state has its own rules. In Tennessee and Louisiana, for example, victims of motorcycle accidents have just one year to file a lawsuit. In Maine, Minnesota, and North Dakota, individuals have up to six years to initiate a claim.

• What is the average settlement for a motorcycle accident injury?

  Based on eight years of national data, the average verdict in motorcycle accident cases ranges from $74,000 to $560,000. Also note that the majority of claims are settled out of court. Riders may receive compensatory damages for medical bills, property damage, and lost wages, as well as general damages for emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. Additionally, in states that follow a comparative negligence model, the plaintiff’s claim may be reduced according to his or her level of fault.

• What is the first thing I should do after a motorcycle accident?

  The steps that you take immediately after a collision can be instrumental in proving an accident or injury claim. In general, you should follow these guidelines:

  • Gather insurance and contact information from the other driver and any witnesses.
  • Contact law enforcement to report the collision and complete an accident report.
  • Document injuries, property damage, and road conditions.
  • Visit a doctor or hospital within 24 hours.
  • Avoid discussing the accident with the other driver or their insurance company.

  
  

• How does the motorcycle injury claim process work?

  Motorcycle accident cases typically start with an insurance claim. After documenting their client’s losses and establishing fault, attorneys generally prepare a demand letter requesting compensation from the other driver’s insurance company. It can take anywhere from one to six months for insurance adjusters to make a settlement offer. If the company denies the claim or the parties can’t reach an agreement, the lawyer can prepare a notice of intent to sue and file a formal lawsuit with the appropriate court.

• How do many motorcycle crashes happen?

  The most common causes for motorcycle collisions are drunk driving, exceeding the speed limit, and left turns. In 42% of all motorcycle collision fatalities, another vehicle turned left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Motorcycle accidents are also caused by dangerous road conditions, such as crumbling pavement, debris in the road, and potholes. Other factors that contribute to motorcycle accidents include unsafe lane changes, sudden stops, lane splitting, inexperienced drivers, motorcycle defects, and car doors opened in the path of a motorcycle.

• How many motorcyclists get into accidents?

  In 2017, of the over 8 million motorcycle riders that year, approximately 89,000 were injured in motorcycle accidents and over 5,000 motorcycle collisions resulted in fatalities. The fatality rate for 100 million miles driven is 25.67, which is largely attributed to the lack of helmet use. Most fatal crashes involving motorcycles happened during the heaviest traffic times between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.

• Are motorcycles more dangerous than cars?

  Motorcycles are more dangerous than cars because they lack any protection for the rider in the event of an accident. Motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash and more than five times more likely to be injured than those riding in enclosed vehicles. Because of their small size, motorcycles’ lack of visibility is a major contributing factor in collisions with other vehicles. Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to weather conditions and road hazards than other automobiles.

• How do you check a motorcycle after a crash?

  For a minor crash with no injuries, the immediate danger is being struck again by oncoming traffic, so moving your bike off of the road as soon as possible is imperative. Check your mirrors, brake lights, headlight, and controls. You should also check to make sure there is no leaking fluid, such as fuel or oil.