Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog

Car Accident in Arlington Leaves 15 Injured, Two in Critical Condition

September 30, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In high-traffic areas, car accidents can have harmful implications that extend far beyond the involved cars’ passengers and drivers themselves. In a recent crash in Arlington, Virginia, 15 people were injured because of an accident involving only one motor vehicle with three passengers. Unfortunately, even collisions with only one automobile can have chain reactions that extend to people who were not on the road at the time of the crash.

According to the news article detailing the incident in Arlington, it was approximately 7:00pm on a Friday when a vehicle crashed directly into a local pub. A large crowd was gathered at the pub when the driver hit the establishment head on, causing the building to immediately erupt in flames. Police reports indicate that the driver was working for Uber, transporting a group of people to their post-work destination.

Six people were treated at the scene of the accident, and six others were hospitalized and released. By Saturday, the police department’s numbers indicated that 15 people were injured from the incident. Two of the individuals remained in critical condition through the weekend. Reports do not yet indicate if there was any alcohol, foul play, or impairment that could have contributed to the cause of the crash.

Hit-and-Run Accident Leaves One Motorcyclist Dead in Maryland

September 15, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Hit-and-run accidents can be scary, frustrating, and anxiety-producing because of the many questions you may have about what to do next. From insurance claims to filing police reports, and figuring out the next legal steps, this type of accident can be tricky to navigate alone. A hit-and-run accident involves a driver hitting a person, vehicle, property, or object and fleeing the scene, taking no accountability for the injuries to the person or the damages made to the property. This includes failure to provide assistance and failure to report the accident. Under Washington, D.C. law, first-time offenders of a hit-and-run violation may face a penalty of 180 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. Penalties may increase depending on how many times a person has been found to have been involved in a hit-and-run violation, as well as depending on the damages that resulted because of the collision.

According to a recent news report, a driver of a car was driving on Frank Tippet Road in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and collided with a motorcycle. The motorcyclist was found unresponsive at the scene and was later pronounced dead. The driver of the car fled after the crash. Police were able to later find the car that was involved in the crash, and were working to identify the driver.

What Next After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

After a car accident, it can be stressful to figure out what next steps to take, including the typical insurance claims. In many accident cases, after an accident happens, drivers exchange insurance information to help with processing claims. In the case of a hit-and-run, you may be wondering what to do next. In addition to seeking any medical attention that may be needed and ensuring your safety, it can be helpful to document the accident. This includes contacting the police and filing a police report so that it can be documented. Taking photos at the scene of the accident, including any injuries or property damage can be helpful. It is also important to contact your insurance company to file a claim. In addition, connecting with an experienced personal injury lawyer can be an essential next step to take. An attorney who has expertise in these types of claims can help you navigate the laws, including laws that concern the statute of limitation, or the deadline you have for being able to file a suit after an accident. Whether you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident, or whether your loved one is the victim of a hit-and-run and suffers injuries or even death as a result, having a lawyer on your side can make the difference in being able to recover damages for you or your loved ones injuries.

Electric Bikes and Scooters Causing Fires and Injuries

August 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Electric bikes and scooters have become increasingly popular over the years, as a convenient, yet fun way to commute. E-bikes and scooters are lightweight and can get you to where you need to go in a quicker and easier manner, which is part of the appeal. Although these electric vehicles are popular, there have been reports across the county of numerous fires in recent months that have raised some concerns. Reports of electric bikes and scooter fires have increased as lithium-ion batteries are common given the fact that these types of batteries hold lots of energy compared to normal batteries. Fire departments have warned against the potential dangers of lithium-ion batteries.

According to a recent news report, a tragic incident occurred when a lithium-ion battery from an electric bike or scooter sparked a fire in a Harlem apartment. The fire resulted in the death of a 5-year-old girl and a 36-year-old woman and left the child’s father in critical condition. Firefighters responded after 2:30 a.m. to the blaze in the sixth-floor apartment and found the bike inside the front door of the apartment, blocking the exit. The fire did not spread to other apartments and was under control in about an hour. In addition to the individuals mentioned, a firefighter and at least one other person also sustained minor injuries.

According to some experts, the lithium-ion battery can lead to a possible fire if it is damaged or overheated. In addition, as is the case for any product that consumers purchase, there’s the possibility of manufacturing defects or design flaws that could lead to personal injury. While fires from electrical bikes and scooters are a more recent phenomenon, the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen have years of experience handling some of the most complex personal injury cases and are ready to use their expertise to help you in your case.

Single-Car Accident in Washington, D.C. Kills Passenger

August 14, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

All unsafe driving habits are risky, but speeding can be deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was the cause of 11,258 traffic fatalities in 2020. And of the 23,824 individuals killed in vehicles in 2020, over half were not wearing seatbelts. On the other side of the coin, NHTSA estimates that seatbelts saved 14,955 lives in 2020 and could have saved another 2,549 more if those people had been wearing seatbelts.

When speeding and lack of seatbelt use combine, the results can be unfortunately fatal. According to a recent article, a Washington, D.C. man was killed in a single-car accident in a car speeding on a highway. The car was traveling at 100 miles per hour in a 65-mile-per-hour zone when a trooped attempted to pull it over. The driver attempted to speed up but ran off the road shortly after, crashing into a guardrail. The deceased man, a passenger, was ejected from the vehicle and died from the scene. Two other passengers, a man and a 13-year-old boy, were also seriously injured and not wearing seatbelts. An infant who was strapped in a safety seat survived the crash.

Wearing your seatbelt and driving safely can help, but sometimes are not enough to keep all drivers and passengers injury-free on the road. Utilizing safety devices is key, but you may be a passenger in a vehicle with a driver behaving recklessly. If you are in a collision with another car or even in a single-car accident as a passenger and are injured because of your driver’s negligence, you may have claims against the driver.

Washington DC has a Deadly July for Bicyclists

July 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Commuting by bicycle in a densely populated city is a common and sensible way to save money on auto expenses and parking, and many DC residents use a bike to run errands or get to work each day. Using a bicycle in a crowded city like Washington DC can be dangerous. July was especially deadly for bicyclists in the District, as three fatal accidents occurred. In the most recent incident, a woman was killed after she was struck by a semi-truck and pulled under the wheels near a construction site.

According to a local news report discussing the most recent bicycle fatality in the city, the victim was cycling to work at her job with the State Department when she was hit by a large commercial truck and run over. The truck that hit her was involved in a road construction project nearby. The article notes that the truck involved in the crash did not have a guard to prevent someone from being pulled under the truck. Such a guard is required for vehicles registered in DC, though the truck at issue was registered in Maryland, so it’s unclear whether any enforceable regulations were being violated.

How Can Motorists Avoid Bicycle Accidents?

DC drivers need to be extra attentive and careful when driving near bicyclists. This is especially true in areas with construction or road closures, because bike lanes are often reduced or eliminated during construction, and bicyclists must be allowed to use a full lane without fear of being hit by a car. Unfortunately, these recent fatal accidents demonstrate that many drivers are not paying enough attention. Bicyclists who are hurt or killed by a negligent driver may be entitled to significant compensation for their injuries and loss.

Medical Emergency Results in Fatal Washington D.C. Car Accident

July 10, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

While many car accidents are the result of reckless driving or disobeying traffic laws, sometimes, drivers are rendered unconscious or unresponsive because of a medical emergency. Medical emergencies can range from choking or fainting to even more severe emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks, or seizures. Car accidents involving medical emergencies can be serious and often fatal, as nearby pedestrians and other cars are not aware of the sudden loss of control by the individual experiencing the medical emergency.

In a recent news report, a Washington D.C. car accident occurred when a pickup truck ran a red light before hitting a male bicyclist and ultimately careening off the road and crashing into a firework stand. The accident occurred in Northeast D.C. around 5:30 p.m. near Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave Northeast and Minnesota Avenue. The police officers on the scene stated that they believed the driver of the pickup truck experienced a medical emergency when the crash happened. Both the male bicyclist and a man standing behind the firework stand were pronounced dead according to the police. The police stated that nobody else was killed or injured during the accident.

How Can D.C. Accident Victim Prove Another Driver Was at Fault?

When it comes to Washington D.C. car accident cases, defendants claiming to have experienced a medical emergency that led to a car accident have the option to pursue an Act of God defense. An Act of God defense in Washington D.C. offers a defense when the force of nature is uncontrolled and uninfluenced by humans and could not be prevented or avoided. Such a defense is difficult to successfully deploy and both parties need to examine the at-fault driver’s medical records to determine several issues. (1) Did the driver have pre-existing medical conditions, (2) was the driver taking medication for their condition, and (3) were any medical restrictions in effect at the time of the accident? Establishing if a medical emergency did in fact occur, and if so, to what degree it was foreseeable, and what steps the at-fault driver took to mitigate the risk of medical emergencies is vital to arriving at a proper result for a plaintiff’s claim. Successfully defeating a defense revolving around a medical emergency potentially involves proving that there were symptoms of the medical emergency that the at-fault driver negligently ignored, ultimately causing the accident.

Motorcyclist Severely Injured in D.C. Crash with Fire Truck

July 5, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

On a typical day, drivers and pedestrians share the road with various emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. Emergency vehicles may have to maneuver their way through heavy traffic to respond to an incident, which requires other drivers to be alert and prepared to safely move to the right and allow the vehicle to pass by. It is not surprising that when emergency vehicles are responding to other incidents, there’s a risk that they may instead collide with other cars, motorcyclists, or pedestrians on the road. According to the National Safety Council, in 2020, 180 people died in crashes involving emergency vehicles. Drivers and pedestrians should be alert and aware of their surroundings so that they can pay attention to when emergency vehicles that share the road with us.

In a recent news report, a man on a motorcycle was seriously injured after he was struck by a firetruck in Northwest D.C. According to the report, D.C. Fire and EMS crews were responding to a fire when they collided with a motorcyclist. The accident occurred at the intersection of 3rd and E streets in the Judiciary Square neighborhood. While no one on the fire truck was injured, the driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. An internal investigation is taking place to determine the cause of the crash.

In a busy city like Washington, D.C., it is common to hear an emergency siren blaring or to see emergency lights flashing, signaling a need for drivers to safely yield so that the emergency vehicle may pass by. Unsurprisingly, emergency response vehicles may be traveling at high speeds to respond to an incident, and sometimes these vehicles may provide little to no warning to give drivers enough time to decide how best to proceed. In some situations, if an accident occurs with an emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle may decide either not to stop so that they may continue responding to their original emergency situation, or they may decide to stop briefly to give the other driver enough time to get identifying information.

Trash and Recycling Truck Accidents in Washington D.C.

June 20, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generate over 250 million tons of trash annually. Garbage trucks are an integral part of society; however, like many other large vehicles, these trucks can pose a serious hazard to Maryland drivers. The fundamental nature of trash collection and garbage trucks makes it difficult to predict when and where a driver will stop. Although sanitation workers provide an essential service, their negligence can result in serious injuries to other drivers, passengers, cyclists, or pedestrians. Those who suffered injuries in an accident with a Maryland garbage truck should contact an experienced attorney.

Moreover, the Solid Waste Association of North America (“SWANA”) released a statement expressing concern about the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data that indicates a 15 percent increase in traffic fatalities in 2021. The data is consistent with SWANA’s findings showing a high level of third-party fatal accidents involving waste collection vehicles.

Although Maryland is one of the number of states to enact Slow Down to Get Around laws requiring drivers to move over or slow down when passing waste and recycling vehicles, these accidents continue to pose a serious risk to motorists. For instance, Maryland reports described an accident involving an 83-year-old woman who died after being run over by a garbage truck. According to reports, the woman was crossing the road when a trash truck struck her while backing up.

Fiery D.C. Car Accident Involving Three Vehicles Leads to Serious Injuries

May 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Car crashes oftentimes lead to both property damage and physical injury, and they can be especially devasting when a vehicle catches fire. Fires may erupt in the aftermath of a car accident for numerous reasons. These reasons include leaking fuel tanks and lines, as well as electrical system failures. In addition to navigating property damage claims as a result of collisions, victims of these types of car accidents may experience injury as a result of the fire, such as burns or exposure to toxic fumes.

In a recent news report, three vehicles were involved in a car accident in Washington D.C. this month. The accident occurred in Southeast D.C. at the 2300 block of Southern Avenue SE at about 7:45pm. First responders arrived to the scene of the accident to find two people trapped inside one vehicle and a third person trapped in another vehicle. Two men and one woman were taken by helicopter to trauma centers. Two of the victims were in critical condition while one was in serious condition. As a result of the accident, at least one of the cars caught on fire. An investigation is taking place to determine what led to the crash.

How to Obtain Evidence To Establish Fault in Car Accidents

Obtaining evidence from the scene of a car accident is an important part of building a case when injured due to a car accident. Establishing fault after a car accident is a critical component to being able to successfully recover damages, but establishing fault can be especially tricky when an injured party must also navigate medical bills, insurance claims, and pain management. In addition, injured parties may have little memory of the accident or may not have been able to take photographs or take information down at the scene of the accident.

Understanding Fault in a Washington, D.C. Personal Injury Lawsuit

May 17, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

If you were injured recently in an accident because of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or carelessness, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation against them. Before you proceed, however, it is crucial that you understand the basic elements of a Washington, D.C. personal injury lawsuit—namely, how fault is allocated between the parties and how it will affect the success of your claim.

According to a recent local news report, at least four people were injured after a vehicle crashed into a hotel lobby in northwest Washington, D.C. Local authorities reported that the accident took place mid-morning when a vehicle drove into the lobby through the glass façade of the Yotel hotel on New Jersey Avenue. Although there were no structural integrity issues observed in the hotel building following the accident, four patients were transported to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries, with at least one of them suffering from serious injuries. A separate individual was also treated on the scene for minor injuries but declined to be transported to the hospital. The accident remains under investigation as the immediate cause of the crash into the hotel is unknown.

How is fault determined in Washington, D.C. personal injury lawsuits?

Washington, D.C., like other parts of the United States, has unique laws and rules governing personal injury claims. Although specific differences such as the time available for a statute of limitations or the elements required to successfully file your initial personal injury claim are important, understanding the fault rules in D.C. could provide you with a clearer picture of the potential success of your claim—and whether you should bring a lawsuit at all. Washington, D.C. follows a fault framework called the “contributory fault” rule for claims that involve personal injury cases. This means that if an injured person is found to have shared fault or contributed to the accident taking place in any way, they will be prevented from recovering compensation against the at-fault party entirely.