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Choosing a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Choosing a DC motorcycle accident attorney is important if you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle accident. The city of Washington DC is notorious for its heavy traffic, including highways and construction projects. When motorcyclists get caught in the traffic, they are in danger of being run over by a vehicle. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should contact a motorcycle accident attorney immediately.
Insurance companies
It is vital to have an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Washington, DC to protect your rights. Even the most cautious rider can cause a collision because of a left turn. Medical bills can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime. Even if you are only temporarily disabled, you may need specialized equipment to recover from a serious motorcycle accident. If you don’t have insurance, it can be a difficult process to pursue compensation from an insurer.
While you may not be able to recover compensation from the insurance company of the other driver, you can still sue them for your injuries. Washington, DC, requires motorcycle riders to carry insurance. In addition to suing the driver of the other vehicle, you can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the insurance company of the other party. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you should take steps to protect your legal rights.
Statute of limitations
In DC, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is three years from the date of the accident. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, a minor can have the statute of limitations tolled until the age of majority. If a minor is under the age of 18, they will have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. In addition, the District of Columbia can toll the limitations period when the individual is unconscious or incarcerated. The limitation period will start running again when the individual becomes conscious.
The statute of limitations for car accidents in D.C. and Maryland is three years from the date of the collision, with certain exceptions. Unless the victim is a minor, they may not initiate a lawsuit on their own. However, they can do so if they were injured by a motor vehicle. If this is the case, the defendant’s car, motorcycle, or traffic light manufacturer is liable.
Contributory Negligence
A common defense for defendants in motorcycle accidents is Contributory Negligence. Contributory negligence refers to a plaintiff’s failure to ensure his or her own safety. When a plaintiff is found to have contributed to the accident, the defendant is entitled to a lesser amount of compensation. Defendants will often attempt to limit the amount of compensation that the plaintiff can receive based on contributory negligence.
In order to successfully prove that the other party was at fault, the plaintiff must be able to show that their breach of duty resulted in the injury or damage. In many cases, a motorcyclist’s injury can result in months of recovery or even the loss of earnings. The chances of a speedy recovery are slim in a motorcycle accident, particularly if the plaintiff is an elderly person.
Damages that can be recovered
Injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can cause significant financial hardship for the victim. Medications and specialized equipment can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime. The negligence of the other party may be partly to blame. Regardless of the cause of the accident, a DC motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to help you recover damages for any resulting injuries.
In some cases, it may be impossible to recover damages. In such situations, you should consult with an experienced DC motorcycle accident lawyer. While many states have a 50 percent contributory negligence limit, DC does not. For example, if you were not wearing a helmet, you are considered to be a part of the accident. Even a small amount of fault can be sufficient to prevent you from recovering damages.
