Earlier this week in the Chinatown area of Washington, D.C., one man was killed when an SUV rolled over him, pinning him underneath until emergency responders were able to free him. According to one local news report, the accident occurred at H Street between 4th and 5th Streets.
Evidently, the driver of an SUV was speeding down H Street towards 5th Street when he lost control of the vehicle. The SUV began to roll and collided with a traffic-light pole, which came crashing down into a nearby building. After going through the pole, the vehicle continued until it hit a wall, causing it to rotate. Ultimately, the SUV came to a rest on top of a pedestrian. At some point in the SUV’s tumble, it collided with another person as well.
The man pinned underneath the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the SUV, as well as the other pedestrian who was hit by the SUV, are both in the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police are currently conducting an investigation into the fatal accident, and charges are pending against the driver of the SUV.
Police say that nearby security cameras caught most of the accident on tape and that they will review the tapes to help them determine what exactly happened. Thus far, all nearby businesses have been cooperative with the police investigation and have provided the footage without requiring a subpoena.
The Importance of Investigation in Auto Accident Cases
Auto accidents often occur in a matter of seconds. Even when people are nearby and witness the accident, it is unlikely that they are paying full attention to what happened at the time. Therefore, the most reliable “testimony” in an auto accident case often comes from video.
Given the increased prevalence of private and public cameras, more and more serious car accidents are caught on tape. This video evidence is good for DC accident victims because it shows what really happened and prevents the defendant from creating an after-the-fact story to excuse his or her negligent driving behavior. However, video evidence is not available in all cases. When it isn’t a Washington, DC personal injury, the plaintiff will have to rely on other forms of evidence to prove the defendant was at fault in the accident. Speaking with a dedicated personal injury attorney is a good place to start if you have any questions about an accident you were involved in.
Have You Been Injured in a DC Car Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a serious Washington, DC car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation based on the other driver’s negligence. However, keep in mind that the insurance company backing the negligent driver will fight tooth-and-nail to shift the blame onto an innocent victim. Therefore, having a dedicated and experienced DC personal injury attorney is strongly advised. The Maryland and Washington DC law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers has years of experience recovering for clients who have been injured by negligent drivers. To speak with an attorney, call 410-654-3600 to set up a free initial consultation.
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New Report Finds over 60 Virginia Children Have Died in Daycare Facilities Since 2004, Lack of Oversight Blamed, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, September 4, 2014
One Dead, Dozens Injured in DC Metro Smoke Incident, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, January 16, 2015