Earlier last month, a vehicle belonging to a D.C. Council Member was involved in a Washington, D.C. hit-and-run accident on Interstate 295, near Malcolm X Avenue SE. According to a local news report, the accident occurred just before midnight. An acquaintance of the Council Member was operating the vehicle, and the Council Member was not inside the car at the time of the accident.
Evidently, a BMW that was owned by the Council Member rear-ended a Toyota Camry that had three people inside. Initially, both vehicles came to a stop. However, from this point, each driver offers a different version of events.
The man who was rear-ended told police that the other driver provided him with two phone numbers and a name and then drove away. However, neither phone number was valid. The driver then called the police, who ran the name given by the other driver. Police could not find anyone who went by the name provided by the driver. The accident victim then showed police a photograph he took of the car’s license plate. Police later determined that the vehicle belonged to Council Member White.
The man driving the Council Member’s car disputed that the accident was a hit-and-run. The man explained that he “was able to resolve the accident at the scene with the other driver,” but did not provide further details. However, when questioned by police a few days later, the man acknowledged that he left the scene of the accident because he panicked. Authorities filed hit-and-run charges against the driver.
Washington, D.C. Hit-and-Run Accidents
Washington, D.C. motorists may flee the scene of an accident for any number of reasons, including that they are intoxicated, unlicensed, uninsured, wanted by police, or just afraid of being cited for causing the accident. However, after a Washington, D.C. car accident – even a minor one – all drivers involved in the crash are required by law to stop, arrange for emergency medical assistance if it is necessary, exchange information with the other drivers, and wait for police to arrive at the scene.
If a driver fails to do fulfill any of these obligations, they may be cited by police. In addition, the hit-and-run driver may also be liable for any injuries caused as a result of the accident through a Washington, D.C. personal injury claim. In some cases, the fact that the driver fled from the scene of the accident may be admissible to determine whether they caused the accident. Anyone considering filing a Washington, D.C. car accident lawsuit should contact a dedicated personal injury attorney for assistance.
Have You Been Involved in a Washington, D.C. Car Accident?
If you or someone you love has recently been the victim of a Washington, D.C. hit-and-run car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC we represent car accident victims across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. We handle all types of Washington, D.C. car accident cases, including hit-and-run accidents and accidents involving uninsured drivers. To learn more, call us at 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation today.