Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog

Rollaway Accidents Are a Continuing Concern in Washington D.C.

August 18, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that rollaway accidents cause nearly 2000 injuries and 150 deaths every year in the United States. Families are taking to Washington D.C. to address the growing concern of rollaway accidents. Rollaway accidents occur when a vehicle moves without a driver controlling the vehicle. Many newer vehicles are equipped with a brake transmission safety interlock (BTSI). This system prevents a vehicle from shifting from park to drive unless the engine is on and a foot is on the brake. Before this technology, vehicles could shift gears when the car was off, and there was no foot on the brake.

Safety officials mandated this system after several rollaway accidents. The federal guidelines mandate that all cars manufactured after 2010 must have this equipment.

Despite the new technology, these rollaway accidents continue to occur in Washington D.C. The leading cause of rollaway accidents involves:

Failure to Warn Washington D.C. Product Liability Claims

August 11, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Washington D.C product liability claims generally arise after a person suffers injuries or dies because of a design defect, manufacturing defect, or inadequate warning. Product liability generally applies to the legal responsibility that a product’s designer, manufacturer, distributor, or retailer has towards consumers. The premise of the theory is that consumers have a right to safe and effective products.

Failure to warn claims involve situations where a consumer suffers injuries or dies because of an inadequate or missing warning. The claims can survive despite the product’s appropriate design and manufacture. Manufacturers must clearly warn consumers of any known or potential hazards associated with the product. Further, manufacturers must include instructions on how to use the product appropriately.

How Can Injury Victims Prove a Product Liability Claim?

Injury victims or their families must establish that the product contains a defect that makes it unreasonably dangerous, the defect was present when the product left the manufacturer, and the defect caused the victim’s injuries and damages. Companies must clearly convey the warning to customers. Courts will generally look to the totality of the circumstances when determining whether a warning was sufficient. However, it is essential to note that manufacturers do not need to warn consumers of apparent dangers. For example, a switchblade company does not need to warn customers that the blade is dangerous. However, a pharmaceutical company should warn consumers that taking a particular medication may impair their driving.

Washington, D.C. Hit-And-Run Penalties and Liability

July 31, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

All Washington, D.C. drivers must carry insurance while operating a vehicle and must remain at the scene of an accident so that the accident can be fully investigated. Under section 50-2201.05c of the D.C. Code, anyone who operates or is in physical control of a vehicle and knows or believes that the vehicle has been in a collision must immediately stop. The person is required to call 911 if another person needs medical attention, remain on the scene until law enforcement arrives, and provide identifying information to law enforcement and to any person who was injured, whose property was injured, or whose wild or domestic animal was injured.

Depending on the nature of the offense, a conviction for a first offense of leaving the scene of an accident may be subject to incarceration for up to 180 days and a fine of $1,000 for a first offense. Only if the driver’s personal safety is at risk is the driver able to leave the scene and can delay calling for help and notifying law enforcement.

How Can Accident Victims Recover After a Hit and Run Accident?

Victims injured in a hit-and-run crash may be able to use proof that the driver fled the scene of the accident in a civil lawsuit against the driver. A conviction for fleeing the scene or another offense may be useful in a civil lawsuit and may be admissible as evidence in court. A victim injured in a hit-and-run accident may be able to recover compensation from the driver for damages related to personal injuries, property damages, psychological suffering, and more. Fleeing the scene of an accident is illegal and is never a good idea. Even if a person manages to flee the scene of the accident, law enforcement generally puts significant effort into finding suspects, as one recent news report shows.

New Contributory Negligence Law in D.C. Offers More Protection to Scooter Riders

July 25, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

On any given day, the streets of Washington, D.C. are filled with the excitement of passing cars, e-scooters, and bicyclists, to name a few – all of whom are sharing the roads. Until recently, D.C. offered little protection to “vulnerable users” injured while traveling on the road. Washington D.C. is one of the four states that still abides by contributory negligence. Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, and North Carolina are the other three states following contributory negligence rules.

What Is Contributory Negligence?

In states with contributory negligence laws, individuals are barred from recovering compensation for their injuries in an accident if they contribute to causing the accident, even if they are only one percent at fault for the accident. Such laws have historically made it more difficult for individuals injured in accidents to receive compensation even when the other involved party has acted negligently. However, in December 2020, the D.C. Council passed a new law that offers more protection to vulnerable users of a public highway or sidewalk.

How Food Recalls Impact Washington D.C. Products Liability Lawsuits

July 16, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

When someone experiences illness, disease or death because of a contaminated or unsafe food product, discovering who was liable and recovering damages can be challenging. Determining liability among parties throughout the food supply chain is complicated and requires a comprehensive understanding of complex tort laws. The first step in developing a solid case is establishing which type of defect caused the claimant’s injuries. Generally, product liability defect claims stem from design defects, manufacturing defects, or marketing defects. In the case of food contamination, the majority of cases arise from manufacturing defects. These claims fall under one or more legal theories, including negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty.

Many product liability lawsuits involve:

Defective infant items
Electrical machines
Poorly designed car parts
Recalled drugs and devices

While all of these claims present unique challenges, product liability lawsuits involving contaminated food present victims with arduous evidentiary issues; even if a food manufacturer or distributor recalls a contaminated food item, injury victims must still meet strict requirements to recover damages successfully.

Washington D.C. Boating Accident Lawsuits

July 10, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

For many Americans, boating is a popular and leisurely activity that people look forward to all year-especially this year as many are eager to meet up with friends and loved ones. While pleasure boating is fun for all ages, these seemingly relaxing activities can quickly turn dangerous. Washington D.C. boating accidents can result in serious injuries to individuals on board, in the water, or near docks. Those who embark on the water this summer should understand the real risks associated with these activities.

The U.S. Coast Guard released its recent reports on boating fatalities in the United States. The report revealed that boating accidents increased over 26%, and non-fatal injury victims increased nearly 25%. Further, the number of boating fatalities increased 25.1% from 2019 to 2020. While access to many activities was limited over the past year, recreational boating significantly increased. Researchers discovered this increase by examining boat sales, boat insurance policies, injury claims, and towing assistance calls. Understandably the increase in boaters, especially novice boaters, has led to more exposure to dangerous situations.

Boating in Washington D.C. requires the experience of those who can skillfully and safely handle these vessels. When a boat operator fails to engage in the safe operation of their boats, operate their boats while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or fail to maintain their boats in safe working order, accidents are inevitable. The report indicates that the most common vessels involved in fatal accidents included open motorboats, personal watercrafts such as jet skis, and cabin motorboats.

Reports Say Drunken Driver Killed Pedestrian in Washington, D.C.

July 1, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Following the formal reopening of Washington, D.C. last month, the city experienced a surge in nighttime activity. With bars and nightclubs back at full capacity, the city also seemed primed for an increase in drunk driving. According to a recent news source, around 3:00 A.M. on a Sunday morning following the city’s reopening, a man allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol crashed into a bus stop, killing a pedestrian.

Unfortunately, drunk driving remains common in the United States. In the nation’s Capital, a person is considered to be driving under the influence when she exhibits signs of cognitive impairment from alcohol and her blood alcohol content does not exceed .07 percent. According to recent statistics, driving while intoxicated results in a significant increase in the likelihood of a deadly motor vehicle accident like the one that happened in D.C. last month.

Reports say that the allegedly drunken driver was arrested and criminally charged with murder and driving under the influence. Although the resolution of the criminal case is an important step in the pursuit of justice, even if the driver is determined to be guilty, these criminal charges will not result in any meaningful financial compensation to the deceased victim or his family.

Washington, D.C. Pedestrian Bridge Collapses, Injuring Five

June 24, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent news article details the collapse of a pedestrian bridge that injured five people. The bridge was located on I-295, in northwest D.C. Apparently, a truck lost control and crashed into the concrete support beams holding up the bridge. This caused the bridge to collapse onto the highway. Reports indicated that debris from the bridge came raining down on passing motorists, causing several car accidents. In all, five people were injured as a result of the collapse.

Authorities began looking into the accident, discovering that the inspectors’ most recent assessment of the bridge indicated that it was in poor repair and may need to be replaced. However, at this point, investigators cannot conclusively say that the compromised condition of the bridge contributed to its collapse.

In an accident such as this one, there may be several parties who share the blame. For example, the truck driver who crashed into the support beam may have been distracted or otherwise negligent. However, it is also possible that another motorist cut off the truck driver, who then attempted to avoid the collision by swerving out of the way. Additionally, the government may be liable if the evidence suggests that the bridge would not have collapsed had it been repaired.

Claims of Bad Faith Against D.C. Insurance Companies

June 17, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The aftermath of a car accident can be stressful, if not devastating, for many Washington, D.C. accident victims. Victims of D.C. car accidents often rely on insurance companies to resolve accident claims. But what can accident victims do when an insurer fails to act in good faith to resolve a claim?

What Is a Bad Faith Insurance Claim?

Under D.C. law, all contracts, including insurance contracts, contain an implied covenant for all parties to act in good faith. Parties to the contract may be able to recover damages for a breach of contract if a party fails to act in good faith. D.C. courts have not recognized a separate tort of bad faith by insurance companies in the handling of policy claims. However, in addition to breach of contract claims, there may be other claims relating to insurance contracts, such as fraud and negligent misrepresentation. Some states recognize a separate claim of bad faith. One recent case reflects how a claim of bad faith may be interpreted by a court.

In that case, a drunk driver hit a woman’s vehicle at a railroad crossing, causing it to crash into an oncoming train. The woman suffered permanent injuries, and her eight-year-old son was tragically killed in the crash. The other driver was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The insurer of the drunk driver quickly offered a total of $20,000 to the woman and her son’s estate, amounting to the full bodily injury policy limits under the policy.

Are Washington, D.C. Property Owners Required to Keep Sidewalks Free of Hazards?

June 9, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Under Washington, D.C. premises liability laws, property owners are required to keep public sidewalks in front of their premises free of snow and sleet by clearing sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight after a snowfall. However, an individual cannot sue a landowner under the statute in a D.C. premises liability case for failing to keep premises free of snow and sleet. Only the D.C. government can enforce the statute against landowners by fining landowners who fail to comply. A landowner may be liable, however, if the landowner acts in a way that increases the hazard created by snow or ice and which then causes the plaintiff’s injuries.

In a recent case before one state’s supreme court, the court rejected such a case. In that case, the plaintiff was entering a restaurant, and as she approached the restaurant, she slipped and fell on ice, sustaining injuries. The portion of the sidewalk where she fell was a public sidewalk. She filed a complaint against the restaurant, alleging that the restaurant was negligent in failing to maintain the sidewalk and the restaurant’s arrival area in a safe and proper condition.

That court rejected the plaintiff’s case, holding that a city ordinance that required an owner to clear a sidewalk of snow and ice created a duty only to the municipality and not to individuals. Thus, only the municipality was able to enforce the ordinance. The court stated that a landowner whose property touches public property does not have a duty to other individuals (including customers) to repair or maintain it. In addition, there was no evidence that the restaurant’s efforts to clear the sidewalk made the sidewalk more dangerous than if they had done nothing.