What Should I Do if I Am in an Accident in the Federal Triangle?

As office workers return to Washington, D.C., many have elected to drive to work instead of taking mass transit. There are numerous federal buildings located in the so-called Federal Triangle. The crowded conditions of the area make it more likely that you may be involved in a car accident. Here is what you need to do after you have been injured in a Federal Triangle car accident.

The Dangers of Driving in Federal Triangle

Although Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues are wide thoroughfares that support high traffic volumes, they also have dangers in their own ways. Drivers are often making difficult left turns onto and off of these roads. In addition, there are often unpredictable traffic patterns that can change based on events in the area. Lights are not always perfectly timed, and some only give pedestrians and drivers a short amount of time to make their way through the intersection. Because of the high activity in the area, there may be buses pulling into and out of traffic and cars that are double-parked. All of these add up to contribute significant hazards for drivers and pedestrians in the area. Here is what you should do after you have been involved in a Federal Triangle car accident.

Report the Accident to the Police Immediately

Although there may be multiple federal law enforcement agencies operating in the area, it is the Metropolitan Police to whom you must report the accident. District of Columbia traffic laws apply to your crash, and they mandate that you file an accident report under nearly all circumstances. You will need this police report when you file an insurance claim later in time. You may face legal jeopardy yourself if you fail to report the car accident in time.

Get Medical Help and Follow Up on Your Treatment

You may have been treated for your injuries at the scene of the accident. If this is the case, it is vital that you follow up on your medical care in the days afterward to both ensure the fullest possible recovery and protect your legal right to compensation. If you did not require emergency medical care, it is still important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you are feeling any symptoms of car accident injuries. These injuries may take some time to manifest themselves through symptoms, so it is imperative that you are vigilant. Further, you should follow up on all of your medical appointments because you have an obligation both to yourself and to mitigate your damages.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney

At the same time that you are taking care of your health, you must also keep an eye on the legal process. Car accident evidence may be fleeting, meaning that it can disappear in a hurry if you do not take steps to preserve it. However, you may be preoccupied with your physical health, and you may not know how to document your own car accident. Further, the insurance company that represents the other driver is well aware of the accident, and they may already be taking steps to protect themselves from potential liability.

Contacting a car accident attorney means that you do not have to deal with the legal process yourself when you do not have the ability to do so. All it takes is a phone call and a decision to hire a lawyer to get the ball rolling on seeking compensation for your injuries. Your car accident attorney handles all of the details of your case. They will immediately get to work to investigate the accident and to put you in a position to recover full financial compensation for your injuries. It does not cost you any money out of your pocket to hire a car accident attorney, so you do not have any financial risk.

Washington, D.C., Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King Will Protect Your Right to Compensation

After a Federal Triangle motor vehicle crash, reach out to the Washington, D.C., car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King. Call us at 888-740-KING (5464) or complete our online form today for a free consultation. We have offices in Washington, D.C., National Harbor, MD, Falls Church, VA, and Durham, NC, and we serve clients in the surrounding areas.