If You Were Seriously Injured in a Car Accident, You’re in the Right Place
One crash can leave you dealing with pain, medical bills, missed work, and pressure from the insurance company.
At Donahoe Kearney, we help people after serious car accidents in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding Maryland and Virginia area. If you need surgery, physical therapy, or time away from work, you do not have to handle the insurance company alone.
Whether the crash happened on I-495, Georgia Avenue, Route 1, or a neighborhood street in D.C., we deal with the paperwork, deadlines, and insurance pressure so you can focus on getting better.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
Even if the other driver was clearly at fault, their insurance company is not there to protect you. They are trained to protect their bottom line.
They may delay your claim, question your injuries, push for a quick settlement, or act like your case is not serious. But you only get one chance to resolve your injury claim, and settling too soon can hurt you later.
With the right legal help, you may be able to recover compensation for:
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What to Do After a Serious Car Accident
If you are seriously hurt after a car crash, your health comes first. These steps can help protect you and your case:
Get medical care as soon as possible.
Even if you feel okay at first, symptoms can show up later. Seeing a doctor creates a record of your injuries.
Save everything.
Photos from the scene, medical bills, doctor notes, repair records, and pay stubs showing missed work can all matter later.
Be careful with the other driver’s insurance company.
They may sound helpful, but they are trained to protect themselves, not you.
Get legal guidance before things move too far.
If you are missing work, dealing with serious pain, or facing major medical bills, waiting can make things harder to fix.
What If the Car Accident Was Not Your Fault?
If another driver caused the crash, their insurance should usually be the first place to look for payment. But sometimes the other driver has no insurance or only has a small policy that is not enough to cover your medical bills, missed wages, and long-term injuries.
That does not always mean you are out of options.
You may have coverage through your own car insurance policy called uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage. This is often shortened to UM/UIM coverage.
That coverage may help when:
the other driver had no insurance
the other driver’s insurance is too low
your injuries are serious and the bills are more than the other driver’s policy
you need surgery, rehab, or time away from work
This can feel unfair because you may have to make a claim with your own insurance company even though you did not cause the crash. But your insurance company still has rules to follow, and they may still push back, delay, or try to pay less than the claim is worth.
Before you assume there is no money available, it is important to understand what insurance coverage exists and how it applies to your case.
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
If your injuries are minor and you are already feeling better, you may not need a lawyer.
But if you are missing work, in serious pain, need physical therapy, need surgery, or have ongoing medical care, handling the case on your own can cost you.
Insurance companies move quickly. They may ask for a recorded statement, push for a fast settlement, or act like your injuries are not serious. Once you settle, you usually cannot go back and ask for more money later, even if your condition gets worse.
After a serious car accident, medical bills can start coming in before the case is settled. That can feel overwhelming, especially if you are also missing work.
Depending on your situation, medical bills may be paid through health insurance, auto insurance, medical payments coverage, or as part of the final injury claim against the at-fault driver.
The problem is that insurance companies do not always explain this clearly. You may get bills in the mail, calls from providers, or confusing letters from different insurance companies while you are still trying to recover.
Before you give a statement, sign forms, or agree to a quick settlement, it is important to understand who may be responsible for your medical bills and how those bills could affect your case.
What If You Cannot Work After a Car Accident?
If a car accident in Washington, D.C. has taken you out of work, the financial pressure can hit fast. You may be dealing with pain, doctor appointments, missed paychecks, and pressure from the insurance company at the same time.
Get medical care right away and keep records showing why you cannot work. This may include doctor notes, work restrictions, missed pay records, and treatment plans.
Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company about your injuries, your job, or when you think you can return to work without understanding your rights. They may try to use your words against you or pressure you to move faster than your body is ready for.
What If You Were Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian?
Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries because you have no protection when a car, truck, or bus hits you. Even a low-speed crash can lead to broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, surgery, physical therapy, and time away from work.
After a pedestrian accident, the insurance company may try to blame you, question where you were walking, or argue that your injuries are not as serious as they are. Do not assume they will treat you fairly just because you were the one hurt.
If you were hit by a car while walking in Washington, D.C. or the surrounding area, get medical care right away and keep any photos, witness information, police reports, and medical records you have.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in D.C.?
In many D.C. car accident cases, you may have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. But deadlines can change depending on the facts, so do not wait. The sooner we get started, the more we can do to gather evidence, deal with the insurance company, and protect your case while you focus on healing.
What if I did not feel pain right away or waited to see a doctor?
This is common after car accidents. Symptoms can appear days or weeks later. You may still have a case, but getting medical care as soon as possible helps protect your health and your claim.
What types of compensation can I recover after a car accident?
You may be able to recover money for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, damage to your vehicle, and future treatment if you need it.
Get Help from a Lawyer Who Knows What You’re Going Through
We help people dealing with real injuries, real stress, and real financial pressure after serious car accidents. You should not have to worry about paperwork, insurance tactics, or missed deadlines. That is our job.
You have worked hard to take care of your family. Now let us take care of you.
Hemos estado ayudando a la gente en Washington, DC, Maryland y Virginia con lesiones graves durante más de 30 años.
Está aquí por una lesión o dolencia grave. Ahora estás tratando con una compañía de seguros. Quiere recuperar su vida. Lo entendemos. Te ayudamos a guiarte a través de este proceso para que puedas enfrentarte a la compañía de seguros y recuperar tu seguridad financiera, tu control y tu independencia.
Por qué elegirnos
Nationally recognized, Board Certified trial attorney, Attorney Frank Kearney.
I had a great experience working with Donahoe Kearney. Frank, Paul, and Grace did an excellent job helping me reach a settlement and made the whole process much easier to deal with.
I worked with Paul a lot throughout the case, and he was always professional, responsive, and easy to communicate with. What I appreciated most was how he kept everything short, clear, and straight to the point. He explained things in a way that was easy to understand and kept me informed every step of the way.
Thanks to his hard work and guidance, we were able to reach a good settlement. I would definitely recommend Frank and Paul to anyone looking for a lawyer. They are knowledgeable, efficient, and truly work for their clients. Make sure you read the awesome newsletters they are great! Thank you!
