Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Washington, District of Columbia
The firms in this guide
1. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck crashes, bucket truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: Nationally recognized firm focused solely on personal injury law with over 40 years of experience. Award-winning attorneys recognized by Washington DC Super Lawyers. The firm has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for truck accident victims. Notable results include $15 million for paralysis from stray bullet, $6 million for brain injury from rear-end collision, and $5 million for medical malpractice brain injury.
Location: Washington, DC (serving entire Washington DC metro area including Northern Virginia and Maryland)
Contact: (202) 659-8600 | https://www.chaikinandsherman.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation
2. Regan Zambri Long
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, medical malpractice, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, product liability
Case Types Handled: Commercial truck accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, delivery truck crashes, government vehicle accidents
Legal Services: FMCSA regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, evidence preservation, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Nearly 30 years of experience securing millions in settlements and verdicts for injury victims throughout Washington, DC. Founding partners are board-certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Recognized by Best Lawyers, Lawdragon, Super Lawyers, and other prestigious legal organizations. One of the few specialized truck accident law firms serving Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Location: Washington, DC
Contact: https://rhllaw.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultations
3. Gelb & Gelb, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, vehicle accidents, personal injury, commercial vehicle litigation
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, commercial truck crashes, delivery truck accidents (Giant Grocery, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, UHAUL), commercial enterprise vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Federal and local DC trucking regulations investigation, FMCSA regulations compliance review, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: Roger Gelb has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for victims. The firm has over 70 years of experience and has handled thousands of personal injury cases throughout the DC area. Vehicle accidents are the firm’s primary focus. The firm responds to client questions 24/7.
Location: Washington, DC
Contact: https://gelbandgelb.com
Consultation: Free consultation
4. Ashcraft & Gerel
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Legacy spanning over 70 years championing the cases of truck accident victims and securing just compensation. Experienced truck accident lawyers understand the regulations that play a role in truck accident claims and the intricacies of handling these types of personal injury cases.
Location: 1825 K St NW STE 700, Washington, DC 20006
Contact: (202) 335-2600 | https://www.ashcraftandgerel.com
Consultation: Free case review
5. The Cochran Firm DC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck crashes, commercial truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal trucking regulations investigation, accident scene reconstruction, expert witness consultation, medical record analysis, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: The attorneys of The Cochran Firm, DC have recovered millions for injured victims and have received significant media coverage and legal industry attention for achieving remarkable verdicts and settlements. The firm has experience navigating both federal regulations and DC law.
Location: 1666 K Street NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20006 (also Baltimore office at 400 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202)
Contact: (202) 589-1500 | 1-800-THE-FIRM | https://www.cochranfirm.com/washington-dc
Consultation: Consultation available
Federal Driving Rules, Carrier Records and D.C. Deadlines in Washington Truck Crash Claims
A truck crash in the District brings federal motor carrier rules on driving time, driver files and record retention together with D.C. Code deadlines for suing the carrier, notifying the District and bringing a death claim.
Daily Driving Limits
Except as otherwise provided in 49 CFR 395.1, 49 CFR 395.3(a) requires 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving, limits a property-carrying driver to 11 hours of driving, bars driving after the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, and bars driving once more than 8 hours of driving time have passed without a consecutive 30-minute interruption.
Driver Files and Records
Except as provided in subpart G, 49 CFR 391.11(b) requires the driver to be at least 21, physically qualified, holding a currently valid commercial license issued by only one jurisdiction, not disqualified, and road-tested or holding an accepted equivalent, along with the English and experience requirements. Under 395.8(k)(1), duty-status records are kept at least 6 months, and under 390.15(b) the accident register is kept for 3 years.
Deadlines Under the D.C. Code
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, D.C. Code § 12-301(a) sets three years for actions with no other limitation specially prescribed. A death claim under § 16-2701 is brought by the personal representative within 2 years after the death under § 16-2702.
A District Vehicle
Except as provided in subsection (b), D.C. Code § 12-309(a) requires written notice to the Mayor within six months after the injury, stating the approximate time, place, cause and circumstances, before an action for unliquidated damages may be maintained against the District; a Metropolitan Police Department report in regular course of duty is sufficient.
Washington, D.C. Truck Accident Questions
Does a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a truck lose the claim for being partly at fault?
No, not necessarily. D.C. Code § 50-2204.52 provides that a pedestrian or other vulnerable user’s negligence in a collision with a motor vehicle does not bar recovery unless it was a proximate cause and greater than the aggregated negligence of all defendants. For a driver or passenger outside that statute, the D.C. Court of Appeals has treated a plaintiff’s contributory negligence as a complete bar to recovery (Massengale v. Pitts, 1999).
How much coverage must an interstate carrier have?
Under 49 CFR 387.9, a for-hire carrier hauling nonhazardous property in interstate commerce in a vehicle rated 10,001 pounds or more must carry at least $750,000, with $1,000,000 or $5,000,000 for listed oil and hazardous materials.
What minimum coverage applies to a D.C. driver who is not a motor carrier?
Under D.C. Code § 31-2406, $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in third-party personal liability, and $10,000 in property damage liability.