• 07
  • December
    2011

The District of Columbia could be dealing with a significant administrative headache after a multi-vehicle crash Monday at the intersection of 13th and Florida in Northeast D.C. Twelve people wound up in the hospital as a result of the wreck.

Authorities say that no one suffered life threatening injuries. That's fortunate. But regardless of whether the trauma the victims suffered was as simple as a sprain, or as devastating as a brain or spinal injury, they deserve the compensation necessary to allow them the time they need to recover, without worrying about medical bills.

This particular incident involved a Metrobus, a D.C. Public Works trash truck and a privately owned sport utility vehicle. Witnesses say the whole thing seemed to happen in a flash, even though none of the vehicles was going very fast. Nine of the injured were reportedly on the bus, two were in the SUV and one was on the truck. One witness says two people landed in the street.

At the time this post is being written, the official word is that the matter is still being investigated. Based on the reports to date, though, it appears that the city trash truck plowed into the rear of the SUV and pushed it into the intersection. It may then have spun around into the bus.

One thing that commonly happens in situations like this is that insurance adjusters move fast to try to resolve potential claims from victims. The offers may sound good, but often come up short on providing the full benefit that a victim winds up needing in the long term to make a full recovery. Before accepting any offer, victims of this type of accident should contact an attorney.

Source: WUSA9.com, "12 People Injured In Metro Bus-Trash Truck Accident," Meta Pettus, Dec. 5, 2011