New DC Law Will Help Bike Accident Victims Get Paid
Washington, DC – September 20, 2016. The D.C. Council approved a new law today which will help cyclists and pedestrians get compensated when they are struck by motor vehicles.
When Will the Bill Pass?
Paul Zukerberg, a personal injury lawyer and cyclist himself, was there for the historic vote. “It’s a big win for bike safety, and
a huge loss for insurance companies,” said Zukerberg. “They will now have to pay up when drivers are at fault.”
The bill now goes to Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has signaled she will sign it, and then must pass a 30 day congressional review period before becoming law.
Negligence Laws in DC
Under the old law of contributory negligence, bike riders and pedestrians would not receive any compensation if they were even 1% negligent. The new law allows for comparative negligence, which would allow responsibility for the collision to be shared among those involved.
Naturally, insurance companies found against the change. They used the old 1% rule to deny coverage, even when the motorist was 99% responsible for the crash.
Even under the new law, an injured cyclist or pedestrian must still prove that the car, truck, bus, train or street car which struck him or her was at fault, so bringing on board an experienced personal injury law firm like Zukerberg & Halperin, PLLC is as important as ever.
Our Washington DC personal injury attorneys have more than 50 years of collective experience. For assistance with an injury claim, contact us today to request a free review of your case.