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Venus Williams denies liability in wrongful death lawsuit

Documents show tennis star alleges victims’ own negligence caused injuries

In 2017, tennis star Venus Williams was involved in a tragic car accident in Florida that resulted in a fatality and a subsequent wrongful death lawsuit. Williams later denied all liability, arguing that the victims contributed to their own injuries. While that specific case has since concluded, it highlights the complex legal challenges many car crash victims and families face.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a car accident, it's important to understand how these cases are handled, and why working with an experienced Washington, D.C. car accident attorney helps your case.

How Fault Was Determined in Venus Williams' Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Lawyers for the 37-year old tennis player argue the elderly couple’s own negligence was the cause of death, claiming the pair failed to properly maintain their vehicle and were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of death. Furthermore, the response indicates Williams had a green light when she drove her her SUV into an intersection moments before the plaintiffs’ car slammed into her.

Williams’ lawyers also asked the court to have accounts of the widow’s injuries stricken from the court record, calling the victim’s cracked sternum, a shattered right arm, broken right wrist, hand, and fingers “immaterial” to the case. Additionally, the two sides have also allegedly spared over discovery of key facts in the case, including phone records, vehicle inspections, and electronic vehicle data that could potentially indicate Williams rate of speed before crash.

Police find Williams at fault in fatal car crash but decline to charge tennis champion

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida police found Williams at fault in the crash but declined to charge the tennis pro with any criminal counts, as is usual in most traffic collisions. Typically, an at-fault driver’s conduct would have to be so wanton and reckless in order for it to rise to the level of criminal conduct.

While the standards for criminal charges remains quite high, our civil justice system does allow for victims and surviving family members to bring their own car crash lawsuit against negligent drivers to hold these individuals responsible. Although no amount of money can undo the harm caused by someone’s careless actions, the law provides monetary compensation as a main form of relief to injury victims.

What This Means for Car Accident Victims in DC

Car accidents in Washington, D.C. don’t always make national news. But for victims and families, the consequences of a car accident can be life-altering. The Venus Williams case shows how even when police assign fault, legal liability still requires evidence, advocacy, and persistence.

Here’s how this applies to your situation if you’ve been hurt in a car crash in the D.C. area.

While every case is different, most car accident lawsuits follow a timeline similar to the one below:

  • Police investigation - Immediately following the car accident, police and first responders will conduct their investigation and give their determination of how and why the accident occurred
  • Initial legal consultation - Car crash victims and their families meet with an auto injury attorney for an initial consultation to discuss the case, including the events leading up to the event, the injuries sustained, and medical bills up to that point
  • Gathering records - After an attorney accepts the case, he or she will collect all necessary documentation like pay stubs and medical records to present to the defendant’s auto insurer to file a claim
  • Filing an insurance claim - Before engaging in time consuming litigation, the victim’s attorney will file a claim with the insurer and attempt to resolve the matter out of court
  • Filing suit - If no out of court settlement can be reached, the plaintiff’s attorney files a car crash lawsuit and serves it on the defendant and their representatives
  • Discovery - Each side asks questions called interrogatories, interviews witnesses in depositions, and collects any other evidence needed to prosecute the claim at trial
  • Mediation - After filing a lawsuit and before going to court, the two sides can still mediate the matter and come to an out of court settlement
  • Trial - If a resolution can not be reached, a court will decide the case. At trial, a jury is picked, each side introduces motions to enter or exclude evidence, attorneys make opening statements, witnesses are called, and after closing arguments, the jury or judge deliberates on the case

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To After a Car Accident

If you've been injured in a crash caused by someone else, you may be eligible for compensation, including:

  • Medical expenses (ER visits, surgeries, rehab, therapy)
  • Lost wages and future earnings
    Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Wrongful death damages (if a loved one died due to the crash)

Our D.C. car accident lawyers help clients build strong claims backed by evidence, expert testimony, and negotiation leverage.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in D.C.?

Washington, D.C. has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including car accidents.. The sooner you speak to a car accident lawyer, the stronger your case will be.

Contact Our Dc Car Accident Lawyers Today

While The Cochran Firm D.C. was not involved in the wrongful death lawsuit against Venus Williams, the case is a reminder of how complicated car accident and wrongful death claims can become.  That’s why working with an experienced car accident lawyer in Washington, D.C. is necessary for your case. Our DC lawyers understand how to build strong cases in both auto accident and wrongful death lawsuits. We hold negligent drivers accountable and fight back when insurers try to deny or delay claims.

If you or a family member were seriously injured in a car crash, contact a car accident attorney today to discuss your case.

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The Cochran Firm handles Medical Malpractice, Catastrophic Personal Injuries, Motor Vehicle Accidents & Wrongful Death Claims for clients throughout the United States of America. The information on this website does not constitute legal advice nor form an attorney-client relationship. Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
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