Call Us Now
202-463-3030
Schedule a Free Consultation
Drunk driving shatters lives in an instant, leaving victims and families facing the consequences of another driver’s reckless choice. Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC car accident lawyers stand beside victims of drunk driving accidents, building powerful cases that demand accountability and deliver results. Our board-certified attorneys bring nearly 200 years of combined experience to every case and have secured multimillion-dollar results, including two $5 million drunk driving verdicts and car accident settlements of $15 million, $14 million, and $10.6 million.
Our award-winning team builds every claim with meticulous attention to detail. We conduct full accident reconstructions, gather BAC and toxicology evidence, identify all liable parties under D.C. Dram Shop laws, calculate total losses, and negotiate assertively with insurers. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, our attorneys are always prepared to take the case to trial.
Have you been injured in a drunk driving accident in Washington, DC? Contact Regan Zambri Long today. Our firm has earned over 100 5 star Google reviews, and one of our attorneys will personally call you back. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
Complete this form and our team will get back to you as soon as possible
According to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, around 27% of fatal accidents in Washington, DC, in 2022 involved drugs and/or alcohol. Over the past decade, alcohol-related fatalities in the District have risen by 180%, climbing from five deaths in 2014 to fourteen in 2023, the sharpest increase recorded anywhere in the nation.
If you were seriously injured in a drunk driving accident in Washington, DC, working with an experienced car accident lawyer can help you secure the financial recovery you deserve.
Over the last 30 years, our firm has secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for personal injury victims, with highly successful claims related to drunk driving accidents, including:
Additional car accident recoveries include $15 million for a client who suffered paralysis, over $14 million for multiple crash victims, and $10.6 million for a client with paraplegia and traumatic brain injury.
Our partners combine courtroom skill with leadership across the legal community. Salvatore Zambri is listed among the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, while Patrick Regan and Paul Cornoni are recognized in the Top 100. All six partners appear on the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in the nation list, and every attorney at the firm is recognized on Best Lawyers’ list of the top personal injury lawyers in Washington, DC. Patrick Regan, Salvatore Zambri, and Paul Cornoni have each been named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers.
Several partners also serve or have served as presidents and board members of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, reinforcing their long-standing commitment to justice and professional integrity.
Call or email the car accident injury team at Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation.
Drunk drivers make dangerous choices that put everyone on the road at risk. Even a small amount of alcohol can slow reaction time, impair judgment, and cause reckless behavior — such as speeding, unsafe lane changes, or sudden braking.
Under D.C. Code § 50–2206.15, impaired driving includes alcohol, illegal drugs, and even prescription medications if they affect your ability to drive safely. DC also enforces a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21.
These impairments often lead to tunnel vision, poor coordination, and delayed braking — all of which dramatically raise the risk of serious collisions.
A drunk driving accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long can help ensure that the at-fault party is held financially and legally responsible for your injuries and losses.
Every day, around 34 people in the United States lose their lives in drunk driving accidents, which equates to roughly one person every 42 minutes.
Recent data highlights just how widespread the problem has become:
Victims often face life-changing injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, or fractures. Even non-catastrophic injuries can lead to months of recovery, lost income, and emotional distress.
Compensation available to DC victims typically includes:
Economic damages:
Non-economic damages:
Under D.C. Code § 12–301, you generally have three years to file a personal injury claim and two years for wrongful death. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and keeps your case within legal deadlines.
Keep detailed records of your medical care, bills, and any time you miss from work — all of these help your attorney calculate the full value of your claim.
Most drunk driving settlements are paid through the at-fault driver’s insurance. However, in rare and extreme cases, victims may also pursue punitive damages, which are meant to punish reckless conduct and deter similar behavior in the future.
The attorneys at Regan Zambri Long are committed to helping every client achieve the best possible outcome after a serious DUI crash.
We:
Our firm’s record of verdicts exceeding $10 million across multiple DUI cases reflects our readiness to take complex claims to trial when necessary.
According to Washington, DC law, if you are driving with a blood alcohol content that is .08% or higher, you will be charged for driving while under the influence. In other words, a BAC of .08 is approximately four to five drinks, depending on the size of the individual and how their body can process alcohol.
Additionally, if you are under 21 and have any measurable amount of alcohol in your system or are a commercial driver with a BAC of .04 percent or above, you will be arrested for DUI.
Washington, DC, has clear dram shop laws under the Restaurant Revitalization and Dram Shop Clarification Amendment Act of 2024. These laws allow injured people to sue businesses that serve alcohol irresponsibly when that service causes them injuries.
Under DC law, a bar or restaurant can be held liable when they:
Example: If a bar continues serving a patron who is slurring and stumbling, and that patron later causes a crash, both the driver and the establishment may share liability.
To learn how you can file a claim against an establishment, call Regan Zambri Long.
Because DC follows a pure contributory negligence rule, a driver found even 1% at fault, including being intoxicated, is barred from recovering compensation for their own injuries.
In normal circumstances, if you are a passenger involved in a car accident, you can file a claim for your injuries with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Yet, it may be a little more complicated in a drunk driving crash.
If the passenger knew that the driver was drunk at the time of the accident, they may be found partially at fault, and their claim could be dismissed. However, there are factors that could affect the outcome, such as:
If you were a passenger in a drunk driving accident, your first step is to speak with a qualified drunk driving accident attorney from Regan Zambri Long to learn what options are available to you.
1. Call 911 and request medical assistance.
2. Move to safety if possible and exchange information.
3. Document evidence: take photos and gather witness contacts.
4. Seek immediate medical care, even for mild symptoms.
5. Contact an attorney before speaking with insurers.
If you suffered serious injury as a result of a drunk driver’s dangerous actions, you deserve compensation for your injuries. The experienced attorneys at Regan Zambri Long can help you better understand your legal rights, including your right to compensation.
Our attorneys have years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury claims, including drunk driving car accident claims. Your rights after a drunk driving accident are very similar to your rights after any type of car accident. The leading DC accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long can help you examine those rights.
Contact Regan Zambri Long today to learn more about your right to compensation after a drunk driving accident.
Reviewed by Patrick Regan, Esq., Washington, DC personal injury attorney with over 25 years of experience.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.