Personal Injury Protection Insurance in DC Pedestrian Accidents

Helping Injured Pedestrians With Their PIP Claims

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provides a critical safety net for pedestrians hurt by cars on DC streets. Pedestrians will use the car insurance’s PIP coverage to pay for medical bills and lost wages following the accident. But many pedestrians don’t understand what PIP coverage is and how it can be used to pay for your bills.

Our award-winning Washington, DC pedestrian accident lawyers have extensive experience helping injured pedestrians recover compensation through PIP claims. With nearly 200 years of combined experience, the board-certified Regan Zambri Long team has secured millions for accident victims, including significant results of $3.9 million, $2.75 million, and another $2.75 million for pedestrians struck by vehicles. Our reputation for excellence has earned more than 150 five-star Google reviews, and all six of our partners have been recognized among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers.

You don’t have to face insurance companies alone. Contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.

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Am I Covered by PIP as a Pedestrian in DC?

You can file a PIP claim even if you weren’t in a vehicle. This loss coverage applies to your medical bills and lost wages just as it would for a driver or passenger. In Washington, DC, where an estimated 23.1% of drivers are uninsured, PIP coverage plays an especially important role in protecting pedestrians from the financial fallout of accidents.

It’s important to note that if the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance or is underinsured, PIP may still cover some of your medical costs, but it may not be enough to compensate you for serious injuries fully. In that case, you might need to explore other legal options. Talk to a DC pedestrian accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation.

PIP Coverage for Pedestrians Injured by Motor Vehicles

In Washington DC, under § 31–2406 of the DC Code, it’s required that automobile insurers offer PIP coverage. PIP is a type of car insurance that covers medical expenses and lost wages if you’re injured in a car accident—regardless of who was at fault. Here’s how PIP applies to pedestrian accidents:

Coverage Source

  • Driver’s PIP Policy: The primary source of PIP coverage for an injured pedestrian is the PIP policy of the vehicle that struck them.
  • Pedestrian’s Own PIP: If the pedestrian owns a car with PIP coverage, they may be able to claim under their own policy if the driver’s coverage is insufficient or non-existent.

What's Covered

For pedestrians, PIP typically covers:

  • Medical and rehabilitation expenses up to $50,000
  • Lost wages up to $12,000
  • Funeral expenses up to $4,000 (if the accident results in death)

Key Features of PIP Coverage in Washington, DC

An injured man sits in an office holding crutches and wearing a neck brace, appearing concerned while a woman works on a laptop nearby. This image represents the aftermath of a pedestrian accident and the legal consultation process related to PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage in Washington, DC. Regan Zambri Long PLLC assists clients in navigating PIP claims for medical bills and lost wages following pedestrian incidents.
    • No-fault coverage: The most significant feature of PIP is that it’s a “no-fault” coverage. This means you can receive compensation for your injuries and lost wages, regardless of whether you were the at-fault party in the accident. This is incredibly important in pedestrian accidents, where determining fault can take time.
    • Covers medical expenses and lost wages: PIP will cover the medical treatments you need after the accident, such as hospital bills, rehabilitation expenses, and prescription medications. It can also cover a portion of your lost wages if you’re unable to work due to your accident injuries.
    • Quick payouts: Since PIP is no-fault coverage, payments can be made much quicker than if you had to wait for a lengthy investigation into who was responsible for the accident.
    • Limits on payouts: While PIP helps you get financial help quickly, it doesn’t cover everything. In DC, PIP benefits are capped at specific amounts for medical expenses, income loss, and funeral benefits. These limits may not fully cover all your damages, especially in serious accidents.
    • Time Limits: There’s typically a one-year deadline from the accident date to file a PIP claim in DC.
    • Non-Residents: Visitors to DC injured as pedestrians are generally covered under the striking vehicle’s PIP policy.

How to File a PIP Claim After a Pedestrian Accident in Washington, DC

If you’re injured as a pedestrian in a motor vehicle accident in DC, PIP coverage can help you get immediate financial relief.

Here’s how it works:

  • File a claim: After the accident, you’ll need to file a PIP claim with the driver’s insurance provider who hit you as soon as possible.  If you have auto insurance with PIP coverage, you might also be able to file with your insurer.
  • Submit your medical bills and proof of lost wages: You’ll need to provide documentation to the insurance company, such as medical records and bills, along with proof of income if you claim lost wages.
  • Receive compensation: Once your claim is approved, PIP will pay for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages up to the policy limits.
  • Coordination with health insurance: Sometimes, your insurance may cover some of your medical bills before PIP kicks in. Your health insurance might cover the rest if your PIP benefits run out.

Remember, PIP only covers certain liability claims—medical expenses and lost wages. It doesn’t compensate for non-economic damages like pain and suffering. For greater compensation, especially with severe injuries, you’ll need to explore other legal options.

PIP and MedPay Subrogation in the Washington, DC Area

Subrogation is when one insurance company seeks reimbursement from another. For example, if you use your own PIP coverage or MedPay (another type of medical coverage) after an accident, your insurance company might try to get reimbursed by the at-fault driver’s insurance.

In Washington, DC, this process is standard in pedestrian accidents.

Here’s how it works:

  • PIP subrogation: Let’s say you file a PIP claim with your own auto insurance after being hit by a car. As the injured party, your insurance company will pay for your medical expenses and lost wages. Later, they might seek reimbursement from the driver’s insurance carrier if that driver is found at fault.
  • MedPay subrogation: If you have MedPay coverage through your auto insurer, it can help pay for medical expenses not covered by PIP. After MedPay pays, your insurance company might try to recover those costs through subrogation.

What Other Compensation Can You Recover in DC?

While PIP coverage helps, it doesn’t cover everything, especially in severe accidents. If your bodily injuries are serious or you’ve lost significant time from work, you may need to check out other sources of compensation.

Here are some other potential options:

  • Liability insurance from the at-fault driver: If the driver in an auto accident who hit you was negligent, you can file a personal injury claim against their liability insurance. This can cover medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If the driver who hit you doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, your own auto insurance may have underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage, which can help make up the difference.
  • Lawsuits: If the insurance limits aren’t enough or the insurance company denies your claim, you might need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the compensation you deserve. A skilled DC pedestrian accident lawyer can help you with this process.

What Happens If Your Pedestrian Accident Damages Exceed PIP Coverage?

In catastrophic accident cases, the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, loss of income, and other damages can easily exceed the limits of your PIP and other insurance coverages.

If that happens, keep in mind you still have options.

File a personal injury claim: If your PIP benefits run out and your damages exceed the driver’s liability insurance, you can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. This can help you recover additional compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Look for additional policies: Some drivers may have additional insurance coverage, such as umbrella policies, to help cover your damages. A lawyer can help investigate these options.

Consider a lawsuit: If insurance isn’t enough to cover your damages, you may need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. In many cases, this can lead to a larger settlement or judgment that compensates you for the full extent of your injuries.

Why Choose Regan Zambri Long as Your Washington, DC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

Patrick Regan, Regan Zambri Long Washington, DC bus accident lawyer

Pedestrian accidents in Washington, DC often lead to complex insurance claims that require precision and persistence. The attorneys at Regan Zambri Long combine three decades of experience with a deep understanding of PIP and personal injury law to protect injured pedestrians and their families. We’ve secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for pedestrians while guiding clients through complex insurance and subrogation disputes with clarity and care.

 

Our firm’s record includes $3.9 million, $2.75 million, and another $2.75 million in recoveries for injured pedestrians, along with ongoing litigation in high-profile corporate negligence cases such as a $60 million Amazon pedestrian lawsuit. These outcomes reflect our commitment to clients and our ability to handle the most complex injury and insurance claims in the region.

 

The attorneys at Regan Zambri Long are recognized nationally for their integrity, trial skill, and dedication to client advocacy. Founding partners Patrick Regan, Salvatore Zambri, and Victor Long are each board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, an honor earned by only a small percentage of trial lawyers nationwide. This certification reflects a demonstrated mastery of civil trial law and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence.

 

Patrick Regan and Salvatore Zambri are also fellows of the International Society of Barristers, a distinguished invitation-only organization that brings together the best of the trial bar.

 

Best Lawyers has recognized three of our partners as “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas, while Super Lawyers consistently ranks multiple partners among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, including Salvatore Zambri in the Top 10. Rising attorney Emily Lagan has also been named among Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for her exceptional work in personal injury litigation.

 

Navigating a PIP claim can be confusing, but our firm’s resources make the process smoother. We work closely with medical and financial experts to document treatment costs, lost wages, and long-term care needs in detail. Our legal team communicates directly with insurance carriers, manages all paperwork, and ensures your claim is handled efficiently and accurately. If additional legal action becomes necessary beyond PIP, we’re ready to pursue it without delay. From start to finish, we provide the structure, clarity, and advocacy you need to recover with confidence.

 

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident in Washington, DC, contact a personal injury lawyer at Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation today. We’re ready to help you get back on your feet and secure the compensation you need for a full recovery.

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