A drunk driving crash can leave victims and families dealing with serious injuries, medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about what comes next. These cases often involve urgent medical needs, insurance questions, and evidence that needs to be preserved quickly.
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 attorneys build DUI injury claims by preserving key evidence such as BAC and toxicology results, reviewing police reports and witness statements, and coordinating with any related criminal proceedings. We also evaluate whether alcohol service laws may apply, along with other potential sources of liability under DC law. When appropriate, we work with accident reconstruction experts to understand how the crash occurred and identify all available avenues of recovery.
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.
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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.
In Washington, DC, alcohol-related crashes frequently occur along major nightlife and commuter corridors, including areas around U Street, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, H Street, and downtown entertainment districts. DUI crashes also increase during weekends, holidays, and late-night hours when impaired drivers are more likely to be on the road.
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:
In Washington, DC, you generally have three years to file a personal injury claim under D.C. Code § 12-301. Wrongful death claims typically must be filed within two years under D.C. Code § 16-2702.
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.
In Washington, DC, you are considered to be driving under the influence if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, any measurable amount of alcohol in the system can result in a DUI charge.
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.
Yes, passengers can usually recover damages after a drunk driving crash by filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, even if the driver was intoxicated.
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 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 may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The 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., a Washington, DC trial attorney who has handled serious motor vehicle injury and wrongful death cases, including DUI-related crashes, and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and former president of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association.
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.