Fatal car accidents change everything in an instant. Families are left searching for answers, accountability, and a way forward while dealing with grief and urgent legal and financial questions. In Washington, DC, these cases often involve wrongful death and serious injury issues that require careful legal handling. Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC car accident lawyers bring thirty years of experience to these cases, with a record built in both the courtroom and at the negotiating table.
Our board-certified attorneys take on even the most powerful insurance companies, backed by the firm’s extensive resources. We front all case costs, ensuring families have immediate access to the representation they need. Two of our partners rank among the nation’s top 1% of trial attorneys, and our team has secured multimillion-dollar results in crash cases, including $15 million, $14 million, $10.6 million, and $10 million settlements. With over 100 five star Google reviews, our clients’ outcomes speak for themselves.
Have you lost a loved one in a fatal car accident in Washington, D.C.? We understand how traumatic this time can be. Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will call you back personally. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
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DC law allows certain family members to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party. You will need to prove negligence:
In fatal crash cases, agencies such as the Metropolitan Police Department and the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner often play a role in documenting how the collision occurred and confirming cause of death. That information can become important in establishing liability and damages.
Regan Zambri Long’s car accident attorneys will gather evidence to prove your claim and recover the financial compensation you deserve. Our attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion for our clients.
Fatal car accident leave families facing immediate financial pressure, unanswered questions, and uncertainty about how to move forward. Medical bills, lost income, and long-term financial needs often continue well after the crash, and the full impact of the loss is not always clear at the beginning of a case. In Washington, DC, many serious crashes occur on major corridors such as New York Avenue NE and Suitland Parkway, where high traffic volume and speed increase the severity of collisions.
Building a wrongful death claim requires accounting for future costs, lost support, and the lasting effects on the family. In these cases, experience in investigating crashes, proving liability, and presenting damages is critical. The attorneys at Regan Zambri Long handle fatal car crash cases in Washington, DC, including claims involving disputed fault and significant insurance coverage issues.
Senior partner Salvatore Zambri has been named one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC. Six other attorneys at the firm have also been selected for Super Lawyers. The firm has been included on the Best Law Firms annual list. Seven attorneys, including all partners, have been recognized by Best Lawyers.
All six partners have been named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list, which recognizes leading plaintiff attorneys nationwide. Their work includes wrongful death and serious injury cases involving disputed liability, insurance coverage issues, and long-term damages for families.
The firm’s named partners are members of the National Board of Trial Advocacy and hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. Patrick Regan and Salvatore Zambri are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Both are past presidents of the DC chapter, and Salvatore Zambri serves as the National Board Representative for the DC chapter.
Recent fatal and serious car accident recoveries include:
Other significant car accident recoveries include:
When you need guidance on your legal options, count on Regan Zambri Long. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
Metropolitan Police reported 52 traffic fatalities in 2024. By mid-2025, that number has declined sharply. District officials reported 11 traffic-related deaths through July 2025, down from 33 during the same period in 2024. City leaders attribute this progress to stronger traffic safety enforcement and public awareness campaigns that appear to be reaching drivers.
These crashes are more common on high-volume roads and intersections throughout DC, including corridors like New York Avenue NE and Suitland Parkway.
Negligence is the root cause of many fatal car accidents in Washington, DC. Common causes of fatal crashes include:
Distracted driving includes anything that takes your eyes off the road, such as:
A brief distraction is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded. Washington, DC was one of the first cities in the United States to pass a law restricting the use of handheld devices while driving.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs the ability of a motorist to drive safely. It is a major cause of fatal auto accidents. 27% of traffic fatalities in the Washington metropolitan area in 2022 involved alcohol or drug impairment. Drunk driving deaths increased by 180% over a decade, climbing from five in 2014 to 14 in 2023.
Speeding reduces the driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of collisions. Speed-related crashes often result in fatalities, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. According to the National Safety Council, speeding contributed to 29% of all traffic fatalities nationwide in 2023, claiming 11,775 lives.
Aggressive driving includes tailgating, weaving through traffic, road rage, and ignoring traffic laws. Aggressive drivers are less likely to notice others on the road or lose control of their vehicles.
Drowsy driving impairs concentration and reaction times, which can cause serious injuries and fatal accidents. The Sleep Foundation reports that drowsy driving plays a role in 21% of fatal accidents.
Drowsy driving is common among truckers who may be pressured to violate regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Government entities are responsible for road maintenance. Roadway neglect includes:
Washington, DC ranks 8th in the nation for pothole-related searches, highlighting how visible this problem has become for local drivers.
Catastrophic wrecks can be caused by vehicle defects, including:
Manufacturers and designers must be held accountable for negligence.
When negligence causes a fatal car accident in Washington, DC, your family deserves justice. Regan Zambri Long’s DC legal team will file your wrongful death claim so your family can grieve in peace.
Call today to discuss your case with our DC fatal car accident lawyers.
Wrongful death occurs when someone’s careless or reckless actions cause another person’s death. Medical examiner findings, along with police reconstruction and crash scene evidence, are often used to establish how the injury occurred and link the crash to the cause of death. Liable parties can include:
Your legal team must prove that a reasonable person would not have committed the wrongful action that caused the accident.
Additionally, Washington, DC’s contributory negligence standard requires you to prove that your loved one didn’t share any responsibility for the accident.
Regan Zambri Long has decades of experience protecting futures through wrongful death claims. Call our DC injury lawyers today to schedule a free case evaluation.
In Washington, DC, families may pursue two related types of claims after a fatal car accident: a wrongful death claim and a survival action. Both are filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate.
A wrongful death claim is filed under DC Code § 16-2701 and seeks compensation for the losses suffered by surviving family members. Any compensation recovered is awarded for the benefit of the surviving spouse, domestic partner, and next of kin, as defined by DC law. These beneficiaries may include children, parents, or other close family members, depending on who survives the deceased.
A survival action is brought under DC Code § 12-101. It belongs to the estate and allows recovery for damages the deceased person could have pursued if they had survived, including medical expenses, lost wages between the injury and death, and pain and suffering. Any recovery from a survival action becomes part of the estate and is distributed according to estate administration rules.
A fatal DC car crash leaves families with emotional trauma and financial burdens. Compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit gives families space to adjust to their new reality.
While money cannot bring back your loved one, it can provide much-needed support following the loss.
Economic damages address the financial impact of losing a loved one, including:
Non-economic damages address your family’s intangible losses, including:
DC Code § 16-2702 sets a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Washington, DC. In most cases, the lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death, or the claim may be barred. Because limited exceptions may apply, it is important to speak with a DC wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.
Regan Zambri Long operates on a contingency fee basis. We don’t collect any fees until we’ve won your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay anything.
A fatal car accident lawyer helps preserve critical evidence, such as vehicle “black box” data, crash scene photos, and surveillance footage before it is lost or overwritten. They coordinate with investigators, medical examiners, and law enforcement to establish the cause of death and document how the crash occurred. They also identify all potentially liable parties, which may include negligent drivers, employers, government entities, or vehicle manufacturers, and pursue claims against every available insurance policy to recover compensation for the family.
Negligence is the primary cause of fatal car accidents in DC. Distracted driving, violating traffic laws, and unsafe roads cause fatal crashes.
The personal representative of the estate may file a wrongful death claim. Additionally, family members who were financially dependent on the deceased may be able to file a claim.
DC law requires lawsuits to be filed within two years of the death of your loved one. Failing to file within that time frame may result in your case being dismissed.
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.