In Washington, DC, you generally have three years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under DC Code § 12-301. Some claims have much shorter deadlines. Claims involving DC government entities require written notice within six months under DC Code § 12-309, and drivers seeking no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) benefits must generally elect those benefits within 60 days of the crash.
Acting quickly also helps preserve evidence. Traffic camera footage, witness statements, vehicle data, and medical records can become harder to obtain as time passes. Insurance companies may also use delays to challenge the seriousness of your injuries or dispute liability.
Regan Zambri Long has represented injured crash victims in Washington, DC for more than 30 years. Our attorneys handle cases involving disputed fault, serious injuries, uninsured drivers, and claims against government entities and commercial carriers.
We’ve secured car accident settlements of $15 million, $14 million, $10.6 million, and $10 million, proving that careful timing and preparation change everything. Our team has the skill to move fast, build strong cases, and hold negligent drivers accountable. All six of our partners are listed among the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America, and with over 100 5-star Google reviews, our results tell the story.
Have you been injured in a car accident in Washington, D.C.? We understand how quickly bills and deadlines can close in. Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will call you back. We’re available 24/7, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.
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Telling your insurer about the crash is one thing. Filing a personal injury lawsuit is another, and this step comes with a strict deadline.
In Washington, DC, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident injury claim is three years from the date of the accident. That means you have a three-year window to take legal action against the person (or people) responsible for the crash. While this may seem like a long time, if you have extensive injuries, it is likely that medical bills will start piling up just months after the accident.
After that, the courts will likely dismiss your case, no matter how severe your injuries or how clear the other driver’s fault.
Some claims have much shorter deadlines. If your accident involved a DC government vehicle or employee, DC Code § 12-309 generally requires written notice to the District within six months of the incident. Claims involving the WMATA also have separate notice and procedural requirements. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering compensation, even if the underlying claim is valid.
Waiting too long can also hurt your case in other ways. Witnesses may be harder to find, evidence can be lost, and medical records may become less convincing over time. Hiring a Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyer quickly is your best chance at securing the maximum amount of compensation so you are not financially overwhelmed by the sudden medical bills.
Washington, DC uses a choice no-fault insurance system, not a traditional mandatory no-fault system. Drivers can choose whether to use their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits after a crash or pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. PIP coverage can help pay medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident.
Under DC law, you generally have 60 days after the crash to elect whether to receive PIP benefits through your own policy. This decision can affect your ability to pursue certain claims against the other driver, so it is important to understand how the election process works before accepting benefits.
If your injuries are serious or your losses exceed available PIP coverage, you may still be able to bring a liability claim against the at-fault driver for additional damages, including pain and suffering and future medical costs.
Because insurance companies often dispute coverage, fault, and the effect of a PIP election, accident victims should carefully review all available insurance options before making decisions about their claim.
However, there’s a limit. Approximately 23.1% of drivers in Washington, DC are uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute. If your injuries are serious or permanent, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a liability claim against the other driver. This can help you recover additional compensation for things like pain and suffering or long-term care.
To file a successful claim against the other driver, you must show that they were negligent and that their actions caused your injuries. That’s where strong legal representation makes all the difference.
DC is one of only a few places in the country that still uses pure contributory negligence laws. Under this rule, if you’re found to be even 1% at fault for the crash, you may be barred from recovering any compensation.
For example, if you were rear-ended by a distracted driver but were also speeding at the time, the insurance company may argue that your actions played a role in the accident. If a judge or jury agrees, you could lose your right to recover damages, no matter how badly you were hurt.
Washington, DC does provide limited exceptions for certain vulnerable road users. Under DC Code § 50-2204.52, pedestrians and cyclists injured in crashes with motor vehicles are not automatically barred from recovery if they were partly at fault, unless their conduct was a proximate cause of the collision. This exception generally does not apply to vehicle-on-vehicle crashes.
Because contributory negligence is such a harsh standard, building a case that clearly shows you were not at fault is critical. That often means gathering surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, expert opinions, and detailed accident reconstructions—all things an experienced attorney can coordinate on your behalf.
Time is not on your side after a car accident. Between reporting the crash to your insurer, gathering medical records, and building a strong legal claim, there’s a lot to manage, and deadlines don’t wait.
Whether you’re still in the hospital or already sorting through medical bills, understanding these legal timelines can protect your rights and your financial future.
Car crashes happen every day across the District. In 2024, WTOP’s Traffic Center logged more than 17,000 incidents on DC roads, and that number is likely far below the real total. Acting fast gives your attorney more time to collect evidence, reach witnesses, and build a stronger case before anything important slips away.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident and have questions about your next steps, reach out to Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation.
Usually no. Once you sign a settlement agreement or release, you typically give up your right to file any future claim related to the accident. Insurance companies often require a full release before paying a settlement. Before accepting any offer, make sure you understand whether it covers future medical treatment, lost income, and other long-term damages.
Delaying medical treatment does not automatically prevent you from filing a claim, but it can make the case more difficult. Insurance companies often argue that delayed treatment means your injuries were minor or unrelated to the crash. Seeking medical care as soon as possible helps protect both your health and your legal claim by creating medical documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
In some cases, yes. Washington, DC law may pause, or “toll,” the statute of limitations for minors until they reach adulthood. However, claims involving government entities or insurance benefits can still involve much shorter deadlines. Because these exceptions are highly fact-specific, families should speak with a DC car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Yes. DC Code § 16-2702 generally gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline differs from the three-year statute of limitations that usually applies to personal injury claims after a car accident. Certain related claims, including survival actions or claims against government entities, may involve different procedural requirements and deadlines.
After a serious crash, timing and experience matter most. For more than 30 years, Regan Zambri Long has represented injured crash victims in Washington, DC, handling cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, and complex insurance issues. Our work includes major car accident recoveries, such as:
Our accolades speak for themselves. Every partner and attorney at our firm appears among Best Lawyers’ top personal injury lawyers in Washington, D.C., and Patrick Regan, Salvatore Zambri, and Paul Cornoni have each been named Lawyer of the Year. These three partners are also all rated among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, with Salvatore Zambri making the highly prestigious Top 10 list.
Beyond recognition, our partners have earned the respect of DC legal community. Washingtonian Magazine has described Salvatore Zambri as “a big gun” and “one of Washington’s best, most honest, and effective lawyers.”, and Patrick Regan as one of DC’s Top Ten Power Lawyers, and “a poster boy for legal ethics and integrity.”
Our named partners also all hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and are board-certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, reflecting decades of proven trial experience and leadership.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Washington, D.C., timing matters as much as evidence. Don’t risk missing your chance to recover compensation.
Contact Regan Zambri Long today to discuss your case with one of our award-winning DC car accident lawyers.
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.