If you’ve been injured in a crash and the other driver left the scene, you have legal options under Washington, DC law. Drivers are required to stop after an accident, regardless of fault, and leaving the scene is a serious violation. When someone breaks that law and leaves you injured, it’s important to work with a lawyer experienced in handling hit and run cases.
For more than 30 years, Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC car accident lawyers have represented victims of hit and run crashes, using traffic camera footage, witness statements, and coordination with law enforcement to help identify responsible drivers and pursue compensation.
With two partners ranked among the top 1% of trial lawyers in the United States, our award-winning team has achieved record-setting recoveries, including $15 million, $14 million, $10.6 million, and $10 million for victims of serious collisions. We front all case costs, retain expert witnesses, and work to secure justice. Backed by over 100 5-star Google reviews, our clients trust us to deliver results when it matters most.
Have you been injured in a hit and run accident in Washington, DC? We know how deeply these moments can shake your life. Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will call you back personally. 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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A DC hit and run accident attorney from Regan Zambri Long can help hit and run accident victims in the following ways:
At Regan Zambri Long, our lawyers have almost 200 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of accident victims in Washington, DC. Our case results speak for themselves. Our team once secured a $15 million settlement for a car accident victim who suffered paralysis and a $10.6 million settlement for an automobile collision resulting in paraplegia, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury to the plaintiff. Attorneys Patrick Regan and Chris Regan settled on July 30, 2019.
Other multi-million dollar recoveries for car and pedestrian victims include:
Our partners and attorneys are widely recognized across Washington, DC, and nationwide for excellence in personal injury law:
The data show that hiring an experienced hit and run accident attorney significantly increases your chances of recovering damages, allowing you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery. Past clients agree that you are treated like family at Regan Zambri Long. You can trust the expertise of our attorneys, which will reduce the enormous stress following a hit and run car accident. The initial consultation is free, and our DC personal injury attorneys do not collect a fee unless a settlement or verdict is reached in your favor. Call today to learn how our DC hit and run lawyers can help.
Following a DC hit and run accident, there are steps you should take to ensure your safety and the legitimacy of future car accident claims.
The insurance company will not have your best interests in mind. You will speak to an adjuster after reporting the accident to your insurance agency, where the adjuster’s job is to save as much money as possible for the insurance company. Many adjusters use manipulation tactics to keep compensation at a very low level.
Regan Zambri Long understands insurance policies and are experts in Washington, DC law. We will work diligently to secure the maximum compensation for your case and help guide you to financial recovery. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation and explore your legal options.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), in Washington, DC in 2024, about 39% of fatal motor vehicle crashes involved a hit-and-run driver. This number remains an estimate, as hit and run accidents are often underreported.
As of 2024 reporting, several fatal hit-and-run crashes in Washington, DC remained unsolved, and in many cases no driver had been charged at the time.
Nationwide, other key hit and run statistics include:
The statute of limitations to file a claim after a hit and run accident is three years. This may seem like a long time, but it’s always better to file a claim quickly so that facts and memories are fresh in your mind. Medical bills pile up quickly following a car accident, so the earlier you file a claim, the earlier you can receive compensation to help offset medical and property damage costs.
To file an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim after a DC hit and run, first report the accident to the DC police to get a report number. Then, contact your own insurance company to file a Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) claim.
If you have questions about filing an uninsured motorist claim, call Regan Zambri Long.
Following a DC hit and run, there are things you can do to protect yourself from the insurance company’s tactics.
Sometimes the insurance settlement offer will be enough for your injuries, but when it’s not, you need a DC hit and run lawyer who can guide you through the process. Call Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation.
If a pedestrian’s negligent actions contribute to a hit and run accident, they may be held liable for the collision. Negligent actions include jaywalking, ignoring traffic signals, and other similar behaviors.
Yes. If the offender leaves the scene after causing property damage, they can be charged under DC Code § 50–2201.05c with “leaving after colliding, property damage,” which carries up to 30 days in jail and a fine set under DC law. If the hit and run involves an injury, they may be charged under the same statute with “leaving after colliding, personal injury,” which carries up to 180 days in jail and a higher fine under DC law.
The law states that individuals involved in an accident must call the police after the crash and wait for them to arrive. This is why it is important to remain at the scene of the accident and not try to chase after the driver who hit you.
If you were involved in a hit and run, call the DC hit and run accident lawyers of Regan Zambri Long today. Sal Zambri and his team will support you.
There are three different types of damages you can recover from a hit and run accident in Washington, DC. The first is economic damages, which cover all expenses you incur from the accident, such as:
Non-economic damages are often referred to as “intangible” because they lack a specific monetary value. However, they cause massive lifestyle changes and add pain to the victim’s life. They include:
In rare cases, you may receive punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the behavior of the at-fault party.
If you or someone you love is a victim of a hit and run accident, call 202-972-3767 to learn how the attorneys at Regan Zambri Long may be able to help you through these difficult times and seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Our consultations are free.
Washington, DC follows a pure contributory negligence rule, which means that if you are found to have contributed to the accident in any way, you may not be able to recover compensation. In hit and run cases, this can apply if the injured person is also found to have acted carelessly in a way that helped cause the crash. For example, if a driver ran a red light and that contributed to the accident, it could affect their ability to recover damages.
However, under DC Code § 50–2204.52, this rule has an important limitation. Pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users are not automatically blocked from getting compensation unless they are more at fault than the driver. This rule helps protect injured people in hit and run cases, even if they share some small amount of fault.
Yes, a police report is generally required to pursue an insurance claim after a hit and run in Washington, DC Here’s why:
Filing a police report not only protects you, it strengthens your legal claim.
Yes, your insurance rates can increase after a hit and run incident in DC, but not always. If you’re not at fault and file under uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, your rates may stay the same. However, using collision coverage or having a history of claims could lead to an increase. Each insurer handles this differently, so check your policy or ask your provider directly for their specific rules.
If you were injured in a hit and run accident, the most important steps you should take are seeking medical attention and contacting the police. By seeking medical treatment, you create a record of your injuries and any medical needs you have resulting from the accident. By contacting the police, you guarantee a legal account of how the accident occurred.
The most common causes of DC hit and run car accidents include:
If you’ve been involved in a hit and run accident in Washington, DC, act quickly to protect your health, rights, and financial recovery. From filing a police report to navigating complex insurance rules, every step matters. At Regan Zambri Long, our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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.