What Is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance?

Are You Eligible for PIP After an Injury in DC?

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage helps DC drivers pay medical bills and lost wages after a crash, but these benefits can run out quickly, especially when serious or long-term injuries are involved. That’s where Regan Zambri Long’s Washington, DC car accident lawyers can help. For almost 30 years, our award-winning attorneys have guided victims through DC’s no-fault insurance system, ensuring they receive the full compensation available under the law.

Our board-certified lawyers help clients navigate the PIP process, challenge delays or denials, and determine when injuries meet the legal threshold to pursue additional compensation beyond basic coverage. We coordinate health and auto insurance claims to avoid payment gaps and build the medical record needed to support a potential liability claim. Our reputation is backed by over 100 5 star Google reviews from clients who trust our experience and knowledge.

Have you struggled to get the full benefits from your PIP coverage after a Washington, DC car accident? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will call you back personally. We’re available 24/7, and we front all costs, so there’s no fee unless we win your case.

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How PIP Coverage Protects Injury Victims in DC

In “at-fault” insurance states, the injury victim can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance to pay for any related costs. But in a “no-fault” insurance state (or jurisdiction, like Washington, DC), things work a little differently. Instead, the injury victim must rely on their car insurance to pay for medical costs, lost wages, and property damage. This is where PIP coverage comes into play.

Some of the key features of PIP insurance include:

  • Medical Expenses: PIP typically covers expenses related to injuries sustained in a car accident, including hospital bills, doctor’s visits, surgery, rehabilitation, and other necessary medical treatments.
  • Lost Wages: Sometimes, an accident means you cannot return to work for a long time. In addition to medical expenses, PIP may cover a portion of your lost wages if you cannot work due to the injuries sustained in the accident.
  • Funeral Expenses: The unfortunate reality is that some automobile accidents do result in death. In the devastating case of someone losing their life in a car accident, some PIP policies may also cover funeral expenses to relieve the family of that additional burden.
  • Rehabilitation Costs: Some injuries are long-lasting and require ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. PIP may cover the cost of necessary rehabilitation services, such as physical or occupational therapy, to help you recover.
  • Essential Services: Some PIP policies may reimburse you for expenses related to hiring someone to perform essential services that you can no longer perform due to your injuries, such as house cleaning or childcare.

The availability and specific details of PIP coverage can vary by state, as not all states require or offer PIP insurance. Some states have “choice” or “tort” systems in which drivers can choose between PIP and traditional liability insurance.

 

In Washington, DC, the average PIP claim is $7,901, which highlights how even moderate injuries can quickly use up a large portion of available benefits. Reviewing your coverage limits carefully ensures that your policy offers adequate protection in case of a serious crash.

It’s important to review your auto insurance policy and understand the PIP coverage limits and options available to you, as well as the requirements in your state, to ensure you have the appropriate level of protection in case of an accident.

A paramedic wearing gloves carefully wraps the injured hand of a man sitting on the bumper of an emergency vehicle. The injured person is draped in a blue blanket, suggesting recent trauma from an accident. This scene exemplifies the type of medical attention covered by Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which provides immediate coverage for injuries after a crash—regardless of fault. Regan Zambri Long PLLC helps Washington, DC residents understand and navigate PIP claims. Call (202) 937-3310 for legal guidance on maximizing your injury compensation.

How Does PIP Work in Washington, DC?

PIP is optional in Washington, DC. Car insurance companies in these areas generally have higher car insurance rates because of this additional personal injury protection coverage. For example, the average annual cost of minimum coverage in DC is $888, which is substantially above the national average of just under $700.

Personal injury protection rules and regulations vary around the nation. Some of the specifics regarding how PIP works in DC include:

  • Optional PIP: The District of Columbia does not require motor vehicle owners to carry PIP insurance as part of their auto insurance policies. However, This means that if you own a car in DC, you are generally recommended to have PIP coverage.
  • Minimum Coverage Limits: The minimum PIP coverage limits required in DC can change, so it’s essential to check with the relevant authorities or your insurance provider for the current requirements. As of 2025, DC’s minimum PIP coverage limits are $50,000 per person per accident for medical and rehabilitation expenses, $12,000 per accident for work-loss benefits, and up to $4,000 for funeral costs.
  • No-Fault in DC: DC operates on a “no-fault” insurance system, meaning that you can typically file a PIP claim with your insurance company regardless of who is at fault for the accident. This system ensures that individuals receive prompt medical and wage loss benefits without having to establish fault through a lengthy legal process.
  • Coordination of Benefits: PIP insurance may coordinate with your other coverage, such as health insurance in DC. If you have health insurance, your PIP coverage may pay for medical expenses not covered by your health insurance, such as deductibles and copayments.

What Happens if Your PIP Coverage Doesn’t Cover All Your Accident Costs?

While PIP offers a great deal of protection, there are events in which the damage caused in an accident may exceed the coverage of a driver’s PIP. For instance, if you’re in an accident that results in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, but your PIP is less than that, are you stuck paying the rest of your expenses out of pocket?

The answer depends on the details of your claim. PIP generally protects drivers who cause accidents and can be somewhat unfair to victims. However, you do potentially have the option to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, provided at least one of the following is applicable:

  • Your injuries include permanent scarring or disfigurement.
  • Your injuries resulted in permanent impairment that’s substantial and medically provable, and that affects your ability to conduct your regular work or daily activities.
  • Your injuries prevented you from performing your usual daily activities for more than 180 consecutive days.
  • The medical expenses or lost wages exceed your PIP insurance policy limits.

If you have any questions about whether you can file a lawsuit for your accident, don’t hesitate to contact our DC car accident lawyers for more information.

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

When you choose Regan Zambri Long as your car accident lawyers, you’re choosing one of Washington, DC’s most accomplished personal injury law firms. With almost 200 years of combined experience and over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for personal injury victims, our attorneys have built a legacy of results through dedication, preparation, and compassion. Every case we take on reflects our mission to protect victims and families facing life-changing losses.

 

Our firm’s partners enjoy a reputation for excellence across the DC legal community. Senior partner Salvatore Zambri has been named among Washington, DC’s Top 10 Super Lawyers, while fellow senior partner Patrick Regan and partner Paul Cornoni join him among the Top 100 Super Lawyers out of the city’s 80,000 lawyers. Senior partner Victor Long was recently appointed to serve as Chair of the DC Court of Appeals Client Security Trust Fund, which safeguards client trust funds and oversees restitution for victims of attorney misconduct.

 

Salvatore Zambri has also been  named to Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Lawyers Lifetime Achievement Honor Roll, where he was described as “a Big Gun” and one of “Washington’s best — most honest and effective — lawyers.” The magazine likewise called Patrick Regan “a personal injury lawyer who could be a poster boy for legal ethics and integrity,” and “one of the most successful advocates for clients in negligence.”

 

Beyond Washington, our partners and attorneys have earned national recognition. All six partners have been named to Lawdragon’s annual list of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in the United States, and all are featured in Best Lawyers’ list of the Best Lawyers in America, with three partners named Lawyer of the Year for their practice areas.

 

PIP coverage offers an important safety net, but it isn’t always enough after a serious crash. If your medical costs or losses exceed your policy limits, our car accident lawyers can help determine whether you qualify to file a lawsuit and recover full compensation under DC law. Contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation.

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