If you were injured on the DC Metro in a train collision, a platform fall, or on a malfunctioning escalator, you are dealing with a claim that is more complex than a typical personal injury case. WMATA is a government agency with strict notice deadlines, and missing one can end your case before it starts.
Complete this form and our team will get back to you as soon as possible
Over 500,000 people use the Washington, DC, subway system daily, with more than 13 million rides a month. Unfortunately, this constant wear and tear, along with the age of many trains, delayed track maintenance, and other negligent acts by the WMATA, puts riders at an increased risk for serious subway accidents. WMATA’s 2024 Modal Safety Benchmarking & Initiatives Report documented 20 passenger injuries and 8 employee injuries in 2023, a reminder that safety incidents continue to affect riders and staff even as the system works to improve performance.
Our Washington, DC Metro accident lawyers will listen to your train accident claim compassionately and provide you with the best legal option to get you the compensation you deserve. We represented the family of Carol Glover, a woman who tragically died as a result of the January 2015 smoke incident at the L’Enfant Plaza. In addition to Ms. Glover’s family, we represent many other passengers who were seriously injured due to smoke inhalation in the L’Enfant Plaza tragedy.
Our results in serious transportation and Metro-related injury cases form part of the dozens of multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts our firm has secured for clients since 1997, reflecting decades of experience with complex public transit litigation.
In many cases, the WMATA is legally responsible for these accidents. However, filing a claim against the WMATA is not easy. Different rules apply, and you may have only a limited filing time. Therefore, contact our DC Metro accident lawyers immediately if a Metro train accident harms you or a loved one.
Additionally, Pat Regan and Sal Zambri served as lead lawyers for cases involving the 2009 train-on-train collision that occurred between two southbound Red Line Washington Metro trains in DC; this accident resulted in nine deaths and 50 severe injuries. The cases were later settled for an undisclosed amount.
Their leadership in catastrophic transit cases is reflected in their professional standing. Sal Zambri has been named to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, while Pat Regan and Paul Cornoni appear on the Top 100 list out of more than 80,000 attorneys in the region. Sal also serves as a National Board Representative for the DC chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and both he and Pat are past presidents of the organisation’s DC chapter. Pat is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only society whose membership represents less than one-half of 1% of American lawyers.
If you or a loved one were injured on the DC Metrorail, call Regan Zambri Long for a no-obligation, free case evaluation.
Even a seemingly minor accident in the subway may become complicated if Metro does not respond quickly and act in the best interests of public safety. Although negligence is most frequently to blame, a subway accident can result from many factors. Common causes of accidents on the Metro include:
Train operators must maintain safe speeds and coordinate routes with other workers. This includes monitoring the equipment to ensure no nearby trains may cause an accident. Unfortunately, many Metro operators are improperly trained, which makes them unable to respond appropriately during a crisis.
Poorly maintained rails may cause many safety issues, including electrical accidents and derailment. For example, in the 2015 L’Enfant Plaza tragedy, electrical arcs from the rails filled stopped trains with smoke, causing one victim’s wrongful death.
In many cases, WMATA defers necessary maintenance due to a lack of funding and workers. However, these delays dramatically increase the risk of deadly accidents to innocent commuters and tourists.
Some Metro train cars have been in use since the 1970s, placing riders at a higher risk for injury during a crash. In addition, equipment malfunctions are more likely to occur because of poor or a lack of maintenance on these trains.
Unfortunately, poorly maintained equipment can cause a deadly crash, as in the 2009 crash, when it was discovered that faulty equipment contributed to the accident.
Yes, you can sue WMATA. However, bringing a personal injury lawsuit against WMATA is complex, and the procedural requirements are strict. The notice deadlines are specific and narrow, and the statute of limitations for your personal injury claim runs at the same time, not after, the notice of claim process. Missing a deadline or filing with the wrong party can end your case. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after an injury is critical. Time is of the essence in these cases.
Before filing a lawsuit, you must submit a written notice of claim directly to WMATA. WMATA is treated as a governmental entity under the WMATA Compact, and like other government defendants, it requires formal notice before a lawsuit can proceed. That notice must include the approximate time, place, cause, and circumstances of the injury. Sending notice by certified mail with proof of delivery is strongly recommended.
The deadline to file that notice depends on where the injury occurred:
Figuring out who is responsible for your accident depends on what caused the accident. For example, you were injured in a train derailment caused by faulty equipment. You may have a personal injury claim against the manufacturer of the equipment as well as the WMATA. That’s why speaking with an experienced Washington, DC Metro accident lawyer is essential to learn your legal options.
Washington, DC follows contributory negligence, one of the strictest liability standards in the country, meaning if WMATA can show you were even one percent responsible for your injury, you could be barred from recovering anything. In Metro cases, WMATA has argued contributory negligence in situations like a passenger rushing to board as doors were closing, standing in a prohibited area on a platform, or failing to hold a handrail on an escalator. None of these behaviors automatically defeats your claim, but they are the kinds of facts WMATA’s defense team will look for. An experienced attorney can anticipate these arguments and build your case to address them before they become a problem.
If you believe you may have missed a filing deadline, contact an attorney immediately — do not assume your case is over. Deadline questions in WMATA cases are fact-specific, and there are circumstances where exceptions may apply, including situations involving minors, claimants who were incapacitated, or cases where the discovery of an injury was delayed. The analysis depends on when and where the injury occurred, what notices, if any, were filed, and the specific facts of your situation. An attorney can assess whether any exceptions apply before concluding that a deadline has passed. Time continues to matter even after a potential missed deadline, so do not wait.
Our Washington, DC Metro accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. When you hire Regan Zambri Long PLLC to handle your claim against the WMATA, you will not have to pay an attorney’s fee until we win your case. Once the case is settled, we will take our fee out of the final settlement. However, if we are unsuccessful, you do not owe us anything for our services.
DC Metro accidents can cause a range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to serious harm such as broken bones, head or brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries. Passengers may also suffer emotional trauma, which can be just as debilitating as physical injuries.
If you’re hurt while riding the DC Metro, immediately seek medical attention and report the incident to WMATA. Document your injuries, collect witness information, and contact an attorney experienced in transit accident claims. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you were injured in a subway accident in Washington, DC, Virginia, or Maryland, our injury law firm is ready to take your case. With multimillion-dollar results for our Metro injury clients, Regan Zambri Long can get maximum compensation for your claim.
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.