Car Accident Attorneys in Washington, District of Columbia

1. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, brain injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death, nursing home abuse, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, premises liability

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, head-on collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, bus accidents, metro accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, rideshare accidents, catastrophic injury cases

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, wrongful death claims, investigation services, expert witness coordination

Background: Firm established for over 50 years serving Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Four partners have served as Presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. One partner received 2024 Trial Lawyer of the Year from the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Past President of the Brain Injury Association of Washington, D.C. Two partners are board-certified in civil trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. The firm was chosen as Preferred Lawyers by the Brain Injury Association of America. Has recovered over $1 billion for clients.

Location: 1232 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

Contact: (202) 659-8600 | https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/

Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis (no fees unless compensation recovered), all legal expenses advanced

2. Cohen & Cohen, P.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, rideshare accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents

Background: Over 30 years in practice representing injured clients in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Founding partner Wayne Cohen has been featured on ABC News, NBC, FOX, The Washington Post, and USA Today. The firm has represented thousands of accident victims and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Experienced in both litigation and trial practice. Strong understanding of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia contributory negligence rules.

Location: 1090 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005

Contact: (202) 955-4529 | https://cohenandcohen.net/

Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless successful)

3. Regan Zambri Long, PLLC

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, birth injuries, pedestrian accidents

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, commercial truck accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, catastrophic injury cases

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage compensation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death representation, investigation services, expert witness coordination

Background: Partners Patrick Regan and Sal Zambri have been recognized by The Washingtonian as among Washington’s best, most honest, and effective lawyers. Sal Zambri is counted among the “Top 1%” of Metro area attorneys. The firm has nearly 195 years of combined experience and has secured more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts. Recognized multiple times as one of the top personal injury law firms in D.C. Specializes in truck accident litigation with knowledge of FMCSA regulations.

Location: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20036

Contact: (202) 463-3030 | https://rhllaw.com/

Consultation: Free consultation, no-obligation case evaluation, contingency fee basis

4. Wingfield, Ginsburg & Lipp, P.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, parking lot accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, rideshare accidents

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, property damage claims

Background: Over four decades handling personal injury and wrongful death cases exclusively. The firm serves the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. Team members speak English, Spanish, and Farsi fluently. Every matter is handled by a dedicated team including attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and support staff. The firm focuses on providing personalized attention and communication throughout the claims process.

Location: 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036

Contact: (202) 296-1110 | https://www.dmvinjurylaw.com/

Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement

5. Gelb & Gelb, P.C.

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, side-impact accidents, hit-and-run accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage compensation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, asset investigation, uninsured motorist claims

Background: Gelb & Gelb has served as a personal injury law firm in Washington, D.C. for over 70 years. Attorney Roger K. Gelb has over 30 years of experience handling accident cases and has won thousands of cases. Located in the heart of Downtown Washington, D.C., just above the Farragut Metro station. The firm offers 24/7 availability and provides quick, convenient access for residents across all four quadrants of the District.

Location: 1875 I Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006

Contact: (202) 331-1100 | https://gelbandgelb.com/

Consultation: Free consultation, available 24/7, contingency fee basis

D.C. Filing Deadlines, Insurance Minimums and Claims Against the District for Washington Car Crashes

A car crash claim in the District of Columbia runs on the general three-year limitation period, with a much shorter notice step when the District itself is responsible. The D.C. Code also sets the minimum coverage behind the other driver and what insurers must offer.

Three Years to Sue

Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, D.C. Code § 12-301(a) sets three years for actions with no other limitation specially prescribed and for injury to property, and one year for listed intentional torts such as assault and battery.

Notice to the Mayor

Except as provided in subsection (b), D.C. Code § 12-309(a) bars an action against the District of Columbia for unliquidated damages to person or property unless, within six months after the injury, the claimant or an agent or attorney gives written notice to the Mayor of the approximate time, place, cause and circumstances. A written report by the Metropolitan Police Department in regular course of duty is sufficient notice.

Minimum Coverage

Under D.C. Code § 31-2406, the minimum third-party personal liability coverage an insured must purchase is $25,000 per person and $50,000 for all persons injured in one accident, and the minimum property damage liability coverage is $10,000 per accident. Insurers must offer uninsured motorist protection and must offer optional personal injury protection and underinsured motor vehicle coverage; the official code page lists a pending change to the section by D.C. Law 26-155 for October 1, 2027.

A Driver’s Own Negligence

In Massengale v. Pitts (1999), a case arising from an intersection collision, the D.C. Court of Appeals upheld the denial of an injured driver’s damages on the ground that a plaintiff’s contributory negligence is a complete bar to recovery in the District. The vulnerable-user statute discussed below changes that result only for pedestrians and other vulnerable users, and it leaves the last clear chance doctrine in place.

A Fatal Crash

D.C. Code § 16-2701 allows an action for a death caused by a wrongful act, neglect or default in the District when the injured person could have sued, with damages assessed for the spouse or domestic partner and next of kin, including reasonable expenses of last illness and burial. Under § 16-2702, the personal representative brings the action within 2 years after the death.

Washington, D.C. Car Accident Questions

Does a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a car lose the claim for being partly at fault?

No, not necessarily. D.C. Code § 50-2204.52 provides that a pedestrian or other vulnerable user’s negligence in a collision with a motor vehicle does not bar recovery unless it was a proximate cause and greater than the aggregated negligence of all defendants; the section does not change joint and several liability or last clear chance.

Does a police report count as notice to the District?

Yes. Under D.C. Code § 12-309(a), a written report by the Metropolitan Police Department in regular course of duty is sufficient notice.

Can my own policy cover an uninsured driver?

Yes, if the policy carries uninsured motorist protection. Insurers selling motor vehicle insurance in the District must offer it under D.C. Code § 31-2406, with taxicab insurers and self-insurers excepted.