Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Washington, District of Columbia
The firms in this guide
1. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata and Siegel, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, pedestrian accidents, premises liability throughout Washington DC and the metropolitan area
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions involving motorcycles, intersection accidents, distracted driving motorcycle crashes, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, accident reconstruction, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, negotiation with insurance companies
Background: The firm has over 50 years of experience and more than 100 years of combined attorney experience. The attorneys have recovered over $1 billion for clients. Notable results include a $3.5 million recovery for a man who suffered brain injury when a DC police officer opened a door into traffic, and a $6 million recovery for a man who suffered brain injury from a rear-end collision. All partners are recognized by Washington, DC legal directories. The firm handles cases throughout the Washington DC metropolitan area.
Location: Washington, DC
Contact: https://www.chaikinandsherman.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
2. Cohen and Cohen, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, car accidents, truck accidents throughout Washington DC
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, distracted driving motorcycle crashes, drunk driver accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, police report gathering, medical record compilation, helmet and gear evidence collection, accident reconstruction consultation, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation
Background: Founding attorney Wayne R. Cohen has handled over 10,000 personal injury cases. The firm has over 30 years of experience and has recovered more than $300 million for injury victims. Attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, and The Washingtonian for leadership in personal injury law. The firm has experience with DC motorcycle laws, insurance tactics, and liability issues specific to motorcycle claims.
Location: Washington, DC
Contact: https://cohenandcohen.net
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis with no payment unless case is won.
3. Koonz McKenney Johnson and DePaolis LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice throughout Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, lane change accidents, intersection accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases, no-contact motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, employer liability claims, negligent hiring claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has over 35 years of experience negotiating compensation and fighting in court for motorcycle accident victims. Attorneys understand DC’s contributory negligence rules and how they apply to vulnerable road users including motorcyclists under DC Code Section 50-2204.52.
Location: 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20015
Contact: (202) 659-5500 | https://koonz.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
4. Price Benowitz LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death throughout Washington DC
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end motorcycle collisions, intersection accidents, distracted driving motorcycle crashes, drunk driver accidents
Legal Services: Case investigation, liability determination, evidence gathering, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery
Background: The firm handles motorcycle accident cases throughout Washington DC with experience in DC’s unique contributory negligence rules affecting motorcyclists as vulnerable road users. Attorneys work to counter insurance company arguments that attempt to place fault on motorcyclists.
Location: Washington, DC
Contact: https://pricebenowitz.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available.
5. Fay Law Group, P.A.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death throughout Washington DC and Maryland
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases, catastrophic injury motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, insurance company negotiation, litigation, court representation, settlement negotiation, damage calculation, medical expert consultation
Background: The firm has over four decades of experience representing individuals injured through no fault of their own. Attorneys handle the complexities of DC motorcycle accident claims including countering arguments of contributory negligence and working to secure compensation.
Location: Washington, DC
Contact: (202) 589-1300 | https://www.faylawpa.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
Helmets, Insurance Offers and Claim Deadlines for Washington, D.C. Motorcycle Crashes
A motorcycle crash in the District raises the helmet question first, then two insurance questions: what the other driver had to carry and what the rider’s own insurer had to offer. D.C. Code deadlines govern every claim that follows.
Helmets
The Governors Highway Safety Association’s state helmet summary, last reviewed by state highway safety offices in June 2025, lists the District of Columbia as having a universal motorcycle helmet law, enacted in 1970, covering all motorcyclists.
What Insurers Must Offer
Under D.C. Code § 31-2406, each insurer selling motor vehicle insurance in the District must offer coverage with at least the minimum benefits for property damage liability, third-party personal liability and uninsured motorist protection, and must offer optional personal injury protection and underinsured motor vehicle coverage. Taxicab insurers and self-insurers are exempt from offering personal injury protection, uninsured motorist protection and underinsured coverage.
The Other Driver’s Minimum Limits
The same section sets the minimum third-party personal liability coverage an insured must purchase at $25,000 per person and $50,000 for all persons injured in one accident, and the minimum property damage liability coverage at $10,000 per accident.
Claims Against the District
Except as provided in subsection (b), D.C. Code § 12-309(a) requires written notice to the Mayor within six months after the injury, stating the approximate time, place, cause and circumstances, before an action for unliquidated damages may be maintained against the District.
A Rider’s Own Negligence
The District follows contributory negligence: in Massengale v. Pitts (1999), the D.C. Court of Appeals treated a plaintiff’s contributory negligence as a complete bar to recovery after a collision between two vehicles. D.C. Code § 50-2204.52 relaxes that rule for a pedestrian or vulnerable user of a public highway who collides with a motor vehicle; ask counsel whether that exception can apply to a rider in your situation.
Washington, D.C. Motorcycle Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the other driver?
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, D.C. Code § 12-301(a) sets three years for actions with no other limitation specially prescribed.
Who brings the claim if a rider is killed?
The personal representative, within 2 years after the death under D.C. Code § 16-2702. Under § 16-2701, damages are assessed for the spouse or domestic partner and next of kin, including reasonable expenses of last illness and burial.
Does a police report satisfy the notice requirement against 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.