If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Washington, D.C., let Regan Zambri Long put our experience and resources to work for you.

 

 Understanding the Washington D.C. No-Fault Insurance System and Your Rights

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Washington, D.C., one of the first legal issues you’ll encounter is the city’s no-fault auto insurance system. Understanding what no-fault coverage means, what benefits it provides, and when you can step outside the system to pursue a lawsuit is crucial to protecting your rights and getting the compensation you deserve.

At Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers, we help injured drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians navigate D.C.’s no-fault laws. Our experienced attorneys ensure that clients receive the full benefits they’re entitled to—and we fight for additional compensation when serious injuries or negligence warrant legal action.

Find more information about “Car Accidents” on this page

Washington, D.C., is one of several jurisdictions that follow a no-fault auto insurance system. Under this model, your own insurance provider pays for your medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash. This coverage is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

The purpose of no-fault insurance is to streamline claims, reduce litigation, and provide immediate access to benefits without needing to prove fault. While this can be helpful for minor accidents, the system has limitations, particularly when injuries are severe or when other parties were clearly negligent.

In Washington, D.C., PIP coverage typically includes:

Reasonable medical expenses

Rehabilitation costs

Lost wages due to injury (up to policy limits)

Funeral and burial expenses (in the event of a fatal accident)

PIP does not cover property damage (such as car repairs), pain and suffering, or damages beyond the coverage limits. For these expenses, you may need to pursue a separate claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance or through a personal injury lawsuit, if your injuries meet certain legal thresholds.

Washington D.C.’s no-fault law gives accident victims a choice: they can either seek benefits through their own insurance provider under the no-fault system or pursue a traditional fault-based personal injury claim. However, once you choose the no-fault route and accept PIP benefits, you generally waive your right to sue for damages related to the accident—unless your injuries qualify as serious under D.C. law.

You may step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit if your injuries:

Involve significant permanent scarring or disfigurement

Result in permanent disability or impairment

Lead to substantial medical expenses exceeding the no-fault coverage

Causes long-term loss of bodily function

If any of these apply, you may be eligible to sue the at-fault driver for full damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life. These claims are significant for victims who suffer from chronic pain, scarring, or permanent disabilities.

Many people assume that because they live in a no-fault jurisdiction, they have no right to pursue further compensation. This is not true. At Regan Zambri Long, we frequently help clients with serious injuries step outside the no-fault system and pursue full legal claims against negligent drivers, vehicle owners, or even government entities responsible for unsafe road conditions.

Here’s how we approach these cases:

We first review your insurance coverage and PIP benefits to ensure you are receiving all available medical and wage-related compensation. If your policy limits are insufficient to cover your losses, we then evaluate whether your injuries meet the legal threshold for a third-party lawsuit.

We gather evidence to prove the other driver’s negligence, such as police reports, surveillance footage, eyewitness accounts, medical records, and expert testimony. We also document your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and financial losses to calculate fair compensation.

If the insurer refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we are fully prepared to litigate your case in court. Our attorneys have a proven track record of securing high-value verdicts and settlements for injured clients across Washington, D.C.

In addition to traditional auto collisions, no-fault rules apply in accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers. However, these cases often have unique nuances. For example, if a pedestrian is hit by a car, they may be covered by their own auto insurance policy’s PIP benefits—or, if uninsured, they may be able to claim through the driver’s insurance.

It’s important to act quickly after an accident. In Washington, D.C., the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally three years. The timeline is often shorter for no-fault benefits, and prompt reporting to your insurer is required.

Failing to meet deadlines or submitting incomplete documentation can jeopardize your right to compensation. An experienced attorney can help ensure all legal and procedural requirements are met and that you do not inadvertently waive your rights.

While no-fault systems are designed to simplify the claims process, they often leave accident victims undercompensated, especially when injuries are serious or involve long-term consequences. That’s why legal representation is so critical.

At Regan Zambri Long, we help D.C. residents understand their rights, file insurance claims correctly, and hold negligent drivers accountable. Whether you’re recovering from a mild concussion or facing years of rehabilitation, we’ll fight for the resources you need to move forward.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Washington, D.C., don’t assume your options are limited under the no-fault system. Contact Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. We’ll explain your rights, review your injuries, and help you determine whether additional compensation is available through legal action.