D.C. Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident or a slip and fall in Washington, D.C., the insurance company is already working to pay you as little as possible. You need a trial attorney who will build your case to win and let that strength drive the settlement. You pay nothing up front. I work personal injury on contingency.
If you have been arrested, call immediately. Do not talk to police. Do not consent to searches. Call before you do anything else.
Washington, D.C. Has One of the Harshest Negligence Rules in the Country.
Here Is What That Means for Your Case.
D.C. is one of only a few jurisdictions in the United States that still follows pure contributory negligence. Under that rule, if the insurance company can argue you were even one percent at fault for your own injury, you can recover nothing. Zero.
Insurance companies know this. They use contributory negligence to deny claims, arguing the injured person should have been watching the road, should have seen the wet floor, should have stayed back from the curb.
This is why the lawyer you hire in D.C. matters more than it does almost anywhere else.
A D.C. personal injury lawyer who knows how to attack contributory negligence defenses, who has stood in front of a jury and explained why the other side is wrong, is worth real money in your pocket. I am that lawyer. I have tried over 50 cases to verdict. I know how to build the case so contributory negligence does not become the story.
D.C. Personal Injury Cases I Handle.
You Pay Nothing Up Front.
You should never pay a personal injury lawyer by the hour. If a lawyer asks you to pay hourly for a personal injury case, walk out.
I work D.C. personal injury cases on contingency, which means:
01
No fee up front
You owe me nothing to start your case.
02
No attorney's fee unless we recover
If we do not get money for you, you do not pay attorney's fees.
03
Case costs
Such as filing fees, expert witnesses, records, and depositions, are usually advanced by the firm and handled out of the recovery.
04
The full terms
Spelled out in writing in your agreement before we begin.
Why 50 Jury Trials Changes What Your Case Is Worth.
Insurance companies know which lawyers actually try cases and which ones settle for whatever is offered. They have files on us. They negotiate differently with each.
If your lawyer has tried a handful of jury trials, the insurance company knows the worst case for them is a settlement plus a small discount. If your lawyer has tried over 50 jury trials, the calculation changes. They know the case might end up in front of a jury. They know they will be cross-examined. They know their adjuster could be deposed. The number on the table moves.
The trial record is not just a marketing line. It is the lever that moves settlements.
Cases Won
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
01
Get medical care
Even if you think you are fine. Adrenaline hides injuries. Some of the worst whiplash and brain injuries show up days later. The medical record is also your most important piece of evidence.
02
Document everything
Photos of the scene. Photos of the injuries. Names and phone numbers of witnesses. The other driver's insurance information. A copy of the police report.
03
Do not give a recorded statement to the other side's insurance company
They will call within hours. Politely decline. Tell them your lawyer will be in touch.
04
Do not post about the accident on social media
Insurance companies search it. A photo of you smiling at a wedding three weeks later will be used to argue you were never hurt.
05
Call me before you sign anything
Fast settlements look generous and almost never are. Once you sign, you cannot reopen the case.
Frequently Asked Questions.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in D.C.?
The general statute of limitations for personal injury in D.C. is three years from the date of the accident under D.C. Code Section 12-301. Some claims have shorter deadlines. Claims against the District of Columbia government, for example, require written notice within six months. Do not wait. Evidence disappears fast.
What is D.C. contributory negligence and how does it affect my case?
D.C. is one of the few jurisdictions that still uses pure contributory negligence. If the insurance company can argue you were even one percent at fault, you can recover nothing. This is why the lawyer you pick matters. Insurance companies use this rule aggressively, so you need a lawyer who has tried cases against this defense.
How much is my D.C. personal injury case worth?
Case value depends on medical bills, lost wages, future medical needs, the severity of the injury, the strength of the liability case, and the available insurance coverage. I will give you a realistic range after I have reviewed the case. I will not promise you a number I cannot deliver.
How long does a D.C. personal injury case take?
A straightforward settlement can resolve in six to twelve months. A case that requires litigation can take one to three years. Cases that go to trial can take longer. I prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which is part of why the cases that should settle, do.
Do I have to go to court?
Most cases settle without a trial. But the cases that settle for the most money are the ones the other side believes you are ready to try. I prepare every case as if we are going to trial. Most of them never have to.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
This is where D.C. is brutal. Under pure contributory negligence, even one percent of fault can defeat your claim. But partially at fault is also the defense’s argument, not the truth. A skilled lawyer can often show that the apparent fault is not real fault under the law. Call before you accept the insurance company’s framing.
The insurance company offered me money already. Should I take it?
Probably not. Insurance companies offer fast settlements specifically to close the case before you understand what it is worth, and before you know what your long-term medical needs are. Have a lawyer review the offer before you sign anything. Once you sign a release, the case is over.
What does it cost to hire you?
Nothing up front. I work personal injury cases on contingency, which means there is no attorney’s fee unless we recover for you. Case costs, such as filing fees, expert witnesses, and records, are advanced and handled out of the recovery. The full terms are in your written agreement.
What if I was hit on a D.C. sidewalk or in a Metro station?
Premises claims have specific notice rules in D.C., especially for claims involving the District itself or WMATA. You may have as little as six months to give formal notice. Call as soon as possible.
Do you handle personal injury cases outside of D.C.?
Yes, in Minnesota. I am licensed in both D.C. and Minnesota for personal injury work. I do not handle personal injury in Texas.
Take the First Step
Hurt in D.C.?
Call Before You Talk to the Insurance Company.
The first call should be to a lawyer. Not to the insurance adjuster. Not to the other driver’s company. To a lawyer who has tried cases and knows D.C. inside and out.