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District of Columbia Injury Claim Rules

Rules cited to DC’s statutes and case lawRules checked How we calculate

Fault ruleContributory negligenceAlmost any fault on your side can bar recovery completely.Wingfield v. People’s Drug Store, 379 A.2d 685 (D.C. 1977)
Filing deadline3 yearsFrom the date of the injury.D.C. Code § 12-301(8)
Minimum insurance25/50/10Per person, per crash, property. DC is an at-fault state.
Damage capsNone on injury damagesPunitive and malpractice damages can be capped separately.

Calculators with these rules built in

DC personal injury settlementAny injury someone else caused, valued under your state’s fault rule.DC car accident settlementInjury value plus your vehicle claim, with policy limits and no-fault rules.DC truck accident settlementCommercial policies carry far higher limits. See what that changes.DC motorcycle accident settlementSevere-injury ranges, fault disputes and the rider’s own coverage.DC pedestrian accident settlementHit on foot, including crosswalk fault and your own auto coverage.DC bicycle accident settlementCyclist claims under your state’s fault rule.DC rideshare accident settlementUber and Lyft layered coverage, by the driver’s app status.DC slip and fall settlementPremises claims, where proving the owner knew is half the case.DC dog bite settlementStrict-liability and one-bite states, and the homeowner’s policy that pays.DC wrongful death settlementLost support, household services and companionship, valued today.DC pain and sufferingCompare the multiplier and per-diem methods side by side.DC settlement offer checkerPlace an insurer’s offer inside your state’s range.DC demand letterA ready-to-edit demand letter for the insurance adjuster.DC filing deadlineYour last day to file an injury lawsuit, by state and claim type.DC comparative faultHow your share of fault changes the award under your state’s rule.DC policy limits and um/uim gapWhen the other driver’s policy runs out, and what your own covers.

This page collects the rules that decide what an injury claim is worth in District of Columbia: who can recover when both sides share the blame, how long you have to sue, what insurance drivers must carry and whether the state caps damages. Every rule links to the statute or court decision behind it, and every calculator on this site uses these same values.

DC’s contributory negligence rule is the one to know first: it can bar a claim for even a small share of fault, which changes how every claim there is negotiated.

District of Columbia injury claim rules

Fault. District of Columbia is one of only five places that still use contributory negligence. If you are found even slightly at fault, a court can bar your claim entirely. That makes proof of the other side’s fault, such as a police report, photos and witness statements, especially important. Pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users can recover unless they were more at fault than the driver.

Filing deadlines. You have three years from the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Families have two years for a wrongful death claim, usually counted from the date of death. Claims against a government agency need written notice much sooner.

Car insurance. District of Columbia is an at-fault state, so the at-fault driver’s liability insurance pays your claim. Drivers must carry at least $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per crash and $10,000 for property damage, written 25/50/10. Uninsured motorist coverage is also required.

Damage caps. No cap on injury damages. Medical malpractice and punitive damages can have separate limits.

Dog bites. Liability usually turns on whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous or broke a leash or control law.

District of Columbia injury claim questions

Can I still get a settlement in District of Columbia if I was partly at fault?

Usually not. District of Columbia uses contributory negligence, which can bar your claim if you were even slightly at fault. Narrow exceptions exist, so talk to a lawyer before giving up.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in District of Columbia?

three years from the injury in most cases.

Who pays a personal injury settlement?

Usually the at-fault party’s insurer: auto, homeowner’s or business liability coverage. The policy limit often sets the practical ceiling.

Does District of Columbia cap pain and suffering damages?

Not in most injury cases. No cap on injury damages. Medical malpractice and punitive damages can have separate limits.