Accident Settlement Calculator

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District of Columbia Car Accident Settlement Calculator

In District of Columbia, you generally have 3 years to file an injury lawsuit, any fault on your part can bar recovery, and drivers must carry at least $25,000/$50,000 in injury liability; it is a no-fault state, so your own PIP pays first. Enter your numbers below to see what a District of Columbia claim may be worth and what you would actually take home.

⏳ Coming October 1, 2027: $50,000 / $100,000 bodily injury and $20,000 property damage, with uninsured motorist coverage required at the same amounts (Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Amendment Act of 2026). Whether existing policies change immediately or at renewal was not confirmed. Upcoming changes

1

Your accident

How serious is the injury?
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Your costs so far

That's all you need for a first estimate. Rough numbers are fine.

Optional: make the estimate more accurate fault, insurance, lawyer fee
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Fault and future costs

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Insurance

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What comes out of it

District of Columbia rules in 30 seconds

If you were partly at faultAny fault on your part can mean you get $0
Details & exceptions

The District of Columbia follows common-law contributory negligence: an injured person whose own negligence contributed to the accident generally cannot recover at all. Statutory exception (Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act, D.C. Code 50-2204.52, as expanded in 2021): a pedestrian or 'vulnerable user' (bicyclist, motorcyclist, scooter, e-bike, skateboard or similar user) involved in a collision with a motor vehicle is not barred unless their negligence was a proximate cause of the injury and greater than the combined negligence of all defendants. For ordinary car-occupant claims, contributory negligence still applies. No 2023-2026 change was found.

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Deadline to file a lawsuit3 years from the accident
Details & exceptions

D.C. Code 12-301: 3 years 'for the recovery of damages for an injury to real or personal property' ((3)) and 3 years for actions 'for which a limitation is not otherwise specially prescribed' ((8)), which covers negligence personal injury claims. Wrongful death: within 2 years after the death (D.C. Code 16-2702). Claims against the District of Columbia government: written notice to the Mayor within 6 months after the injury is required (a police report in the regular course of duty counts as notice) (D.C. Code 12-309).

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Other driver's minimum insurance$25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Details & exceptions

Property damage minimum: $10,000. D.C. Code 31-2406(b)-(c): $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident third-party personal liability, and $10,000 property damage liability per accident. SCHEDULED CHANGE: the Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Amendment Act of 2026 (D.C. Law 26-155, effective Aug. 14, 2026) raises the minimums to $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident / $20,000 property damage (and mandatory UM to the same amounts), applying as of October 1, 2027. It also adds automatic increases of $5,000 / $10,000 / $2,000 every 10 years starting January 1, 2037, and makes 'enhanced' underinsured motorist coverage the default.

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Who pays your medical billsYour own medical benefits first, then the at-fault driver
Details & exceptions

Insurers must offer optional personal injury protection (PIP); buying it is the insured's choice (D.C. Code 31-2404(a)). If purchased, PIP pays without regard to fault at least $50,000 medical and rehabilitation expenses, $12,000 work loss and up to $4,000 funeral benefits per victim (31-2404(c)-(e)). After an accident, a covered victim chooses within 60 days whether to receive PIP benefits (31-2405(a)); if they make no election, the liability coverage applies and they keep full tort rights (31-2405(g)). A victim who elects PIP may sue the at-fault driver only if (1) the injury directly results in substantial permanent scarring or disfigurement, substantial and medically demonstrable permanent impairment that significantly affects their ability to perform professional or usual daily activities, or a medically demonstrable impairment preventing substantially all usual daily activities for more than 180 continuous days; or (2) their medical and rehabilitation expenses or work loss exceed the PIP benefits available (31-2405(b)). Survivors may always sue for wrongful death (31-2405(c)).

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Cap on pain and sufferingNo cap for typical car accident claims
Details & exceptions

No general cap for typical car accident injury claims. No statutory cap on noneconomic (pain and suffering) damages in DC car-accident cases. Victims who elect PIP must meet the 31-2405(b) threshold to sue at all (see no_fault).

Uninsured motorist coverageRequired
Details & exceptions

D.C. Code 31-2406(f)(2): every policy on a vehicle registered or principally garaged in DC must include uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage (with a $200 property damage deductible); there is no rejection option. Higher UM limits up to 100/300/25 are available on request (31-2406(f)(4)). Underinsured motorist coverage must be offered but is optional (31-2406(c-1)). From October 1, 2027 (D.C. Law 26-155), mandatory UM rises to 50/100/20 and 'enhanced' UIM coverage (not reduced by the at-fault driver's liability payment) must be included unless the first named insured waives it in writing.

Worked example: a typical District of Columbia car accident claim

Another driver turned left into you at an intersection in District of Columbia: $15,000 in medical bills, $5,000 in lost wages and a moderate injury that healed in a few months. The insurer says you were 20% at fault for speeding slightly, the other driver has a $100,000 policy, and your lawyer takes 33%. We assume your injury meets the state's serious-injury threshold.

  1. Economic damages$20,000Medical bills + expected future treatment + lost wages.
  2. Pain and suffering$20,000 – $40,000Multiplier method: economic damages × 2–3 for a moderate injury, minus the economic part itself.
  3. Total claim value$40,000 – $60,000Economic + pain and suffering.
  4. After your share of fault$0District of Columbia uses contributory negligence: if you are even slightly at fault, you may recover nothing (limited exceptions such as "last clear chance" exist).
  5. Limited by available insurance$0At-fault policy limit $100,000 + your UM/UIM $0.
  6. Estimated take-home$0Minus attorney fee (33%), case costs and medical liens.

You would likely get nothing. Under District of Columbia's fault rule, even 20% of the fault can bar the whole claim, so arguing the fault percentage down to zero is what matters most.

Typical figures (midpoint of a moderate injury multiplier), no medical liens. Run your own numbersor see the same crash in every state.

How much time do you have to file?

General personal injury deadline only. It can be shorter for claims against a city, county or state agency (often a written notice within months), and longer for minors. Check with a lawyer before relying on it.

Deadline traps in District of Columbia

The 3-year lawsuit deadline is not the only clock. These are the ones people miss:

Crash with a government vehicle or on a public road6 months

Before suing the District of Columbia, written notice of the time, place, cause and circumstances must be given to the Mayor within 6 months of the injury. A Metropolitan Police Department report made in the regular course of duty also counts as notice.

D.C. Code 12-309, Actions against District of Columbia; notice (D.C. Council Code)

If the injured person is a child

The 3-year clock is paused until the child turns 18, then the full 3 years runs. The 6-month notice to the District has no stated exception for minors.

D.C. Code 12-302, Disabilities of minority (D.C. Council Code)D.C. Code 12-309 (D.C. Council Code)

How fast a District of Columbia insurer must respond

D.C.'s unfair claims practices law sets no specific day counts for auto claims: insurers must acknowledge and act 'reasonably promptly' on claim communications and affirm or deny coverage 'within a reasonable time' after proof of loss.

D.C. Code 31-2231.17, Unfair claim settlement practices (D.C. Council Code)

If an insurer misses these deadlines, you can file a complaint with the state insurance department. Compare all states:insurance claim deadlines by state.

Next steps after a District of Columbia crash

How no-fault insurance affects a District of Columbia claim

In District of Columbia, your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays your medical bills and lost wages first, regardless of who caused the crash. You can generally pursue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only if your injury meets the state's threshold. Tick the threshold box in the calculator if that applies to you.

Frequently asked questions

What is a typical car accident settlement in District of Columbia?
It depends on the bills, the injury and fault. Worked example: with $15,000 in medical bills, $5,000 in lost wages and a moderate injury, a District of Columbia claim is worth about $50,000 with no fault on your part, but at 20% fault District of Columbia's rule can bar it entirely.
Is District of Columbia an at-fault or no-fault state for car accidents?
District of Columbia's car insurance system: Choice no-fault. Insurers must offer optional personal injury protection (PIP); buying it is the insured's choice (D.C. Code 31-2404(a)). If purchased, PIP pays without regard to fault at least $50,000 medical and rehabilitation expenses, $12,000 work loss and up to $4,000 funeral benefits per victim (31-2404(c)-(e)). After an accident, a covered victim chooses within 60 days whether to receive PIP benefits (31-2405(a)); if they make no election, the liability coverage applies and they keep full tort rights (31-2405(g)). A victim who elects PIP may sue the at-fault driver only if (1) the injury directly results in substantial permanent scarring or disfigurement, substantial and medically demonstrable permanent impairment that significantly affects their ability to perform professional or usual daily activities, or a medically demonstrable impairment preventing substantially all usual daily activities for more than 180 continuous days; or (2) their medical and rehabilitation expenses or work loss exceed the PIP benefits available (31-2405(b)). Survivors may always sue for wrongful death (31-2405(c)).
Is there a cap on pain and suffering in District of Columbia car accident cases?
No general cap for typical car accident injury claims. No statutory cap on noneconomic (pain and suffering) damages in DC car-accident cases. Victims who elect PIP must meet the 31-2405(b) threshold to sue at all (see no_fault).
What happens if I was partly at fault for an accident in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia follows contributory negligence: if you are found even slightly at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages, subject to narrow exceptions.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in District of Columbia?
Generally 3 years for personal injury and 3 years for property damage. D.C. Code 12-301: 3 years 'for the recovery of damages for an injury to real or personal property' ((3)) and 3 years for actions 'for which a limitation is not otherwise specially prescribed' ((8)), which covers negligence personal injury claims. Wrongful death: within 2 years after the death (D.C. Code 16-2702). Claims against the District of Columbia government: written notice to the Mayor within 6 months after the injury is required (a police report in the regular course of duty counts as notice) (D.C. Code 12-309).
What is the minimum car insurance in District of Columbia?
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. D.C. Code 31-2406(b)-(c): $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident third-party personal liability, and $10,000 property damage liability per accident. SCHEDULED CHANGE: the Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Amendment Act of 2026 (D.C. Law 26-155, effective Aug. 14, 2026) raises the minimums to $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident / $20,000 property damage (and mandatory UM to the same amounts), applying as of October 1, 2027. It also adds automatic increases of $5,000 / $10,000 / $2,000 every 10 years starting January 1, 2037, and makes 'enhanced' underinsured motorist coverage the default.
What is the deadline to file a claim against the government in District of Columbia?
6 months. Before suing the District of Columbia, written notice of the time, place, cause and circumstances must be given to the Mayor within 6 months of the injury. A Metropolitan Police Department report made in the regular course of duty also counts as notice.
How long does an insurance company have to respond to a claim in District of Columbia?
D.C.'s unfair claims practices law sets no specific day counts for auto claims: insurers must acknowledge and act 'reasonably promptly' on claim communications and affirm or deny coverage 'within a reasonable time' after proof of loss.

Related

Official sources