Our Location

Washington, D.C. (1225 I St NW) 202-759-7807 1225 I St NW, Suite 550A, Washington, DC, DC 20005 [+] Map & Directions Washington D.C. (1140 19th Street, NW) 202-759-7807 1140 19th Street, NW, Floor 4, Washington, DC, DC 20036 [+] Map & Directions

Washington, D.C. Personal Injury Lawyers

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in the District

When someone else behaves carelessly or negligently causes you harm, you have the right to seek fair compensation for your damages. AtMike Slocumb Law Firm, our Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyers provide highly personalized legal representation tailored to the unique needs, goals, and concerns of each individual client.

We know that no two cases are exactly alike, which is why we take the time to get to know you and learn how we can help you in your recovery. As your legal team, we will do everything we can to maximize your recovery. To date, our firm has secured more than half a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients; we are not afraid to aggressively advocate for your rights and take your case to trial if necessary.

When you hire us, you do not pay any attorney fees unless/until we recover compensation for you, so you have nothing to lose in reaching out to our team today to learn how we can help you seek the justice you deserve.

Contact us online or call (202) 759-7807 to request a complimentary consultation and case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys in Washington, D.C. Hablamos español.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in D.C.?

Washington, D.C. has its own statute of limitations, or filing deadline, when it comes to personal injury lawsuits. In D.C., you have just three years from the date of injury to bring your claim in court. If you fail to file your lawsuit within three years, the court will almost always dismiss your case.

There are some exceptions to this rule, but they are rare. One occurs when an injury cannot and is not discovered right away. When this is the case, the plaintiff may have three years from the “date of discovery,” or the date on which the injury could have been discovered or actually was discovered, to file a lawsuit.

Proving a Personal Injury Claim in Washington, D.C.

As the person bringing the personal injury claim, known as the “plaintiff,” you have the burden of proof. This means that you are the one responsible for proving your claim against the defendant, not the other way around.

To prove your personal injury claim, you will likely need to prove each of the following points:

The defendant had a legal responsibility, or “duty of care,” to take certain actions to prevent injury and avoid others that could cause foreseeable injury
The defendant failed to uphold, or “breached,” this duty of care, most often through negligent or wrongful act or omission
The defendant’s failure to uphold the duty of care, whether through negligent or wrongful act or omission, caused you to be injured
Your injuries led to measurable damages for which you can be compensated, such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering

Because the District follows a plaintiff-unfriendly rule of contributory negligence, you must also prove that you were in no way responsible for the incident that caused your injury. If you are found to be even one percent to blame, you cannot file a claim or receive any compensation for your damages.

100% FREE Consultation

Practice Areas

Client Testimonials

Our Clients TELL THEIR STORIES

I thank Mike Slocumb so much for changing my life “I thank Mike Slocumb so much for changing my life. David and Mike were like Angels to me. I didn’t know if I would ever walk again.”
Mr. Gracie handled my case, he was superb “Mr. Gracie is really, really experienced and an exceptional lawyer.”
I Couldn't Have Been Happier “My case was actually settled earlier than projected and I couldn't have been happier with the outcome.”
Great Communication! “I dealt with Lowell Moore here and I’ll recommend him to anyone, anytime! The defining factor was his communication... I was able to always deal with Lowell firsthand about any questions or concerns I had.”

MORE TESTIMONIALS

×

What Is No-Fault Insurance & How Does It Affect Your Claim?

Washington, D.C. follows a no-fault car insurance system. Under this system, anyone who purchases auto insurance in the District is covered for certain losses after an accident, regardless of fault. In other words, you do not have to prove that someone else was at fault for the crash to recover compensation.

Personal Injury Protection Claims

Instead, you can simply file a claim (known as a “personal injury protection,” or PIP claim) with your own auto insurance provider (rather than the other driver’s insurance provider) and receive financial reimbursement for eligible losses. While the no-fault system makes it somewhat easier to recover compensation after a car accident, there are certain drawbacks to this system, as well.

One main one is that no-fault insurance does not allow you to seek compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Additionally, no-fault coverage is relatively limited and may not provide enough to cover the cost of your economic losses.

The only way to step outside the no-fault system and seek compensation over and outside of the confines of PIP insurance is to prove that you have suffered a “serious injury,” as defined by D.C. law.

To learn more about Washington, D.C.’s no-fault auto insurance and accident system, visit our Car Accidents page or contact us directly for a free consultation.

Get Started!

×

How Our D.C. Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help

Getting back on your feet after a serious accident or injury can be extremely challenging. Depending on the severity of your injury and the specific facts of your case, you may be facing significant physical, financial, and emotional hardships.

At Mike Slocumb Law Firm, we recognize what you are going through, and we are here to help. Our Washington, D.C. personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling all types of complex cases.

Whether youslipped and fell due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property or your loved one tragically passed away after a collision with a large commercial truck, our team can help you fight for the justice you are owed.

Our goal is to provide the guidance you need to make informed decisions about your case, your recovery, and your future.

Get in touch with us today at (202) 759-7807 or submit a free online case evaluation form to learn how Mike Slocumb Law Firm can help you with your personal injury case.

Contact Us

×