Why Injured Cyclists Trust Simeone & Miller
Injured riders across the District choose our team for reasons that matter when the stakes are high. You gain a team that pairs compassionate service with aggressive courtroom advocacy and offers:
- Decades of D.C. experience: Founded in 2002, our firm has spent more than twenty years handling serious injury claims throughout Washington, D.C.
- A record of results: We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured people and their families.
- Recognized trial advocacy: Attorneys who hold an AV Preeminent rating with Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers honors. Founding partner Thomas Simeone has been named a Lawdragon Top 500 Plaintiff Attorney.
- Command of three jurisdictions: We handle cases across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia and know how each one’s deadlines and rules differ.
- No fee unless we win: We work on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing up front and owe no fees unless we recover for you.
- Personalized attention: You work directly with attorneys who keep you informed and treat you like a person, not a file number.
Since 2002, Simeone & Miller has stood with injury victims across the District and the greater DMV area. We know the streets where these crashes happen, the insurers who fight them, and the D.C. laws that decide them. When a driver’s negligence upends your life, you deserve a team that will listen and work to make it right.
How D.C.’s Contributory Negligence Law Affects Injured Cyclists
Washington, D.C. follows one of the harshest fault rules in the country. Under the traditional doctrine of contributory negligence, a person who is even slightly at fault for an accident can be barred from recovering anything at all. That rule long made bicycle crash claims difficult, because drivers and their insurers routinely tried to pin part of the blame on the rider.
The District changed that calculation for cyclists. A 2016 law created added legal protections for cyclists and other vulnerable road users hurt in collisions with motor vehicles. Under the current law, a covered rider’s own carelessness bars recovery only when the fault is greater than the combined fault of everyone else involved. In plain terms, a cyclist can still recover unless he or she was more than half at fault for the crash.
The protection covers people the law treats as vulnerable users, including those riding:
- A standard or electric bicycle
- A motorized or non-motorized scooter
- A skateboard or personal mobility device
- A motorcycle or motor-driven cycle
For a covered rider who is not more than half at fault, this protection can be the difference between full compensation and nothing at all, since a qualifying cyclist recovers the full amount of their damages rather than a reduced share. Because the outcome turns on exactly how and where the crash happened, and on how fault gets assigned, it is worth reviewing your case with an attorney who handles these collisions every day.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in the District
Most bike crashes in the city trace back to a driver who was not paying attention or not sharing the road. Riders are frequently hurt by:
- Dooring: A driver or passenger opens a car door directly into the path of a passing cyclist.
- Right-hook turns: A driver passes a rider and then turns right across the bike’s path.
- Left-cross collisions: An oncoming driver turns left at an intersection and fails to yield to a rider going straight.
- Failure to yield: A motorist pulls out from a stop sign, driveway, or parking space without checking for bikes.
- Distracted or impaired driving: A driver who is texting, speeding, or under the influence does not see the rider in time.
- Dangerous road conditions: Potholes, poorly designed intersections, or defective bike lanes force a rider into traffic or cause a fall.
Knowing the rules that govern riding on District streets helps establish fault, and our attorneys use crash reports, video, and witness accounts to build that proof, just as we do in car accident and motorcycle accident claims.
Compensation and Deadlines in a D.C. Bicycle Accident Claim
A serious bike crash can leave you facing costs for years to come. Depending on your case, you may recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, and ongoing treatment.
- Future care: Rehabilitation, therapy, and long-term medical needs.
- Lost income: Wages missed during recovery and reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: The physical pain and emotional toll of your injuries.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement of your bicycle and gear.
Deadlines matter as much as damages. In most cases, D.C. law gives you three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a dangerous road maintained by the District contributed to your injuries, the law also requires written notice to the Mayor within six months. Our firm handles bike crash claims throughout Washington, D.C. and the surrounding region, where each jurisdiction sets its own deadlines.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With a D.C. Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in a bike crash, we’re here to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You won’t owe any attorney fees unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Washington, D.C.?
In most cases, D.C. law gives you three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your claim involves the District government, such as a dangerous road it maintained, you may have to give written notice within six months, so it is wise to speak with an attorney early.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault for my bike crash?
Often, yes. A 2016 D.C. law protects injured cyclists from the strict contributory negligence rule that otherwise applies. As a vulnerable road user, you can generally still recover unless you were more than half at fault.
What if a poorly maintained road or bike lane caused my crash?
You may still have a claim. When a dangerous or defective roadway contributes to a crash, the government agency responsible for it can sometimes be held liable, but these claims carry strict notice deadlines. An attorney can identify the right parties and protect your rights before those deadlines pass.