Car Accident

Why Choose Us?

When people search for a top rated D.C. car accident lawyer, they are really asking whether a firm has the recognition, results, and client focus to back up its promises. Here is what sets Simeone & Miller apart:

• Decades of experience: Founded in 2002, our firm has spent more than twenty years handling injury and wrongful death claims across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
• A record of results: We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients through settlements and verdicts.
• Recognized advocates: AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and attorney honors from Super Lawyers and Washingtonian Magazine. Founding partner Thomas Simeone has been named to Lawdragon's list of the top 500 plaintiff attorneys in the country.
• Multi-jurisdiction command: We know the distinct deadlines and rules of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, so your claim is handled correctly wherever the crash happened.
• No fee unless we win: We work on a contingency basis, so you owe no attorney fees unless we recover for you.
• Personalized attention: From your free consultation forward, we treat you as a person, not a case number.

That combination of recognition, results, and genuine client care is what top rated should mean, and it is what we bring to every car accident case.

How Fault Is Determined When Both Drivers Share the Blame

Washington, D.C. is a fault-based jurisdiction, which means the driver who caused the crash is generally responsible for the harm. What surprises many people is how strict the District is about shared fault. D.C. follows a rule called pure contributory negligence. Under it, if you are found even slightly responsible for the collision, you can be barred from recovering anything from the other driver. Being one percent at fault can be enough to lose your claim.

Insurance companies know this, so they often try to shift a piece of the blame onto injured victims to avoid paying. A narrow exception exists for pedestrians and cyclists, but it does not apply to a typical collision between two vehicles. That is why building a clear, evidence-backed account of the crash is so important. We investigate quickly, gather the police report, photographs, camera footage, and witness statements, and work to show that the other driver, not you, caused the wreck.

What Happens If the Other Driver Has No Insurance

A serious crash is stressful enough without learning that the at-fault driver has no insurance. Fortunately, District law requires every auto policy to include uninsured motorist protection, with minimum limits of $25,000 for one injured person and $50,000 for everyone injured in a single accident. This coverage comes from your own policy and steps in when the driver who hit you has none. Uninsured motorist coverage can also reach a hit-and-run, where the driver who caused your injuries cannot be identified.

When the at-fault driver does carry insurance but not enough to cover your losses, optional underinsured motorist coverage can help close the gap. These claims are filed against your own insurer, which will still look for reasons to pay less. We handle uninsured and underinsured motorist claims the same way we handle any other, by documenting your injuries fully and pushing for the maximum available coverage. The same approach applies whether your crash involved a private vehicle, a rideshare car, or a commercial truck.

How Long a DC Car Accident Case Takes

Two different clocks matter after a car accident. The first is the legal deadline to file. In most District car accident cases, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you miss that window, you usually lose the right to recover at all. Claims involving a government vehicle or public transit carry much shorter notice deadlines, sometimes only a matter of months, so those cases demand fast action.

The second clock is how long your case actually takes to resolve, and that depends on the facts. When liability is clear and your injuries have healed or stabilized, a claim can sometimes settle within a few months. When fault is disputed or your injuries are severe, and the case moves into litigation, it can take a year or more. We move as efficiently as the facts allow, but we never rush you into settling before the full extent of your injuries is understood. Clients throughout Washington, D.C. rely on us to keep their cases moving while protecting the value of their claims.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With a DC Car Accident Lawyer

You do not have to deal with the insurance companies alone. The sooner you contact Simeone & Miller, the sooner our team can begin preserving evidence, evaluating your claim, and protecting your rights. Speak with a Washington, D.C. car accident lawyer today during a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington, D.C. a no-fault state for car accidents?

No. D.C. is a fault-based jurisdiction, so the driver who caused the crash, through their insurer, is responsible for the harm. The District also follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which can bar you from recovering if you are found even partly at fault, so how fault is proven can make or break your claim.

What if the driver who hit me does not have insurance?

Every auto policy issued in the District must include uninsured motorist coverage, with minimum limits of $25,000 per injured person and $50,000 per accident. That coverage can also apply to a hit-and-run driver who cannot be identified, and optional underinsured motorist coverage helps when the at-fault driver's limits are too low.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in D.C.?

In most cases you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit in the District. Claims involving a government vehicle or public transit carry much shorter notice deadlines, so it is wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.