Washington DC requires all registered car owners to have certain amounts of auto liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage. DC also requires auto insurers to offer personal injury protection insurance, which covers medical expenses for the driver and passengers regardless of fault. Other optional coverages are also available.
You may be entitled to hold the other driver accountable if you suffered injuries in a car accident in Washington DC. You will need to understand your rights to seek full and fair compensation. Contact Marks & Harrison for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can review your case, discuss your legal options, and answer your questions.
What Are the Different Types of Required Insurance Coverage for DC Drivers?
DC drivers are required to have the following types of auto insurance coverage:
- Property damage liability — This insurance covers damage to another person’s vehicle in a collision caused by the policyholder’s negligence. Drivers must have at least $10,000 in property damage coverage.
- Third-party personal liability — This insurance covers injuries to another person caused by the policyholder’s negligence. DC Drivers must have coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident to cover car accident claims.
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury — This insurance covers the policyholder and their passengers’ injuries if an uninsured driver hits them. It also covers injuries caused by hit-and-run drivers if they are not apprehended. Car owners must have UM bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
- Uninsured motorist property damage — This insurance covers the policyholder’s property damage if an uninsured driver strikes them. It also covers property damage caused by a hit-and-run driver. Drivers must have coverage of at least $5,000, subject to a $200 deductible.
Why Should You Consider Increasing Coverage Above Minimum Levels?
While the minimum required levels of liability and uninsured motorist insurance are a start, you should consider carrying higher amounts of liability and uninsured motorist insurance.
If you are partially or primarily at fault for a car accident, your liability insurance protects you from being sued for the other party’s injuries. If you only have the minimum required insurance, it may not be enough to cover the accident victim’s losses. That could result in the injured party filing a personal injury lawsuit against you. The more liability coverage you have, the better off you will be if you are at fault in a covered accident.
Having higher levels of uninsured motorist coverage is also a good idea. If an uninsured or hit-and-run driver strikes you and causes you serious harm, the minimum levels of uninsured motorist coverage may not be enough to cover your expenses. Medical bills and lost wages can add up quickly if you have a severe or long-lasting injury.
Additionally, underinsured motorist coverage is an optional coverage that you can purchase to protect yourself in case an at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover your losses.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage covers bodily injury and property damage caused by irresponsible drivers who don’t have auto insurance. It also covers bodily injury and property damage caused by a hit-and-run driver who isn’t identified.
It is important to remember that uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are separate types of insurance coverage. Underinsured (UIM) coverage applies when your losses exceed the at-fault driver’s liability insurance coverage limits. Instead of protecting you when a driver has no insurance, UIM protects you when an at-fault party has too little insurance. While uninsured (UM) coverage is mandatory, UIM coverage is optional.
What Does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Cover?
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is an optional form of no-fault auto insurance that drivers and passengers can use regardless of who was at fault for their injuries. One of the major benefits of PIP insurance is that you don’t have to prove another driver was negligent to recover compensation.
However, PIP insurance only covers medical expenses and lost wages. You cannot seek compensation for pain and suffering with a PIP insurance policy.
If you are struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, PIP coverage may be an option to cover medical expenses. The at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance also may cover your injuries. You should have an experienced DC car accident lawyer review the accident and discuss the appropriate steps to take.
Is Insurance Coverage Required to Register a Vehicle in DC?
Proof of insurance coverage is required when registering a vehicle in Washington DC. It is also required to renew your vehicle registration. If your auto liability insurance is terminated, you must turn in your vehicle tags and registration to the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Are There Penalties for Not Having the Minimum Insurance Coverage in Washington DC?
Drivers who don’t maintain the minimum insurance coverage required by Washington DC law can face penalties in the form of fines and license suspensions. A first offense can result in a $500 fine, a license suspension for 30 days, or both. Subsequent fines are subject to a 50 percent increase in the fine amount and a license suspension for 60 days.
In addition to facing legal penalties, drivers without insurance may be personally liable for harm caused by their negligent driving.
Contact a Washington DC Car Accident Lawyer
Since 1911, Marks & Harrison has recovered millions of dollars for clients, including multiple multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for those injured in car accidents. Our law firm has a record of success in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC, and has handled some of the largest cases in Virginia history.
If you have been injured in a Washington DC car accident and you believe another driver was responsible, contact Marks & Harrison for a free case review. Our personal injury lawyers have the experience to help you move forward after a serious injury.
