District of Columbia · Deadline to sue · Updated Oct 2026
Deadline to sue after a car accident in District of Columbia
Time limits, government claims and a calculator.
Short answer
In District of Columbia, you generally have 3 years from the crash to sue, for car damage and for an injury.
- Property damage (your car)
- 3 years
- Injury
- 3 years
- Law
- D.C. Code § 12-301(3), (8)
- Small claims limit
- $10,000
Other notes on the District of Columbia deadlines
- Before suing the District of Columbia for injury or property damage, you must give written notice to the Mayor within 6 months.
- A written MPD report made in the regular course of duty counts as notice (D.C. Code § 12-309).
Shorter time limits to watch in District of Columbia
- No-fault (PIP): If you have PIP, you must tell your PIP insurer within 60 days of the crash whether you choose PIP benefits.
More facts for District of Columbia
- If you have PIP, you have 60 days after the crash to tell your insurer whether you choose PIP benefits; choosing them limits your right to sue (D.C. Code § 31-2405).
Recent changes in District of Columbia
- D.C. Law 26-155, the Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Amendment Act of 2026 (law effective Aug. 14, 2026), raises minimum liability from 25/50/10 to 50/100/20 and uninsured motorist coverage to 50/100/20, adds enhanced underinsured motorist coverage, and adds automatic increases every 10 years from 2037.
Deadline to sue in District of Columbia
Protecting your deadline in District of Columbia
- Deadline for both kinds of claim in District of Columbia: 3 years.
- If a city, county or state agency was involved, ask it right away how to file a claim; such claims often need an early written notice.
- Small claims, for car damage up to $10,000: District of Columbia small claims guide on Small Claims Map
- Don't wait for the insurer: talks with an adjuster don't stop the clock.
Free help in District of Columbia
Questions about deadlines to sue in District of Columbia
How long do you have to sue after a car accident in District of Columbia?
3 years from the crash, for car damage and for an injury (D.C. Code § 12-301(3), (8)).
What is the small claims limit in District of Columbia?
$10,000 (Superior Court Small Claims and Conciliation Branch).
More for District of Columbia drivers
- All car accident rules in District of Columbia
- Comparative fault
- Reporting a crash
- Uninsured driver
- Deadlines to sue in every state
- Small claims court for car damage
- Fault and payout explainer
- Insurance claim letter
- Police report request letter
Nearby states
Sources
- D.C. Code § 50-2201.05c (duties after a collision)
- D.C. Code § 31-2405 (lawsuit restriction, PIP election)
- D.C. Code § 31-2406 (required coverage amounts)
- D.C. Law 26-155 (Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Amendment Act of 2026)
- D.C. Code § 31-2413 (penalties)
- D.C. Code § 50-2204.52 (contributory negligence limitation)
- D.C. Code § 12-301 (limitation periods)
- D.C. Code § 12-309 (notice to the Mayor)
- D.C. Code § 31-2231.17 (unfair claim settlement practices)
- MPD: Request an Accident Report (PD-10)
- DISB: File a complaint
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.