One Year Later, Crash Victims Still Wait for Common-Sense Reform

November 28, 2025

The author argues that Washington, D.C.'s automobile insurance minimum coverage requirements, which have remained unchanged at $25,000 since 1986, are severely outdated and inadequate for today's medical costs. While traffic fatalities have decreased in 2025, serious pedestrian injuries are increasing, leaving crash victims facing financial ruin when insurance coverage falls drastically short of their medical expenses. The D.C. Council held hearings on the Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act in December, where even insurance industry representatives acknowledged the need for change, yet no action has been taken.

Who is affected

Crash victims in Washington, D.C., particularly those suffering serious injuries including broken bones, spinal injuries, and brain trauma
Residents of Wards 7 and 8 (majority-Black and lower-income communities)
Families of crash victims who lose income and face uncovered medical costs
Taxpayers and local hospitals who absorb uncovered crash costs
Pedestrians (specifically mentioned as experiencing increased serious injuries in 2025)
D.C. neighbors living with long-term injuries from crashes

What action is being taken

No explicit actions currently ongoing. The D.C. Council held a hearing in December on the Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act (B26-0057), but the article describes this as a past event and criticizes the Council for having "failed to deliver" on reform.

Why it matters

This issue is significant because the outdated $25,000 insurance minimum, established in 1986, has not kept pace with inflation (which would equal $75,000 today) or healthcare cost increases (which would equal nearly $200,000 today). The inadequate coverage turns traumatic crashes into financial catastrophes for victims, leaving them with tens of thousands in uncovered medical expenses. The annual economic cost of crashes in D.C. exceeds $830 million, with insurance companies covering only about half, forcing families, taxpayers, and hospitals to bear the remainder. This is particularly an equity issue, as serious crashes disproportionately harm lower-income, majority-Black communities. Additionally, while traffic fatalities have decreased in 2025, serious pedestrian injuries are rising, meaning more people are facing these financial burdens.

What's next

The D.C. Council should pass the Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act (B26-0057) to raise insurance minimums to adequate levels that reflect current medical costs and inflation.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint