--- description: The doctrine of last clear chance is an exception to the legal doctrine of contributory negligence. Learn more on our blog! title: Last Clear Chance Doctrine | DC Personal Injury Lawyer --- [ Back to CSCS Blog ](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) # How the Doctrine of Last Clear Chance Helps Plaintiffs in Personal Injury Lawsuits [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Recent Posts](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) » How the Doctrine of Last Clear Chance Helps Plaintiffs in Personal Injury Lawsuits * [ February 2, 2016 ](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2016/02/02/) * [Uncategorized](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/category/uncategorized/) The District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia are 3 of 5 states in the United States that still apply the doctrine of “contributory negligence.” Under this legal doctrine, even if you are hurt by a wrongdoer’s negligence in an accident, **you cannot win your lawsuit if you were also partially at fault**. However, each of these jurisdictions also has an exception to contributory negligence, which is called the **[“last clear chance”](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2016/10/d-c-court-of-appeals-rules-on-the-scope-of-the-last-clear-chance-doctrine-in-auto-accident-cases/)** doctrine. The doctrine is slightly different in each of these jurisdictions. But the gist of the last clear chance doctrine is that when a person is hurt by the negligence of a wrongdoer, and the victim was also partially at fault, the victim can still win his/ her lawsuit if, just before the[ victim was hurt,](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2017/09/lawsuit-alleges-gross-failure-by-howard-university-to-help-rape-survivors/) the victim was unable to save himself / herself; and the wrongdoer knew that he / she was about to injure the victim, could have still avoided the accident, but failed to do so. The last clear chance doctrine is supposed to ensure that in cases of inexcusable negligence, the victim can win a lawsuit even if he / she was slightly at fault. Applying the doctrine of last clear chance to the facts of a specific case requires an intricate knowledge of the law, and a willingness to carefully explore and examine all details involved in an accident. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident lawyers have helped numerous victims protect their right to compensation following [car wrecks](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/) throughout the Washington, DC metro area. We are always available to help you learn more about your rights and the compensation you may be able to recover for your damages, including medical bills, lost work wages, pain and suffering, and more. To learn more about the personal injury claim process when you have been injured by someone else’s negligence but are being accused of contributing to the accident, [contact us](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) for a free consultation. [Contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) by phone at (202) 659-8600 to get started with your personal injury claim. Find Something Interesting? Share This post Facebook X LinkedIn Email Print ![](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/video-screenshot-sm-e1589210255835.jpg) ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. [ Speak to a Specialist ](#) #### In This Post ## Contact Us Today! "\*" indicates required fields Name\* First Last Name\* Last Email\*\* Phone\* Are you a new client?\* Are you a new client? \*Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neither Case Type Case TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOther Were You at Fault? Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknown Where Did The Incident Occur? Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOther Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years? Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNo Share Brief Description of the Incident\* ## Recent Posts [Joseph Cammarata](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/author/jcammarata/ "Posts by Joseph Cammarata")03/10/2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is... [Read More](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2026/03/partner-joseph-cammarata-selected-for-the-virginia-lawyers-hall-of-fame/) [Allan Siegel](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/author/asiegel/ "Posts by Allan Siegel")01/06/2026 WASHINGTON D.C. — The legal team at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata... [Read More](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2026/01/joseph-cammarata-seeks-justice-for-catastrophically-injured-clients/) [Allan Siegel](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/author/asiegel/ "Posts by Allan Siegel")12/23/2025 Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is pleased to announce... [Read More](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2025/12/cscs-welcomes-associate-justin-wood/) [Allan Siegel](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/author/asiegel/ "Posts by Allan Siegel")12/23/2025 Partner Allan M. Siegel obtained over $1.9 million for individuals... 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