Washington, D.C. Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Injured While Walking in Washington, D.C.? A Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help.

Just some of the questions a dedicated Washington, D.C. auto accident lawyer from our firm can help you answer are as follows:

• Was your pedestrian accident preventable?
• Was your accident caused by driver negligence?
• Are any other parties at fault for the accident?
• Are you entitled to financial compensation?

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Pedestrians lack the same protections afforded to drivers and passengers in the event of an accident, which means they are much more likely to suffer serious injuries when a crash occurs, such as brain and spinal cord injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, about 5,000 pedestrians die each year in traffic accidents and over 70,000 are injured.

Sadly, these statistics do not even take into account the many thousands of additional injuries sustained by pedestrians in other types of accidents on the streets of Washington, D.C., including those caused by improperly maintained sidewalks or parking lots, debris from construction sites, and other dangerous conditions.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

While some pedestrian accidents are caused by other hazards or dangerous conditions, like poorly maintained sidewalks and construction hazards, most pedestrian injuries and deaths are caused by auto accidents. While pedestrians aren’t always blameless, most accidents can be attributed to negligence on the part of a driver.

The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Reckless driving: When drivers fail to follow traffic laws, they may overlook pedestrians, drive through crosswalks, run stop signs, or commit any number of other dangerous offenses. Reckless drivers may hit pedestrians directly or strike other cars, medians, or buildings, injuring nearby bystanders.
• Driver intoxication: Nobody under the influence of drugs or alcohol should ever get behind the wheel. When a person is intoxicated, their senses become dull and their judgment suffers, which makes for a very poor driver. This not only puts themselves at risk, but also anyone else who’s out on the road.
• Speeding: Speed limits are set for a reason. Unfortunately, not every driver follows the speed limit, which puts other drivers and pedestrians at risk. If a car is moving over the legal limit, the driver may be more likely to lose control of their vehicle, which may lead them to crash into nearby pedestrians.
• Poor weather: In bad weather, drivers are more likely to overlook pedestrians or lose control of their vehicles. Rain, snow, or freezing temperatures can create slippery roads and poor visibility, as well as roadside debris. If pedestrians are out in bad weather, they are less likely to be seen.

Learning about the most common causes of pedestrian accidents can help you be more aware of the potential dangers and may even help you avoid a crash in the future. However, not every accident is avoidable. If you or someone you love has already been injured in a pedestrian accident, Simeone & Miller, LLP is here to help.

Other common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• The driver ran through a red light or stop sign
• The driver turned through a crosswalk without looking
• The driver was distracted (i.e. texting while driving)
• The driver failed to look for pedestrians while backing up
• The driver was driving too fast in a residential area

Get Started on Your Case with a Free Consultation

We understand that pedestrian accidents can be overwhelming; you may not know what to do next. Rest assured that a D.C. pedestrian accident lawyer from Simeone & Miller, LLP can guide you through this process so that you can start focusing on healing. We look forward to being able to provide you with the trusted representation you need during this difficult time. You pay us nothing unless we win your case, so you have absolutely nothing to lose.