Is DC Safe For Pedestrians?
The honest answer is that it depends. A recent article published by the Washington Post says. “Traffic fatalities have doubled since D.C.’s promise of zero” ‘Zero’ is about the city’s “Vision Zero” plan aimed at eliminating pedestrian-related deaths involving vehicles. More specifically, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser launched Vision Zero in 2014 to inspire and transform DC’s roadway safety efforts, and set our sights on a goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries on our streets.”
While most people probably feel safe, the headlines could tell a different story.
Pedestrian Hit and Run
According to Yahoo News, “The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking for the community’s help in identifying the driver of an SUV that allegedly hit a person in Northeast, D.C. and fled the scene on Aug. 11. MPD said around 2 p.m., officers were notified that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in the 4600 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue. However, when police arrived, the vehicle had already left the crash site.” The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Southeast DC Crash
According to DC News Now, there was a fatal accident involving a pedestrian on July 29th. “The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said just after 3:30 a.m., the driver of a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu and her passenger were headed east in the 5200 block of East Capitol Street SE. There, the car struck several vehicles and flipped over, landing on its roof. A man and woman passing by stopped to help the driver and passenger. While doing so, a 2013 Lexus GS350 going in the same direction hit the man and the Malibu.” The driver of the Lexus fled the scene but was later found and taken into custody. The driver of the Malibu later died. The passenger and the man assisting them were both taken to the hospital for treatment.
From the View of a DC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
No matter what quadrant of the city you live in or if you happen to be passing through DC, you’ll find one common thread: pedestrians are everywhere. With a population nearing 700,000 and commuters and government employees alike filing into the city every day, it’s no wonder pedestrians are packing neighborhoods and city sidewalks daily.
So then, one might wonder – is the District of Columbia safe for all these pedestrians going from point A to point B? Your DC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer has the answers.
DC is Very Walkable
Washington, DC frequently lands in the top ten of the most walkable cities in the United States, most recently snagging the 7th spot behind New York (#1), San Francisco, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia and Chicago (#6).
DC gets high praises for its metro system that extends far beyond the city’s borders. The Capital Bike Share Program and neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, The U Street Corridor and Chinatown are especially highlighted because of their ease to access just about anything you need, whether it be a grocery store, a post office, a gym, fine dining or a quick bite to eat via carry-out.
The conveniences are too many to count, which is evident in the many new buildings featuring condos and apartments constantly under construction. However, for all the is great about the nation’s capital, pedestrians need to be mindful of the many areas that leave their safety at risk.
The Pedestrian Dangers in DC
It was just several months ago when four pedestrians were struck by a vehicle in downtown Washington, DC. Only one month before that, a man was hit and killed in the Southeast section of the city.
As if pedestrian-car accidents aren’t bad enough, walkers also need to be mindful of other potential hazards on their path.
Drivers May Not Be Able to See You
Nightlife in Washington, DC is very popular, especially in the “walkable” areas noted above. Although there are clearly marked crosswalks in most areas, pedestrians should still consider their clothing when the sun goes down in the evening hours. Dark clothes can sometimes be hard to see, so if you’re going out at night, it is best to dress in clothes in lighter colors.
Faulty, crumbling sidewalks
The sidewalks in Washington, DC are far from perfect. Whether it be uneven because of tree roots or crumbling from wear and tear, be sure to watch where you step. A slip and fall or a trip and fall can lead to a lifelong injury that results in chronic pain and a compromised quality of life. These sidewalks should be repaired by city officials promptly, so no pedestrians are left at risk due to the city’s negligence.
Drivers turning left while pedestrians are crossing the street
While crosswalks are meant to allow pedestrians to cross the road safely, they certainly aren’t guaranteed to do so. This is especially true when it comes to those busy intersections that enable drivers to turn left into the very path where pedestrians are trying to cross the street. Drivers often wait in the middle of the intersection while walkers finish crossing but are often rushed to get out of the intersection if their light turns red and traffic in the opposite direction begins moving forward.
How both walkers and drivers are being allowed to walk and drive in the exact same path is often questioned, but the city has yet to remedy this potentially fatal flaw.
DC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Washington, DC, you need to reach out to The Lapidus Law Firm. Four decades of defending pedestrian rights in Washington, DC, and Maryland mean you’ll have a seasoned pedestrian accident lawyer on your side to guide you through the legal process.
Call DC personal injury lawyer Larry Lapidus today for a free consultation at (202) 785-5111. Pedestrian laws in DC are in place to keep you safe and that should never be compromised. If you are a Washington, DC pedestrian and you or a loved one have been injured while on foot in DC, call the Lapidus Law Firm today. We can help!