Walking is great exercise, and it’s especially enjoyable during nice weather. Unfortunately, taking a walk in the DMV has become a dangerous endeavor–especially recently. In 2022, 130 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the DMV, a 37% increase from the year before. Through mid-November of 2023, there have been 681 pedestrian injuries and 28 pedestrian deaths in the Fairfax region, 108 pedestrian fatalities in Marland, and 638 pedestrian injuries and 17 deaths in the District. Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere, and they happen more frequently than they should.
Recent Pedestrian Accidents in DC
September saw a rash of pedestrian accidents in Washington, DC. In mid-September, Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, was closed in both directions because of an accident that left a pedestrian trapped under a car after being struck. Firefighters were able to extract the victim, who was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.
In a turn of terrible irony, a man featured in a pedestrian safety ad campaign 10 years ago was struck by a car while riding his scooter home from work in early September. Stephen Grast, a 29-year-old Howard University graduate, was hit by a 2013 Nissan Sentra with Virginia tags at the intersection of 14th Street and Jefferson Drive SW, near the Washington Monument. As Mr. Grast lay on the street in pain, the vehicle left the scene of the accident. He suffered a broken neck, broken leg, and broken foot and was scheduled to undergo multiple surgeries.
And in late September, a woman was stuck by a vehicle while walking in a crosswalk at the intersection of Eastern Avenue, NE, and Sheriff Road. Investigators believe the driver of a 2001 GMC Yukon was traveling northwest through the intersection with a green light when the vehicle hit the woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
What Happens If You’re in a Pedestrian Accident in the DMV
As you can see from these news stories, pedestrian accidents are still happening regularly in the DMV. If you or someone you know is involved in a pedestrian accident, get medical attention immediately at the scene. You might not think you’re seriously injured, but it’s still important to call, or have someone else call, an ambulance right away.
Unfortunately, The Lapidus Law Firm has seen many pedestrian injuries, and sometimes those injuries do not always appear right away. That’s why calling an ambulance is critical. Doing so also ensures:
- You receive immediate medical care from responding EMTs as well as medical doctors in a nearby emergency room. Reports from a hospital doctor are considered very credible as far as legal matters are concerned.
- A police report will be filed. This serves as formal evidence and documentation of the accident and your injuries. Your attorney will also use the police report to help secure a settlement.
- Insurance adjusters have much less cause to dismiss your injuries and offer you a ridiculously low settlement. Why? Because you have a police report proving that you were injured. That gives your attorney the upper hand when it comes to negotiating a settlement.
So, if you’re ever involved in a pedestrian accident, be sure to call–or have someone else call–an ambulance right away.
Top DMV Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help
Once you’ve received medical care, we recommend filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It’s important to understand, however, that this doesn’t guarantee a payout or settlement. Most drivers don’t admit to being at fault, and insurance companies rarely offer a fair and reasonable settlement amount. Why? Because insurance companies don’t want to give anyone their money. In fact, the insurance adjusters will likely shift the blame to you for your own injuries. This is precisely why you need experienced DMV pedestrian accident lawyers to fight for you.
The personal injury attorneys at The Lapidus Law Firm work tirelessly to help victims of pedestrian accidents receive a fair and reasonable settlement. If you or someone you know needs a pedestrian accident lawyer, call us at (301) 852-7500 or (202) 785-5111 for your free, no-obligation consultation. We will fight to make it right.
Written by Larry Lapidus