Washington, DC is a bustling city. Cars line the city streets, and pedestrians are packed from one block to the next. On most days, the two co-exist in harmony, but sometimes, the unthinkable happens, and a pedestrian is hit by a car in Washington, DC. If this happens to you, you’ll need a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer to handle your case.
DC Pedestrian Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015 saw more than 5,000 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the United States. Fast forward to 2022, and that number has multiplied to more than 8,000 deaths. Pedestrian accident lawyers were busy handling many of those cases that ended with a favorable outcome for the victim.
Pedestrian accidents in the District have become so rampant that residents are now taking a different approach to getting drivers to be more careful. According to WTOP, drivers might see individuals “wearing signs urging drivers to slow down and be more aware of their surroundings, especially after 110 pedestrians and bicyclists died in 2024 in the region. Officials said that figure remains troublingly high.”
These incidents are more likely to happen in urban areas because of the high concentration of cars and pedestrians in one specific area, like downtown Washington, DC. It is imperative that these pedestrians don’t merely let their cases go… they need to retain the services of a Washington, DC pedestrian accident lawyer to make sure paying for their injuries doesn’t come out of their pocket.
High-risk areas for vehicle-related pedestrian injuries in Washington, DC include Columbia Heights, Dupont Circle, and more specifically, Minnesota Avenue NE and Benning Road. Areas with metro stations nearby are also more likely to have pedestrian accidents.
These accidents can involve life-threatening injuries, and the driver of the vehicle who hit them need to be held responsible. If you are the pedestrian victim, you can make sure this happens by getting a Washington, DC pedestrian accident lawyer.
DC Crosswalk Laws in Washington, DC
Look at every big and small intersection in downtown Washington, DC, and you’ll see a trend: crosswalks are commonplace, as are the lit-up “walk” and “do not walk” signs attached to each traffic signal.
The rules state that all pedestrians must cross the street within a crosswalk and if they cross outside the crosswalk (i.e., in the middle of the block), they must yield the right of way to the other drivers.
Cars have crosswalk rules to follow as well. If you decide to inch your vehicle into a crosswalk while you wait for the light to turn green, you could very well get a ticket, or worse, find yourself in an accident. If a pedestrian has begun walking in a crosswalk, stop and give them the right of way. Failure to do so can not only result in a fine but could also cause an accident. Beyond crosswalks, when in alleys or parking lots, drivers are also required to yield to pedestrians.
To further clarify, below are some of the specific laws regarding pedestrians and crosswalks in Washington, DC, according to the DC Council:
(a) The driver of a vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway within any marked crosswalk, or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, when the pedestrian is upon the lane, or within one lane approaching the lane, on which the vehicle is traveling or onto which it is turning.
(a-1) Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk at an unsignalized intersection, a vehicle approaching the crosswalk in an adjacent lane or from behind the stopped vehicle shall stop and give the right-of-way to ensure the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists before passing the stopped vehicle.
(b) A pedestrian who has begun crossing on the “WALK” signal shall be given the right-of-way by the driver of any vehicle to continue to the opposite sidewalk or safety island, whichever is nearest.
What if You Are a Pedestrian Hit by A Car in Washington, DC
If you or a loved one has been hit by a car in Washington, DC, you need to reach out to The Lapidus Law Firm. Nearly five decades of defending pedestrian car accident victims 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 The Lapidus Law Firm 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 hit by a car (or if you’re a pedestrian hit by a car in Maryland), call the Lapidus Law Firm today. We will fight to make things right.