What To Do After A Pedestrian Accident In Washington D.C.?
Were you a victim of a pedestrian accident in Washington D.C? Contact Malloy Law Offices, LLC today!
Being aware of your surroundings as a pedestrian is vital to your safety. We’re all vulnerable when walking in urban areas due to heavy traffic and busy streets. In 2019, there were over 6,500 fatal pedestrian accidents in the United States. That’s about one death every 80 minutes.
Who Is At Risk For A Pedestrian Accident In Washington D.C.?
Anyone is at risk when it comes to a pedestrian accident. However, there are additional subjects and factors that may cause others to be more at risk.
- Alcohol-impaired drivers and pedestrians
- Almost 50% of crashes that resulted in a pedestrian fatality involved alcohol for the driver or the pedestrian. 1/3 of fatal pedestrian crashes involved a drunk pedestrian with an alcohol concentration of .08g/dl.
- Older adults and children
- Anyone who is 65 and older accounted for 20% of all pedestrian deaths and an estimated 10% of all pedestrian injuries. 1/5 children under 15 years old killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.
- Other factors
- High speeding vehicles, non-intersections, and walking at night.
What Are The Safety Measures For Pedestrians?
The driver will always be responsible to drive with precaution and look carefully. But, it is crucial for pedestrians to take safety measures as well. Here are some tips to avoid an accident for pedestrians:
- Try to increase visibility at night by wearing reflective clothing or carry a flashlight
- Cross the busy roads at designated crosswalk or intersections
- Avoid electronic devices when walking and avoid walking at all if intoxicated. These tend to cause distractions, impair judgement, and coordination.
Contributory Negligence Rule In Washington D.C.
The contributory negligence law in Washington D.C makes it difficult for any accident victim to recover from damages. Additionally, this rule states that if anyone contributes to 1% at fault of the accident, they are not able to recover from any injuries or damages. To learn more about this rule, click here to read our contributory negligence blog.
Our attorneys here at Malloy Law Offices, LLC, understand the pain and suffering that our accident victims go through. We’re here to get you on the right track. To see more on how our lawyers handle these types of cases, click here to view more. Lastly, call (888) 607-8690 for a free consultation.