Many think of crashing a car or colliding with a truck as the most dangerous types of roadway accidents. Very few realize just how frequently pedestrian accidents occur and how risky it can be to walk or run near the road, especially on the already congested streets of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. It is vital you have a highly experienced Washington DC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer on your side is you have been the victim of an accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly three out of every four accidents involving pedestrians occur in large cities like the District of Columbia.
If you’ve been injured in a DC pedestrian accident, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and initial case evaluation. Our attorneys have decades of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims, and can help you get your fair compensation.
Why Choose Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP?
The law firm Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP has experience fighting for the rights of pedestrians injured on the roads of DC. Our successes include a number of significant multimillion-dollar recoveries, including a $1.2 million settlement for the family of a 95-year-old pedestrian struck and killed in a distracted driving accident. Washington DC Pedestrian accident lawyers from our office locations in DC, Fairfax and Greenbelt want to help you if you have been injured, or if a loved one suffered severe or fatal injuries while walking or running beside the road.
Many of these accidents should not have happened and could have likely been prevented. Help us send a message to all drivers that cars and trucks do not own the roads, and that pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists should have an equal right to use the roadways in DC.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents Injuries in DC?
The most frequently reported cause of pedestrian accidents is negligence. Negligence is a legal term used to describe when someone fails to use the same amount of care for the safety and wellbeing of others that someone acting reasonably would have used in a similar situation. Whether this negligence is the fault of the driver, pedestrian or city for poorly maintaining streets and sidewalks, someone’s carelessness is more than likely involved in every pedestrian accident. Unfortunately, studies show that children and elderly persons are at the highest risk of being involved in pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrian injuries caused by a car accident are often quite severe. So many victims and their families will face thousands of dollars in debt because of ongoing hospitals bills and the injuries leaving them unable to work. However, filing a lawsuit against the driver at fault can help you recover these and other costs related to the accident.
What Can I Gain in a DC Pedestrian Accidents Lawsuit?
Seeking compensation in a pedestrian accident lawsuit can help you recover the money you have spent and will spend to treat injuries caused by a negligent driver. A successful claim can allow you and your family to recover damages for the following:
- Medical bills, including emergency room fees, surgical procedures and any other hospital costs
- Lost wages resulting from your injury
- Costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Other out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the accident
- Wrongful death, including loss of companionship and loss of financial support
An injury lawyer can help you build and strengthen a pedestrian accident lawsuit, taking into account what your past and future financial needs will be. One of the most important actions a injury attorney must take is gathering evidence to prove who is responsible, and determining who will be held liable, or responsible, for the damages.
What Does Contributory Negligence Mean for Pedestrian Accidents in DC?
The jurisdictions of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. use a system known as “pure contributory negligence,” which means victims can lose their ability to recover damages if found to be even one percent negligent in the events leading up to the accident.
Some pedestrian accidents are the fault of the driver, while others are the fault of the pedestrian, but it is very difficult to know who exactly is at fault immediately after an accident happens. This is why it is crucial to have an experienced Washinton DC pedestrian accident lawyer on your side after a collision because you will need help to effectively combat any accusations that you share blame for causing the accident. You may need to hire and work with experts who will reconstruct the accident or other accident specialists who will testify on your behalf. Without this support, those injured in pedestrian accidents may lose their ability to obtain compensation for their injuries, medical bills, and other expenses.
Speak with a DC Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Talking to one of our experienced Washington, D.C. pedestrian accident attorneys after your injury is free. If our experienced Washington DC attorneys determine you were at fault and decide not to proceed, you owe us no legal fees. If a Washington DC Pedestrian Accident Lawyer, from our law firm, represents your case and it is not successful, you still owe no fees. There is absolutely no financial risk or upfront expenses in reaching out to us to learn about your best legal options. Call one of our office locations or contact us online to learn what laws may apply to your case and what compensation may be available. Call our Washington DC Pedestrian injury attorneys.
Koonz McKenney Johnson & Depaolis serve residents of Washington DC including those living in Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, Downtown District of Columbia, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, and Mount Vernon.