According to the Washington City Paper, Washington, D.C. is one of the safest places in the US for pedestrian activity; however, the streets of DC’s suburbs are a different story.
The National Complete Streets Coalition recently released a report analyzing the dangers to pedestrians in metropolitan areas across the US. According to the report, Washington, D.C. had a higher rate of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents between 2003 and 2010 than all but two states (New Mexico and Florida). However, this does not take into account that people walk much more in Washington, D.C. than in other states.
Using the “Pedestrian Danger Index”, which compares the pedestrian fatality rate to the percentage of people who walk to work, the report found that pedestrians in Washington, D.C. are in fact safer than those in all but two states (Vermont and Alaska).
However, in Washington, D.C.’s suburbs, there is a serious pedestrian accident problem. Maryland is the 15th most dangerous state for pedestrians, and Virginia is the 22nd. Due to the dangerous nature of Maryland and Virginia, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area ranks as the 35th most dangerous area for pedestrians out of the 51 regions studied.
According to the report, the average pedestrian fatality rate for Hispanics in DC was 135 percent higher than for whites; for black pedestrians, it was 126 percent higher.
Are You a Daily Pedestrian Commuter in DC That Was Hit by a Driver?
If you can relate to the dangerous nature of DC’s roadways, and have been injured due to the negligence or careless actions of a motorist, you may need the assistance of an injury attorney to explain your legal options. At Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P., we are available to help you obtain the compensation you are owed for your pedestrian accident.
Koonz’s Did You Know: In 2011, pedestrian accident fatalities increased across the US, with a total of 4,432 deaths.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.