Pedestrian Accidents

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

Although pedestrians get struck by cars in all states and cities, most pedestrian accidents happen in larger cities with lots of people. Downtown areas are particularly dangerous for pedestrian accidents, and many pedestrian accidents occur during rush hour traffic or at night. In the areas Tehrani Law practices, Washington, D.C., is by far the most common location for pedestrian accidents. Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, and Baltimore City in Maryland, are two other common areas for pedestrian accidents near Tehrani Law. But they are by no means the only places where pedestrians are struck and injured or killed.
Many pedestrian accidents occur from drivers not looking when turning at intersections or when drivers try to beat a light. This happens even when pedestrians are properly using the crosswalks. Distracted driving and weather conditions also contribute to these accidents, and pedestrians are the ones who suffer for this type of negligent and reckless driving.

Types of Injuries

The most common injuries we see in pedestrian accidents are broken bones, fractures, and head injuries. Legs, hands, shoulders, and arms are particularly susceptible to injury, and many pedestrians involved in accidents need stitches, casts, and surgery. The recovery process can be long and very painful, and many of our clients need more intensive family and hospital care. The types of injuries we see are based on the type and size of the car involved in the accident, the speed the vehicle was going, the angle the pedestrian is hit, the height and size of the pedestrian hit, and the age of the pedestrian. Children are at higher risk of injury or death in pedestrian accidents.

Defenses to Pedestrian Accidents

Unfortunately, in the Metropolitan D.C. area, the best defense to a pedestrian accident claim is that of contributory negligence. This means that if a pedestrian has any fault at all in an auto accident, they cannot recover any damages for their injuries – even if they are only 1 % at fault. This contributory negligence rule applies in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

In particular, this rule applies most to jaywalking. If a pedestrian is injured or killed while they are jaywalking (when they are not using the crosswalks or other indicated areas of proper and legal crossing), the pedestrian gets no money, no matter how awful and tragic the accident was. If a pedestrian was using a crosswalk but was walking when the traffic signal said they should not be walking, this also counts as jaywalking and prevents recovery for all damages. This even applies to drunk driving. If a pedestrian is hit and injured by a drunk driver, but the pedestrian was jaywalking, the pedestrian still cannot recover any money for their injuries!

Because of this strong and complete defense to any insurance or legal claims by injured pedestrians, Tehrani Law strongly encourages all pedestrians to follow the local rules and regulations for using crosswalks, crossing streets, looking both ways, and using sidewalks. This helps to keep our clients safe and helps to guarantee that they are not at fault for any pedestrian accident.

What Can You Do?

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a pedestrian accident, we provide a free, confidential, and honest evaluation of your claim. We can help review your claims, the nature of your injuries and the medical care that you need, the parties who are at fault, and any and all possible means of payment for your expenses and injuries. Our team at Tehrani Law will fight to get you the justice you deserve.