Pedestrian Accidents

In 2011, 4,432 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 69,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States. On average, a pedestrian is killed every two hours and injured every seven minutes in traffic crashes.

There are a number of reasons why pedestrian accidents occur. In some cases, it can be the fault of the pedestrian – for instance, crossing against a light outside a crosswalk or darting across a busy street to catch a bus. However, many pedestrian accidents are often due to driver negligence – texting, talking on cell phones, speeding, or being inattentive. No matter who is at fault, when it comes to the physics of a human body being struck by a ton of steel, the resulting injuries are often severe and often catastrophic.

With over 30 years of experience in pedestrian accident cases, Morgenstern Injury Lawyers is the Washington, DC area’s top pedestrian accident law firm. We have recovered millions on behalf of our clients who have been seriously injured due to the negligence and carelessness of drivers. Some of our cases include:

• $6.75 million settlement: Mother and children struck in crosswalk by hit & run driver

• $3.35 million settlement: Pedestrian struck by MetroBus while waiting at bus stop

• Confidential settlement: Pedestrian struck by tour bus at street festival

• $590,000 settlement: Highway construction worker struck by car

Crossing the street is like dancing with the cars—there are steps to follow, signals to read, and if these things are not in sync, there’s a collision. Crosswalks and walk signs don’t guarantee that you can step off the curb safely. That walk sign is just an invitation to begin thinking about crossing the street.
Even when you have that walk sign, let your senses protect you. Don’t talk on your cell phone, and stop any other conversations. Don’t step off the curb until you are sure the intersection has cleared and all cars have come to a complete stop. Make eye contact with drivers to confirm that they see you. Check if any vehicle is going to make a right turn on red. And then, once you are in the crosswalk, get to the other side of the intersection as fast as possible.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, email us at Morgenstern@InjuryLawOnly.com or call us toll free at 1-888-888-0005 for a free case evaluation.

Read Michael Morgenstern’s articles on pedestrian safety:

Dancing with the Cars – Legal Times
Do pedestrians really have the right of way? Local laws are weaker than you think.
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Michael Morgenstern’s Most Dangerous Bethesda Intersections – Bethesda Magazine
Click here for the complete text