According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 70,000 pedestrians are injured in accidents in the United States every year. On average, 5,000 of these pedestrians will suffer fatal injuries, and thousands more will face catastrophic personal injuries that result in long-term medical intervention and may be impossible to fully recover from. The largest group at risk is boys between the ages of 5 and 9, but on the busy roadways of Washington, DC, no pedestrian is ever entirely safe.
Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are three of only five regions that follow the “pure contributory negligence” rule. This means that if a pedestrian is injured in an accident for which they share even a portion of the blame, they cannot hold the driver of the vehicle accountable. Due to this, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side as soon as possible to determine the cause of your accident. If it can be determined that you were not in any way responsible, you will be able to seek maximum compensation for your damages. The dedicated personal injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm DC are prepared to investigate your accident and pursue compensation for your injuries.
As a pedestrian, you have a responsibility to follow traffic signals and refrain from stepping into oncoming traffic. This is common sense, utilized by a majority of pedestrians in our area. Motorists often hit pedestrians when the drivers are speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or making a turn without paying adequate attention. Clearly, there is no way to avoid being hit by a reckless or negligent driver. It is under these circumstances that you have cause to file an injury claim and seek compensation for all of your damages.
Pedestrian accidents are among the most debilitating types of motor vehicle accidents. Due to the size and weight of cars and trucks, even low-speed impacts can have devastating consequences. Injuries from these accidents often include:
Some of these injuries will have life-long consequences, resulting in serious medical expenses, a loss of ability to work, and a negatively impacted quality of life. We focus on helping victims of these serious injuries get the compensation they are due. We will do everything possible to determine fault in your accident and fight to make sure you are provided everything you need to recover.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Northern Virginia, please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm DC to schedule a free initial consultation today.
