Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

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Legally Reviewed by
Allan Siegel

Updated 3 weeks ago

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Pedestrian fatalities in DC have surged — 17 in 2021 alone, the highest since 2007. When a driver, bus, or truck strikes a pedestrian, the injuries are almost always severe. Our attorneys have recovered $4.5 million for a woman struck by a transit bus in a crosswalk and have deep experience holding negligent drivers, municipalities, and transit authorities accountable.

The firm’s attorneys discuss personal injury litigation including premises cases — Allan Siegel directly addresses injuries on another party’s property, such as a business that fails to maintain safe floor conditions. The firm handles slip and falls, negligent security, swimming pool accidents, and other premises liability claims across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Allan Siegel (00:02): We are a personal injury law firm. That is the only type of work that this law firm does. If you were injured as a result of somebody else’s negligence, then that’s a case that we would handle. So what does that include? Car crash cases. It includes bicycle crash cases, scooter cases, pedestrian accident cases, truck crash cases. It includes bus cases, all of those things, but it also includes situations where you might be hurt on somebody else’s premises. For example, maybe you were hurt at a business, maybe you slipped and fell because they didn’t maintain their floor in a safe condition.

Ira Sherman (00:40): The insurance company knows that we are aggressive, we are creative. We have the funds to fund a case and hire experts, and as a result, they distinguish us in a category of law firms that they need to know and do know that we can take the case from day one all the way through trial successfully.

Stephen Ollar (01:05): Insurance is an important factor, not just the insurance coverage on the vehicle that struck you, but also if you have additional insurance coverage that may compensate you if you have very serious injuries. The degree of your injury is important.

Joseph Cammarata (01:21): Our approach is victim oriented in the sense that we are concerned for the wellbeing of our clients. We do everything to better their lot in life. A person that’s injured in a crash or bike accidents or pedestrian accidents, their life typically gets turned upside down. And we try to right that balance.

Allan Siegel (01:57): If you’ve been injured as a result of somebody else’s negligence or as a result of somebody else’s intentional act, that’s a case that we would handle and that’s a case that you should call us to consult with us on.

Washington, D.C. Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Why Pedestrians Need Legal Representation

Pedestrians have no protection against multi-ton vehicles, making accidents catastrophic or fatal. Insurance companies minimize payouts to unprotected victims, requiring experienced legal advocacy. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. brings 100+ years of combined experience and over $1 billion in successful verdicts to protect pedestrian rights throughout the DC Metro area, handling both vehicle strikes and dangerous property conditions.

Common Causes & Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents:

  • Distracted/drunk driving, failure to yield at crosswalks, speeding in school zones
  • Non-vehicle accidents: unsafe sidewalks, construction debris, poor property maintenance
  • Injuries range from traumatic brain injuries and spinal damage to broken bones and wrongful death

How DC Pedestrian Accident Claims Work Washington DC follows comparative fault rules where compensation is adjusted based on each party’s responsibility. Pedestrian accident attorneys investigate driver negligence, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies while victims focus on recovery. Most DC pedestrian injury lawyers work on contingency—free consultations, no upfront costs, and fees only if they win your case. Contact immediately after accidents to preserve evidence and protect your claim.

Compassionate Service, Experienced Representation

Pedestrian accidents can produce catastrophic injuries, especially when they involve a motor vehicle. The fact that pedestrians have no protection puts them at risk for suffering physical damage when they are struck by an automobile, truck, or other commercial vehicles.

At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our team is able to draw from over 100 years of combined experience to guide injured pedestrians and their families through the personal injury claim process. Our experience and insight enable us to handle a variety of pedestrian injury claims, including those involving car and truck accidents and pedestrian accidents that do not involve a motor vehicle but involve other dangerous conditions. e.g., premises liability cases.

Contact a Washington, DC pedestrian accident lawyer today for a free consultation. We value the attorney-client relationship, and we will work to protect your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.

A driver using their phone is distracted and causes a pedestrian accident, hitting a woman crossing the street.

Pedestrian Traffic Accidents

Thousands of pedestrians are injured and killed each year in traffic accidents. Due to the high foot traffic, the DC Metro area sees numerous pedestrian accidents, with many resulting in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Driver negligence and error are typically the cause.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Washington DC

Here are some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Washington DC:

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Washington DC

There are a number of common injuries that can result from pedestrian accidents, including:

In some cases, pedestrian accident victims can suffer serious injuries that result in fatalities. If you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, our attorneys can help you pursue a wrongful death claim.

A young child crosses the road using a crosswalk while looking at his phone with a black car approaching.

Non-Vehicular Pedestrian Accidents

Non-vehicular pedestrian accidents can have just as serious an impact as other pedestrian accidents. Most pedestrian accidents occur due to:

  • Poor property maintenance
  • Unsafe sidewalks and parking lots
  • Debris
  • Dangerous construction areas, including falling objects

Depending on the circumstances involved, non-vehicular pedestrian accidents may be the fault of property owners, local government entities, or third parties such as construction companies.

Our Washington DC firm works tirelessly to establish who can be held at fault and whether the party failed to keep others safe from preventable harm. Construction companies, for example, have a responsibility to keep debris out of public walkways and to use warning signs to protect the safety of pedestrians.

Damages You Can Recover in Pedestrian Accident Claims

Our Washington, DC pedestrian accident attorneys make it our mission to hold at-fault drivers and insurance providers fully liable for compensating victims. Because insurance companies do everything they can to pay victims as little as possible, working with proven injury attorneys who have experience handling pedestrian accident cases can make all the difference in the outcome.

Our goal is to help victims and their loved ones recover compensation for:

  • Medical bills and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and future earnings
  • A victim’s pain and suffering
  • Emotional injuries and mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
  • Loss of companionship or consortium

Comparative Fault in Washington DC

In a comparative fault system, each driver is assigned a percentage of fault for the accident. For example, this means that if one driver is considered 80% at fault and another 20%, then each party will pay their proportional share of damages based on those percentages (e.g., $100,000 total in losses equals an award worth $80,000 from Driver A to B since they caused more harm than anyone else). If the case involves a head-on collision, Washington, DC does not use comparative fault. However, Washington, DC, does have a form of comparative negligence for bicycles and other vulnerable users.

pedestrians crossing the road, pedestrian accident

What Our DC Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Do For You

The Washington, DC car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?

The best way to find out what your case might be worth is to speak with an attorney with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our accident lawyers have obtained settlements for various car accident cases. 

Here are a few of our case results:

  • $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
  • $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
  • $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
  • $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
  • $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
  • $1 million settlement on behalf of the client suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.
A young child runs after a soccer ball that has rolled into the street, causing a potential pedestrian accident situation.

Contact a Washington, D.C. Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, DC Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC. The personal injury lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. serve the entire Washington, D.C. metro area, including Virginia (ArlingtonFairfaxAlexandria, and Woodbridge), and Maryland (Bethesda, Rockville, Laurel, Montgomery County, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, Silver Spring, Frederick County, and Hyattsville).

 We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve. You can count on our call center being open 24/7, offering help whenever you need it most.

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At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf.

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1232 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20036

The car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. serve the entire Washington, D.C. metro area, including Virginia  (Northern VirginiaArlingtonFairfaxWoodbridgeManassas,  and Alexandria), and Maryland  (BethesdaHyattsvilleRockvilleLaurelMontgomery CountyPrince George’s CountyWaldorfUpper MarlboroFrederickBowie,  and  Silver Spring).

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