Pedestrian Accident

Four-Car Crash Near 16th Street And L Street Leaves Pedestrian Dead And Three Hurt

January 31, 2026 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A violent crash in the middle of the city can leave families stunned, especially when someone walking ends up paying the price. In Northwest Washington, D.C., police said a man died after a fast-moving driver struck him while he was crossing the street, then crashed into other vehicles. Three more people were hurt and taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

This kind of incident raises immediate, practical questions. Families want to know who is responsible, what insurance will actually cover, and how to protect themselves from blame-shifting while they are still trying to process shock and grief.

What Police Reported About The Crash Scene

When A Pedestrian Is Hit While Crossing a D.C. Crosswalk

December 28, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Pedestrian crashes in Washington, D.C. happen most often where people expect to be safest: crosswalks. When a driver strikes someone who is legally crossing the street, families usually assume responsibility is clear. In reality, these cases often become more complicated than expected, especially once insurance companies begin examining fault under District law.

For injured pedestrians, the first questions tend to focus on whether the driver should be fully responsible and how compensation works when injuries are serious. In D.C., the answers depend heavily on details that are not always obvious in the moments after a crash.

Why Crosswalk Crashes Still Happen In Busy D.C. Streets

Washington DC Officials Focus on High-Risk Roads to Reduce Traffic Fatalities

March 12, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Washington, D.C. officials have announced a new initiative aimed at reducing the city’s persistently high rate of traffic crashes and fatalities. The Safety Corridor Initiative will focus enforcement efforts on two specific high-risk areas for the next 60 days: New York Avenue NE, from 4th Street to Bladensburg Road, and South Capitol Street, from Southern Avenue to MLK Boulevard. These corridors have been the site of 427 injuries and two fatalities since 2022, prompting officials to take action.

Despite years of efforts to improve roadway safety, the number of deadly crashes in D.C. continues to rise. The new plan is designed to address some of the worst problem areas, with city leaders hoping that increased police presence and public education will encourage safer driving behaviors.

A Growing Crisis on Washington DC Roads

D.C. has long struggled with rising traffic deaths, even as city leaders have pushed for safer streets. The city’s Vision Zero program, launched in 2014, aims to eliminate all traffic deaths by 2024. However, the number of fatalities has only increased. In 2023, the District recorded 52 deaths and 363 serious injuries from traffic crashes—the highest fatality count in 16 years.

Officials at the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) say that a small percentage of roads are responsible for most crashes. Research shows that just 5% of the city’s streets account for 50% of all collisions. The newly targeted corridors—New York Avenue NE and South Capitol Street—are among the most dangerous.

Maryland Motorist Charged with Reckless Driving after Hitting Child in Washington, D.C., Crosswalk

October 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In dense urban areas such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C., the chances of a pedestrian being struck by a passenger car or commercial vehicle are likely greater than anywhere else in Maryland. Aside from some of the obvious locations where persons on foot can come into close proximity with motor vehicles — for instance urban crosswalks, bus stops and airport pick-up/drop-off zones — pedestrians can also be badly injured or even killed when simply walking through busy parking lots or in poorly illuminated parking garages.

As Baltimore, MD, personal injury attorneys, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, understands the range of threats that can be encountered when pedestrians and motor vehicles mix. Bicycle riders, shoppers, skateboarders, joggers, and even office workers rushing to their jobs can all be at risk to some degree when motor vehicle traffic is close by. And while adults make up a large portion of the foot traffic in Maryland’s urban areas, young children and teens are also at risk; sometimes even more so due to their often distracted behavior and relative lack of concern for the inherent risks of being a pedestrian in a busy cityscape.

Recent news reports brought home the dangers that kids can face when crossing city streets. A 12-year-old girl was sent to the hospital with a serious foot fracture following a pedestrian collision in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. According to police, Paisley Brodie was leaving school when she was hit by a Land Rover SUV operated by Earl Darryl Curtis, 58, from the District Heights, MD, area. At first, the driver received a ticket for colliding with a pedestrian on September 9th; that citation carries with it a maximum possible penalty of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.

Two Killed in Fatal Washington D.C. Hit and Run at the National Mall

August 20, 2023 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Hit-and-run accidents are often characterized by certain specific factors. Common characteristics include the crash having few witnesses and or poor lighting. If there are many witnesses or the scene is highly visible, people are less likely to flee the scene of a crash. Relatedly, people are much more likely to flee a crash between the hours of midnight and 4:00 am, than between 8:00 am and 11:59 am. This is due to a host of reasons, but one explanation is that nighttime drivers generally engage in more risky behavior. A recent article described a hit-and-run accident involving a truck and a motorcycle.

The recent article described how a fatal hit-and-run collision unfolded on Thursday, July 13. Around 1:30 pm, Secret Service agents stopped the driver of the vehicle at the corner of 17th Street NW and Constitution Avenue over an alleged expired registration. According to the Secret Service, the unidentified driver allegedly signaled he would slow down and pull over, but just before he stopped, he sped up. After speeding up, the driver allegedly crossed through a red traffic signal light and struck two people before driving away from the scene. The victims were a 75-year-old man from Philadelphia and a 13-year-old girl according to the U.S. Park Police. The 75-year-old man was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital while the 13-year-old girl was treated at the scene and released.

What is the Definition of a Hit and Run Accident?

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety defines hit-and-run accidents as collisions in which at least one person involved in the crash flees the scene before offering any (or sufficient) information or aid to the other involved person(s) or fails to properly report the crash. Hit-and-run accidents are a major issue for a number of reasons, but in particular, they can increase the severity of outcomes given delays or the complete absence of medical attention for the victims. As of 2017, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that both the rate and fatality levels of hit-and-run collisions are on the rise. There were an estimated 737,100 hit-and-run crashes in 2015 (NHTSA, 2016). This translates to a hit-and-run crash happening somewhere in the U.S. every 43 seconds. The 2,049 fatalities that resulted from hit-and-run crashes in 2016 were the highest number recorded up to that point.

Couple Killed in Pedestrian Accident

November 17, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Many areas with heavy foot traffic see an unfortunate number of pedestrian accidents. In particular, large events can bring hundreds of people to a single location at once. Washington D.C. is a city where a major event is always happening. However, without adequate precautions in place, pedestrians may not be safe from oncoming traffic. Pedestrian accidents may be the result of distracted driving, excessive speeding, or a failure of the premises to implement safety measures such as crosswalks or crossing guards. Too often, these incidents can lead to serious injury or even death.

Recently, a couple was killed following a pedestrian accident in Gaithersburg, Maryland. According to a local news article, the accident occurred on the morning of Election Day outside a polling center. The two victims were walking into the polling place when they were struck by an oncoming vehicle. Both victims were transported to the hospital, where they later died from their injuries. As one local resident explained, multiple accidents involving excessive speeding had occurred on the road near the polling center, which is also a local elementary school.

How Can Drivers and Local Premises Avoid Fatal Pedestrian Accidents?

Accident at Popular Washington, D.C. Lunch Spot Leaves Two Dead

March 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

During the course of COVID-19, outdoor dining has become even more popular than ever before because of social distancing and public health measures. For many restaurants and businesses, incorporating an outdoor dining option has become a means of survival. Now, more than two years into the pandemic, dining outdoors is as popular as ever. For a lot of restaurants in busy metropolitan areas, however, these outdoor dining areas are often located only inches away from busy streets and often share their space with cars passing by. What happens when a passing vehicle crashes into the dining area and causes a major accident?

According to a recent local news report, two individuals died after a driver crashed his vehicle outside a restaurant in Washington, D.C. Around lunchtime on a busy Friday last week, an older driver lost control of his car and crashed into an outdoor seating area. 11 people were injured in total and eight individuals were transferred to local hospitals. Two individuals died, and at least three are facing life-threatening injuries. According to nearby witnesses, the car accelerated outside the restaurant and drove straight into the outdoor seating area. The driver responsible for the accident was seen driving through a parking lot adjacent to the restaurant at a high speed just moments before the collision. The accident remains under investigation and the driver responsible for the collision is cooperating with the authorities.

Unfortunately, this tragic collision in Washington, D.C. was not the first of its kind. With the weather warming up and more people choosing to dine outside than ever, several similar accidents have taken place around the country. To keep yourself safe, it is crucial that you understand what steps to take following an incident like this.

Proposals for Pedestrian Safety in Washington, D.C.

December 25, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are becoming increasingly common in Washington, D.C. Many accidents are occurring as children are walking to school, along with at night once it turns dark. As safety is a number one concern for most people—politicians, parents, and D.C. citizens alike—implementing safety measures to reduce pedestrian accidents is a must. Below are some proposals to make the D.C. streets safer and reduce pedestrian accident deaths, along with what to do if someone is involved in a pedestrian accident.

The below proposals have been recommended after a nine-year-old child was injured in Southeast Washington, D.C. last week. The child was crossing the street when she was struck by a car outside a church by an oncoming vehicle.

Proposals in D.C. City Council

Various members of the Washington, D.C. city council have proposed bills to address pedestrian deaths and injuries. One proposal is the “Walk Without Worry Amendment Act” which will create more raised crosswalks and intersections throughout the city. A raised crosswalk is a ramped speed table to reduce vehicle speed. Raised crosswalks help to reduce pedestrian accidents as it is easier for drivers to see pedestrians—both during the day and at night—and thus fewer incidents occur.

Staying Safe as a Maryland Pedestrian This Holiday Season

December 16, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

With the holidays in full swing, more foot traffic is only natural. Whether people are bustling to add finishing touches to their holiday gatherings and decorations or rushing to buy gifts for their loved ones and friends, things are always more chaotic this time of year both on the sidewalks and the streets. Whether you plan to get around this holiday by car, foot, or some combination of both, it is crucial that you remain vigilant and proactive to keep yourself and others safe.

According to a recent local news report, a nine-year-old boy is on life support after being hit by a car. Local authorities reported that the boy was leaving school on a Friday afternoon when he was hit. Police noted that the boy was attempting to cross the street to meet an adult but was not in a crosswalk when he was hit. He was found unconscious and not breathing on the scene when authorities arrived. The driver stayed on the scene following the accident and is cooperating, but it is unclear if speed was a factor in the accident. The accident remains under investigation.

How common are Maryland pedestrian accidents?

Every year, pedestrian fatalities comprise approximately 20 percent of all traffic deaths in Maryland. In addition, nearly 3,000 Maryland pedestrians are injured and 400 are struck by vehicles annually. Among individuals who are at the highest risk of getting into a pedestrian accident, pedestrians who are between the ages of five and fifteen are at the greatest risk of injuries. In fact, nearly 30 percent of injured pedestrians are under the age of 15.

Accident in Adams Morgan Neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Causes Pedestrian’s Death

November 24, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Pedestrian accidents can occur for many reasons: the driver’s impaired vision, lack of focus, or even taking substances while driving. When someone is hurt—or worse, killed—in a pedestrian accident, the police will investigate the incident and determine whether or not to bring criminal charges against the driver. Regardless of this decision, individuals may still want to bring a civil lawsuit against the driver. However, there are important distinctions between a criminal case and a civil, wrongful death lawsuit when someone has been killed in a pedestrian accident in Washington, D.C.

Recently in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Northwest D.C., a woman was hit and killed while crossing the street. According to a local news report, the 24-year-old was crossing a road when she was struck and became trapped under the vehicle. While she was pulled from underneath the car and rushed to the local hospital, she passed away. Police are still investigating the incident, and it is unclear at this time whether the driver of the vehicle will face charges.

In accidents like the one described above, a personal representative of a person killed in a pedestrian accident can bring a lawsuit against the responsible individual—even if criminal charges are not filed. Although there are many similarities between a wrongful death lawsuit and a criminal case stemming from the same accident, there are critical differences individuals should be aware of.