Lewis & Tompkins, P.C. | Maryland | Virginia | Washington, D.C.

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The D.C. Area’s Premier Personal Injury Law Firm

I worry about my family’s safety while we are out walking. What can I do to prevent us from becoming victims of a Virginia pedestrian accident?

If you live in a neighborhood with high volumes of traffic — especially if you have children — the state of your roads may keep you up at night. We are fortunate to live in an area with so many shops, businesses, and cultural events within walking distance, but with traffic getting heavier every year, it can be very intimidating to partake in what our towns and neighborhoods have to offer for fear of being involved in a northern Virginia pedestrian accident.

It can also be very frustrating as a parent to watch as roads that could seemingly be improved with something as a crosswalk go unchanged, sometimes through many accidents and near misses. While it can feel as though requests for crosswalks should be a simple matter, there are many factors that go into selecting sites for new crosswalks.

The Virginia Department of Transportation, or VDOT, has several steps to go through when choosing a location for a new crosswalk. Unfortunately, even when residents insist that a crosswalk, their request is needed is not enough to begin marking stripes. The area under consideration must meet the following requirements:

  • Traffic in both directions can be seen easily.
  • There must be adequate time to cross while in sight of oncoming traffic.
  • It must be feasible to provide ADA accessibility.

This does not mean that you should not pursue obtaining crosswalks, speed bumps, and traffic signals in your neighborhood if you feel that these would improve safety. Reaching out to your county DOT and VDOT is an important step in starting the review process, and a step that could not be accomplished without proactive citizens.

If you have been injured as a pedestrian in northern Virginia or the District area as the result of a negligent or aggressive driver, you have a powerful ally in your corner. The Maryland, D.C., and Virginia pedestrian accident attorneys of Lewis & Tompkins are standing by to get you the compensation that you deserve. Call them today at 202-296-0666 for a free consultation.