According to the Montgomery County Police Department, a recent pedestrian accident in Wheaton may have stemmed from the pedestrian’s intoxication. The person on foot reportedly suffered serious injuries in the crash, which occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 6 at Georgia and Dawson avenues. Accident investigators say a man was driving his 2010 Chevrolet Suburban south on Georgia Avenue when he struck the pedestrian crossing the street near Dawson Avenue. The pedestrian was not in a marked crosswalk at the time. Emergency personnel transported the pedestrian to a nearby hospital, where he is recovering from life-threatening injuries. According to officers, the pedestrian’s level of intoxication was a likely factor in the accident.

A pedestrian could be liable for causing an accident

In most pedestrian accidents, it’s a person behind the wheel of a vehicle who is most often at fault for the crash. This is true even if the pedestrian was not in a marked crosswalk at the time, as motorists are expected to watch out for hazards in the road and slow down or stop if there is enough time to do so. However, that’s not always the case. A pedestrian may be liable for an accident if he or she was acting recklessly, darted into traffic or was in a prohibited area like a freeway or interstate highway. In this recent case, it appears as if the pedestrian’s alcohol use could have caused him to enter traffic when it was not safe to do so. If you have been involved in a serious pedestrian accident, you may need to seek compensation for the party you believe was responsible. To learn more about your options, consult a trusted La Plata personal injury attorney at Mudd, Mudd & Fitzgerald, P.A.