Maryland Crosswalk Accidents Attorney

Recent statistics show that car accident fatalities are declining. However, while it appears that it is becoming safer to be a driver or passenger, pedestrian accidents are actually on the rise. Nearly 5,000 pedestrians are killed each year, and tens of thousands are injured.

Both drivers and pedestrians must be vigilant and obey traffic signs and signals, but even pedestrians who utilize crosswalks—the safest method for crossing a street—are at risk from distracted drivers who fail to pay attention to the road around and ahead of them. Because pedestrians are at great risk of catastrophic injury or death if they are struck by a vehicle, drivers have a great responsibility for being mindful and observant of those with whom they share the road.

Careless, reckless, distracted, or impaired drivers who hit and injure a pedestrian may be held liable through a personal injury lawsuit. A Maryland pedestrian accident attorney can evaluate your claim and help you bring your case against a negligent driver.

Causes of Crosswalk Accidents

In 2013, there were 108 pedestrian fatalities in Maryland. These accidents occur for a number of reasons, with both drivers and pedestrians bearing responsibility for some accidents.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

  • Impaired driving
  • Distracted driving, including texting while driving
  • A pedestrian runs or darts in front of a vehicle
  • Poorly lit or poorly marked crosswalks
  • Turning drivers, particularly drivers making a left turn
  • Failure to yield
  • Malfunctioning traffic signals
  • Failure to obey traffic signals, whether by the pedestrian or the driver
  • Backing drivers fail to check blind spots

One of the most commonly cited methods for reducing pedestrian accidents is the admonition to walkers to always cross at a crosswalk. However, even crosswalk accidents occur if a driver fails to exercise due caution and pay attention while driving.

Where Pedestrian Accidents Occur

Pedestrian accidents most frequently occur in urban areas, where walking is a common method of transportation. The majority of pedestrian accidents occur in locations where there is no crosswalk available. This deprives the driver of signals that a person may be crossing, and it denies the pedestrian the safety of a marked place to cross.

However, almost as frequently, pedestrian accidents occur in areas where a crosswalk is available, but it is either not utilized or not utilized correctly—for example, when a pedestrian crosses before the appropriate signal or tries to beat the light.

But pedestrian accidents also occur within crosswalks. Malfunctioning signals can contribute to crosswalk accidents, but the most common cause of crosswalk accidents is a driver’s failure to yield to pedestrians. This commonly occurs in left turns or if a driver is distracted or impaired and does not see the person or group crossing in the crosswalk.

Common Crosswalk Accident Injuries in Maryland

The size and speed of a vehicle create such a strong force on impact that pedestrian accidents are often fatal or cause catastrophic injuries. Common crosswalk accident injuries include:

These injuries can lead to permanent disfigurement or disability. When a negligent driver causes an injury accident, he or she may be held accountable through personal injury litigation.

Maryland Crosswalk Accident Attorneys: Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crosswalk accident, or if you are grieving the loss of a family member killed in a fatal pedestrian accident, call to schedule a free consultation with a crosswalk accident attorney in Maryland who can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Maryland Pedestrian Accident Attorney
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