Maryland Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle on the sidewalk of a fast-paced highway, in a town crosswalk, or simply while walking through a parking lot, the risk of serious injury is significant. If you or a loved one have been harmed in a pedestrian accident, you need to contact a Maryland pedestrian accident lawyer who can help you build a case against those responsible for your injuries. The personal injury lawyers at our firm are experienced at handling any type of pedestrian accident case, and will vigorously pursue the best possible outcome for your claim. While no reputable lawyer can guarantee results, having a dedicated Maryland pedestrian accident attorney on your case can significantly increase your chances for receiving the compensation that you require and deserve.

Each year, thousands of pedestrians in the United States are injured or killed in traffic collisions. According to the Maryland State Highway Administration, in 2008 pedestrian deaths accounted for nearly a quarter of all traffic fatalities. As people look to save money on gas and help the environment by choosing alternative modes of transportation, the risk of pedestrian accident has risen.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Unlike drivers in cars, pedestrians do not have protection and can sustain serious injuries in an accident. The most common type of pedestrian accident injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Broken bones
  • Organ damage
  • Spinal trauma
  • Amputation
  • Paralysis
  • Death

If the injured pedestrian is killed in an accident, the decedent’s family or estate may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. A seasoned pedestrian accident attorney could review the facts of the case and help the decedent’s estate determine their next legal steps.

Pedestrian Safety

The term pedestrian commonly applies to people traveling by foot, including but not limited to those walking to work or school, out for a recreational run, or on a stroll. The term can also include those traveling on wheels – other than bicycles and motorcycles – such as scooters, skateboards, roller blades/skates, and wheelchairs.

These travelers are also at risk of serious injury when involved in any type of traffic collision, and benefit from the laws in place to protect pedestrians. According to the State Highway Administration, a motor vehicle operator must stop for a pedestrian in the following scenarios:

  • At crosswalks and intersections without signals:
    • The pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling.
    • The pedestrian is approaching within one lane of the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling.(§ 21-502 (a)(2))

At intersections with signals:

  • When proceeding on a green signal, drivers turning right or left shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within the crosswalk.
  • When turning right on red after stopping, drivers shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within the crosswalk.(Section 21-202 (c), (d) & (k))

Pedestrian safety is not solely the responsibility of drivers, some of that responsibility is shared by the pedestrians themselves. Pedestrians can decrease the risk of harm by taking the following steps:

  • Using marked crosswalks and intersections
  • Stopping and looking both ways before crossing the street
  • Utilizing the pedestrian push buttons
  • Properly observing “walk” signals
  • Wearing easily-visible clothing after dark and in inclement weather/avoiding dark clothing at night
  • Paying close attention for vehicles backing up in parking lots and driveways

Doing your part to practice safety procedures as a pedestrian may help reduce your risk of injury, but those procedures cannot eliminate driver error. If you have been harmed after being struck by a car, or other motor vehicle, contact a well-qualified pedestrian accident attorney who has experience fighting cases in Maryland and who can provide you with a no-cost case consultation to determine to what compensation you may be entitled.

Financial Compensation through Pedestrian Accident Litigation

In pedestrian accidents involving an impaired driver, hit-and-run, or other blatant and illegal disregards for human safety, the criminal justice system may handle the case in the interest of justice as opposed to financial compensation for the victims. Through intense and effective personal injury litigation, an experienced Maryland pedestrian accident lawyer can help accident victims obtain compensatory damages, including:

  • Medical care expenses
  • Prescription costs
  • Therapy and rehabilitative care expenses
  • Personal property damage
  • Lost wages for time away from work
  • Loss of benefits
  • Loss of consortium
  • Compensation for harm and losses suffered
  • And more

Understanding the level of compensation to which you are entitled may seem too much to consider when focused on recovering your health and dealing with financial burdens. A dedicated Maryland personal injury lawyer will know the laws, compensation values, and jurisdiction, and can negotiate on your behalf in and out of the courtroom.

Determining Liability in an Accident Case

Determining liability in cases of pedestrian and traffic accidents is important in developing a compensation plan. Preventable accidents caused by recklessness, improper road maintenance, or misplaced signage differ from unpreventable accidents caused by occurrences including, but not limited to, inclement weather, a vehicle malfunction, or a health condition which may leave a driver unexpectedly incapacitated.

If you are a surviving loved one of a pedestrian accident victim, contact our injury lawyers to find out more about compensation for wrongful death, and associated damages. While no award value can provide a salve for your grief, relief from financial burdens caused by hospitalization and emergency response costs, funeral and burial expenses, loss of income, and further damages may allow you to focus on the emotional healing that you need.

Seek Help From a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Maryland

The thought of a complex and lengthy legal battle may be the last thing you want to consider when injured in an accident, or when dealing with the loss of a loved one. Our lawyers will compassionately guide you through the process necessary to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

A no-cost case analysis will allow your legal representative to review your personal accident claim and determine the monetary value of the damages that you incurred, as well as begin the development of an effective strategy for your case. That is important for a number of reasons, including the fact that those who are responsible for your injury, or the loss of a loved one, need to be held to account to ensure that no other pedestrians run the risk of future injury. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, contact the firm today.