MARYLAND PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT
Thousands of people each year are injured in pedestrian accidents in Maryland; because pedestrian accidents are human versus car, the injuries tend to be catastrophic. Pedestrian accidents can be either vehicular or non-vehicular. Vehicular pedestrian accidents typically involve some type of motor vehicle, while non-vehicular pedestrian accidents are usually the result of property defects. A car accident involving a pedestrian occurs as a pedestrian attempts to cross the street, even while in a crosswalk. In some cases it is difficult to determine whether the driver or the pedestrian is at fault. Therefore, it is essential that victims of pedestrian accidents contact Robinson and Associates as quickly after the accident as possible so that our attorneys can begin an investigation and immediately contact all potential witnesses.
According to reports, one of the common causes of motor vehicle fatalities is accidents involving pedestrians on crosswalks. Many of these accidents occur on the weekends during the evening hours. Often times drivers fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks or simply fail to see the pedestrian in the crosswalk prior to hitting them. Statistics indicate that young people under the age of 16 are the most likely victims of pedestrian accidents. However, while the elderly are less likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents they are more likely to die as a result of injuries sustained in these accidents. While many pedestrian accidents occur at intersections with crosswalks, there are many accidents that occur on the roadways and streets throughout Maryland.
Pedestrians should take great caution when crossing the street, while they are in crosswalks, and when they are walking along the nation’s roadways. A pedestrian’s legal rights are severely impacted when they are crossing a street and are not in the crosswalk. Many cases in Maryland have found that when a pedestrian is outside the crosswalk at the time of impact with the car, that the victim is contributorily negligent- which in Maryland, bars any recovery by the victim or the victim’s family. Both drivers and pedestrians have a responsibility to obey traffic laws, but pedestrians have a greater need to obey the laws and be aware of their surroundings. Speeding is generally a major factor in pedestrian accidents, and distracted drivers (like texting) are another chief contributor to motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians. When a driver does not adhere to established motor vehicle laws and acts carelessly with the safety of others, the driver can be charged with negligence or even a criminal offense. If it can be proven that the driver acted negligently and the negligence resulted in injury to another, the driver may be held liable for significant financial damages.
Pedestrians struck by motor vehicles often sustain serious, permanent and sometimes fatal injuries. Victims of pedestrian accidents may sustain broken bones, head, neck and spine injuries, traumatic brain injury, or permanent scarring. These injuries can lead to permanent disability, chronic pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. In some cases, the injuries to the victim are so severe that the victim is unable to recover. Robinson and Associates’ practiced and skilled attorneys can assist victims in pedestrian accidents to recovery appropriate monetary compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a pedestrian accident, contact the lawyers of Robinson and Associates for a free no obligation consultation. Our attorneys will immediately review and investigate your case and determine if you have a personal injury claim which should be pursued in court. Please contact the office as soon as possible following an accident so we can get to work for you.