Pedestrian Accidents in Baltimore: Why They Happen And How To Protect Your Rights To Compensation
Walking is part of everyday life in Baltimore. Whether you’re crossing near Inner Harbor, heading to work downtown, or walking through your neighborhood, you expect drivers to pay attention and share the road.
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents in Baltimore happen regularly, and the results are almost always devastating. Our Maryland pedestrian accident lawyers explain why they often occur and how to protect your rights to compensation in an injury claim.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Baltimore
Heavy traffic, narrow streets, and high volume of intersections make Baltimore pedestrians especially vulnerable. According to the Maryland Highway Safety Office, over 3,000 people are victims of pedestrian accidents throughout the state each year, and more than half occur in the Baltimore area. Among the most common causes:
- Failing to yield at crosswalks or intersections.
- Speeding, particularly through residential neighborhoods and school zones.
- Distracted or drowsy driving, which diverts attention from the road.
- Drunk or impaired driving, which slows reaction times and impacts judgment.
When drivers engage in dangerous behavior on busy Baltimore roads, it increases the risks to pedestrians and can result in life-threatening injuries.
Your Rights After a Baltimore Pedestrian Accident
If you are hit by a car while walking in Baltimore, you have the same right to compensation as any other accident victim. However, Maryland’s contributory negligence rule can make these cases more complex.
Under the Maryland Code, pedestrians are required to follow the rules of the road and to use crosswalks at intersections. If insurers can show that you were in violation or otherwise put yourself at risk, they can deny compensation.
Having strong evidence to support your claim and professional legal representation in dealing with insurers helps to protect your rights. If you’re injured in a pedestrian crash, take these steps:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Get the driver’s information, including their license, registration, and insurance details.
- Take photos of the crash scene, any vehicle damage, skid marks, and crosswalks.
- Get contact information from witnesses who saw what happened.
- Get medical attention for all injuries, no matter how minor they seem.
- Avoid speaking with the driver’s insurer, as they may twist your words to limit their liability.
- Contact an experienced Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer who understands how to challenge contributory negligence claims.
Getting professional legal help is vitally important, as insurance adjusters routinely look for reasons to deny or downplay claims. We can help in gathering traffic camera footage, accident reports, and other evidence to prove the driver’s negligence, along with medical records showing the severity of your injuries.
Injured in a Baltimore Crash? Contact Our Experienced Maryland Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
Pedestrian accidents in Baltimore can lead to catastrophic injuries and lasting trauma. If you or someone you love was hit by a negligent driver, reach out to Maryland Injury Lawyers right away.
Our experienced Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyers will fight to hold careless drivers accountable and help you get the compensation you deserve. To get our team on your side, contact our experienced Maryland pedestrian accident lawyers and request a consultation today.
Sources:
zerodeathsmd.gov/news/pedestrian-crash-statistics-2022/
dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/CourtCrimCivil/Negligence-Systems.pdf
govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Document/N218FFFC0B1AB11E98FBDA912C5557118?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)
