In a bustling city like Baltimore, many individuals walk to their destinations, whether for work, errands, exercise, or simply enjoying the surroundings. While pedestrians often adhere to safety rules, these precautions don’t always protect them. Unfortunately, an inattentive driver might not notice these individuals and may crash into them. Any of these cases can lead to catastrophic injuries and damages.
If these accidents are caused by negligence, the affected individuals may have the right to pursue legal action. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, you will want to discuss your case with a Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer. At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we are committed to securing the compensation you need for your recovery. Find out how we can assist with your case.
Where Are Pedestrian Accidents the Most Common?
According to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), pedestrian accidents are a serious concern in the state. Maryland drivers have been involved in about 3,000 crashes every year. Between 2017 and 2021, one out of every four people killed in traffic crashes were a pedestrian.
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents can happen in a variety of locations. However, certain areas are more prone to these types of incidents due to traffic patterns. Some of these common locations include
Urban Areas
Throughout the Baltimore area, pedestrian accidents can happen due to the high volume of vehicles and pedestrians sharing the road. With more intersections, crosswalks, and sidewalks, the risk of accidents increases, especially during peak traffic hours. With more pedestrians moving around the city, there is also an increase in distracted walking or driving, which can lead to more collisions.
Crosswalks
While crosswalks are designed to protect pedestrians, these spots can be dangerous if drivers fail to yield the right of way. Sometimes, drivers will ignore or do not notice pedestrians crossing the street, leading to a crash. Even marked crosswalks can be hazardous, especially at busy intersections or roads with poor visibility.
Intersections
Intersections, especially those without traffic signals or stop signs, are another common place for pedestrian accidents. Drivers making turns may not always be aware of pedestrians crossing.
Parking Lots
While vehicles tend to move slower in parking lots, they are still risky areas for pedestrians. Drivers often back out of parking spaces without checking for people walking behind them. Also, pedestrians may be distracted while walking through the lot. This combination makes parking lots a frequent site for pedestrian accidents.
School Zones
School zones, especially during drop-off and pick-up times, are another high-risk area for these accidents. With many children crossing the streets, the chances of an accident increase. Despite reduced speed limits in these zones, these collisions can still occur due to distracted driving, improper parking, or drivers failing to stop for crossing guards.
Bus Stops
Pedestrian accidents often happen near stops as people hurry to catch their bus or cross the road after getting off. These areas are often located near busy streets. Many times, pedestrians may cross in front of or behind buses where visibility is limited. Unfortunately, drivers might not see pedestrians emerging from behind a bus, which could result in a crash.
These are just a few places where pedestrian accidents can occur. But keep in mind that accidents with vehicles can happen at any place and at any time. If you have been injured, make sure to reach out to an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Baltimore to find out if you can take legal action against the liable party.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Unfortunately, the outcome is never good in pedestrian vs. vehicle accidents. People don’t have the protection to prevent serious injuries. Even a simple bump from the car can lead a person to experience some type of significant harm. Some of the most common injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Pedestrians struck by vehicles often suffer head injuries. As a result, that can lead to concussions or more severe brain trauma.
- Spinal cord injuries: A sharp blow can damage the spinal cord, resulting in partial or full paralysis.
- Fractures and broken bones: One of the most common injuries is fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Internal injuries: The force of impact in a pedestrian accident can cause damage to the lungs, liver, or kidneys.
- Cuts, lacerations, and bruising: While cuts and bruises may seem minor compared to other injuries, deep abrasions can lead to scarring, infection, and long-term disfigurement.
- Emotional trauma: When someone is involved in a pedestrian accident, they can suffer from a few psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Due to the catastrophic nature of these accidents, fatalities can also occur. If you have been affected by a pedestrian accident, reach out to the legal team at Belsky & Horowitz, LLC.
Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable for These Accidents
Negligence plays a role in pedestrian accident cases. If it weren’t for the driver’s negligent actions, you would not have been involved in an incident. In a personal injury case, negligence refers to the failure to exercise the care that a reasonable person would under similar circumstances.
When a person fails to consider the safety of others, that can lead to harm or injury to others. Determining whether a driver or other party was negligent helps to establish liability and secure compensation for your damages. Here are some ways that a driver’s negligence can lead to these devastating injuries and losses:
Failure to Yield the Right of Way
If a driver fails to stop or yield appropriately and strikes a pedestrian, they can be considered negligent. Even in unmarked crosswalks, drivers need to exercise caution and give pedestrians plenty of time to cross safely. Failure to do so can make the driver liable for the injuries caused.
Distracted Driving
Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or otherwise distracted are not paying full attention to the road and their surroundings. This can cause them to not see pedestrians or fail to react in time to avoid collisions. When a driver’s distraction results in an accident, they can be held accountable for their negligence.
Speeding
In pedestrian-heavy areas, driving at high speeds increases the risk of accidents. Even going over 20 MPH over the speed limit can increase the chances of fatality by 10%, per MDOT. When a pedestrian is struck by a speeding vehicle, the injuries are often more severe due to the increased force of the impact. Speeding is a reckless behavior that demonstrates negligence and endangers pedestrians and drivers.
Ignoring Traffic Signals and Signs
When drivers run red lights, fail to stop at stop signs, or ignore pedestrian crosswalk signals, they increase the likelihood of colliding with pedestrians who are lawfully crossing the road. The driver’s failure to follow the rules of the road may be considered negligent behavior.
Driving Under the Influence
A driver under the influence is less likely to notice pedestrians, react to sudden stops, or follow traffic signals. When a drunk driver injures a pedestrian, the driver is almost always considered negligent, and criminal charges may also be brought in addition to civil liability.
Negligent drivers are a danger to the community, and when their behavior leads to accidents, it can affect innocent parties. Unfortunately, that means these individuals will now have to deal with substantial medical bills, lost wages, and in some cases, even the loss of a loved one. If you have been affected by these incidents, make sure to contact a Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer.
What Compensation Could Be Available?
You may be able to collect compensation in a Baltimore pedestrian accident case if you can prove that another party’s negligence led to the accident and your injuries. These damages can often be substantial, especially with the severe injuries resulting from these incidents. Some compensation may include:
- Medical bills: These are one of the biggest financial burdens after a pedestrian accident. Compensation can cover everything from emergency room visits to ongoing rehabilitation.
- Lost wages: If the injuries from your pedestrian accident prevent you from working, you can recover compensation for the income you’ve lost during your recovery period.
- Pain and suffering: Along with the economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, you may also be entitled to compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress: This compensation addresses the psychological toll of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or fear caused by the accident.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: If the pedestrian accident results in a permanent disability or disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation to cover the long-term effects of your injuries.
- Wrongful death damages: Unfortunately, these accidents can lead to fatal injuries. In these cases, the victim’s surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Compensation can cover funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support and benefits, and loss of companionship and emotional support.
You Need to Take Legal Action for Your Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Claim
Remember that there are strict deadlines for filing a pedestrian accident claim in Maryland. The state has a statute of limitations requiring you to file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident. Failing to file within this time frame can prevent you from collecting compensation.
For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is also three years from the date of the victim’s death. There may be exceptions to these rules in certain situations. For this reason, you will want to reach out to an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case.
How a Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help
Pedestrian accident cases can be complicated. With a Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer, you can get legal help during this stressful and overwhelming time.
When you hire a lawyer, they will take the time to thoroughly investigate your accident’s circumstances. Along with that, they will gather evidence and work with accident reconstruction experts to determine liability.
A pedestrian accident lawyer will help make sure that all of your damages are accounted for, including both economic and non-economic losses. This includes medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Plus, you do not have to deal with handling insurance company claims. Your lawyer will communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf. They will negotiate aggressively to secure a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
As stated earlier, we already know that proving negligence is key to obtaining compensation. Your lawyer will work to demonstrate that the driver or other party failed to exercise reasonable care and that their negligence caused your injuries.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, your lawyer will be prepared to take your case to court. They will present a case to the judge and jury so that you can get the full compensation you deserve.
If you are searching for an experienced team to handle your case, Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, are here to help.
Reach Out to Belsky & Horowitz, LLC for Legal Help
At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we know what is required to pursue a successful Maryland pedestrian accident claim and secure the compensation you deserve. These cases often leave accident victims and their families with medical bills, lost wages, and other types of damages. All drivers need to pay attention and be mindful of pedestrians on the road. When they fail to do so, make sure to hold them accountable for their actions.
With us on your side, you can feel confident knowing that we are pursuing the maximum compensation for your injuries. Talk to our Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer. Reach out to us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
