Pedestrian Accidents
In 2017, 5,997 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States. That’s about one death every 88 minutes. Nearly 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms for nonfatal crash-related injuries in 2017. At Sasscer, Clagett & Bucher, we understand that pedestrian accidents are devastating.
When car, truck, or SUV accidents occur on Maryland roadways, the drivers or passengers aren’t always the only ones injured or killed. Unfortunately pedestrians can also suffer personal injury or death if they are hit during a motor vehicle accident.
Personal injury lawyers at Sasscer, Clagett & Bucher represent clients who have been hurt in auto accidents and related pedestrian accidents. If you’ve been injured in an auto-related pedestrian accident in Maryland, it is important to:
- Get immediate medical attention.
- Document your injuries.
- Gather all the information you can about the other party or parties involved in the accident.
- Take photographs and note any details on the circumstances leading to or environment of the accident.
- DO NOT speak to an insurance company representative if they contact you. This is very important as injured pedestrians can be misled into giving statements that can later be used to deny their legitimate claim.
- Contact Sasscer, Clagett & Bucher for a consultation. We invite you to call 301-627-5500 or email our office. We serve clients throughout Maryland from offices in Upper Marlboro and La Plata.
Maryland Pedestrian Law
Pedestrians walking on the sidewalk, alongside the road, or crossing the street (both in- and outside- of the crosswalks) may be seriously injured or killed if struck by a motor vehicle. The driver may be held liable if he or she was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, or otherwise operating a vehicle negligently or recklessly.
Maryland Hit and Run Accidents
Sometimes when a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, the operator of the vehicle attempts to flee the scene. This is called hit and run and is, unfortunately, very common in the state of Maryland. In car-pedestrian accidents such as these, when the driver is either not apprehended by the police or apprehended but carries no insurance, the injured person would make a claim under the terms of their own insurance policy, which provides uninsured motorist coverage for such situations.
Contributory Negligence
Maryland is one of only four states still upholds a contributory negligence law. This law basically states that no recovery is possible if the victim contributes even 1% to an accident. Contributory negligence is a defense strategy in pedestrian accidents because pedestrians are also required to obey traffic laws and patterns. If a victim is injured because they did not cross at the designated location, they may be found partially responsible for their injuries.
Insurance companies often deny claims by pedestrians arguing that the pedestrian was outside of a crosswalk or darted into the roadway. Our attorneys have successfully defeated these defenses in court. This is why it is extremely important to discuss your case with a knowledgeable attorney before accepting a settlement.
Consultation and Claim Evaluation
If you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian accident, we invite you to call 301-627-5500 or email our office to arrange a consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers. We serve clients throughout Maryland from offices in Upper Marlboro and La Plata.