Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian, they often suffer devastating and debilitating injuries. If you are struggling to cope with the aftermath of your pedestrian accident injuries, you are not alone. Our Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyers can help you through the legal process of obtaining fair compensation for your accident injuries.

With Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers on your side, you can heal from your injuries while we fight for the justice you deserve. Our firm’s Baltimore personal injury lawyer could help you get the most out of your case. Call us today for a free case consultation. 

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Baltimore

If a motor vehicle hit you as you crossed the street or walked along a roadway, you may have suffered catastrophic injuries. The severity of your injuries and their impact on your quality of life can directly affect how much compensation you can seek.

However, you may be unsure whether you have grounds for a claim. If you have concerns that your injuries are not “severe enough” to warrant legal action, it is important to remember that severity is subjective.

If your injuries have had a substantial impact on your life, whether physically, psychologically, or financially, it might be worth your while to discuss your legal options for financial recovery with a pedestrian accident attorney. Our legal team has worked with many pedestrian accident victims and seen all types of injuries, including:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Third-degree burns
• Road rash
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries
• Organ failure
• Compound fractures and broken bones
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Loss of limbs

Such injuries may require medical treatment from a level 1 trauma center, such as the one found at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Medical care for such injuries is also often lengthy and expensive. However, you have a right to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

When to Sue for a Baltimore Pedestrian Accident

When considering whether you have grounds for an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against a driver, a Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer can help you sort through your situation. Our legal team can review your case and determine whether you can hold the driver or another party liable for causing your injuries.

We understand that you might be unsure how to proceed in the aftermath of a catastrophic injury accident. However, that’s what we’re here for. The personal injury lawyers with Adam Smallow can conduct an in-depth investigation, review the losses you have incurred, and determine what legal options apply to you.

Motorists’ Responsibility Toward Baltimore Pedestrians

Maryland law requires drivers to prioritize pedestrian safety by following specific rules and exercising caution in areas where people are walking. Understanding these responsibilities helps prevent accidents and ensures compliance with state traffic laws.

• Yielding to Pedestrians at Crosswalks: Maryland law mandates that drivers must stop for pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Failing to yield can result in fines and points on a driver’s license.
• Obeying Speed Limits in Pedestrian Zones: In school zones, residential neighborhoods, and urban areas with heavy foot traffic, drivers must adhere to posted speed limits and slow down when pedestrians are present.
• Eliminating Distractions: Using a handheld phone while driving is illegal in Maryland and can lead to serious accidents involving pedestrians. Drivers should remain focused and keep their hands on the wheel.
• Stopping for School Buses: Maryland law requires all motorists to stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing, and the stop arm is extended. This ensures the safety of children entering or exiting the bus.
• Driving Carefully in Low Visibility Conditions: Whether it’s nighttime, foggy weather, or heavy rain, Maryland drivers must use their headlights properly and remain vigilant for pedestrians, especially near bus stops or transit hubs.
• Keeping Crosswalks and Sidewalks Clear: Blocking a crosswalk or stopping on a sidewalk forces pedestrians into traffic, creating dangerous situations. Always stop before the designated pedestrian crossing lines at intersections.
• Watching for Pedestrians When Turning or Parking: Before making a turn, merging, or pulling out of a parking space, drivers should check for pedestrians, particularly in downtown areas where foot traffic is high.

Failing to yield, disregarding traffic laws, and inattentive behavior from motorists, especially when pedestrians may be present, are common causes of many pedestrian-related car accident injuries. 

Pedestrian Have Responsibilities as Well

While Maryland law provides strong protections for pedestrians, they also have responsibilities to ensure their own safety and follow traffic regulations. Failing to adhere to these rules can increase the risk of accidents: 

• Obey Traffic Signals and Crosswalk Laws: Pedestrians must follow walk signals at intersections and use marked crosswalks when available. Crossing against a signal or jaywalking can be dangerous and may reduce legal protections in an accident claim.
• Use Sidewalks When Available: Maryland law requires pedestrians to use sidewalks whenever they are present. If no sidewalk is available, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic to increase visibility.
• Avoid Distracted Walking: Just as drivers must avoid distractions, pedestrians should stay alert when crossing streets. Looking at a phone, wearing headphones at high volume, or failing to pay attention can lead to accidents.
• Do Not Suddenly Enter Traffic: Pedestrians should never step into the path of an oncoming vehicle when it is too close to stop safely. Even if they have the right of way, sudden and unexpected movements can lead to serious injuries.
• Be Visible, Especially at Night: Maryland pedestrians should wear bright or reflective clothing and carry a flashlight when walking in low-light conditions. Visibility is key to preventing nighttime accidents.
• Stay Sober While Walking Near Traffic: Impaired walking can be just as dangerous as impaired driving. Alcohol and drugs reduce awareness and reaction time, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
• Exercise Caution in High-Traffic Areas: In busy locations, such as the intersection at Fayette and President in Baltimore, pedestrians must remain extra cautious, as vehicle speeds and congestion increase risks.

Pedestrians who fail to follow these laws and safety guidelines may be found partially at fault in an accident, which can affect their ability to recover full compensation in a legal claim. If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian, a Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What to Expect From the Pedestrian Accident Claims Process in Baltimore

The claims process for an injured pedestrian accident can often become confusing. As you recover from your injuries, you could benefit from having an accident attorney with a clear vision of what to expect next to better prepare you for what’s to come. With that in mind, here’s a general idea of what you can expect from your pedestrian accident claim in Baltimore.

Your Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Attorney Will Investigate the Accident

Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the cause of your pedestrian accident to determine who is at fault for your injuries. Most pedestrian accidents occur when a motor vehicle strikes someone walking along the street, either in a crosswalk or on a roadway without a sidewalk.

However, we might find multiple parties responsible for your injuries, depending on the details of your case. For example, if a drunk driver hit you, not only could you hold that drunk driver accountable, but the bar or tavern that overserved the driver might also have liability. We will gather valuable evidence to support guilt in your case throughout the investigation.

Your Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Attorney Will Handle the Insurance Company

The liable party in many pedestrian accident claims has insurance coverage. However, the insurance company may not cover your damages in full. Insurance companies will look for opportunities to reduce your payout or deny your claim to protect their profit margin. In addition, the insurance company only has to pay out up to the insured’s policy limit.

Your attorney will have already calculated the value of your claim and will not allow an insurance adjuster to take advantage of you. Therefore, you should never settle for less than you deserve. If insurance negotiations do not adequately cover your damages, your Baltimore pedestrian accident attorney from our law firm will prepare to advocate for maximum compensation in court.

What Is Your Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?

Calculating the value of your pedestrian accident claim is essential. You don’t want any loss unaccounted for. Instead, you have the right to be made whole. Although no amount of compensation will make up for or change what you have been through, adequate compensation could ease your financial burden both now and in the future.

You could recover these economic and noneconomic damages following a pedestrian accident in Baltimore:

• Medical expenses and equipment fees
• Property damages
• Loss of income
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement, dismemberment, and skin scarring
• Loss of household services
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of potential future earnings

Punitive Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Case

It is also possible that you could recover punitive damages from the at-fault driver. Punitive damages punish the defendant beyond the compensatory damages they must pay you. The Baltimore civil court system will determine whether to assess punitive damages after reviewing the defendant’s actions for gross negligence and reprehensibility.

Don’t Miss the Deadline to File Your Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit

You must file a personal injury lawsuit within the three-year window allowed by Maryland’s statute of limitations. In addition, the threat of a lawsuit can bring insurance companies to the table to negotiate a fair settlement rather than face a judge and jury in court.

Thus, our legal team will keep track of this deadline to ensure you don’t miss your opportunity to take your case to court if necessary to recover the compensation you need to care for your family.

Your Next Steps Could Influence Your Health and Settlement

As your attorney, our goal is to take you From Hurt to Help®. To do that, we provide you with 24/7 communication with your legal team via a special text number we provide you and access to our network of high-quality medical providers. 

However, there are things you can do, even as a pedestrian accident victim, that can help your recovery and protect your right to fair compensation for your injuries and losses: 

Call 9-1-1

If your injuries permit, call for emergency services. If necessary, take the ambulance to the hospital and let the emergency room check your injuries. Answer law enforcement’s questions so they can generate a police report. 

Document the Accident

Only if you can do so without adding to your injuries, take pictures and video of the accident scene, the car, and your injuries. Request contact and insurance information from the other driver. If there are witnesses, ask if they can provide contact information. Then, record what you remember from the accident and keep a running journal of your recovery. 

Follow Your Doctor’s Orders Completely

It is imperative that, one, you see a doctor as soon as possible, and two, that you follow all your doctor’s orders. Do not skip appointments, therapy, or medication. Not only will this ensure a healthy recovery, but it will protect your claim. If you wait to see a doctor or miss appointments, it gives the insurance company an excuse to devalue or deny your claim.

Contact Our Law Firm

A Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer can start working on your claim while you are recovering. They can collect evidence, file paperwork, speak with witnesses, and protect you from saying something that might undermine your claim. Please, the sooner you contact them, the more likely they can preserve evidence before it is lost or destroyed. 

Meet With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Baltimore Today

You should not have to deal with the fallout of your injuries when someone else is responsible for causing them. Instead, you can work with a Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer at the Adam Smallow to hold them accountable for the losses you’ve experienced.

Fill out our convenient contact form today or call our office when you are ready to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation.