Aspen Hill Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrians struck by a car often suffer severe injuries and medical expenses. Unfortunately, some victims might not know how to recover compensation after being injured in a pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian accidents are more common than one would hope. However, an experienced Aspen Hill pedestrian accident lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of your case. A driver should stop after striking a pedestrian to exchange information. This will be used if a lawsuit must be filed later. Sometimes, a driver flees the scene without rendering aid, making identification difficult. Fortunately, these drivers can be discovered through a thorough investigation. This will be necessary to recover compensation for what could be extensive injuries.
If a negligent driver has injured you, our Aspen Hill pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for the injuries you suffered. Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291 for a free case review.
Filing a Lawsuit for an Aspen Hill Pedestrian Accident
Victims of pedestrian accidents often suffer serious injuries because of another person’s negligence, often requiring lengthy and expensive treatment. Fortunately, an injured pedestrian can pursue damages from the at-fault driver in a lawsuit. Maryland is in an at-fault state, meaning that victims injured in a car accident, including pedestrians, can file a lawsuit against the negligent party to recover compensation.
Accidents Where the Driver Stops
However, you must know the driver’s identity to sue them in court. This will not prove difficult if the driver had done what they were supposed to do, which was stop and render aid to the pedestrian they hit. If so, then they should provide their insurance and license information. It would be best if you still waited for the police to investigate, as their report will contain additional information that could be useful later in your case.
Especially wait for law enforcement to arrive if the driver that hit you refuses to provide their information or seems hostile to your attempts. If the driver does not have insurance or there is another reason for refusing you, the police can determine that during the investigation. If the driver does not answer the police, they will likely be ticketed. At the very least, the police report will have their name and address, which is usually all that is needed to file a lawsuit against them.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Recovering compensation can be more difficult if you are a hit-and-run victim. Drivers are required to stop after a traffic accident, but some do not for pedestrian accidents, likely from fear of being criminally prosecuted. It might take more time to identify a driver that fled the scene of a pedestrian accident. Still, a rigorous investigation by our Aspen Hill pedestrian accident lawyers with the help of law enforcement could help identify the person responsible for your suffering.
Common Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Accidents in Aspen Hill
Victims can suffer truly devastating injuries in an Aspen Hill Pedestrian Accident. Many of these injuries cause victims severe pain, and treatment could last years, if not for life. The following of some common injuries that pedestrians sustain in pedestrian accidents in Aspen Hill:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are some of the worst a pedestrian can suffer at the hands of a careless driver. It is common for pedestrians to take a blow to the head when struck by a car, either from the vehicle itself or when striking the ground. A traumatic brain injury’s symptoms and long-term effects can significantly affect a victim’s life. Many traumatic brain injury victims experience motor function problems that can cause them to stop participating in their normal activities and hobbies.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The chances of sustaining some spinal cord injuries in a pedestrian accident are quite high. Victims struck by a car at even low speeds can still injure their spines from the force of the impact. Victims with spinal cord injuries can experience a wide range of symptoms, from extreme pain and partial immobility to total paralysis. It is hard to understate the life-long impact spinal cord injuries can have on a victim.
Broken Bones
Many pedestrian accidents result in the victim suffering broken bones. Fractures can occur when a pedestrian is hit by a car, as well as when being thrown to the concrete. These injuries are not only painful but could require surgery to treat properly.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are a common injury that pedestrian accident victims sustain in Aspen Hill. Soft tissue injuries include ligament and tendon damage, muscle injuries, contusions, and lacerations. These injuries are typically extremely painful and require many physical therapy sessions to heal.
Internal Injuries
Lastly, many pedestrian accident victims can also suffer internal injuries. These injuries include organ damage and internal bleeding, which can be serious and even fatal. However, internal injuries might not be noticed just after an accident. Victims typically have adrenaline coursing through them after an accident, which can mask the pain from an internal injury. Thus, getting medical treatment after an accident is critical to determine the extent of your injuries. Our Aspen Hill pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for your injuries from the driver responsible.
How Fault is Determined in an Aspen Hill Pedestrian Accident
Victims might have difficulty recovering compensation if they were partially at fault for causing an accident. While a driver’s negligence causes most pedestrian accidents, some cases are unclear. If there is room to argue that you contributed to causing your injuries, like crossing in the middle of the road, you could be prevented from recovering any compensation.
Maryland practices pure comparative rules, meaning that a person cannot recover damages for injuries if the court finds them partially to blame for an accident. Even if you are only found 1% at fault, you cannot recover compensation for your injuries. Our Aspen Hill pedestrian accident lawyers can review your case and help fight any claims that you contributed to your accident.
Our Aspen Hill Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you or someone you love has been injured by a car, our Aspen Hill pedestrian accident lawyers can help you prepare a lawsuit to hold the negligent driver accountable. For a free case evaluation, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.