Bel Air, MD Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When motor vehicles strike pedestrians, the aftermath can be disastrous. If you were hurt as a pedestrian in Bel Air, you can recover compensation by filing a lawsuit.

Various parties, such as passenger car drivers, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, might be liable for pedestrian accidents in Bel Air. Pedestrians might be hurt because of negligent commercial vehicle drivers, like truck drivers, or when passing by construction sites. Regardless of who caused your accident, you will only have three years to sue for injury. During the time between your accident and filing your claim, our attorneys will perform an investigation to gather evidence of that at-fault party’s negligence. This is best done immediately after an incident takes place, as evidence might become less accessible as time goes on.

To schedule a free and confidential assessment of your case from the Bel Air, MD pedestrian accident lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras, call our firm now at (410) 694-7291.

Parties that May Be Liable for Pedestrian Accidents in Bel Air, MD

Pedestrian accidents might be caused by any number of parties, from passenger car drivers to motorcyclists. Regardless of who is to blame for your injuries in Bel Air, our attorneys can help you file a lawsuit to recover compensation for your damages.

Passenger Car Drivers

Because passenger cars are the most common cars on the road, they often cause the most pedestrian accidents. Drivers might operate their vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol, causing them to be unable to see or respond to pedestrians, especially at night when visibility is low. Ignoring crosswalks is a common way that passenger car drivers cause pedestrian accidents in Bel Air. Because of the risk of being liable for pedestrian accident injuries, which can be very costly, passenger car drivers might be more likely to flee from the accident scene without exchanging information with a pedestrian victim. In such instances, calling the police and consulting with our pedestrian accident lawyers can lead to the identity of the negligent driver responsible for your damages.

Commercial Vehicle Drivers

Though commercial vehicles are often seen on highways, they do pass through residential areas like Bel Air when delivering goods, resulting in the potential for pedestrian accidents. Many pedestrian accidents caused by commercial truck drivers are due to drowsy driving. Commercial vehicle drivers might work overtime when trying to make a deadline, causing them to become fatigued and reducing their reaction times. Furthermore, commercial trucks have significantly larger blind spots than passenger cars, meaning they might not see pedestrians when reversing or making other maneuvers.

Suppose you were hurt by a commercial vehicle driver as a pedestrian in Bel Air. In that case, our attorneys will explore the possibility that their employer is also responsible because of vicarious liability. If you were to file a claim against the driver’s employer, you might be able to recover additional damages. If the driver is an independent contractor, suing their employer for negligence will not be a possibility.

Bicyclists

While getting struck by a bicyclist might not seem as serious as getting hit by a vehicle initially, such accidents can cause serious injuries to pedestrians in Bel Air. A bicyclist might strike you as you cross the street, causing you to be pushed into traffic. In that case, the bicyclist who initiated the incident would be liable for your injuries.

Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists are known to speed, swerve through lanes, and make other risky maneuvers in Bel Air. Such negligent actions might cause injuries to pedestrians attempting to cross the street. Pedestrians might become pulled into an accident involving a motorcycle and another vehicle, especially if the motorcycle gets pushed into a sidewalk or other area where pedestrians are located. If the motorcyclist acted negligently, directly causing your injuries, you could sue them for compensatory damages.

Construction Sites

When passing by a construction site, pedestrians might be struck by falling objects or otherwise injured by other hazards left unattended. In such instances, pedestrians can sue the negligent construction companies responsible for their injuries. Navigating these claims can be challenging, so call our attorneys as soon as possible after being injured because of a negligent construction site as a pedestrian in Bel Air.

Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims in Bel Air, MD

Because pedestrians often get severely injured when struck by vehicles, they typically require significant compensation. To recover those damages, you will need to file your case by the statute of limitations in Bel Air.

According to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101, pedestrians injured in accidents will have three years from the date of an incident to sue for injury. The court will likely reject any claims brought past that deadline. You must submit a formal complaint to the court to file your lawsuit. This complaint will name the defendant, summarize the accident in question, and include your desired damages.

Despite having three years to sue in Bel Air, victims should not wait three years to bring a claim. Evidence is often more readily accessible in the days and weeks following an accident. So, as time goes on, it might be harder to uncover proof of negligence and connect the other party’s negligence to your damages. That is why our attorneys will want to begin an investigation immediately after your pedestrian accident takes place. That way, we can speak to eyewitnesses before their memories fade.

Furthermore, waiting to bring your claim will mean you are without compensation for all that time. This could leave you with overwhelming medical bills and other expenses. The sooner you contact our attorneys, the sooner we can begin building your case and file your lawsuit well before the deadline to sue in Bel Air.

Call Our Bel Air, MD Attorneys to Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident Case

You can call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to get a free case review from our pedestrian accident lawyers.