Dundalk Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians struck by cars can sustain devastating injuries that can be life-altering. Victims in a pedestrian accident could require a great deal of compensation to see them through their injuries.

Pedestrian accidents are more common than many think but can happen anywhere cars and pedestrians are brought together. Fortunately, a skilled Dundalk pedestrian accident lawyer can help you recover compensation in these difficult cases. There are several options to recover damages after a pedestrian accident. However, proving your case can be difficult if the driver leaves the scene before getting their information. However, our firm has experience tracking down hit-and-run drivers to hold them accountable.

If you were a pedestrian hit by a car, our Dundalk pedestrian accident lawyers can help you get justice for the injuries you suffered. Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410)694-7291 for a free case assessment.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Maryland

Pedestrian accidents are an unfortunate but common part of life in Dundalk. According to statistics compiled by the Maryland Department of Transportation, there have been 113 pedestrian fatalities in Maryland in 2022 alone. This is close to Maryland’s five-year average for pedestrian fatalities, which averages 124 pedestrian fatalities yearly. In 2021, 2,278 pedestrians were injured throughout the state.

In Baltimore County, where Dundalk sits, there were 426 accidents involving injured pedestrians. Of those, 27 proved fatal. Pedestrian accidents can occur in many places but tend to happen more frequently in certain areas, like crosswalks and parking lots. Our Dundalk pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover compensation if you have been one of the many victims injured by another driver’s negligence.

Common Places Where Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Dundalk

Pedestrian accidents can occur virtually anywhere pedestrians and traffic are close together. However, some locations are more likely to be the site of a pedestrian accident than others. The resulting injuries can be devastating regardless of where a pedestrian accident occurs. In some cases, the accident might have happened in an area where a pedestrian will need to fight the presumption that they caused the accident.

Intersections

Crosswalks at intersections are the most dangerous places for pedestrian accidents in Dundalk and throughout Maryland. In Baltimore County, which Dundalk is a part of, 113 pedestrians were injured crossing an intersection in 2021, with a five-year average of 131 pedestrians injured.

In many cases, a driver is not paying attention as they approach an intersection and do not brake in time to avoid an accident with a crossing pedestrian. If a driver does not notice a pedestrian before it is too late, catastrophic results can ensue.

Crossings Not at an Intersection

The second most common location for a pedestrian accident to occur is on the road while a pedestrian is crossing, but not at an intersection. In 2021, 82 pedestrians were injured in and around Dundalk while crossing the road at a place other than a crosswalk. This type of situation also accounts for the majority of pedestrian fatalities in Maryland, with 47 in 2021 and an average of 40 over a five-year period.

A pedestrian injured while crossing the middle of the road could face significant challenges in recovering compensation. Maryland is one of only a few states to practice what is known as pure comparative negligence. This means that if a pedestrian is found in a lawsuit to have contributed to causing their accident, even if it is only by 1%, they cannot recover a single dollar for their damages. Of course, the fact that your accident happened while crossing at a place other than an intersection does not mean you do not have a case. Our Dundalk pedestrian accident lawyers can review the facts of your accident and address any conduct on your part that could be argued to have contributed to your injuries.

Sidewalks

Devastating accidents can also occur while pedestrians are minding their own businesses on the sidewalk. In 2021, 130 pedestrians were injured on sidewalks in Maryland. While these accidents do not also prove fatal, they can cause some of the most serious injuries a person can suffer.

Some drivers might lose control of their car while answering a distracting text message. In other cases, a defect with the vehicle, like a brake failure or tire blowout, could be the cause of a car going onto the sidewalk.

Parking Lots

Lastly, pedestrians should also keep their wits about them while walking in a parking lot. Drivers can be especially negligent while pacing around a parking lot. Many drivers will pay little attention to the pedestrians around them as they hunt for a spot or search for an exit. Further, very few parking lots have dedicated walkways for pedestrians, leaving it up to the individual to look out for their safety while traversing the lot. Expensive damages can result in parking lot accidents even when cars are driving at slow speeds. Our Dundalk pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for another driver’s negligence no matter where your accident occurred.

Recovering Compensation After Being Injured in a Dundalk Pedestrian Accident

Maryland is an at-fault state for car accident purposes. This means that an injured pedestrian can file for compensation against a negligent driver’s car insurance company. However, you will need to show that the other driver was at fault to get a claim approved. If an insurance company denied your claim or offered you a settlement amount less than what your case is worth, you could sue the negligent driver to recover the compensation owed.

If you were the victim of a hit-and-run, the situation might be more complicated. Suppose you have car insurance with uninsured motorist coverage. In that case, you could file a claim with your insurance company for damages, but that would likely result in financial damages, for which you will be on the hook without the driver’s information. If the driver can be identified, either with a license plate number or another piece of identifying information, a lawsuit can be filed against them without their insurance information.

However, you can choose to forgo the insurance process altogether and instead go straight to filing a lawsuit against a negligent driver. Like an insurance claim, you must prove that the driver’s negligence caused your injuries and subsequent damages to prevail in court. Our Dundalk pedestrian accident lawyers can help you decide the best course forward in your case.

Our Dundalk Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help

If you or someone you know was struck by a car, our Dundalk pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover compensation from the party responsible. For a free case review, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410)694-7291.