Elkridge Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Negligent drivers who hit pedestrians in Elkridge may be liable for the damage they cause. To hold someone liable for a pedestrian accident, you can file a lawsuit against them.

When responding to a pedestrian accident as the victim, do your best to stay calm. Try to get to safety, call 911, and cooperate with law enforcement when they get to the scene. Get the negligent driver’s insurance information and be careful not to accept fault for the incident in any capacity. Then, turn your focus toward documenting your injuries, no matter how serious they might appear at first. After preparing your claim, our lawyers can help you file it before the deadline in Elkridge. We can then negotiate a fair settlement with the defendant’s counsel or proceed to court if necessary.

By calling (410) 694-7291, you can have a free discussion about your case with the Elkridge pedestrian accident lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras.

Responding to Pedestrian Accidents in Elkridge

How you respond to a pedestrian accident could determine the success of your future compensation claim in Elkridge.

Remain Calm and Get to Safety

First and foremost, do your best to remain calm and get to a safe area away from the road. If you are too injured to move safely, stay where you are and call 911 immediately. You should report any auto accident to the police, especially if a car hit you as a pedestrian.

Cooperate with Law Enforcement

Cooperate with law enforcement when officers arrive. Be honest and do your best to give police officers a factual account of what happened. Again, if you are too injured to talk to officers, they might contact you in the future to get additional information.

Gather Additional Information

Get the negligent party’s name, driver’s license number, and insurance policy details. Document the scene by photographing your injuries, property damage to involved vehicles, and other pertinent information. Note the date, time, and location of the accident as well.

Watch What You Say

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when responding to a pedestrian accident is not to accept fault in any capacity. For example, if you were crossing the road when the driver hit you, do not say anything that could indicate you contributed to the accident or had an opportunity to avoid the negligent driver. Jaywalking and ignoring traffic signals are just some ways pedestrians might unintentionally contribute to an accident. Since Maryland is a pure contributory fault state, any victim who shares fault for an accident will be barred from recovery entirely.

Documenting Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Elkridge

Pedestrians are at risk of sustaining various life-altering injuries when hit by negligent drivers in Elkridge. Documenting any pedestrian accident injuries will be important for your recovery.

Injuries from pedestrian accidents vary, depending on the point of impact and the speed at which the car was driving. Even low-speed pedestrian accidents could result in soft tissue injuries, lacerations, abrasions, fractures, and contusions. Pedestrians might fall to the ground after cars hit them, sustaining possible head injuries because of the impact of the road.

More serious injuries include internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Victims might not identify internal injuries without medical attention, which could lead to life-threatening complications like internal bleeding.

In light of this, getting immediate medical treatment is crucial for any pedestrian accident victim. Go straight to the hospital and allow emergency room doctors to assess your injuries and suggest the appropriate treatment. You can and should continue to get care for as long as necessary. As you build out your medical records, you also build medical evidence that our pedestrian accident lawyers can use to show the jury how severe your injuries are and how they might impact your quality of life moving forward.

Filing a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Elkridge

Our lawyers can help you initiate your pedestrian accident claim before the statute of limitations in Elkridge so that you do not miss your opportunity to sue.

Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101, victims are held to a three-year filing deadline for pedestrian accident claims. The accrual date for the statute of limitations will likely be the date of the pedestrian accident in question, so you will have three years from that day to sue.

When filing your complaint, our lawyers can name the defendant, outline the general circumstances surrounding the accident, and request your desired compensation. To ensure your request for damages is accurate, our attorneys will refer to your losses stemming from the accident. For example, we can gather and add up all medical bills throughout your treatment and consider your lost wages from the accident.

Victims can also request non-economic damages, which would compensate them for their emotional pain and suffering. According to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 11-108(b)(2), Maryland caps non-economic damages at $935,000, but this limit increases by $15,000 annually.

Negotiating a Fair Pedestrian Accident Settlement in Elkridge

Many pedestrian accident victims want fast access to compensation because their damages are so great. However, if you accept the first settlement offer the defendant proposes, you might not get all the damages you deserve.

Often, defendants give low-ball settlement offers at first. If the plaintiff accepts that low offer, the matter will end there, and the defendant will not have to pay any more than what is promised in the settlement agreement.

Because of this, it is important to approach settlement negotiations strategically. Our attorneys can negotiate with the defendant’s counsel with all of your damages in mind and refuse offers that do not reflect your actual damages. If necessary, we can take your case to court and prove the defendant’s fault at trial so you recover the damages you need from a jury.

Call Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Elkridge Now

Rice, Murtha & Psoras can give you a free case assessment when you call our pedestrian accident lawyers at (410) 694-7291.