North Bethesda Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Suffering a pedestrian accident can be a highly traumatic experience. When pedestrians are struck by negligent drivers, severe injuries can occur. In some cases, victims may even sustain fatal harm.

Motorists can be sued for pedestrian accidents that result from their negligent behavior. However, the process for pursuing claims can be complicated and tiresome. Defendants often attempt to dispute important elements of victims’ cases.

After suffering a harmful pedestrian accident in North Bethesda, MD, seek support from our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras by dialing (410) 694-7291 today.

Filing a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in North Bethesda, MD

There are several conditions that must be satisfied when filing a pedestrian accident case in Maryland. First, you have to bring your claim to court on time. The time limit for filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit is governed by Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101. Therefore, you will typically have three years from the date your accident to file your case. Failure to act in accordance with this deadline could cause you to miss out on important financial compensation.

Despite potentially having three years to file your claim, you should begin working on your case as soon as possible. Relevant evidence can deteriorate or become lost over time. Accordingly, the sooner you get in touch with our pedestrian accident lawyers, the more efficiently our team can collect the information needed to win your case.

In addition to filing your case on time, there are multiple other requirements that must be adhered to. As an example, you have to file in right jurisdiction, pay necessary filing fees, attach supporting documents, and serve all named defendants. If any of these requirements are not met, you may have to re-file your case.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in North Bethesda, MD

Many pedestrian accidents happen because of drivers’ negligence. One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving. Motorists can distract themselves by taking their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or attention away from the task of driving. Some activities like using a GPS or texting will involve all three types of distraction. While distracted, motorists are prone to making reckless maneuvers like running red lights and making improper left turns.

Additionally, speeding is a common cause of pedestrian accidents. While travelling at high speeds, drivers may be unable to notice pedestrians crossing the roadway. Further, speeding drivers are prone to veering from their lanes and ignoring traffic signals. Fortunately, they can be held responsible for pedestrian accidents they cause.

Finally, drunk driving is another common source of pedestrian accidents. Drunk drivers will exhibit poor decision-making abilities, blurry vision, and delayed reaction times. Accordingly, drunk drivers are also prone to striking pedestrians that they do not notice in the roadway. These accidents often happen at night but can still occur while the sun is up. If you suspect that you were struck by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to monetary damages for the harm you endured.

Examples of Evidence Used to Prove Fault for Pedestrian Accidents in North Bethesda, MD

In order for your pedestrian accident lawsuit to prevail, you must be able to prove that it occurred as the result of the defendant’s careless or reckless behavior. There are several types of evidence that may be utilized. For instance, eyewitness testimony can be highly valuable when establishing fault for a pedestrian accident. Eyewitnesses can offer both written and oral statements that explain why or how collisions occurred. Accordingly, you should always attempt to exchange contact information with eyewitnesses to your pedestrian accident if you can.

Evidence from the scene of your accident can also be useful. Physical evidence like broken car parts can be matched with the defendant’s vehicle to identify them as the at-fault driver. Photos from your accident’s scene can also be used to determine factors that contributed to your crash.

Furthermore, after any pedestrian accident that causes an injury, a police officer should visit the scene to create an accident report. These reports are often among the first documents analyzed by lawyers and insurers when assessing fault. They can point our legal team in the direction of useful evidence and help us obtain a general idea of how your crash happened. For instance, your accident report may contain statements from drivers, statements from witnesses, or a drawn crash diagram.

After some accidents, expert witness testimony can help establish who is to blame. Witnesses are considered experts if they have completed the requisite training, education, and experience in their respective fields. They are usually used to explain complex theories of fault. As an example, an accident reconstruction expert may be summoned to identify who is at-fault for a collision that occurred at an intersection.

Finally, surveillance footage can also be used to prove fault for pedestrian accidents. In many cases, private security cameras positioned on nearby buildings can help demonstrate the events that unfolded before, during, and after pedestrian accidents. Also, some cars are equipped with dashboard cameras that may record pedestrians being struck. Therefore, after suffering a pedestrian accident, you should begin searching for relevant surveillance footage as quickly as possible.

What if You Share Fault for Your Pedestrian Accident in North Bethesda, MD?

If you share some of the blame for your pedestrian accident, then you will be unable to file a lawsuit. Maryland courts abide by the strict rules of contributory negligence. This means that victims cannot recover monetary damages if they share even the slightest degree of fault for their pedestrian accidents.

Many defendants in pedestrian accident cases attempt to shift blame onto plaintiffs in order to avoid paying for the damages they caused. Still, you should not let this deter you from pursuing compensation for your injuries.

Victims of Pedestrian Accidents in North Bethesda, MD, Can Contact Our Law Firm for Help

Get support from our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras by calling (410) 694-7291.