Wheaton, MD Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Nobody wants to get hit by a car. Unfortunately, thousands of pedestrians get hit by motor vehicles every day. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in car accidents since they do not have a vehicle to protect them from the oncoming car or truck.

If you were hit by a motorist while going about your day, you could be burdened with medical expenses and a long road to recovery. Fortunately, our attorneys can help you get justice and the financial compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Call the pedestrian accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free case analysis.

Causes of Car Accidents in Wheaton, MD

Many situations can result in a pedestrian getting hit by a motor vehicle. No two accidents are the same, so the way that your lawsuit will be handled will depend on the specific facts of your case. Our pedestrian accident lawyers can form a legal argument tailored to your unique situation.

Unmarked Crosswalks

Most road crossing areas have white segmented lines indicating where pedestrians are safe to cross. However, not all crossing areas have this feature, and inattentive drivers can easily hit a pedestrian crossing the street in what is supposed to be a designated, safe location. In situations like this, if the driver is not paying attention, a pedestrian can easily be hit.

Speeding

Speeding is a common cause of accidents of all stripes. When a vehicle is moving fast, it is often harder to control, and the driver has less time to react to sudden changes in driving conditions. A faster vehicle also hits harder, so worse injuries are more likely to happen to a pedestrian hit by a speeding vehicle.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving, or driving under the influence, is incredibly dangerous. The most recently published statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 13,384 people died in drunk driving-related accidents in 2021. Intoxication causes poor judgment and slower reaction times, both of which are not conducive to safe driving. Often, the person hit by a drunk driver suffers more severe injuries than the driver, even when both people involved in the accident are in vehicles. This is because the body of the drunk driver is more relaxed and better absorbs the impact.

Quiet Cars

With the ever-increasing number of electric vehicles on the road, cars are not as loud as they used to be. Consequently, you might not hear an electric vehicle coming, and an accident might result.

Pedestrian Car Accident Injuries in Wheaton, MD

Depending on a number of factors, like the size, weight, and speed of the vehicle, a pedestrian could suffer various serious injuries.

Broken Bones

Broken bones, particularly pelvic bones and collar bones, are common in pedestrian car accidents. In addition to resulting from a direct impact, broken bones can also result from so-called crush injuries. Parts of your body could also be crushed if a vehicle rolls over you, requiring serious medical investment to repair.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A sudden impact from a car can dislocate vertebrae and damage the spinal cord. A spinal injury can result in difficulty moving around or even paralysis.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that causes the brain to malfunction in a variety of ways. The result can often be permanent damage or even death. TBIs happen when a person’s head takes a particularly hard impact.

When a pedestrian is hit by a car, there are two impacts. The first is when the car hits the person, and the second is when the person hits the ground. Both of these impacts have the potential to cause traumatic brain injury.

Who to Sue in a Wheaton, MD Car Accident

Depending on the nature of the vehicle that hit you, it could be a good idea to sue entities other than the driver. This is especially true if you were hit by a company vehicle while the driver was working.

Suing the Driver

You should always consider suing the driver of the car that hit you. Often, accidents are caused by a driver being careless. For example, if the driver hit you because they ran a stop sign or a red light, they could be liable for your injuries.

Suing Employers in a Car Accident

If the driver was working when they hit you, you should also sue their employer. The law allows employers to be held responsible for their employee’s negligence on the job so long as the employee was doing a work-related activity. For example, if you got hit by a delivery van while they were on their way to drop off a package, their employer is likely liable for your injuries.

Suing for Poor Road Conditions

Streets in a state of disrepair can contribute to cars hitting pedestrians. Potholes can cause vehicles to swerve off course, and hidden stop signs can mislead drivers into making dangerous driving decisions. If you believe poor road conditions caused your accident, the state or local entity responsible for road maintenance could potentially be liable.

What to Do if You Get Hit by a Car in Wheaton, MD

If you are hit by a motor vehicle, there are steps you can take to make sure you can put the best case forward in a lawsuit. Additionally, some of these steps might help to prevent or mitigate the effects of any injuries you may have received in the accident.

Get Medical Treatment

The first thing you should do is make sure that you are attended to by a medical professional. If emergency medical personnel arrive at the accident site, let them treat you and follow their instructions. If you are able to go about your day after the accident, you should still get medical attention immediately. The excitement of a dangerous experience like a car accident can mask serious injuries for a time, and getting medical help ensures that potentially life-threatening injuries do not go untreated.

Afterward, your lawyer can help you obtain medical records about the treatments you received because of the accident.

Document the Accident

Get as much information collected about the car accident as you can. Obtain the insurance information and license plate number of the driver who hit you. Take photos of the location where the car hit you and any surrounding streets. All of this information is important when building a case in a car accident lawsuit.

Additionally, make sure that you file a police report. While it cannot typically be used in evidence, it can help your lawyer make a better argument on your behalf.

Call Our Wheaton, MD Lawyers Today

Get in touch with our pedestrian accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to talk about your case.