Maryland Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Who Handle Complex Claims

If you were hit by a car, our attorneys can demand accountability

Pedestrian injury claims in Maryland often quickly turn into complicated legal cases. Sometimes, it’s because the driver who hit you in a crosswalk or while walking alongside a street denies doing anything wrong. Other times, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that’s the problem, especially if they deny your claim and refuse to pay you.

Meanwhile, you’re probably in a lot of pain. Medical expenses can add up fast, so can other expenses too. And if a driver hit you with their car, it’s their responsibility – not yours – to pay for your injury-related expenses. This is why it’s critical that you have an experienced Maryland pedestrian accident attorney on your side, standing up for your rights.

Our dedicated legal team at Goldberg Finnegan in Silver Spring can help you every step of the way. We understand how the legal system works. We know which laws apply to pedestrian accident claims. Our work has also taught us which legal strategies can often be the most effective. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success. Case results matter here.

Maryland pedestrian accidents by the numbers

129 pedestrian accident fatalities each year in Maryland on average.
9 percent increase in Maryland pedestrian deaths in the past decade.
2,785 pedestrian accident injuries each year in Maryland on average.
Every 3 hours and 9 seconds – pedestrian injury occurs in Maryland.

Source: Maryland Department of Transportation

Why do pedestrian accidents happen?

Pedestrian accidents often occur because the driver who hit the pedestrian was driving in a negligent manner. Specific reasons why often include:

Speeding drivers who don't have time to slow down and avoid hitting a pedestrian.
Aggressive drivers who don’t share the road, especially in cases involving pedestrians hit in a crosswalk.
Distracted drivers or texting drivers who don’t see pedestrians in a crosswalk or walking alongside a road.
Drunk drivers unaware of their surroundings who lose control of their car and hit a pedestrian.
Drowsy drivers who hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk or veer off the road and hit someone walking.

What are common pedestrian injuries?

Pedestrian injuries can be serious and often require emergency medical care, including surgery. Such injuries can cover a wide range, including:

Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Head injuries, including skull fractures.
Neck injuries, including fractured vertebrae in the neck.
Back injuries, including spinal cord injuries.
Bone fractures, especially broken bones in the hands and arms.
Internal injuries, including organ damage and internal bleeding.

What should I do if I was hit by a car?

Every pedestrian accident is different, but in many cases, pedestrian accident injury victims need to take certain steps right away to protect their health and their legal rights. Please note – if you are seriously injured, ask someone else to do these steps on your behalf while you get the emergency medical attention you need.

Such steps often include:

Call the police and tell them you have been hit by a car.
Ask the police dispatcher to send an ambulance. That way, an emergency medical technician (EMT) can examine you right away or you can be transported to the nearest emergency room hospital, especially if you have a life-threatening injury.
Get the driver’s personal information, including the driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number and insurance information.
Share the same information with the driver but don’t discuss your accident. Your statements could later be used to deny your pedestrian injury claim.
If someone saw your pedestrian accident, get their name and phone number immediately. Eyewitness statements for pedestrian accidents can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
Take pictures of your accident scene. Make sure if possible to get photos of the vehicle that hit you before the vehicle is moved. Also take pictures of any nearby traffic signs, storefronts, weather conditions and lighting conditions.
Many pedestrian accidents occur in busy, downtown locations. Many of these locations have traffic cameras and security cameras. If so, get a copy of the video of your accident right away before such video footage is destroyed.
Ask the investigating police officer for their name and badge number so you can call them later if necessary to get information about your accident or a copy of your official Maryland accident report.
Call a Maryland pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.

Pedestrian accident compensation

Maryland has an at-fault insurance system when it comes to accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles. This means the at-fault party is responsible for paying injury victims for all their accident expenses.

So, if a driver hit you and caused injuries, the at-fault party would be the driver. However, technically speaking, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that’s directly responsible for paying for your accident.

Who’s at fault in a pedestrian accident?

Accidents involving drivers and pedestrians can be contentious. Many times, drivers try to blame pedestrians for causing such accidents. But the reality is most pedestrian accidents are caused by drivers.

But just because the driver is at-fault does not mean these cases are straightforward. Proving that a driver caused your pedestrian accident can often be very difficult. This is especially true if the driver’s insurance company takes a hard line and denies your injury claim.

This is why it’s important to have an experienced Maryland pedestrian accident attorney handling your case. Your lawyer can gather evidence showing that the driver was at fault, making your injury claim or lawsuit a stronger legal case.

How much is my pedestrian accident claim worth?

Remember, Maryland has an at-fault insurance system. So, if a driver caused your pedestrian accident, that driver’s insurance company should pay for all your injury-related expenses, including:

Cost of all medical care, including emergency medical treatment and future medical procedures.
Replacement income if you need time off from work to rest and recover due to your injury.
Lost future income if you are unable to return to work due to a permanent disability sustained in your pedestrian accident.
Pain and suffering in certain circumstances.

Can I file a pedestrian accident lawsuit?

Yes. If a driver hit you and caused your pedestrian accident, you can file a pedestrian accident lawsuit against the driver seeking damages, the legal term for financial compensation. In most cases, injury victims have three (3) years to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations as described in Maryland Code Section 5-109.

However, just because you have three years doesn’t mean you should wait that long to take legal action. The longer you wait, the harder it often is to find the evidence you need to build a strong legal case.

For example, video footage might be destroyed soon after your accident. Eyewitnesses who saw your accident might move away or forget what happened. This is why it’s important to have a lawyer on your side, gathering evidence in support of your pedestrian injury lawsuit.

Take the first step. Contact our Silver Spring law firm

Pedestrian injury claims and lawsuits in Maryland often quickly turn into complicated legal cases. Our dedicated Silver Spring legal team knows how to handle such challenging cases and can make sure your claim receives the attention it rightfully deserves.

Put your trust in a Maryland pedestrian accident lawyer who puts your needs first. Contact our Silver Spring law firm and schedule your free case evaluation. We handle cases throughout Maryland, especially accidents that occur in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, Frederick County, Charles County, and other nearby communities.