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Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Baltimore, which is a highly walkable city, has an estimated 140,000 commuters travel through the city daily. The combination of pedestrians walking throughout the city and the high volume of commuters heightens the risk of a pedestrian accident. These types of crashes almost always result in serious and even fatal injuries. You will need a skilled Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer to help you with the claims process following your injury.

If you or a loved one has been injured while walking in Baltimore, Maryland, contact a Regan Zambri Long pedestrian accident lawyer right away. We are confident our experienced lawyers will negotiate a settlement or verdict in your favor.

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What Are Maryland Pedestrian Traffic Laws?

Baltimore pedestrian traffic laws apply to both drivers and pedestrians and are meant to keep the residents of the city as safe as possible. Violating a motor vehicle law that puts a pedestrian in harm’s way can cost the driver a $2,000 fine.

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Maryland’s pedestrian safety laws for drivers include:

  • Motorists must come to a complete stop when a pedestrian is in the crosswalk.
  • Motorists cannot pass another vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
  • Motorists must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk when turning at a green signal.
  • A motorist cannot block a crosswalk.
  • When turning right at a red light, a driver must yield to all pedestrians on both roadways.

Maryland’s safety laws for pedestrians include:

  • If an intersection has walk signals, pedestrians can only enter the roadway at the designated time.
  • Pedestrians cannot walk into a roadway when the signal reads “Do Not Walk.”  This even applies when there are no motorists on the road!
  • Pedestrians must use sidewalks when they are available. If there are no sidewalks available, Baltimore pedestrians must use the shoulder facing traffic.
  • Pedestrians must give vehicles the right of way in any situation other than a crosswalk.

Although those laws were created for Baltimore residents’ safety, Baltimore still has the highest number of pedestrian accidents in the state of Maryland.

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The Common Causes of Baltimore Pedestrian Accidents

Accidents happen for all kinds of reasons. While some of them cannot be avoided, many pedestrian accidents are a result of negligence. Negligence is the failure to take proper care in doing something. All motorists have a duty to drive as safely as possible while traveling throughout the city of Baltimore. If they fail to do so and cause a pedestrian accident, they are fully liable for the accident.

The four most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Baltimore are:

  • Speeding: Speeding always increases the chance of an accident. When a vehicle (especially a larger commercial truck) is speeding, it makes it harder for the driver to slow down, especially suddenly. If a car is speeding down a street and a pedestrian steps out into the crosswalk suddenly, the driver may not be able to slow down in time.
  • Distracted driving: Anything that takes the driver’s focus off the road is considered distracted driving. Phone usage, eating, putting on makeup, or talking with another passenger can take the driver’s eyes and focus off the road. This can make for unsafe roadways for a driver and unsafe crosswalks for a pedestrian.
  • Failure to yield to pedestrians: Although it’s law in Maryland to yield to pedestrians, not all drivers follow that law. If a motorist doesn’t stop when a pedestrian is crossing the road, he or she could cause a devastating accident.
  • Failing to obey crosswalk laws: Just like it is important for motorists to follow Baltimore law, it is equally as important for pedestrians to follow the law. Pedestrians must adhere to the “walk” and “do not walk” signals at crosswalks.

Other causes of pedestrian accidents include:

  • Unsupervised children (running into the road suddenly)
  • Poor weather conditions
  • Malfunctioning crosswalk signals
  • Lack of motor vehicle maintenance (faulty brakes)
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What Injuries Result From a Pedestrian Accident?

A pedestrian’s injuries are often worse than a motorist’s injuries in the event of an accident. Not only do pedestrians suffer an initial blow from the impact with a car, but he or she can also suffer a second injury when they hit the pavement after being struck by the car.

Injuries pedestrians may suffer after a motor vehicle crash are:

Spinal Cord Injuries

A person’s spinal cord is responsible for sending and receiving signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Your ability to move comes from the spinal cord. If the spinal cord is injured in a pedestrian accident, the victim may be partially or completely paralyzed.

Living with the consequences of a spinal cord injury can cost an individual or family hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. After the initial emergency services, surgeries, and treatment, many victims will need therapy, medical professionals, and around-the-clock care for the rest of their lives. Significant adaptations are necessary in their home. It is also likely the victim may not be able to return to their normal job.

According to the Christopher Reeve Foundation, the initial cost of a spinal cord injury is over $1 million. The subsequent cost is $184,000 per year.

Brain Injuries

There are several different types of brain injuries a pedestrian accident victim can sustain. A concussion is a common injury after an accident. A concussion is temporary unconsciousness or confusion caused by a blow to the head. While these injuries can be considered “mild” by medical standards, they should be taken extremely seriously. Headaches, trouble concentrating, and other medical problems can trouble the victim for years after the accident.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are severe head injuries that occur from pedestrian accidents. A traumatic brain injury can result in torn brain tissue, a brain bleed, or other physical damage to the brain. In the most severe cases, a TBI victim will experience seizures, loss of coordination, slurred speech, and profound confusion. In some cases, a TBI will result in brain death.

Besides the physical and emotional toll of living with a traumatic brain injury, the financial cost can be more than $3 million in the victim’s lifespan. Most people that suffer from a TBI need significant rehabilitation and can never return to work.

Broken Bones

Broken bones can be extremely painful and can affect the quality of life of the person for years to come. After a severe break, a pedestrian accident victim may never have full range of motion in the affected body part.

A broken bone requires emergency medical intervention, multiple X-rays, and possibly surgery. The average surgery cost for a broken bone can cost the victim around $20,000.

Burns

When a pedestrian accident victim hits the ground after being struck, they can sustain something called road rash. Road rash is a skin abrasion that involves scraping of the skin. Extreme road rash can cause excruciatingly painful burns.

Burns require specialized care. In addition to medical bills, the victim may incur travel costs in order to get the care they need. These costs are not covered by insurance – they come directly out of the accident victim’s pocket. Plane tickets, hotel stays, travel meals, and gas will all be additional costs to the victim’s piling medical bills.

Lacerations

Lacerations are cuts and scrapes that occur from a pedestrian accident. Deep cuts from broken glass, car metal, and road rash can lead to serious infections and permanent scarring. In addition to medical intervention, the victim may require prescriptions and ongoing medical care.

We know this information can seem overwhelming. However, a Regan Zambri Long pedestrian accident lawyer will work to ensure you are compensated for all current and future medical bills from your accident. Call today for a free consultation to discuss your case and all your legal options.

How Can I Prove My Pedestrian Accident Case in Baltimore?

The Regan Zambri Long law firm has been serving the residents of Baltimore for over three decades. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience. We have won millions for our clients and are confident we can do the same for you.

Our attorneys believe that knowledge is power. We keep our clients informed of their cases every step of the way. To better equip you during the process, we help our clients understand how we put together and prove a winning pedestrian accident case.

Determine Liability

Personal injury cases are not always straightforward. Some may involve one liable party and one victim. Others may involve multiple liable parties and several victims. Our job, as lawyers, is to determine the liable party or parties that caused your accident.

The most common negligent parties that cause pedestrian accidents are:

  • The car or truck driver
  • The car manufacturer
  • The truck company
  • Local and state governments
  • Sign or signal manufacturer
  • Homeowners or landscaping companies

We will examine every possible party whose negligence led to your accident and we will hold each of them accountable.

Filing Your Claim

The next step in a pedestrian accident case is to formally file a personal injury claim. In Baltimore, the victim has three years from the date of the accident to file their claim. While this may seem like a long time, if the claim is not filed within that time frame, you will lose the right to collect any compensation for your accident.

Your Regan Zambri Long pedestrian accident attorney will make sure your claim is filed correctly and on time.

Proving Negligence

All personal injury lawsuits depend on one thing – negligence. After we determine which party or parties are responsible for your accident, we will build your case by proving the defendant was negligent and that his or her negligence directly led to your pedestrian accident.

The four steps of proving negligence are:

  • Prove duty of care was owed to you.
  • Show that the other party neglected to perform this duty of care.
  • Prove that this negligence caused the accident.
  • The plaintiff must show that the defendant’s actions caused damages.

Establishing negligence in Baltimore can be complicated. Maryland is one of the few states that still practice contributory negligence. Contributory negligence is a regulation that prohibits the victim from collecting compensation if he or she had any responsibility in the accident. If you are found to be at fault for any part of the accident, even a small percentage, then you will not be able to recover damages.

Our lawyers work with leading experts to build a case that will result in a favorable settlement or verdict. Regan Zambri Long has the financial backing to hire medical consultants, expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, and other legal experts to make sure we prove you bore no responsibility in your accident.

We will work with the local police department, obtain the accident report, speak to eyewitnesses, and review any photos or footage from the accident. No stone will be left unturned. Our pedestrian accident lawyers are fierce negotiators and expert trial lawyers. We will make sure your case is solid before we begin negotiations with the insurance company.

Establishing Damages

Finally, your attorney will establish the damages you should receive for the injuries sustained in your accident. Everything, from the severity of your injuries to the location of your accident, will come into play when we seek damages.

Your lawyer will seek fair compensation for:

  • All current and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional anguish

While there is no way to estimate how much you will recover, you can rest assured that your pedestrian accident lawyer will seek the maximum compensation.

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If I Lost a Loved One in a Pedestrian Accident, Can I Sue?

Tragically, many pedestrian accidents result in the death of the victim. In 2020 alone, 130 pedestrians were killed across the state of Maryland. When a loved one dies prematurely, the family is not only left with unimaginable grief but also specific financial burdens. Our lawyers understand the last thing on your mind is a lawsuit. However, seeking fair compensation after a loved one dies due to negligence can help secure your family’s financial future so you have time to grieve and heal properly.

If your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, we will help the family recover the following costs:

If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in Baltimore, or you were injured in an accident, the Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596

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