Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Owings Mills

Pedestrian accidents are almost always devastating. When a motor vehicle weighing several thousand pounds strikes a person on foot, the pedestrian will bear the brunt of the crash every time. 

These accidents have an alarmingly high rate of injuries and fatalities, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation. In recent years, more than 92 percent of all pedestrian accidents resulted in injury or death. Pedestrians have no protection from the extreme forces of a motor vehicle crash, so it’s no wonder these accidents can result in severe, catastrophic, or fatal injuries. 

If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in Owings Mills, you may be entitled to significant compensation from the at-fault party. Contact the personal injury lawyers of Cohen & Dwin, P.A. right away to discuss your rights and legal options.

Types of Pedestrian Accidents in Owings Mills

Common types of pedestrian accidents in Owings Mills and other parts of Maryland include:

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Owings Mills

Every accident is different, but many pedestrian accidents share a handful of common factors, such as:

• Distracted drivers who are texting or talking on cell phones instead of watching the road
• Drunk drivers who are too disoriented or slow to respond behind the wheel
• Drowsy drivers who nod off at the wheel and drift out of designated traffic lanes
• Negligent drivers who execute left-hand turns without checking for pedestrians
• Drivers who are speeding or attempting to beat red lights at intersections
• Drivers who fail to yield the right of way at crosswalks or unmarked intersections
• Drivers who back out of driveways or parking spaces without looking behind themselves first
• Drivers who pass other vehicles that stop to allow pedestrians to cross roadways

Common Injuries in Pedestrian Vehicle Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries that are frequently life-changing or even fatal. Some common injuries caused by pedestrian accidents include:

Compensation for Victims of Owings Mills Pedestrian Accidents

There is no magic formula that can tell you exactly how much your pedestrian accident claim could be worth. However, a knowledgeable attorney can help you determine the types of losses you may receive compensation for, including:

• Medical bills – The costs of any medical attention you require to treat your accident-related injuries
• Future medical expenses – The expected future costs of any long-term medical treatment you need to recover from accident-related injuries
• Lost income – The wage losses you suffer if your accident-related injuries prevent you from returning to work
• Lost future earning potential – Any losses to your future earning potential if you suffer long-term disability because of your accident-related injuries
• Pain and suffering – The subjective costs of physical pain, psychological suffering, or emotional distress caused by the accident
• Loss of quality of life – Subjective losses in your quality of life, companionship with loved ones, or ability to participate in the activities you used to enjoy 
• Incidental costs – Any costs you incur as a result of your accident-related injuries, such as travel expenses or home accessibility modifications

What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Owings Mills, MD?

If you are involved in a pedestrian accident in Owings Mills, the legal team at Cohen & Dwin, P.A., recommends taking the following steps to protect your rights:

• Seek immediate medical attention and follow through on any treatment or medication plans prescribed by your doctor.
• Write down everything you can recall about how the crash occurred while it is still fresh in your mind.
• Take photos of any visible injuries you sustained in the accident.
• Ask for statements and contact information from any witnesses who were present.
• Keep a record of your medical bills and any other costs you incur as a result of the accident.
• Start a “pain journal” to create a daily record of the intensity of your pain and any limitations you experience because of your accident-related injuries.
• Do not provide recorded or written statements to the driver’s insurance company.
• Avoid speaking with the driver’s insurance company without a lawyer.
• Avoid discussing the accident with others or posting on social media while your accident claim is pending.
• Contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney for a free consultation.

Maryland Pedestrian Laws

Several Maryland laws apply to pedestrians and drivers who travel near pedestrians.

Drivers are expected to:

• Come to a complete stop for pedestrians in crosswalks who are approaching or walking on the same half of the roadway as the vehicle.
• Yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian lawfully in a crosswalk.
• Refrain from passing other vehicles that stop to allow pedestrians to cross.
• Stop at clearly marked stop lines at intersections.
• Exercise “due care” to avoid colliding with pedestrians, including by taking necessary precautions around child pedestrians or pedestrians who appear confused or incapacitated.

Pedestrians have several responsibilities of their own.

Under Maryland law, pedestrians are required to:

• Obey all traffic signals, including pedestrian control signals and stop lights.
• Yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing the roadway at any location other than a designated, marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
• Cross intersections only at marked crosswalks when walking through intersections with operational traffic control signals.
• Refrain from crossing diagonally at intersections unless authorized to do so by traffic control signals.
• Refrain from walking along roadways when sidewalks are available.
• When no sidewalks are available, walk facing traffic along the left shoulder or left-hand side of the roadway.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Owings Mills Today

Our compassionate and relentless attorneys have been fighting for the rights of injured victims since 1977. Cohen & Dwin, P.A. are committed to pursuing fair results and handling every detail of your claim while you focus on your health. 

To speak with a skilled attorney about your case, contact us now to get started with a free case review.