Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian Accident Personal Injury Attorney
In 2023, Maryland recorded 161 fatal pedestrian accidents, an 18% increase over 2022. That’s the second-highest increase in the nation. From 2017 to 2021, one out of every four people killed in a Maryland traffic accident was a pedestrian.
Pedestrians are, without doubt, the most vulnerable users of our roads. Motorcyclists and bicyclists have their helmets. Passenger vehicle drivers, even in the smallest sedan, have the comfort of a steel body protecting them from impact, and the safety of features, like seatbelts and airbags. A pedestrian has nothing to protect him or her from serious injuries in the event of an accident.
It isn’t uncommon to encounter accident scenes where a pedestrian struck by a passenger vehicle – even one traveling at moderate speeds – is thrown at least 100 feet away from the point of impact. Crashing down to the ground after an impact like this, can place a pedestrian at serious risk for life-altering injuries, like spinal cord injuries and head injuries.
In any accident involving a passenger vehicle and a pedestrian, it is the pedestrian who is at an overwhelmingly higher risk of being seriously injured.
Unfortunately, many cities in Maryland simply haven’t been designed with pedestrians in mind. The lack of such pedestrian-friendly communities means a much higher risk of being injured in accidents.
The most common causes of pedestrian accidents are:
- Driver inattention – all drivers must look out for pedestrians, especially at intersections.
- Alcohol use, which is linked to 48% of fatal pedestrian accidents.
- Failure to pay attention to pedestrian crosswalks.
- Speeding drivers who fail to stop in time after they spot a pedestrian.
- Poorly designed roads that do not make it easy or safe for pedestrians to cross.
There’s very little that you can do as a pedestrian to control motorist behavior. However, you can increase your chances of surviving an accident, or lower the chances of being involved in an accident, by:
- Crossing only at marked and designated crosswalks
- Wearing highly visible clothing
- Wearing reflective clothing at night, or sticking reflective tape on your clothing
- Avoiding dark-colored clothing at night
- Avoiding walking in poor weather
- Avoiding walking alone – People who walk in groups may be more visible to motorists
- Avoiding distractions while walking
Every situation is unique. If you have questions about an accident you’ve been involved in, Contact Us.