Maryland Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws

Maryland law outlines specific rules regarding pedestrian right-of-way, both in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Here’s a breakdown:

Marked Crosswalks: In marked crosswalks, pedestrians generally have the right-of-way. Drivers must yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk.
Unmarked Crosswalks: At intersections without marked crosswalks, an unmarked crosswalk exists as an extension of the sidewalk. Pedestrians still have the right-of-way, but drivers must only yield if the pedestrian is already in the roadway or close enough to present an immediate hazard.
General Duty of Care: Regardless of crosswalk markings, drivers always have a duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians. This includes being attentive, controlling speed, and obeying traffic signals.

Common Causes of Maryland Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often result from driver negligence. Common causes include:

Distracted Driving: Cell phone use, texting, eating, or adjusting the radio can divert a driver’s attention, leading to tragic accidents.
Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of a collision.
Failure to Yield: Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks is a major cause.
Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs severely impairs judgment and coordination.
Poor Visibility: Weather conditions, such as rain, fog, or darkness, can reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents.
Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, running red lights, and other aggressive behaviors can lead to collisions.

The Impact of Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Law

Maryland follows the strict doctrine of contributory negligence. This means that if you, as the pedestrian, are found even slightly at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. For example, if you crossed the street against a ‘Do Not Walk’ signal, even if the driver was speeding, you might not be able to recover damages.

This is a critical aspect of Maryland law, and it makes having experienced legal representation even more important. An attorney can thoroughly investigate the accident to establish fault and protect your rights.

The Importance of Seeking Legal Advice

After a pedestrian accident, seeking legal advice is strongly recommended. An experienced Maryland personal injury attorney can:

Investigate the Accident: Gather evidence, interview witnesses, and reconstruct the accident scene to determine fault.
Navigate Contributory Negligence: Build a strong case to minimize or eliminate any finding of fault on your part.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Deal with insurance adjusters and fight for a fair settlement.
File a Lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Understand the full extent of your damages: including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Don’t face the legal complexities of a pedestrian accident claim alone. Contact a qualified Maryland personal injury attorney to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Next Steps

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Maryland, remember these key steps:

Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the priority. Get a thorough medical evaluation.
Document Everything: Keep records of medical bills, police reports, photos of the scene, and any communication related to the accident.
Consult an Attorney: Contact a Maryland personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case and legal options.

Understanding your rights and taking proactive steps can make a significant difference in the outcome of your pedestrian accident claim.

Contact the Law Office of David Wasser

If you’ve been injured in a work accident or car accident, don’t settle for less than you deserve. Understanding the complexities of injury claims can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this process alone.

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The information contained in this article is general in nature and is not offered as legal advice or medical advice for any particular situation nor do they in any way create a legal relationship. The opinions and conclusions in this blog post are solely those of the author, are for general informational purposes only and not directed at any specific case or to be construed as legal advice. Any links provided by the author in this article are for informational purposes only and by doing so, the author does not adopt or incorporate their contents. The Law Office of David Wasser operates throughout Maryland and Washington D.C., including Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Potomac, Germantown, Frederick, Hagerstown, and Baltimore.

Our writers used secondary sources when writing this accident news post. These sources include but are not limited to local news sources, local and state police reports, social media posts, and eyewitness accounts about accidents that take place in and around Maryland and Washington, D.C. We have not independently verified all of the facts surrounding this accident, therefore, if you find any information that is not correct, please contact The Law Office of David Wasser immediately so that we can update the post. The photo used in this post was not taken at the accident scene.

Maryland Pedestrian Accident Claims