Busy streets can create unique hazards for pedestrians, such as narrow sidewalks that force people into the roadway. Other factors, including poor nighttime visibility and inadequate crosswalk placement, can put these individuals at further risk. Because pedestrians lack protection against impact, collisions involving pedestrians and motor vehicles often result in long-term or fatal injuries, requiring financial coverage for medical costs, lost earnings, and emotional losses. As a result, these lawsuits are frequently more demanding than those dealing with typical car-to-car collisions.
Burnett Injury Group’s team of personal injury attorneys routinely handles severe injury and wrongful death lawsuits stemming from pedestrian collisions. If you or a loved one has been struck as a pedestrian or cyclist, contact an experienced Annapolis pedestrian accident lawyer from our team for help pursuing appropriate legal action.
Establishing the at-fault party’s negligence involves proving they failed to yield, were distracted, or violated traffic laws, such as running a red light, making an improper turn, or speeding.
Reports from the Annapolis police department, traffic camera footage, and eyewitness accounts all serve as key sources of evidence that a lawyer could use in a pedestrian accident case. However, insurance companies routinely argue pedestrian liability, especially in incidents involving crosswalk rules or visibility issues. The state’s strict contributory negligence standard makes it especially important to present a solid case, as you could be barred from recovering compensation if you are found partially responsible for causing your injuries.
Insurance companies often attempt to obtain recorded statements from injured pedestrians or pressure them into accepting low settlement offers. These insurers work quickly, sometimes within just 24 hours of a crash, to gather information that shifts blame away from their client. Because state laws bar financial recovery if a person is even one percent at fault for their injuries, handling insurance communications on your own could jeopardize your entire case.
Our Annapolis attorneys communicate with insurers throughout pedestrian collision cases, preventing manipulative questioning, protecting your rights under the Maryland Code of Insurance § 27-303, and ensuring the evidence presented supports your full financial recovery.
When a crash results in the death of a pedestrian, family members can typically file a wrongful death lawsuit under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3–904. This statute allows a spouse, parents, and children to pursue compensation for lost financial support, companionship, and funeral expenses.
Lawyers can also file something known as a survival action on behalf of the decedent’s estate to recover damages they could have claimed if they had lived. If a vehicle–pedestrian collision caused the death of a loved one, our lawyers have experience in Annapolis court proceedings and can guide you through the legal process.
At Burnett Injury Group, we combine aggressive legal strategy with genuine compassion for the people we represent. With millions recovered for wrongful death beneficiaries and the estates of the deceased, our firm has a proven record of delivering results. If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle while walking, an Annapolis pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.