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Crosswalk Accidents Can Require a Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer

In today’s busy world, people are often in a rush to get where they are going. Whether they are in a vehicle, or a pedestrian, they are focused on where they are going. When you add in factors such as talking on cell phones, texting, eating, and other multi-tasking that people do both while they are walking and when they are driving, it is no wonder why accidents occur. But sadly, in an accident that involves pedestrians and vehicles, it is almost always the pedestrian who loses.
Maryland laws can be a bit complicated when it comes to crosswalk accidents. It is best for a pedestrian who has been involved in an injury case involving a vehicle to contact a Maryland personal injury lawyer . Some of the nuances of the law can find a pedestrian at fault, leaving them without compensation for their injuries.
There are factors that you should be aware of when crossing the street to protect yourself from injury, and if involved in an accident, that you are protected by the law. Maryland law defines a crosswalk as either marked or unmarked. When a sidewalk would continue in a line if not interrupted by a street, it is considered an unmarked crosswalk. The same laws apply to an unmarked crosswalk as with a marked crosswalk. However, simply crossing in a crosswalk does not always protect a pedestrian. The law also requires that the pedestrian be crossing on the right half of the crosswalk, not cross diagonally unless the crosswalk is specifically marked, with a light giving them the right of way.
While many people may believe that it is the responsibility of a vehicle to not strike a pedestrian, this is not always the case, especially in the instance when a pedestrian is jay-walking. Jay-walking consists of a pedestrian not crossing a street at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. In instances of jay-walking, it is the responsibility of the pedestrian to make sure they are not struck by a vehicle.
Under Maryland’s Contributory Negligence law, a pedestrian who does not follow proper procedure when crossing a street and is injured is not eligible for compensation for their injuries. The party that struck them with their vehicle is not held responsible for the accident. In cases where a crosswalk is not used by a pedestrian and an accident with a vehicle occurs, the pedestrian’s personal injury lawyer must prove that the pedestrian was not negligent in crossing.
If you have been involved in an accident involving a vehicle while a pedestrian, and would like to speak to an attorney, contact us and we would be happy to discuss your case. Legal representation can help ensure that you receive all of the compensation available to you by law.

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