Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Baltimore

Boutique Firm Attention for Injured Pedestrians & Bicycle Riders

A pedestrian or bicyclist can be seriously injured when struck by a car, truck, or SUV, even at a relatively low speed. Broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, psychological harm, and fatal injuries can result. After a collision, early review of the crossing location, traffic signals, visibility, vehicle movement, witness accounts, photographs, video, and medical records can be critical to evaluating fault before an insurer settles on its version of events.

At Miller Stern Lawyers LLC, we handle bicycle and pedestrian personal injury cases in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County, and throughout Maryland.

Call us at (410) 529-3476 for a free consultation about your pedestrian or bicycle accident claim.

Understanding the Impact of Bicycle Accident Injuries

The difference in size and weight between a motor vehicle and a bicycle can leave riders with severe, debilitating injuries. A helmet and knee or elbow pads offer limited protection against the force of impact.

Our Baltimore bicycle accident attorneys take on cases involving:

• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Amputation or loss of limb
• Fatal bicycle accidents

Pedestrian Accident Injuries & Long-Term Effects

Pedestrians have little protection from the initial impact of a vehicle or the secondary impact with the roadway. These collisions may cause broken bones, crush injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, internal injuries, amputation, permanent impairment, or fatal harm. Treatment may involve emergency care, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing assistance at home.

A pedestrian accident claim may also need to address missed work, reduced earning capacity, transportation difficulties, emotional distress, disfigurement, and changes in family responsibilities. Our pedestrian accident lawyers examine both the documented expenses and the ways an injury affects a client’s independence, relationships, and daily life.

How Fault Is Evaluated in Maryland Pedestrian Accidents

Fault depends on where and how the collision occurred, what each person could see, and which traffic controls applied. Under Maryland Transportation section 21-502, a driver generally must stop for a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the vehicle’s half of the roadway or approaching closely from an adjacent lane. The same law also addresses situations in which a pedestrian enters the path of a vehicle that is too close for the driver to yield.

Insurers may examine whether the pedestrian used a crosswalk, followed the traffic signal, remained visible, or entered traffic suddenly. They may also investigate whether the driver was speeding, distracted, turning without yielding, or otherwise failed to respond safely. No single detail determines every case, so crosswalk rules and pedestrian conduct must be assessed in context.

Maryland follows contributory negligence, a doctrine under which a finding that an injured person contributed to the collision can prevent recovery. That makes photographs, video, witness statements, signal timing, lighting conditions, and the positions of the pedestrian and vehicle particularly important when responding to fault arguments.

Common Pedestrian & Bicycle Collision Scenarios

Pedestrian and bicycle crashes often involve distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, poor visibility, or a failure to yield. Other collisions occur when turning vehicles cross a pedestrian’s path, motorists ignore traffic signals, drivers open doors into bicycle lanes, or vehicles move through parking areas without checking for people nearby.

Evidence used to investigate a collision may include:

• Scene evidence: Photographs, vehicle damage, roadway markings, lighting conditions, and traffic-control information
• Independent accounts: Police reports, witness information, traffic video, and nearby security footage
• Loss documentation: Medical records, employment records, expense records, and applicable insurance policies

Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include a negligent driver, a vehicle owner, an employer whose driver was working, or a commercial or rideshare company. Hit-and-run collisions may also require prompt review of available uninsured motorist coverage.

Compensation After a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident

No amount of money can erase a serious injury or make up for the loss of someone close to you, but a personal injury claim can seek compensation for the financial and personal harm caused by the collision.

Depending on the facts, recoverable damages may include:

• Medical bills
• Ongoing medical treatment
• Physical therapy
• In-home care
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Lost earnings
• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life

When we evaluate your losses, we look not only at the bills you have already received but also at the long-term impact of the accident on your health, employment, and family responsibilities. We also listen carefully to how the accident has affected your daily activities, relationships, and hobbies, and we use this information to support your claim for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Collision

Seek medical attention and report the crash when appropriate. Preserve photographs, witness information, medical records, wage records, and correspondence from insurers. Avoid accepting a settlement before the nature of your injuries, future treatment needs, and accident-related losses have been evaluated.

During a free consultation, we discuss the extent of your injuries and your legal options. We review the accident evidence, medical documentation, lost income, future expenses, non-economic harm, and available insurance. If litigation becomes necessary, every member of our team participates in preparing the case for court.

Maryland personal injury actions generally must be filed within three years from the date the claim accrues, unless another provision applies. Claims involving government entities and certain other circumstances may require earlier notice or action, so the three-year period shouldn’t be treated as an absolute deadline for every case.

Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident Claim

If you were injured while walking or cycling, or if your family lost a loved one, contact Miller Stern Lawyers LLC for a free evaluation. Our pedestrian accident attorneys can examine the evidence, explain the issues affecting your claim, and help you determine an appropriate next step. Our No Fee Unless We Win policy means you don’t pay an attorney fee unless we obtain compensation for you.

Call us at (410) 529-3476 to discuss a Baltimore pedestrian or bicycle accident. Services are available in English, Hebrew, and Spanish.