Walking is an alternative and environmentally friendly means of transportation. Although choosing to walk rather than drive comes with its benefits, it also comes with its risks. In Maryland, there is an alarming rate of pedestrian accidents as a result of negligence. Pedestrian accidents are particularly dangerous because pedestrians do not have the same outside protection as motorists. With that being said, pedestrians rarely walk away from accidents unscathed. To protect pedestrians, crosswalks were designed. Crosswalks are portions of the road that have marked outlines indicating a safe section for pedestrians to cross the street. On the road, pedestrians and motorists must abide by Maryland’s traffic laws to prevent serious accidents and injuries. In the unfortunate event that you are injured in a crosswalk accident, contact one of our experienced and determined Prince George’s County Pedestrian Accident Attorneys who can help you navigate your legal options.

Who is liable for a crosswalk accident in Maryland?

Determining liability in a crosswalk accident ultimately depends on whether the pedestrian was in a crosswalk at the time of the accident and whether the pedestrian was obeying traffic signals. In Maryland, if a motorist strikes a pedestrian while they are in a crosswalk, they are responsible for the accident. This is because, under Maryland’s traffic laws, motorists are legally required to yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the street in a crosswalk. Pedestrians have the right to assume that a motorist will yield the right of way. If a motorist fails to comply with Maryland traffic laws and yield the right of way to pedestrians, they will be liable for any damages that occur as a direct result of their negligence. It is pertinent to note, however, that motorists do not have to yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing outside of a crosswalk.

Furthermore, crosswalk accidents often occur as a result of a motorist disobeying the rules of the road. For instance, if a motorist is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, or disobeying traffic signals, they will be found negligent. However, a pedestrian can be held liable if they step outside the lines of a crosswalk or disobey traffic signals. Like motorists, pedestrians are required to follow certain rules while on the road to ensure everyone’s safety. If they neglect to cross the street at a crosswalk or fail to obey the traffic signal they may be responsible for the accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a crosswalk accident as a result of negligence, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our skilled and qualified attorneys. Our firm is committed to helping our clients seek reasonable compensation for their damages and get the justice they deserve. Allow our firm to fight on your behalf today!