Pedestrian-Vehicle Accidents

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

If you do a lot of walking in your city or town, you know how exposed you can feel when it seems you are the only pedestrian in a city of motorists. Motorists are supposed to yield the right-of-way to you, but sometimes they are not paying attention, or they may yield grudgingly. They often drive too close as they make right or left turns. And then comes the day when you or a loved one is hit by a motorist that is either too aggressive or is simply not paying attention. And when this happens, the injuries can be disabling or even deadly.

If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, the Maryland personal injury lawyers of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. are prepared to stand up for your rights. Please call or email us today to learn how we can help you.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way

Pedestrians always have the right-of-way when crossing at a crosswalk either in accordance with a lighted traffic signal or whenever there is a crosswalk that is not regulated by a signal. Although a pedestrian should not walk out directly in front of a vehicle without giving the driver enough time, distance, or warning to avoid a collision, otherwise the driver of the vehicle should avoid collision with a pedestrian. If a driver feels he cannot avoid a collision, he is to use his horn as a warning. Drivers are always supposed to yield to pedestrians who are blind or deaf and using guide animals or canes. Drivers should also always yield to disabled pedestrians crossing the road in a wheelchair or motorized scooter or with crutches or a cane.

A driver should always stop outside a crosswalk when facing a red traffic signal, and should never enter the crosswalk when a pedestrian is in or near the crosswalk on the same side of the road as the vehicle or the lane into which the vehicle will be traveling.

In addition, drivers are supposed to watch for children and drive with extra caution in areas where children are known to be, indicated either by a sign or a known draw for children.

Driver Negligence

In many pedestrian-vehicle accidents driver negligence is to blame. Common signs of negligent or dangerous driving include:

• Distraction
• Speeding
• Intoxication
• Failure to note or obey traffic signs or signals
• Failure to stop outside crosswalks
• Failure to drive appropriate for the weather
• Failure to observe or be aware of children in the area

All of these circumstances are unfortunately common, and can lead to dangerous, disabling, or deadly pedestrian-vehicle accidents.

Learn about Child Pedestrian Accidents.

Find out more about Personal Injury Due to School Bus Accidents.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian-vehicle accident, the Maryland motor vehicle accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. can help you get compensation for your injuries. Please call or email us today for a free consultation.

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