Waldorf Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

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A contest between a car and an unprotected person on foot is no contest at all. Pedestrian accidents are extremely serious, accounting for nearly 4,700 fatalities and 70,000 injuries in the United States in 2007. The problem is particularly bad in urban areas, where public transit and density allow more people to commute without cars. The pedestrian fatality rate for the U.S. as a whole in 2007 was 1.54 per 100,000 people; that number was 7.37 per 100,000 in Baltimore and 3.23 in D.C.

Pedestrian safety laws give drivers a lot of responsibility for helping to keep pedestrians safe. Unfortunately, almost every pedestrian has a story about drivers who violated their right-of-way through impatience, inattention or failure to see a pedestrian they simply weren't expecting to see.

Children are at a special risk for pedestrian accidents. Not only do children not drive, but they may be harder for drivers to see because of their small size. And because they're inexperienced with cars, children may make unpredictable, unsafe moves, such as darting out into traffic between two parked cars. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 20% of all minors under 18 who died in traffic accidents in 2007 were pedestrians. For these reasons, the law gives drivers special responsibility to drive slowly and stay aware near schools, residential neighborhoods and other areas where kids gather.

If you or someone you love was hit by a car while simply walking down a sidewalk, you have rights. Among these is the right to hold a careless driver responsible for his or her actions with a Maryland pedestrian accident lawsuit. A serious accident can kill a pedestrian or cause broken bones, head injuries, paralysis and other life-changing disabilities. In a lawsuit, you can win money to pay medical bills, funeral costs or other accident-related bills; make up for any lost income; and compensate you for a permanent disability or the loss of someone you love.

Based in Upper Marlboro, the law firm of Alpert Schreyer serves clients who sustained serious pedestrian accident injuries in Baltimore, the Capitol area and throughout Maryland. Our experienced accident attorneys will negotiate hard on your behalf for a fair and complete settlement, or, if necessary, represent you aggressively in a court of law. And we offer free case evaluations for potential clients, so you have nothing to lose from asking us more about your options. To set up a free, confidential consultation today, please contact Alpert Schreyer online or call (800) 489-1577.