Pedestrian Accidents in Waldorf, MD
When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, it can result in serious injuries to the pedestrian. If you or a loved one sustained injuries as the result of being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, it is important to speak with a Maryland personal injury attorney right away. The sooner you retain a skilled attorney, the sooner he or she can start working on building a strong case against the defendant.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Pedestrian accidents are on the rise nationwide. Maryland recently ranked as the state with the 26th highest pedestrian death rate. According to the Maryland Department of Transportation pedestrian accident statistics, Maryland has a five-year average of 3,058 injuries and 107 fatalities per year. Some other statistics from their report indicate that:
- Friday has the highest pedestrian collision average, followed by Thursday and Tuesday.
- October is the month with the highest number of pedestrian collisions, followed by December and November.
- The riskiest time for pedestrians is 6 P.M., followed by 5 P.M. and 3 P.M.
- Pedestrians in their 20s are typically involved in the highest percentage of accidents
Pedestrian Safety Laws
According to Maryland law, vehicles are required to stop for pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks without signals when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling, and the pedestrian approaches within one lane of the half of the roadway where the vehicle is traveling.
Vehicles also have to stop for pedestrians at intersections with signals. When a vehicle is proceeding on a green light, the driver must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk when making a left or right turn. If stopped for a red light and planning to make a right turn, the driver also has to yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian within the crosswalk.
Pedestrians can Help Reduce the Risk of Accidents
Pedestrians also have to do their part to remain safe while on the streets. Pedestrians can help reduce the risk of being injured by taking a few extra precautions, including:
- Always use marked intersections and crosswalks
- Observe walk signals
- Stop and look in both directions before crossing the street
- Pay close attention to vehicles that may be backing up out of a driveway or in a parking lot
- Use the pedestrian pushbuttons
- Wear clothing that helps make you more visible to vehicles, especially after dark and during inclement weather
These steps can help reduce the risk of an accident, but they can not correct driver negligence or recklessness. It is important that you always obey pedestrian laws, as well. Maryland is a contributory negligence state, which means that if you are even 1% at fault for the accident, you can be barred from recovering any compensation for your losses.
Retaining a Charles County Personal Injury Attorney
To find out how a Maryland personal injury attorney can help you recover compensation for injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident, contact the Law Office of Robert R. Castro at 301-870-1200 to schedule a consultation.
