Towson Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Pedestrian accidents can be particularly devastating for everyone involved. Unlike collisions with another driver, pedestrians do not have the protection of a vehicle to shield them from impact. Because of this, accidents involving pedestrians can be very serious and often fatal. If you’ve been in an accident involving a pedestrian, then you should contact a pedestrian accident lawyer in Towson, Maryland.
Who is at Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?
Conventional wisdom dictates that pedestrians always have the right of way, but this is not always the case. Like drivers, pedestrians are held to a certain standard of reasonable behavior. That is to say, that if they were acting without reasonable care, the case will not be as one-sided as you may expect. In the state of Maryland we operate on a law known as “Pure Contributory Negligence”. This law dictates that if the victim of the accident is even partially responsible for their damages, they cannot collect from you. For example, you hit a pedestrian while you’re driving. However, they did not look both ways before crossing the street and they weren’t crossing at a crosswalk. In this example, the pedestrian did not act using reasonable care and thus, they cannot seek damages. Their injuries were partially their own fault. However, having a knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer on your side is going to make all of the difference in the world.
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you’ve been in an accident involving a pedestrian, the first thing that you need to focus on is the safety of everyone involved. As long as everyone is safe, you can then proceed to alerting the authorities and exchanging insurance information. Though it may seem obvious, accidents of any kind are often very stressful and essential steps can be forgotten in the panic. Once everyone is safe and the proper information has been exchanged, it’s time to contact a lawyer to ensure that your side of the story is heard.
Play Your Cards Close to the Chest
A lot of people don’t realize that the things they say following an accident can often be used against them during the case. For example, if you go up to the pedestrian involved in the accident and say, “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault,” you will inevitably be hurting your case down the line. There’s nothing wrong with being sorry for being involved or that the other person was hurt, but you should avoid saying anything that might incriminate you more than necessary.
Work with a Lawyer Who Understands Your Situation
Albers & Associates is here to help defend your rights in a pedestrian accident in Towson, Maryland. Before you assume the worst about your accident, contact one of the leading personal injury lawyers in Maryland for a free consultation.