How Safe is Your Maryland Neighborhood for Pedestrian Accidents?

We are at the height of the best season to enjoy walking in Maryland, and getting around by foot will be pleasant as exercise or transportation well into the fall months. Even as you strive to get your daily steps in, you probably realize that they are dangerous for walkers. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MD DOT) reports that there are up to 3,300 pedestrian accidents every year, leading to 115 fatalities. Plus, more than 3,300 individuals on foot are injured in these incidents annually.

If you enjoy walking, you will certainly want to know the most dangerous spots. In some areas, it is easy to tell that the environment is not safe for walking. Others may need a careful look, including your own neighborhood. Still, you cannot avoid all collisions, so getting in touch with an Owings Mills pedestrian accident attorney should be a priority if you were hurt. A few tips will help you assess your neighborhood from a walking safety standpoint.

Take a Walk: Make children part of the exercise when possible, and be prepared before your excursion. Decide on a place to walk to or a route that will bring you back to the start. Also, make sure you have the means to record your impressions of the following: 

• Room to Walk: Check the sidewalks and paths along your route to see if they are clear from debris, plant overgrowth, and garbage cans. Also, take notes if you observe broken or missing sidewalks.
• Street Crossing: You want to make sure that you are safe at the most dangerous encounter with traffic, when you are at intersections and crossings. Look for traffic signals and time them to ensure you can cross without running.
• Safety Rules: You may know that the rules are, but some areas where you walk do not make it easy to follow them. Check on whether you can see traffic, because this affects whether cars can see you. Note the presence of traffic lights, and if they have Walk and Don’t Walk features. Not all intersections provide this helpful traffic signal.

Your Rights After a Pedestrian Accident: Though you might be on foot, Maryland laws on pedestrian crashes are the same as other motor vehicle collisions. The theory of liability is negligence, and whether the at-fault motorist failed to use reasonable caution while driving.

Like other traffic-related incidents, you will first seek compensation by filing an insurance claim. If the company will not pay a fair amount, you can take your case to court. Through legal action, you can recover:

• Medical expenses;
• Lost income;
• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional anguish; and,
• Many other losses. 

Speak to a Maryland Pedestrian Accident Lawyer About Remedies

You can protect yourself and your family by walking in the safest environment possible, but not all pedestrian accidents are avoidable. For more information on your rights as a victim, please contact Furman | Honick Law at our offices in Owings Mills or Baltimore, MD. You can schedule a no-cost case review by calling 410-844-6000 or going online.

Source:

mva.maryland.gov/safety/Pages/mhso/benchmark-reports.aspx