Baltimore, Maryland Pedestrian Injury Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Claims & Lawsuits Managed by Professionals

Baltimore City and the surrounding metropolitan area have some of the most congested roadways in the State of Maryland. It is also one of the most densely populated areas in the state. One of the most common methods of travel in Baltimore is walking. Sadly, pedestrian accidents are quite common, and severe injuries with permanent effects are not rare.

A Baltimore, Maryland pedestrian injury attorney is often the only thing that stands between an injured pedestrian and an insurance company that will deny responsibility. Our attorneys at Portner & Shure, P.A. have spent more than 30 years building winning cases and obtaining justice for our clients. In fact, just last year we obtained over two million dollars in a pedestrian accident case.

For a free consultation, call us at (410) 995-1515 or contact us online to speak with one of our attorneys.

Laws Regarding Pedestrian Accident Claims

When an injured victim files a personal injury lawsuit, they have the burden of proving all the elements of their claim by a preponderance of the evidence, i.e., 51%. Specifically, the victim must prove that the opposing party acted negligently and that the opposing party’s negligence caused their injuries.

Maryland law requires that drivers stop at crosswalks and intersections at which a pedestrian is present on the portion of the roadway that the vehicle is traveling. Drivers are required to obey traffic control devices like stop signs and reds lights. Drivers that fail to follow these laws are more likely to be held liable for any accidents they are in. Nonetheless, the law provides several legal defenses to civil lawsuits that insurance companies use to deny claims.

Pedestrian Defenses in Pedestrian Cases

Insurance companies often invoke the use of the defense of contributory negligence. Maryland is one of four states that continues to adhere to the defense doctrine of contributory negligence. Under this defense, a victim is precluded from recovering anything if the opposing party produces evidence that shows that the victim acted negligently and that their negligence contributed to the collision

The defense of assumption of risk is available in Maryland, too. This defense also precludes a victim from recovering if the opposing party produces evidence showing that the victim knew the risk of potential harm, appreciated the risk, and voluntarily undertook an action despite the risk of danger. Insurance companies routinely invoke these defenses in pedestrian accident cases.

For example, insurance companies like to argue that a pedestrian is contributorily negligent or assumed the risk of their injuries due to entering a crosswalk with a “do not walk” signal displaying or by claiming that they crossed the street at a location other than at an intersection or crosswalk.

Injuries & Damages in Pedestrian Cases

Because pedestrian collisions essentially involve a collision between a person and a vehicle, the injuries are often severe with permanent effects.

Common injuries include:

• Back injuries
• Broken ribs
• Concussion
• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

These injuries require extensive medical and physical therapy treatment.

Maryland law allows pedestrian accident victims to claim both economic and non-economic damages, such as compensation for:

• Past medical bills
• Physical therapy
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

Why Hire Portner & Shure, P.A.?

Insurance companies know who we are. They know that for more than 30 years, we have negotiated favorable settlements and are aware of our recent Multi-Million dollar recovery in a pedestrian accident case. They know that we are not intimidated by the defense attorneys and legal defenses they use to defend against pedestrian lawsuits. We can work with you to build a successful case.

Our multilingual staff fluently speaks English, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), and Spanish. Portner & Shure, P.A. receives no fee unless you obtain a settlement or judgment in court. To schedule a free consultation regarding your Baltimore City pedestrian injury claim, dial (410) 995-1515 or contact us online.