A person on foot has no protection when a distracted or careless driver fails to stop. If you were a pedestrian hit by a car in Baltimore, a Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyer at the Law Office of David Ellin can help you seek accountability and the compensation you need to recover. Because our Baltimore auto accident attorneys also represent pedestrians struck by vehicles, we know how to build these cases from the ground up.
Pedestrian injuries are often severe, and the medical bills add up fast. You deserve a team that takes your case seriously from the first phone call. Contact us at (410) 833-0044 for a free consultation.
Time Matters — Speak With an Attorney Today
Why Injured Pedestrians Trust the Law Office of David Ellin
Being hit by a car is frightening, and the days that follow can feel uncertain. We are here to steady that ground for you, handle the insurance company, and let you focus on healing. David Ellin founded the firm in 2004 after serving as a Baltimore City assistant state's attorney, and he and associate Thomas Summers treat every client with real attention.
Pedestrian accident victims in the Baltimore area choose us for reasons that matter when the stakes are high:
- A 4.7-star rating across 57 Google reviews from people we have helped
- Direct contact with attorneys David Ellin and Thomas Summers, not a call center
- Help in English, Italian, and Romanian, through Nicoletta Ellin
- A contingency-fee arrangement, so you owe no attorney fees unless we recover for you
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, but our dedication to preparation and advocacy never changes. Call a pedestrian injury lawyer in Baltimore at (410) 833-0044 to tell us what happened.
What Are a Driver's Duties Toward Pedestrians in Maryland?
Maryland drivers owe pedestrians a clear duty of care, including the duty to yield in crosswalks. Under Maryland Transportation Code Section 21-502, a driver must stop for a person crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, and another driver may not pass a vehicle that has stopped to let someone cross.
Drivers also have a broader responsibility to stay alert, obey traffic signals, and avoid distractions behind the wheel. When a driver ignores these duties and hurts someone on foot, that failure can form the basis of a claim.
Knowing which duty applied at the moment of your crash is central to proving fault. A pedestrian accident attorney in Maryland can identify the specific rules the driver broke and use them to support your case.
Common Causes of Baltimore Pedestrian Accidents
Most pedestrian crashes trace back to a driver who was not paying attention or not following the rules of the road. Busy areas like downtown, Federal Hill, Fells Point, and the Inner Harbor see heavy foot traffic mixing with drivers, which raises the risk at crosswalks and crowded intersections.
Frequent causes we see include:
- Distracted driving, especially texting or phone use behind the wheel
- Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections
- Drivers turning without watching for people crossing
- Speeding through residential streets and business districts
- Backing out of driveways or parking spaces without looking
- Impaired driving
Whatever the cause, our role is to prove it and connect it to your injuries. If you are unsure how your crash happened, we can investigate and find out.
Who Can Be Held Accountable for a Pedestrian Accident?
Accountability for a pedestrian accident most often falls on the driver who struck you, but not always on that person alone. Depending on the facts, more than one party may share responsibility, which can mean more available compensation for you.
Parties that may be accountable include:
- The driver who failed to yield, stop, or pay attention
- An employer, if the driver was working at the time of the crash, including trucking companies in commercial truck crashes
- A government body responsible for a broken signal, faded crosswalk, or hazardous intersection
- A vehicle or parts maker if a defect prevented the driver from stopping
Some scenarios feel hopeless at first but are not. For example, if the driver fled the scene after hitting you, you still have options, including a possible claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage. We help you find every path to recovery.
Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident
Maryland law allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation for both their financial losses and the personal toll of the crash. The purpose of a claim is to help you rebuild after a serious injury.
A claim may account for:
- Emergency treatment, surgery, hospital stays, and follow-up care
- Long-term needs such as rehabilitation and in-home assistance
- Lost wages and diminished ability to earn a living
- Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
When a pedestrian crash results in death, we help families pursue a wrongful death claim so they can seek justice and the support they have lost. We will look closely at your circumstances and explain, honestly, what your claim may involve.
What Injuries Do Pedestrian Accident Victims Commonly Suffer?
Pedestrian accident victims commonly suffer severe injuries because a person on foot has nothing to absorb the force of a vehicle. Even a low-speed impact can cause harm that takes months or years to heal. Understanding the full scope of your injuries is essential to valuing your claim fairly.
Some of the injuries we see most often in pedestrian cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord damage that can affect movement and sensation
- Broken bones, including complex fractures that require surgery
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Serious cuts, road rash, and permanent scarring
- Lasting nerve damage and chronic pain
Injuries like these can lead to long recoveries, repeat surgeries, and costs that continue well after the first hospital visit. We work to document not only your current medical bills but also the care you will need down the road, so your claim reflects the true, lasting impact of the crash.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Pedestrian Accident?
You prove fault in a pedestrian accident by showing that the driver failed a duty they owed you and that the failure caused your injuries. That proof rarely comes together on its own, which is why careful investigation matters so much. The stronger the record, the harder it is for an insurer to shift blame onto you.
- Evidence that often helps establish fault includes:
- The police report and any citations issued to the driver
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras
- Statements from witnesses who saw the crash
- Photos of the crosswalk, signals, skid marks, and vehicle damage
- Your medical records connecting the crash to your injuries
We gather and preserve this evidence, then use it to tell a clear story of what the driver did wrong. When the facts are documented well, we are in a strong position to press for a fair result at the negotiating table or in front of a Baltimore jury.
How Our Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Support Your Claim
We support your claim by building a thorough record of what happened and by shouldering the legal burden so you can rest and recover. From the moment you call, our team gets to work.
Our work on a pedestrian case often includes:
- Obtaining the police report, 911 recordings, and any surveillance or traffic video
- Documenting the crosswalk, signals, and roadway conditions at the scene
- Speaking with witnesses before details fade
- Collecting your medical records to show the full extent of your injuries
- Handling all communication with the insurance company on your behalf
Whether you were in a car or on foot, the first steps matter, and reaching us early gives your claim its best footing. From there, we press for a fair settlement and, when necessary, take your case before a Baltimore jury.
How Long Do You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Maryland?
In most cases you have three years from the date of the crash to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Maryland, under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Code Section 5-101. Once that deadline passes, a court can dismiss even a strong case.
Shorter deadlines can apply when a government entity may be responsible, such as a crash tied to a defective traffic signal. Because these timelines move quickly, reaching out soon after your crash protects both your deadline and the evidence.
Time Matters — Speak With an Attorney Today
FAQs Answered by a Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Here are answers to questions we often hear from injured pedestrians and their families.
What if I was crossing outside of a crosswalk?
You may still have a claim even if you were not in a marked crosswalk. Drivers are required to stay alert and avoid hitting people on the road regardless of where they cross. Let us look at the facts before you assume you cannot recover.
How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer?
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning our attorney fee is a percentage of what we recover for you. You pay no attorney fees up front and owe no attorney fee unless we obtain compensation. We will explain how case costs are handled before you sign anything.
The insurance company already offered me money. Should I accept it?
It is wise to speak with a lawyer before accepting any early offer. First offers are frequently lower than a claim is worth, especially when injuries are still developing. A short conversation with us can help you understand what your case may truly be worth.
What if I was partly to blame for the crash?
Fault is often disputed, and an insurer's early opinion is not the final word. The facts, the roadway, and the driver's conduct all matter, and they frequently tell a different story. Talk with us before you accept blame that may not be yours to carry.
How long will my pedestrian accident case take?
Every case is different, and the timeline depends on your injuries, the insurer's willingness to negotiate, and whether a lawsuit is needed. Some claims resolve in months, while others take longer. We keep you informed throughout so you always know where your case stands.
Do I still have a claim if I was hit in a parking lot or driveway?
Yes, you may still have a claim if a vehicle struck you in a parking lot, garage, or private driveway. Drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care in these areas just as they do on public streets. We can review where and how your crash happened and explain your options.
What if a rideshare or delivery driver hit me?
Crashes involving rideshare and delivery drivers can involve extra layers of insurance beyond the driver's personal policy. Whether a company's coverage applies often depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the crash. We can identify every policy that may apply and pursue each source of compensation available to you.
Will my pedestrian accident case have to go to trial?
Many pedestrian cases resolve through a settlement without ever reaching a courtroom. Even so, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because insurers tend to make fairer offers when they know we are ready. If a fair settlement does not come, we are prepared to take your case before a Baltimore jury.
Reach Out to a Baltimore Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
A moment of driver carelessness should not leave you to carry the cost alone. The Law Office of David Ellin is ready to pursue accountability and the compensation you need to move forward after a pedestrian crash. We serve injured pedestrians in Baltimore, Reisterstown, and the nearby communities.
Call (410) 833-0044 today for a free consultation. There is no attorney fee unless we recover for you, and we would be honored to stand by your side.