Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Maryland & Washington, D.C.: Know Your Rights
Pedestrians have virtually no protection in a collision with a vehicle. Even at relatively low speeds, being struck by a car can cause fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other life-altering harm. In dense areas like downtown D.C., Columbia, and other parts of the Maryland suburbs, pedestrian accidents are an unfortunate but recurring reality, and injured victims often need a pedestrian accident lawyer Maryland families can trust to help protect their rights.
At Falodun Law, we represent pedestrians injured by negligent drivers throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Pedestrian accident cases raise legal issues that don't come up in typical car accident claims, and understanding them can make a real difference in your recovery. If you're searching for a pedestrian accident lawyer in Maryland or D.C. after a crash, here's what you need to know about your rights.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Maryland and D.C.?
Most pedestrian accidents happen because a driver fails to see, yield to, or account for someone on foot. Common causes include:
Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
Distracted driving — phone use, texting, or in-car distractions
Speeding or failing to adjust speed near schools, crosswalks, or busy sidewalks
Drivers running red lights or stop signs
Failure to stop for a pedestrian when turning at an intersection
Impaired driving
Backing out of driveways or parking spaces without checking for pedestrians
Poor visibility conditions combined with inadequate street lighting
Who Has the Right of Way? Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws in Maryland and D.C.
Both Maryland and Washington, D.C. give pedestrians the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Drivers are required to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, regardless of whether the pedestrian has the technical right of way at that moment.
That said, pedestrians also have legal obligations. Crossing outside of a crosswalk (sometimes called jaywalking) or crossing against a signal can factor into how fault is assessed after an accident.
How Maryland and D.C. Law Affects Your Pedestrian Accident Claim
Contributory Negligence: Why Fault Matters So Much
This is where pedestrian accident cases in Maryland and D.C. demand particular care. Both jurisdictions follow the contributory negligence rule — one of the strictest fault standards in the country. Under this rule, if a driver's insurer can show that you, as the pedestrian, were even 1% at fault — for example, by crossing mid-block or against a signal — you could be completely barred from recovering any compensation, even if the driver was found overwhelmingly at fault.
Insurance companies are well aware of this rule and often look for any way to shift blame onto the pedestrian. This makes it especially important to have an attorney who understands how negligence claims work under Maryland law and can carefully investigate and present the facts of your case.
Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims
In Maryland, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101). Washington, D.C. also applies a three-year statute of limitations (D.C. Code §12-301).
If the driver who hit you was operating a government vehicle, or the accident involved a dangerous condition on a public street or sidewalk, the deadlines are much shorter:
Maryland's Local Government Tort Claims Act requires notice within 180 days, and D.C. Code §12-309 requires notice within six months. Missing one of these strict filing deadlines can prevent you from recovering compensation at all, even in a strong case.
What If the Driver Fled the Scene?
Pedestrian accidents are unfortunately more likely than other types of crashes to involve a driver who flees. If you were hit by a driver who didn't stop, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage — or a household member's policy — may provide a path to compensation, in addition to any claim against the driver if they're later identified.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Maryland or D.C.
Call 911 and request police and medical assistance at the scene
Get medical attention right away, even if you feel you can walk away
Photograph the scene, the vehicle involved, the crosswalk or intersection, and your injuries
Get contact information from any witnesses
Ask about nearby traffic or business surveillance cameras that may have captured the accident
Avoid giving a recorded statement to the driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney
Contact Falodun Law as soon as possible so we can begin investigating and preserving evidence
What Damages Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to recover:
Medical expenses, past and future
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
Wrongful death damages for surviving family members, in fatal cases
How a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Maryland Can Help
Pedestrian accident cases require careful handling, especially given Maryland and D.C.'s unforgiving contributory negligence rule. At Falodun Law, we investigate the full circumstances of your pedestrian and auto accident case, work to counter any attempt to shift blame onto you, and fight to recover the full compensation you deserve. We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis: no fee unless we win.
Contact Falodun Law Today — Free Consultation
At Falodun Law, we fight for injured people and their families throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. If you've been hurt and want to understand your rights, we're here to help — with no cost to you unless we win.
📞 Phone: (301) 289-7737
✉ Email: wole@falodunlaw.com
📍 Address: 8850 Stanford Blvd., Ste. 2900, Columbia, Maryland 21045
Don't wait — deadlines in personal injury law are strict and unforgiving. Reach out to Falodun Law today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for a pedestrian accident?
It depends on the facts. Maryland and D.C. follow the contributory negligence rule, which means that if you're found even slightly at fault — for example, by crossing outside a crosswalk or against a signal — you could be barred from recovering any compensation. An experienced attorney can investigate the accident and help make sure the facts are presented accurately.
Q2. Do drivers always have to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk?
Maryland and D.C. law gives pedestrians the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and drivers must exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pedestrians also have obligations, though, and how each party acted can affect the outcome of a claim.
Q3. What happens if the driver who hit me left the scene?
If a driver flees after hitting you, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage — or a household member's policy — may provide a path to compensation. You may also be able to pursue a claim against the driver directly if they're later identified.
Q4. How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Maryland or D.C.?
In Maryland, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file suit, and D.C. also applies a three-year statute of limitations. If a government vehicle or public property was involved, notice deadlines are much shorter — 180 days in Maryland and six months in D.C. — so it's important to act quickly.
Q5. Do I have to pay anything upfront to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer?
No. Falodun Law handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there's no fee unless we win your case.
Q6. What compensation can I recover after a pedestrian accident?
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability or disfigurement, and wrongful death damages in fatal cases.
