Pedestrian Dead After Being Struck By Tractor-Trailer In Maryland

A man died after a tractor-trailer hit him as he was walking northbound on Interstate 270 near Fingerboard Road in Frederick. Apparently, he crossed into one of the lanes on the highway and was hit by a semi-truck that was carrying two FedEx trailers. Unfortunately, the truck was not able to stop in time to avoid hitting the pedestrian.

It’s not clear why the man was walking on the highway, especially when it was dark out, as the accident happened shortly before 4 a.m. The Maryland State Police are conducting an investigation to determine what happened. The truck driver remained at the scene of the accident.

Pedestrian Accidents in Maryland

Every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed by cars in Maryland. More specifically, in the last five years, about 111 people have died each year due to pedestrian accidents in Maryland. And an average of 3,227 pedestrians have been injured every year since 2014.

In most cases, the driver of the car is at fault. In fact, many pedestrian accidents in Maryland are caused by the following factors:

• Impaired driver
• Drowsy driver
• Distracted driver
• Speeding

In these instances, the driver will be held accountable for the medical bills or funeral costs of the pedestrian he or she hit. However, in some cases, the pedestrian is at least partially to blame for the accident. For example, pedestrians who suddenly step off the sidewalk or cross a busy street may be partly or fully to blame for the accident. This is because it can be difficult for even an alert driver who is going the speed limit to stop fast enough to avoid hitting the person.

This is why pedestrians need to take precautions when walking, such as by using crosswalks and staying on the sidewalk. Wearing reflective clothes and carrying a flashlight at night are also helpful ways to improve the chances that drivers will see you as you walk at night.

Why Hire a Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer After a Pedestrian Accident?

If you’ve taken the proper precautions and were hit by a car or tractor-trailer in Maryland, you may be able to seek damages from the at-fault driver. But even if you didn’t take precautions as a pedestrian, the driver may still be considered liable for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

The only way to find out for sure is to hire a Maryland personal injury lawyer with experience handling pedestrian accidents. Typically, you can speak to one for free during an initial consultation. Once the lawyer knows the details of your pedestrian accident in Maryland, he or she can help you decide if you have a personal injury case that may be worth pursuing.

If you have expenses due to the accident—such as hospital bills and ongoing rehabilitation—you deserve to see if you can get them covered by the driver who hit you. You might even be able to get damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Contact a Maryland car accident attorney today to learn more about your legal options.