Founding Partner
Maryland is filled with busy intersections, crosswalks, and residential streets where drivers and pedestrians interact every day. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the rules, and when confusion turns into collision, pedestrians often pay the price.
Here’s what you need to know about when the law protects people on foot—and how an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help if someone ignores those rules and hurts you.
Maryland Law: Pedestrian Right-of-Way Basics
Under Maryland law, drivers are expected to yield to pedestrians in many common scenarios. The main rules can be found in Maryland Transportation Code § 21-502 through § 21-506, which spell out when pedestrians have the legal right of way.
Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Marked crosswalks – Drivers must stop for pedestrians crossing in a marked crosswalk. This applies to both signalized intersections and unsignalized mid-block crossings.
- Unmarked intersections – Even when no crosswalk is painted, drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing at intersections where there’s no traffic signal.
- Traffic signals – When a pedestrian has a “WALK” signal, they have the right of way. Drivers turning right or left must wait until the pedestrian has safely crossed.
Maryland law emphasizes that drivers should exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians, even when pedestrians don’t have the right of way. In other words, safety comes first.
When Pedestrians Must Yield to Vehicles
Pedestrians don’t always have the right of way. There are situations where they’re required to yield to traffic, such as:
- Crossing outside of a crosswalk or intersection
- Crossing against a “DON’T WALK” signal
- Suddenly leaving a curb and entering the path of a vehicle that doesn’t have time to stop
- Walking on highways or roads where pedestrian access is prohibited
While pedestrians have protections, they also have responsibilities. Under Maryland’s contributory negligence rule, if a pedestrian is even 1% at fault, it could bar them from recovering damages in an injury claim. That’s why having a legal team investigate the details of your case is critical.
Common Pedestrian Injury Scenarios
We represent pedestrians across Maryland in a wide range of accident situations, including:
- Drivers failing to yield at crosswalks
- Speeding or distracted drivers near schools and neighborhoods
- Left-turn crashes at intersections
- Accidents in parking lots or near shopping centers
- Failure to stop at stop signs or red lights
Some of the most serious pedestrian injuries happen at night or in low-visibility conditions. That doesn’t mean the pedestrian is automatically at fault—drivers still have a duty to stay alert and drive safely based on road conditions.
What to Do If You’re Hit by a Vehicle While Walking
Suppose you’re hit while walking, what you do following matters for both your health and your potential case. Here’s what we recommend:
- Seek medical care immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, internal injuries or head trauma may not show up right away.
- Call the police – A formal report can help establish the facts and protect your legal rights.
- Get witness information – Bystanders may have seen the driver’s speed, behavior, or whether they ran a light.
- Take photos – If you’re able, photograph the scene, your injuries, the crosswalk, and the vehicle.
- Do not speak to the driver’s insurance company without legal guidance.
We can step in to communicate with insurers, gather evidence, and help build a strong claim on your behalf.
What Damages Can You Recover?
If the driver was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency care and hospital bills
- Follow-up treatment and physical therapy
- Lost wages or reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Every pedestrian accident is different. Our goal is to build a case that reflects the full impact the injury has had on your life—physically, emotionally, and financially.
Why Choose McGowan & Cecil?
We’ve represented injury victims in Maryland for decades, and we know how hard it can be to recover after a pedestrian accident. Insurance companies often try to blame the pedestrian or offer a quick, low settlement.
At McGowan & Cecil, we do things differently:
- You’ll work directly with a dedicated injury attorney
- We handle the legal work while you focus on healing
- We don’t charge legal fees unless we win your case
- We have a long track record of success with serious injury claims
Talk to a Maryland Pedestrian Injury Lawyer Today
If you were hit while walking and think the driver should have yielded, talk to us. We’ll listen to your story, review the facts, and help you understand your legal options.