If I’m a Pedestrian, Who Pays for My Medical Bills After I Was Hit by a Car in Maryland?

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

Being hit by a car as a pedestrian can lead to devastating injuries and large medical bills. If you have been injured as a pedestrian, you may be wondering if you can file suit to recover the costs of your medical bills against the other party. Our Maryland personal injury attorney can assist you with evaluating and pursuing your claim against the driver and their insurance company.

Pedestrian Injuries

Unfortunately, pedestrians in Maryland are injured by vehicles more often than one would think. According to the 2020 Maryland Pedestrian Safety Program Area Brief, 92 percent of pedestrian-involved crashes in Maryland in 2019 resulted in injury or death. Because a pedestrian is more exposed, their injuries are often significant. As such, the potential damages from their injury can be greater than in other accidents. Hiring an experienced pedestrian injury attorney is crucial to receiving total and equitable compensation for your injuries. 

Who Pays for My Medical Bills if I am Hit by a Car? 

We usually assume the person driving the car that hits you is liable for damages caused by the accident. However, this is not always the case. Our attorneys can help you evaluate who is at fault and if you can pursue a claim.

In Maryland, contributory negligence is the legal theory used to determine liability in pedestrian injury cases. If the injured pedestrian was at fault in any way for the accident, they cannot receive compensation from the other party involved. Because of this, it can be very difficult to prove your case without the advice and guidance of a skilled attorney.

How Do I Bring a Claim for My Injury?

Most personal injury cases must be filed within three years in Maryland. The statute of limitations starts to run when you discover an injury or should have discovered the injury. If you do not file a lawsuit within this time frame, you may lose your ability to do so. For this reason, you should not delay speaking with an attorney about your situation.

What Can I Recover?

If we determine you have a claim, there are several types of damages you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering. There is no precise formula for determining the amount of your pain and suffering. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced in recovering damages for pain and suffering. They will advocate to get you as much as possible for your case. Unfortunately, insurance companies will try to offer you as little as possible and certainly much less than the value of your suffering. We have experience dealing with insurance companies. It is our goal to ensure that doesn’t happen in your case and that you are treated fairly. Working with an attorney to help you recover all your losses, including your medical bills and pain and suffering, is crucial. If you have experienced a pedestrian injury, please contact our office today for a free consultation.

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.