A jury in Prince George’s County, Maryland, recently awarded $3.3 million to the daughter of a Maryland woman who was killed in a pedestrian accident in 2008. The jury also awarded $800,000 to the woman’s mother, according to a recent article in The Washington Post.
The woman was walking along a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue that had no sidewalk or guard rails when a car struck her and a friend walking with her. Both lost their lives in the fatal Maryland pedestrian accident, along with the woman’s unborn child. The road in that area is the responsibility of the state of Maryland, but the state had not installed sidewalks or guardrails in that area, forcing pedestrians to walk in the street.
After hearing the case, the jury decided that the state of Maryland was liable for failing to install a sidewalk, a guardrail, or both in order to help protect pedestrians walking along that stretch of roadway. As compensation for the loss of her mother and unborn sibling, the woman’s daughter received a substantial damages award from the jury. The daughter was two years old when the accident occurred.
Pedestrian safety is a serious concern, and one that is frequently overlooked on Maryland roads. While the design of the roadway may place pedestrians in unnecessary danger, motorists also have a responsibility to keep an eye out for pedestrians, particularly in areas where there aren’t sidewalks, obstructed sidewalks, or a lack of safety equipment like guardrails, lights, and crosswalks expose pedestrians to greater danger.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Maryland, please don’t hesitate to contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer.” A skilled Maryland pedestrian accident attorney, Mr. Heisler will examine your case carefully and help you understand your legal rights and options after an injury. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, call 877-228-4878 today.
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