How Crosswalk Laws Protect Pedestrians In Maryland

Maryland law gives pedestrians clear protections when they’re crossing streets at designated crosswalks. These regulations spell out when you have the right of way and what drivers must do when approaching intersections.

Here’s what Maryland Transportation Code § 21-502 says: drivers must stop and stay stopped to let pedestrians cross when they’re in a crosswalk on the driver’s half of the roadway or close enough to be in danger. This applies whether the crosswalk has painted lines or not.

What Qualifies As A Crosswalk In Maryland

Most people don’t realize crosswalks exist even without those white stripes. Maryland law actually recognizes two distinct types:

• Marked crosswalks: Those clearly painted lines showing where pedestrians should cross
• Unmarked crosswalks: The invisible extension of sidewalks across intersections, even when there aren’t any visible markings

Why does this matter? Drivers owe you the same duty of care whether you’re using a marked crosswalk or an unmarked one at an intersection.

Driver Responsibilities At Crosswalks

Maryland puts specific obligations on drivers when they approach any crosswalk. They can’t just barrel through. Drivers must yield to pedestrians already in the crosswalk. They need to stay stopped until you’ve safely crossed their half of the roadway. They’re not allowed to pass vehicles that have stopped at crosswalks because someone might be crossing. And they should reduce speed in areas where lots of pedestrians walk. Breaking these rules can lead to traffic tickets. More importantly, it creates liability if someone gets hurt.

Pedestrian Obligations Under Maryland Law

Crosswalks provide protection, but they don’t give pedestrians unlimited rights. You’ve got responsibilities too.

Maryland Transportation Code § 21-503 says pedestrians must yield to vehicles if they suddenly leave a curb or safe spot and enter a crosswalk when a car is so close the driver can’t stop safely. That’s just common sense, really. You also need to obey traffic signals at intersections with working lights. Crossing against a red light or “Don’t Walk” signal? That can destroy your ability to recover compensation after an accident because of Maryland’s harsh contributory negligence rules.

How Traffic Signals Impact Pedestrian Rights

At intersections with crosswalk signals, pedestrians have the right of way when the “Walk” symbol is showing. Any drivers who are trying to turn through your crosswalk must yield when a pedestrian is lawfully crossing, no matter what light they have. The flashing “Don’t Walk” signal means you shouldn’t start crossing. But if you’re already in the crosswalk, you can finish crossing safely. Drivers still have to yield to you.

Liability When Crosswalk Accidents Occur

When a driver hits someone in a crosswalk, fault typically lands on the driver for failing to yield the right of way. But it’s never quite that simple. Each case needs careful analysis of what actually happened. At KBD Attorneys, we dig into crosswalk accidents by examining police reports, witness statements, and any available video footage. This evidence helps us establish whether the driver violated Maryland’s crosswalk laws and whether you followed the applicable regulations.

Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Rule

Maryland follows one of the harshest liability standards in the entire country. If you contributed to your own injuries in any way, you might be completely barred from recovering compensation.

This makes understanding crosswalk laws incredibly important. Let’s say you cross mid-block instead of using a nearby crosswalk, or you enter a crosswalk against a signal. Insurance companies will absolutely argue contributory negligence. They’ll use it to deny your claim entirely. A Bel Air pedestrian accident lawyer can evaluate how these factors apply to what happened to you.

School Crosswalks And Enhanced Protections

Maryland gives extra protection in school zones. Drivers must stop for crossing guards. They need to observe reduced speed limits during school hours. Violations in these areas often carry stiffer penalties and may strengthen your injury claim.

Proving A Crosswalk Violation

Documentation becomes absolutely vital after a crosswalk accident. You need evidence. Strong evidence.

• Police accident reports that note the crosswalk location
• Photographs showing crosswalk markings and traffic signals
• Witness accounts of what the traffic light showed and where you were standing
• Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras

This evidence demonstrates that a driver violated Maryland’s crosswalk laws and caused your injuries. Without it, you’re just telling your story against theirs.

Getting Legal Help After A Crosswalk Accident

Crosswalk accidents often result in devastating injuries. We’re talking broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage. Medical bills start piling up immediately, and insurance companies almost always dispute claims or throw out lowball settlement offers.

We help injured pedestrians understand their rights under Maryland law. We build strong cases based on traffic code violations and driver negligence. Our team handles the back-and-forth with insurance companies while you focus on healing and getting your life back. If you’ve been injured in a crosswalk accident, contact our Bel Air pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your legal options and how Maryland’s pedestrian protection laws apply to your case.