What to Know About Pedestrian Injury Claims Involving Hit-and-Run Accidents
Being struck by a vehicle and then watching the driver speed away leaves a deep scar—not just on your body, but on your sense of safety in everyday life. Hit-and-run accidents shatter trust in the simple act of walking down the street, turning a routine moment into a nightmare of pain, fear, and uncertainty.
We've seen countless clients in Baltimore grapple with this betrayal, their lives upended by injuries that demand immediate care while the responsible party vanishes into the night. It's a violation that no one should experience, and it amplifies the isolation of recovery when justice feels out of reach.
At Baltimore Accident Center, attorneys Stephanie D. Moran and E. Gregory Watson guide clients through these devastating situations with steady support. From our offices in Baltimore, Maryland, we assist people throughout the city, including neighborhoods like Pigtown, Fells Point, Canton, Bayview, Belair-Edison, Govans, Roland Park, Central Park Heights, Mondawmin, Charles Village, and West Baltimore.
We focus on building solid injury claims so our clients can concentrate on healing. If you've been hurt in a hit-and-run as a pedestrian, we're here to stand by your side. Reach out to our Baltimore pedestrian accident lawyers today to talk about your options.
Immediate Steps After a Hit-and-Run
The moments right after a hit-and-run blur into chaos, but acting quickly lays the groundwork for a successful injury claim. Pedestrians often face severe injuries from these collisions, and delaying action can weaken your position later.
We always advise our clients to prioritize safety and documentation from the start, as this helps establish the facts of the incident without the driver's input.
Seek medical attention right away: Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by professionals to document any issues like fractures or internal trauma that might not show up immediately.
Call the police immediately: Report the accident to create an official record, providing details like the time, location, and any description of the vehicle or driver.
Gather witness information: Ask nearby people for their contact details and statements about what they saw, as their accounts can fill crucial gaps.
Document the scene thoroughly: Take photos or videos of the area, any debris, skid marks, or your injuries to capture evidence before it disappears.
Notify your insurance company soon: Inform them of the hit-and-run to start the uninsured motorist process, but hold off on giving a full statement until we've reviewed it.
These steps aren't just routine—they're the foundation that lets us advocate effectively for you. By moving decisively, our clients preserve vital details that strengthen their cases against insurers who might otherwise drag their feet. Once you've handled the basics, we step in to handle the rest, turning your initial efforts into a compelling narrative for compensation.
Proving Liability Without the Driver's Information
In hit-and-run cases, the absence of the at-fault driver doesn't mean your claim stalls—Maryland law provides pathways through uninsured motorist coverage to hold someone accountable. Liability hinges on showing that a negligent motorist caused your injuries, even if they're unidentified.
At Baltimore Accident Center, we work with our clients to piece together indirect proof, like traffic camera footage or witness sketches of the vehicle, to demonstrate fault clearly.
Maryland's contributory negligence rule adds a layer: if you're found even slightly at fault, recovery could be barred. That's why we scrutinize every detail to affirm your innocence as a pedestrian following the rules.
For instance, if you were in a crosswalk, state law gives you the right of way, shifting blame squarely to the driver who fled. Our approach involves reconstructing the scene with experts if needed, making sure that insurers can't dismiss your injury claim for lack of a license plate.
We've helped clients overcome this hurdle by leveraging police investigations and public appeals for leads.
Types of Compensation You Can Pursue
Recovering fair compensation after a pedestrian hit-and-run goes beyond bills—it's about restoring what the accident stole from you. Maryland's at-fault system means the responsible party's insurance (or your uninsured motorist policy) covers damages, and we push for every category our clients qualify for.
This includes tangible losses like treatment costs and intangible ones like emotional distress, tailored to your unique situation.
Past and future medical expenses: Covers ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, and ongoing care for conditions like traumatic brain injuries common in pedestrian strikes.
Lost wages and earning capacity: Reimburses income missed during recovery and any long-term reductions if injuries limit your work, such as chronic pain from fractures.
Pain and suffering: Compensates for physical discomfort, emotional trauma, and lifestyle changes, like losing the ability to enjoy walks in Fells Point.
Property damage: Pays for torn clothing, broken glasses, or other personal items damaged in the impact, often overlooked but recoverable.
Punitive damages in rare cases: Additional awards if the driver's flight shows reckless disregard, though these are harder to secure without identification.
Securing these elements requires detailed records, which we compile meticulously for our clients. We've seen payouts transform lives. As you heal, remember these aren't abstract numbers; they're tools for rebuilding. We calculate values conservatively at first, then negotiate aggressively to maximize your award.
Important Deadlines for Your Claim
Time moves fast after an accident, and Maryland sets strict limits on when you must file a pedestrian injury claim. The statute of limitations for personal injury is three years from the date of the harm, giving you a window to gather facts and pursue justice. Missing this deadline bars your case entirely, so we urge clients to act within the first year to avoid rushed preparations.
For hit-and-runs, the clock starts ticking on the incident date, but discovery of injuries (like delayed symptoms) can extend it slightly for minors or certain cases. Uninsured motorist claims follow the same timeline, tied to your policy's requirements. We track these dates calendar-style for every client, sending reminders and filing extensions if possible to keep momentum.
Deadlines feel disheartening amid recovery, but they're manageable with our guidance. By prioritizing them, we protect your right to compensation and prevent insurers from using time as a defense. Working closely with an experienced personal injury attorney can make this process easier to manage.
Gathering Strong Evidence for Your Case
Evidence is the backbone of any hit-and-run pedestrian claim, especially when the driver bolts. Without it, insurers might lowball or deny your uninsured motorist benefits, claiming insufficient proof of fault. We start by reviewing what our clients collect on-site, then expand through official channels to build an airtight file.
Police reports and investigations: The official accident report details the scene and any leads, while ongoing probes might uncover vehicle matches from alerts.
Witness statements and contacts: Signed affidavits from bystanders describe the hit-and-run, corroborating your version and adding credibility.
Surveillance and traffic camera footage: We request videos from nearby businesses or city cams, often capturing the vehicle's make, color, or direction.
Medical records and photos: Bills and scans link injuries directly to the impact, while scene images show conditions like poor lighting that favored the pedestrian.
Expert reconstructions: In tougher cases, accident specialists diagram speeds and trajectories to prove negligence beyond doubt.
This process isn't overwhelming when we handle the legwork—our clients provide the starting pieces, and we fill in the rest. Strong evidence shifts power back to you, turning vulnerability into vindication. With it in hand, your claim stands tall against skepticism.
Overcoming Common Obstacles in These Claims
Hit-and-run pedestrian cases come with hurdles like unidentified drivers and skeptical insurers, but we've guided clients past them repeatedly. One big snag is proving the "phantom vehicle" existed without a plate—insurers demand concrete ties to your injuries. We counter by amassing layered proof, from DNA on debris to app data from witnesses' phones.
Another pitfall: Maryland's contributory negligence, where a single misstep (like glancing at your phone) could nix recovery. We dissect scenarios to highlight driver recklessness, like speeding through red lights, preserving your claim's viability. Emotional tolls, such as anxiety, also factor in; we incorporate mental health records to bolster pain claims.
Clients in areas like West Baltimore face urban-specific issues, like dim streetlights aiding escapes—we use city maintenance logs to argue environmental fault. Through it all, our steady involvement keeps obstacles from derailing progress.
We've turned "impossible" cases around, whether it's from an anonymous tip or a short video that cracked the identity puzzle. These wins remind us why we do this.
Contact Experienced Attorneys Today
Pedestrian hit-and-run claims demand swift, smart action to secure the justice you’re seeking. From immediate safety measures to deadline vigilance, every step counts toward reclaiming your life.
With personal injury attorneys Stephanie D. Moran and E. Gregory Watson, leading the way from our Baltimore offices, we serve clients across neighborhoods like Pigtown, Fells Point, Canton, Bayview, Belair-Edison, Govans, Roland Park, Central Park Heights, Mondawmin, Charles Village, and West Baltimore.
We stand with you, turning pain into purpose through dedicated advocacy. Work with an experienced lawyer at Baltimore Accident Center now to start your path to recovery. Reach out to us today, and let's build the case that brings you peace.