Maryland Women’s Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Kellie T. Barnes, Attorney at Law helps women in Maryland when they’re injured in a pedestrian accident.

For many women, walking is woven into everyday life. It’s how you get to work, walk the dog, take your kids to school, clear your head after a long day, or squeeze in a little movement when life feels crowded. It’s ordinary—until it isn’t.

With one of these accidents, the losses can pile up quickly.

Our team will be there to help you through it, though. Set up a free consultation today.

Should I Get a Lawyer?

A lot of women hesitate before calling a lawyer.

Maybe you’re used to handling things yourself. Maybe you don’t want to make a big deal out of it. Or maybe you’re just tired and don’t have the energy for “one more thing.” That hesitation makes sense. But being hit as a pedestrian is different from most accidents.

You didn’t have any protection. No vehicle around you. No buffer. Even at slower speeds, getting hit by a car can cause serious injuries—head injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, pain that lingers longer than you expect. And while you’re trying to recover, life doesn’t pause. Kids still need you. Work still expects you to show up. The house doesn’t stop needing attention.

Meanwhile, insurance companies are already working up their case by trying to downplay your injuries. They may hint that you weren’t paying attention. They may push you to settle before you even know how your body is going to heal. That’s where having a lawyer can really change things. We step in to take weight off your plate by:

Explaining your options in plain language
Looking into what actually caused the accident
Handling insurance calls so you’re not fielding them while you’re in pain
Stepping in legally if things stop being fair

You don’t have to be aggressive or confrontational. You just need someone in your corner who understands how these cases work. That starts with getting the right information.

What Information Actually Helps After a Pedestrian Accident?

When you’re walking and are struck by a car, the last thing you’re thinking about is getting pieces of evidence. But the reality is that you’re going to need certain information to file a claim—and you can get a lot of that right at the scene:

Medical records. This matters more than anything else. ER visits, follow-ups, scans, therapy—these records show what your body went through and how long recovery is taking.
Pictures/video. If someone took pictures, or if you were able to later, they can be incredibly helpful. Crosswalks with faded paint. Parking lots with poor lighting. Corners where it’s hard to see oncoming cars. These details explain how the accident happened.
Information from the driver/vehicle. Even partial information helps. A license plate, a vehicle description, or a name can make a big difference.
Witnesses and police reports. Pedestrian accidents often happen around other people. Someone may have seen what happened, even if you didn’t realize it at the time. A police report helps anchor everything.
Damaged personal items. Broken glasses. Torn clothing. A cracked phone. These things help show the force of the impact and what you lost.

If this sounds like a lot, that’s because it is. And if you don’t have all of it, that’s okay.

We help gather records, request footage, and track down information so you don’t have to relive everything just to build a case.

Who’s Actually Responsible When You’re Hit as a Pedestrian?

A lot of women immediately wonder if they did something wrong when they’re hurt as a pedestrian. That self-blame shows up fast, even when it shouldn’t.

Legally, though, the question isn’t “What could I have done differently?” It’s “What caused this to happen?”

With these types of accidents, the responsibility typically falls on:

A driver who wasn’t paying attention, rushed a turn, or didn’t yield
A property owner or manager, especially in parking lots, apartment complexes, or shopping centers where lighting is poor or walkways are unsafe
A city or state agency if road design, signals, or maintenance played a role
A manufacturer, in rare cases where a vehicle defect contributed

You don’t need to know the answer right away.

Many women come to us unsure who’s responsible. That’s okay. Sorting that out is part of our job.

But once that responsibility becomes clearer, the next step is taking action.

How Can I Get Financial Help After My Pedestrian Accident?

For as difficult as a pedestrian accident is, the way you get financial help is the same as any other type of accident—you file an injury claim. Now, the way you do that often comes down to one of two options:

Starting with an insurance claim. This is usually where things begin. The driver’s auto insurance is typically the first place to turn, and in some cases, additional policies may apply as well. Insurance claims can move faster than lawsuits, which is helpful when medical bills are piling up or time off work is stretching longer than expected. That said, insurance companies don’t make it easy—especially in pedestrian cases. Adjusters may question where you were walking, whether you were in a crosswalk, or if you “could have avoided” the impact. They may also downplay injuries, even when recovery is clearly ongoing. This back-and-forth can be frustrating, particularly when you’re already dealing with pain and uncertainty.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit if needed. If the insurance process stalls or starts to feel unfair, a lawsuit can open the door to a more structured path forward. Filing suit doesn’t automatically mean going to trial. Many cases still resolve through negotiation, but now with clearer rules, deadlines, and accountability. A lawsuit brings your case into the court system, where evidence matters more than excuses. Medical records, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and expert opinions all carry weight. It also gives you leverage if the other side has been refusing to take your injuries—or your experience—seriously.

No matter which route your case follows, a pedestrian injury claim can help cover very real, very human losses, including:

Medical care, rehabilitation, and future treatment
Lost income or changes to your ability to work
Physical pain and day-to-day discomfort
Emotional stress, anxiety, or trauma
Loss of enjoyment of activities you once loved
Expenses and losses tied to a fatal incident, when a family member is killed

One important timing note:

In Maryland, you generally have three years from the date of the incident to take legal action.

That may sound like plenty of time, but it goes faster than most people expect. Witnesses move, memories fade, and evidence can disappear.

Starting earlier often makes the process smoother—and gives you more control over what happens next.

Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen to Women in Maryland?

When you think about all the different times you walk in a given day, it’s not really hard to make the leap to being involved in a pedestrian accident. But it’s still a terrible situation—especially if you’re walking with your children at the time. Here’s where pedestrian accidents usually happen to women like you:

Parking lots and shopping centers
Neighborhood streets near schools or apartments
Poorly lit intersections
Areas where cars and pedestrians overlap without clear markings

The common thread is almost always the same: a driver wasn’t paying enough attention. But one way or the other, the outcome is a long, hard recovery process. With our team on your side, though, you don’t have to face it alone,

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I was hit in a parking lot?

That still counts. Drivers are required to watch for people walking, even at low speeds. And the business or city that runs the lot carries some of the responsibility.

Do I really need a police report?

Yes. It’s one of the most important pieces of evidence. It’s going to provide a neutral account of the accident. You can’t use it in court, but it’s going to be important for insurance purposes.

What if the driver took off?

Hit-and-run accidents still leave you options, including uninsured motorist coverage or health insurance. Our team can help you figure all that out.

Talk to Kellie T. Barnes, Attorney at Law About a Pedestrian Accident

Being hurt as a pedestrian can shake your sense of safety in a way that’s hard to explain.

It’s not just about healing—it’s about feeling comfortable walking through the world again.

Kellie T. Barnes understands what women go through after pedestrian accidents and approaches these cases with care, patience, and straight talk. We’ll handle the legal side so you don’t have to carry it all.

If you were hurt while walking in Maryland, reach out for a free consultation. We’ll help you take the next step—without pressure, and on your terms.