Earlier this week in Germantown, a pedestrian was killed as he crossed Route 355 at around six o’clock in the afternoon. According to a local news source, a northbound driver struck the pedestrian, who was taken to Suburban Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
With more and more people out on the road than ever before, auto manufacturers and lawmakers are constantly looking for technology that can reduce the increasing amount of fatal accidents across the country. According to one recent news article, new technology being developed by a German company may help drivers avoid pedestrian accidents.
Evidently, the Germany-based company, Bosch, is currently working on technology that can act to take over the control of a vehicle that would likely end up hitting a pedestrian. According to researchers, the technology can sense when a pedestrian is nearby and can track their likely trajectory. If the on-board computer believes that the driver is unaware of the pedestrian and that a collision is imminent, brakes can be applied, and the car can even steer itself away from the pedestrian.
The article notes that the technology is still several years away and may not be free of other potential problems. For example, who would be liable if, in an attempt to avoid a pedestrian accident, the car drove itself into a wall, killing the driver and potentially passengers inside the car?
Pedestrian Accidents in Maryland
Pedestrian accidents are a serious problem in Maryland, with over 20% of all traffic fatalities arising in pedestrian accidents. In fact, each year, there are well over 100 pedestrian deaths each year in Maryland alone. While statistics indicate that some of these are caused by pedestrians themselves, many are the fault of negligent drivers who fail to pay adequate attention to the road ahead of them.
While technology may be able to reduce the total number of pedestrian deaths, pedestrian deaths will still occur in the meantime and even after new technology is implemented. One way to reduce the instances of pedestrian deaths is to hold those who cause them responsible through a personal injury action filed against the negligent driver.
In Maryland, pedestrians who are injured by negligent drivers may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation, including amounts to help them cover past medical bills, future medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the accident.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Pedestrian Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for all that you have been put through. The skilled advocates at the Maryland-based personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of experience bringing cases on behalf of injured Marylanders and know what it takes to be successful in pedestrian accident cases. To set up a free consultation with an attorney, call 410-654-3600 today. Calling is free, and you will not be billed unless you obtain a favorable verdict or settlement.
More Blog Posts:
State Supreme Court Reverses Plaintiff’s Award for Punitive Damages, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published October 7, 2015.
Driver in Tragic Oklahoma Parade Accident May Have Been Acting Intentionally, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published November 3, 2015.