What pedestrian improvement projects are slated for Montgomery County?
Montgomery County, Maryland recently received $87 million in state funding, which includes millions of dollars designated for pedestrian improvement projects designed to prevent pedestrian accidents, according to My Montgomery County Media.
"These funds will allow us to invest in infrastructure that will be more equitable, efficient and reliable," Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said in a recent statement released by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.
Montgomery County received the state funding from the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW), according to My Montgomery County Media. A large portion of the money will be spent on improving the Flash Bus Rapid Transit network in Montgomery County.
In addition, millions of dollars will also be spent on infrastructure projects in Montgomery County designed to improve pedestrian safety. Such pedestrian improvement projects include:
- $6 million for the Norwood Road Bike Path.
- $4 million for the Cherry Hill Road Bike Facility .
- $1.5 million for the Bowie Mill Road Bikeway.
- $1 million for sidewalk improvements on Oak Drive & Maryland Route 27.
How bad are pedestrian accidents in Montgomery County?
Sadly, accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists in Montgomery County remain a problem that often results in serious injuries and fatalities. In 2022, pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents claimed the lives of 19 people and resulted in 541 serious injuries in Montgomery County, according to Moco 360 Media.
In contrast, 10 people died in bicycle or pedestrian accidents in Montgomery County in 2021, according to the most recent accident data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Common causes of pedestrian accidents
Accidents involving pedestrians hit by a car often occur because the at-fault driver did something they should not have been doing behind the wheel. Examples of negligent drivers causing pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding drivers who don't slow down and hit a pedestrian.
- Aggressive drivers who don't share the road and hit someone crossing the street or walking alongside a road.
- Distracted drivers not paying attention, especially texting drivers, even though texting while driving is against the law in Maryland.
- Drivers who don't follow the rules of the road, including running a red light, not stopping at a stop sign, or not stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
- Drunk drivers or drivers under the influence of drugs who hit a pedestrian.
Why should I hire a Maryland pedestrian accident attorney?
Pedestrian accidents in Montgomery County often become complicated legal cases. That's because injured pedestrians should be compensated for all their financial losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes take a different approach. Rather than paying injury victims the money they deserve, insurance companies often do everything possible to reduce or deny claims. That's because they have a financial incentive to pay victims as little as possible or nothing at all.
Whatever the circumstances of your injury claim, our Maryland pedestrian accident lawyers at Goldberg Finnegan can be there for you every step of the way. We understand why pedestrian accidents happen. As a result, we know how to hold negligent drivers accountable and fight for the compensation our clients deserve.
Get the Montgomery County law firm committed to helping you find the best path forward. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Silver Spring pedestrian accident attorney who can help you build a stronger future. We handle pedestrian accident injury claims and lawsuits throughout Maryland.