Motorists are responsible to operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. When an accident results from a driver’s poor decisions or aggressive driving, that driver may be held liable for any injuries caused as a result of their conduct through a Maryland or Washington, D.C. personal injury lawsuit.
Prior to obtaining compensation following a car accident, an accident victim must prove certain elements of a personal injury case. These elements are duty, breach, causation, and damages. All motorists owe a duty of care to others with whom they share the road, so establishing the duty element is normally quite simple. However, establishing breach and causation can be more difficult. A breach analysis looks at whether the defendant violated the duty of care they owed to the plaintiff. This is normally done through evidence showing that the defendant driver was negligent, aggressive, or otherwise at fault for the accident. This is often where the bulk of the litigation takes place in a car accident lawsuit.
One Killed, Five Injured in Washington, D.C. Car Accident
Earlier this month, one woman was killed and five others injured in a four-car accident in northeastern Washington, D.C. According to a local news report, the accident occurred at around 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon.
Evidently, a man driving a Chrysler 300 was heading northwest on Eastern Avenue at a high rate of speed when the vehicle crossed over the center median. The Chrysler struck a Honda Civic that was traveling in the opposite lane. After the initial collision, the Chrysler slammed into an SUV that was pulling out of a parking space. The SUV spun out of control, flipped onto its roof, and collided with a nearby utility pole.
The Honda that was struck by the Chrysler also spun out of control, striking two parked cars. The driver of the Honda, a 50-year-old woman from Bladensburg, MD, was critically injured and taken to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Five others involved in the accident, including two young children, were also injured but are expected to recover.
The driver of the Chrysler exited his vehicle and fled the scene before authorities could respond. However, he was apprehended a short time later and charged with several offenses for his role in the accident and his subsequent flight from the scene. Police are currently investigating the accident further to determine if the driver should face any additional charges.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland or Washington, D.C. Car Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland or Washington, D.C. hit-and-run accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The skilled personal injury attorneys at the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of collective experience representing clients in personal injury cases. They understand the nuances of personal injury law and are prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company is not willing to offer a reasonable settlement. Call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation with one of our dedicated personal injury attorneys. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our time unless we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
More Blog Posts:
71-Year-Old Woman Struck by Electric Shopping Cart, Recovers $1.3 Million from Grocery Chain, Maryland Accident Law Blog, October 17, 2016.
Case Arising out of Hospital Transportation Injury Required to Comply with Medical Malpractice Requirements, Maryland Accident Law Blog, November 1, 2016.