Maryland Accident Law Blog
Hundreds of crashes were reported in Maryland in the first major winter storm of the year in the state. The storm brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain to Maryland roads. According to a recent news report, there were 501 crashes, 233 disabled or unattended vehicles, and over 1,600 calls for service. A car turned over on Interstate 83 in one crash. Another crashed caused lanes to close on Interstate 70. Another crash left one man dead. According to law enforcement, the man was riding the back of a recycling truck when the driver lost control on an icy road, causing the truck to overturn and pinning the man under the truck. Officials said that most of the crashes were due to speed and explained that speed limits are set for ideal road conditions.
According to the Federal Highway Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation, weather can affect road safety by affecting pavement friction, traffic flow, driver capabilities, vehicle performance, crash risk, and agency productivity. Weather-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities account for 21 percent of vehicle crashes. Weather-related crashes kill more people each year than large-scale weather disasters, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Drivers in the state of Maryland have a duty to exercise reasonable care while operating a vehicle, which means that they must drive carefully given the circumstances. This means that while driving the speed limit may be reasonable in perfect weather conditions, it likely is not reasonable in bad weather conditions, such as dense fog or on icy roads. Drivers must also exercise reasonable care whether they encounter emergency situations, such as another accident in the roadway, considering the time the drivers have to respond to the situation and evaluate the choices.
How Can Maryland Car Accident Victims Recover for Their Injuries?
If an individual is injured in a Maryland car accident, the individual may be entitled to financial compensation from a negligent driver. An individual has to prove that a driver acted negligently by acting or failing to act in a way that amounts to a failure to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. The individual must prove that the driver (or another defendant) had a duty towards the plaintiff, the driver failed to exercise reasonable care toward the individual, the individual suffered damages, and the driver’s negligent act caused the individual’s damages. Car accident victims may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages, such as medical bills, wage losses, pain and suffering, future medical expenses, and others.
Contact a Dedicated Personal Injury Lawyer in Maryland or Washington, D.C.
Acting quickly is critical if you have been hurt in a Maryland weather-related car accident. Evidence may be lost and the statute of limitations sets forth a certain amount of time in which the claim must be filed. The Maryland personal injury lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen have the tenacity and resources to pursue all of the parties responsible for causing your harm or loss. To set up a free consultation regarding a personal injury or wrongful death claim, call us at (410) 654-3600 or toll-free at (800) 654-1949, or can contact us online.