Copyright © 2024 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.
While accidents on a bridge are rare, a Maryland bridge accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve if someone collides with you on a bridge. Undoubtedly, a bridge is among the scariest and most consequential places to get into a car accident. The first example that comes to mind to show that is the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident. In that instance, we witnessed a once-in-a-generation accident where some drivers sadly plunged to their deaths due to no fault of their own. On top of the deaths, which are most important, it will cost at least $1.7 billion to repair the damage done by the negligence. As a Maryland bridge accident lawyer, the question quickly becomes how much insurance coverage is available. To determine that, we must first identify all liable parties.
A party is liable if they breach a legal duty, and that breach is the proximate cause of the damages. To be clear, there can be multiple proximate causes. In this instance, there are multiple responsible parties. Although, it is clear that there may not be enough coverage. When this happens, there is a pro-rata share based on which plaintiffs suffered the most damages. Our Maryland bridge accident lawyer would happily explain this to you in more detail. In many bridge cases, federal and state laws may apply. While a structural failure may cause a bridge accident, these instances are rare. More likely, your accident was caused by human error. In either event, the results may be catastrophic. This is especially true if your car is pushed off the bridge.
Call our office today for a free case evaluation to discover whether you have a viable claim and discuss your next steps.
Our Maryland bridge accident lawyers are acutely familiar with the plethora of bridge accidents you may see. Of course, many of these common causes exist in any car accident case, regardless of whether it occurs on a bridge. Here, we discuss the causes of bridge accidents specific to bridges.
Design flaws and construction deficiencies make up for a number of bridge accidents yearly. This may take the form of inadequate planning or errors by engineers. In these cases, it is not immediately apparent to anyone that there is a construction deficiency. However, when it happens, it is clear that an error was made, and an investigation must be launched to pinpoint the negligence. While this sounds costly for a plaintiff, the fortunate news is the government will conduct this investigation. If you are injured and seeking to file a claim for your injuries, the cost that falls on you is for an expert witness should your case make it to trial. Note that many of these cases settle prior to trial. However, litigation can be expensive if we go to trial because expert witnesses are expensive.
This is not meant to inhibit your pursuit of damages. Rather, it is notable that these cases are more complex than the typical case where liability is harder to dispute and is more of a factual issue than an engineering one.
Our Maryland bridge accident lawyers sometimes argue that adequate safety measures are lacking. This can refer to inadequate signage, inadequate barrier protection, and a failure to regularly maintain and perform safety checks within compliance with the applicable code. A lack of effective safety measures may exist due to a lack of funding or a simple lack of management by the responsible government agency or contractor. Nevertheless, there may be multiple parties responsible if this is the cause of your accident. While this is also a very expensive case to litigate due to the number of expert witnesses that may be necessary to explain to a jury the engineering aspects of your case, it may also potentially be the best chance to recover maximum compensation due to the coverage that can be available for these companies.
Of course, this is the most common cause of Maryland bridge accidents. Negligent driving can take countless forms. Whether it is an improper passing, a rear-end collision, or any other negligent action on the road, the driver who behaved negligently is liable for any injuries they caused. Accordingly, we will file a claim with the tortfeasor’s insurance provider. The benefit to pursuing this type of case is it is generally easier to prove liability. While we may still require expert witnesses to testify for your damages, this will still be less costly than if we had to argue an engineering defect. A negligent driving bridge accident is a type of case we have handled thousands of times in Maryland. The critical factor that distinguishes this type of case is damages.
The most significant legal challenge in a bridge accident claim is sifting through the various parties. There may be government entities, contractors, and, of course, other drivers. Joint and several liability makes it so all parties are liable for damages up to the amount awarded. So, even if a defendant is only 30% responsible for your damages, if another driver cannot afford to pay your judgment due to a lack of compensation or assets, the party that is 30% liable will have to pay the entire judgment. That party can then seek indemnification from the party that is 70% responsible, but if there are insufficient funds available, they are out of luck. Furthermore, proving negligence involves collecting substantial evidence, including engineering reports, witness statements, and vehicle data.
Additionally, the defense team for a government entity or other large entity will be better funded and likely better litigated than the typical insurance legal team. Of course, if the facts in the case are strong, it should not matter. Nonetheless, you require the best Maryland bridge accident lawyer to give yourself the best chance of winning.
A Maryland bridge accident lawyer can assist in overcoming any legal challenges related to your claim. Our attorneys provide legal guidance to ensure you understand your rights from the jump. There are strict deadlines in addition to the standard three-year statute of limitations for your personal injury claim. While that is the most important deadline, others are less commonly understood. This is why a bridge injury lawyer is critical to maximize your compensation. Our team leaves no stone unturned. Whether we settle your case out of court or battle it out at trial, a skilled attorney will ensure you follow all procedural requirements. Unfortunately, when we have potential clients come to us after they filed suit against the defendant themselves, we find many rules of civil procedure have been violated, and their chances of recovery are limited.
While saving money on legal fees is tempting, studies have shown that a plaintiff recovers about four times more with an attorney than without, even after legal fees.
A Maryland bridge accident lawyer at Gelb & Gelb can help you secure compensation for your injuries. Our lawyers have been practicing in Maryland for over 70 years. We stand ready to protect your legal rights. Call us today for a free consultation at (202) 331-7227.
Copyright © 2024 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.