A head-on Maryland car accident can lead to severe injuries. Injuries are common whether you are on the highway driving at fast speeds or on the backroads traveling at low speeds. You may suffer broken bones, cognitive impairments, or even death. This type of accident is among the most dangerous types we handle, involving two or more vehicles. Of course, if a pedestrian or cyclist is struck by a car, that accident victim is unprotected and faces the most dire consequences of the driver’s negligence. Meanwhile, the safety technology available in cars can usually protect the passengers of both cars in an accident. However, a head-on collision puts those technologies to the test. When two cars are driving towards each other at 60 miles per hour, the reinforced steel, airbags, and seatbelts can only do so much.
Given this heightened risk, it is critical to understand the following crucial aspects of head-on Maryland car accidents. First, we will discuss the common causes of this type of accident. By understanding how these accidents occur, you can better anticipate them as they are formulated and act to avoid them. Next, we will focus on the consequences of head-on collisions. The accident victim takes the impact into account, and we, as attorneys, will use this information when building your legal case. Last, we will address the legal considerations of head-on collisions in Maryland.
Contact our office today for a free consultation and advisement on the next steps.
The number of causes of head-on Maryland car accidents is infinitely high. Here, we discuss the three most common causes that lead to head-on incidents. While some causes are criminal and others are mere negligence, all causes of action below are sufficient to create liability the defendant owes.
When a tortfeasor is driving drunk, there is no question that he is breaking the law. The driver can be arrested and charged with driving under the influence. If you are struck by a drunk driver in a Maryland car accident head-on, you do not have to worry about the criminal aspect. Even if the tortfeasor is found not guilty in criminal court, you can still be successful on a negligence claim against the defendant. Maryland is not like some other states. Whether the defendant is drunk when he collides with your vehicle does not affect the value of your case. While there is a chance their insurance provider will deny coverage for the claim, the value of your case remains the same.
If you drive drunk, you run the risk of losing your coordination. A lack of coordination means slower reaction times and less control of your car. Moreover, your judgment while driving drunk is inconsistent with the judgment of a reasonably prudent person. And that is the standard. You must behave reasonably under the circumstances. You are liable if you make a poor decision that risks your safety and causes an accident. Moreover, if you are significantly impaired by alcohol, you may drive up the wrong ramp off a highway or continue down a one-way road heading in the wrong direction.
Wrong-way driving is hazardous. When you drive in the opposite direction of the direction you should drive, this frequently results in head-on Maryland car accidents. What makes these particularly bad is there is often nowhere to hide. If you are on a one-way road and going in the opposite direction, your only hope is that all cars completely stop. You may need more room to veer off onto the side of the road.
Consequently, the odds of an accident are far higher. This is especially true if you are already drunk or on drugs. If this is the case, your likelihood of illegally entering a one-way road are higher as is your ability to avoid the accident once you are in the dangerous situation.
A wrong-way driving accident leading to a head-on collision can occur if a driver is confused by poor road signage. A road sign may say not to enter, so you take the next turn instead. However, it may turn out that the first road you planned on going down was the correct road, and it is the sign that is poorly positioned. This happens more than you might think. Suing the state of Maryland may not be worthwhile. However, there are steps you can take to recover compensation for your injuries if another car strikes you head-on after being confused by poor road signage.
There is no doubt that racing your car on Maryland roads is negligent. As a driver in Maryland, you owe a duty to all other cars on the road to drive in a reasonably prudent manner. It is never reasonable to race on the highways or the backroads. It is per se negligent as Maryland statutes bar racing on the streets without a permit. Beyond that, racing increases your chances of a head-on Maryland car accident. Racing involves faster speeds, which increases the consequences of a head-on collision should you or someone else be unfortunate enough to be in one. Moreover, racing incentivizes poor decision-making. If you make a riskier decision, it may pay off, and you may win the race. The knowledge that it may pay off could be enough for you to attempt the risky maneuver in the first place.
However, catastrophic injury may ensue if you do not flawlessly execute that maneuver. Additionally, at racing speed, it is more difficult to control your car. Less control of your car may mean you veer over to the wrong side of the road. If you do even by a few inches, that can be enough to make contact with a car on the other side of the yellow line.
The impact of a head-on Maryland car accident is colossal. You may suffer the following physical injuries:
Moreover, you may suffer emotional and psychological effects. Suppose you wish to recover compensation for these injuries. In that case, we will need to get you into treatment so a doctor may testify at trial that he believes, within a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that you have suffered the alleged emotional trauma.
There is also an economic impact to consider. A few of these economic damages may include:
The most significant legal consideration to consider is whether we can establish liability. Proving fault in a head-on Maryland car accident case will depend on whether we can prove that the other car crossed over the yellow line before you. We can usually do this by looking at tire treads. Further, the police may come to the scene and conduct their investigation. While a police report is generally inadmissible at trial, their investigation can dig up valuable evidence that we can use in court.
Speak to an experienced attorney at Gelb & Gelb. Our attorneys have handled hundreds of head-on Maryland car accidents since our founding in 1954. With over 70 years of experience, we are ready to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Call our office today for a free consultation at (202) 331-7227.
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