US 1 Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one was hurt due to the negligent acts or omissions of a careless, reckless driver, we can help. We know the risks and dangers associated with negligent driving, especially on highways such as U.S. Route 1. We understand the pain and suffering you must be going through after living such an overwhelming experience. That is why we dedicate all of our efforts and resources to advocating for injury victims.

Thanks to many years of experience handling car accident claims, our US 1 car accident attorneys have developed the necessary skills to bring the liable parties to justice. We will fight aggressively to get the compensation you deserve for your losses. To learn more about our services in a free, confidential consultation, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291.

Causes of Car Accidents on US Route 1 in Maryland

There is no way to tell when or where car accidents will take place. Every year, thousands of people face severe crashes on US Route 1, one of the most traveled highways in Maryland.

Furthermore, accidents on highways such as US 1 increase the likelihood of severe, life-threatening injuries and deaths. Many things can contribute to an accident. However, we have identified specific causes that are typical in many of the most severe crashes:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a significant cause of car accidents in the U.S. Over the years, distracted drivers have been responsible for thousands of crashes, injuries, and deaths.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2,841 people lost their lives in accidents caused by distracted drivers in 2018.

Most distractions that led to subsequent accidents were caused by electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and touchscreen panels. Additionally, other distractions such as eating while driving or even carrying on a conversation with a passenger can also contribute to distracted-driving accidents.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving has been another typical – and significant – cause of car accidents in the U.S. the NHTSA defines aggressive driving as the combination of traffic offenses that may endanger another driver’s safety.

An example that may illustrate this type of behavior is speeding alongside other dangerous acts. Driving at excess speed can increase the likelihood of a severe or fatal crash, especially on a highway such as US 1. According to the NHTSA, in 2018 alone, speeding was responsible for 9,738 deaths.

If you or a loved one was injured in a speed-related accident caused by a negligent driver, we can assist you. Our U.S. Route 1 car accident lawyers can help you get compensation from the liable parties.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a dangerous practice that has claimed the lives of millions of drivers. Maryland has strict laws punishing drunk drivers.

For instance, if you are found guilty of a first DUI offense, you may face up to one year in jail and hefty criminal fines. Despite these laws, many negligent, reckless, and careless drivers risk their lives and the lives of other drivers by driving drunk.

According to the NHTSA, drunk driving claims the lives of almost 30 people every day in the U.S. Our U.S. 1 car accident lawyers can help you hold the negligent drunk drivers accountable for accidents they cause by driving under the influence.

Proving Negligence After a Car Accident on US 1

As a plaintiff, you have the burden of showing the defendant’s negligence. To show negligence, your lawyer will need to prove a specific set of elements: a legal duty, a breach of duty, causation, and damages. Your U.S. Route 1 car accident attorney can help you prove each of these all these elements in your claim.

Duty

A duty of care is the legal obligation to prevent harming others through negligent conduct. To meet this duty, one must drive as a prudent, reasonable person would under the given circumstances. You can show the defendant in your case owed you a duty to drive safely on the road to avoid a potential accident by pointing to traffic laws and other safe-driving requirements.

Breach of Duty

The breach of the duty should be the second element in your claim. You can argue the defendant failed to behave as a prudent, reasonable person, thus breaching the duty they owed you. You can achieve this by providing evidence showing the defendant’s carelessness or lack of skill behind the wheel.

Causation

Causation requires establishing a link between the defendant’s negligent acts or omissions and your injuries. You should be able to provide evidence showing that, but for the defendant’s negligent actions, you wouldn’t have sustained injuries and damages.

Damages

Proving the damages you faced is the last element of an injury case. You may show the court evidence of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Any damages you suffered because of the crash, whether they be economic or non-economic, can entitle you to compensation.

The Statute of Limitations after a Car Accident on US 1

All personal injury plaintiffs have a limited time to file their claims with the court. This requirement is known as a “statute of limitations.” This legal deadline encourages petitioners to file their lawsuits promptly to seek compensation.

In Maryland, personal injury victims have up to three years from the time of their accident to file their claim. Three years may seem like a long time to file your lawsuit.

However, in order to prove your case in court, your car accident lawyer needs time to gather all relevant evidence to meet the necessary requirements to file the case.

Additionally, if you wait too long to file, evidence might be lost or destroyed. Call our Route 1 car accident injury lawyers today to start working on your case immediately.

U.S. Route 1 Car Accident Lawyers Offering Free Consultations

If you or a loved one was injured by a negligent driver on US 1, our car accident lawyers can help. At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we understand how difficult and stressful the recovery process can be for you and your family.

We can help you hold the liable parties accountable for your damages while you dedicate your time to healing from your injuries. Call our U.S. Route 1 car accident lawyers today for a free, confidential consultation. Our number is (410) 694-7291.