Perry Hall, MD Car Accident Lawyer

Though we go about our daily activities on the road without incident, there are times when unexpected events occur. If someone else’s negligence resulted in a car accident, our firm is here to help you get the compensation you deserve.

There are more careless drivers on the roads than we would like to admit, and their actions can result in accidents in many different ways. Some car accident cases are straightforward, requiring little on your part to get your compensation. Other cases can be much more difficult, potentially involving multiple parties. Whatever your situation might be, our team is here to protect your rights and help you hold the negligent parties accountable.

Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras by calling (410) 694-7291 to speak with our car accident lawyers and receive your free case evaluation.

Who You Can Sue for a Car Accident in Perry Hall, MD

When a car accident occurs in Perry Hall, establishing liability is arguably the most critical aspect of your lawsuit. However, determining fault is often a more complex matter than it might seem at first. Our car accident attorneys know that many parties can be involved in an accident. While this can complicate cases, it often provides more avenues to recover compensation. The following are common parties that are sued for car accidents in Perry Hall:

Other Drivers

In many car accident cases, another driver is the most apparent party to hold responsible. If the other driver was negligent or reckless, for instance, by speeding, driving under the influence, or texting while driving, they could be held liable for the accident.

To pursue a successful lawsuit against another driver, you will need to establish four essential elements. First, you must prove that the driver in question owed you a duty of care. This duty of care typically arises from the fact that all drivers on the road have an obligation to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe and responsible manner to prevent harm to others.

Second, you need to demonstrate that the other driver breached this duty of care. This breach of duty might take many forms, such as reckless driving, speeding, or failing to obey traffic signals.

Third, you must establish that the other driver’s breach of duty caused the accident. This requires demonstrating a direct causal link between the other driver’s actions and the harm you suffered.

Finally, you will need to show that you suffered damages as a result of the accident. This could include physical injuries, property damage, lost wages, or other financial or psychological harms that can be directly attributed to the accident.

The Vehicle Owner

It is also possible that the owner of a vehicle involved in an accident might not be the same person as the driver. In such cases, the owner could be held responsible for any accidents caused by the driver if they negligently entrusted their vehicle to an incompetent, reckless, or unlicensed driver.

This principle is called negligent entrustment, and it applies if the vehicle owner knew or should have known about the driver’s incompetence or recklessness. For instance, if the owner allowed someone with a history of drunk driving to use their car and that person caused an accident while intoxicated, the owner could be sued for negligent entrustment. Fortunately, you can usually hold both the driver and the owner of the vehicle accountable for any damages in such cases.

A Commercial Driver’s Employer

Commercial drivers, such as truck or taxi drivers, are often on the road for long hours and can cause accidents because of fatigue, distraction, or other factors. In such cases, their employer might be held legally responsible for the damages caused. This is based on the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers accountable for the actions of their employees when they are performing their job duties.

For example, if a delivery truck driver runs a red light while making deliveries and causes an accident, the delivery company could be sued for the damages caused. The legal liability of the employer in such cases depends on whether the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident. If the driver was off-duty or using the vehicle for personal reasons, the employer might not be held liable for any damages caused.

Car Dealerships and Mechanics

In rarer cases, a car accident can occur because of a mechanical failure that is caused by a manufacturing defect or improper maintenance. In such situations, the car dealership or mechanic who last worked on the vehicle could potentially be held responsible for the accident.

If the cause of the accident was a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer or dealership that sold the car could be sued under product liability law. This is because they have a legal responsibility to ensure that the car is free of any defects that could pose a risk to the driver or passengers.

On the other hand, if a mechanic performed faulty repairs or neglected to identify a problem during a routine inspection, which eventually led to the accident, the mechanic or auto repair shop could be sued for negligence. This is because they are required to exercise reasonable care and skill in their work that other mechanics would have used.

Compensation for Losses You Can Recover in a Perry Hall, MD Car Accident Lawsuit

After a car accident, you are likely entitled to numerous damages. Economic damages refer to monetary compensation that is awarded to the victim of an accident for the financial losses they have incurred. These damages are easily quantifiable in monetary terms. Some common examples of economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.

On the other hand, non-economic damages are awarded to compensate the victim for subjective losses that they have suffered because of the accident. These losses cannot be easily quantified, and therefore, they do not have a specific dollar value. However, they significantly impact the victim’s quality of life, so they should be compensated for. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and many others.

Lastly, punitive damages are awarded in rare cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious. Instead of compensating the victim for a loss, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

In Perry Hall, punitive damages are only awarded if the defendant acted with deliberate disregard for others’ rights or if their actions were malicious. This means that punitive damages are less common than economic and non-economic damages and are only awarded in exceptional cases.

Our Perry Hall, MD Car Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help

For a free review of your case with our car accident attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.