Summerfield, MD Car Accident Lawyer
Unfortunately, car accidents occur every day in the United States. Many Americans suffer serious injuries in these crashes, and those injuries can be very expensive to treat. Moreover, car accidents can have a significant mental toll on someone, so they may be dealing with the effects of the crash long after any physical wounds have healed.
If you were hurt in a car accident and do not know what to do or where to turn, we can lend a hand. Our lawyers have litigated a large number of car accident cases, so we have the experience necessary to effectively represent you in court. We will make sure you sue the right parties and have a strong argument to take to court to fight for the financial compensation you deserve after an accident.
For a free case review, call the car accident attorneys with Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.
Causes of Car Collisions in Summerfield, MD
Many different things can cause car accidents to happen. It is actually extremely important to your case’s success that you pin down the exact causes of your car accident. You will only be successful in court if you can prove that the defendant caused the accident, so you need to go over your case in detail with our attorneys. Some causes of car accidents in Summerfield include:
Speeding
Speeding is often not taken very seriously, but it can cause accidents that result in serious injuries. A driver who is speeding does not have as much time to react to changing road conditions and does not have as much control over their vehicle as someone who is following the speed limit. Accordingly, speeding drivers can cause accidents.
Ignoring Traffic Rules
A driver who is driving aggressively, ignoring stop signs, running red lights, and otherwise disregarding the rules of the road is very dangerous to other motorists. Depending on a driver’s conduct, you may be able to allege that they were negligent in one of two ways.
First, if they were ignoring traffic laws like stopping at red lights, you can allege they were negligent because they did not follow traffic laws. Second, you can allege that a driver was negligent because they did not act like a reasonable driver would have. That, however, is determined by the jury, so you will need to persuade them of that point of view.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving, or driving under the influence, is incredibly dangerous. Accordingly, it is criminalized in every state. An intoxicated driver is not going to make as well-thought-out decisions behind the wheel as a sober driver. Moreover, drunk drivers often have slower reaction times than sober ones, and they also may not have full control of their actions behind the wheel. None of those qualities are desirable in a driver.
If you were injured by a drunk driver, there may also be criminal charges against them that could take precedence over your personal injury claim, so you should be aware of that when preparing for a car accident lawsuit.
Tired Driving
Sometimes, people get behind the wheel after they have been up for a long time or otherwise have not gotten a lot of sleep the night before. There is immense pressure for individuals like rideshare drivers or truckers to stay behind the wheel for long periods of time. Tired driving is a serious problem and is just as dangerous as drunk driving, and it has many of the same effects on a person. For that reason, you can file a lawsuit against a driver who is really too tired to be behind the wheel if they injure you.
Distracted Driving
Texting, talking on the phone, and getting engrossed in other distractions can make a motorist miss a crucial piece of information while driving. This, of course, can result in a car accident.
Inexperience
Sometimes, accidents happen simply because the driver is not experienced. The fact of the matter is that someone driving for a decade or more is going to have more time on the road than a freshly-licensed 16-year-old. Accordingly, inexperienced drivers may get into accidents because they do not know what the right thing to do is under certain circumstances.
Vehicle Problems
If a motor vehicle is defective, it can cause an accident, even if the driver is diligent and responsible. Depending on the nature of your vehicle defect, you may want to sue a different party in court.
If the problem is with the basic design of the vehicle, you may want to file a claim against the car company that makes that particular model. On the other hand, if the problem is with a manufacturing or repair mistake, you may want to file your claim against the factory that made the car, an auto shop that worked on the car, or another party altogether. That, of course, will depend on the specific facts of your case.
How Long Do I Have to File My Car Accident Lawsuit in Summerfield, MD?
Contrary to what some may think, plaintiffs cannot wait as long as they want to file their car accident claim. There are limits on how long plaintiffs can file lawsuits for certain things called statutes of limitations. In Maryland, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit is three years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101. After that time, you can no longer successfully file a claim or collect damages. Therefore, it is important to get in touch with our car accident lawyers as soon as you are able after your car accident.
Our Summerfield, MD Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You with Your Case
To get a free case review from our team of car accident lawyers, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.