A car accident can be a terrifying and life-changing event. When you are in a car accident, the injuries you sustain can be severe and expensive.
If someone else caused your accident, they might owe you compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. An Accokeek car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow may be able to help protect your rights and pursue compensation on your behalf.
The Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can be your advocate while trying to get back to your everyday life. We represent clients in Accokeek and throughout Prince George’s County.
For a free case review with a member of our team, call the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow today at (410) 777-8960. The sooner you call, the sooner our team can get to work for you.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can happen seemingly out of nowhere and can severely impact your daily life. Common causes of car accidents include:
Distracted Driving
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 3,166 people were killed in distraction-related accidents in 2017. Distractions can include texting while driving, talking with passengers, handling the radio, or anything else that could potentially take a driver’s focus or attention off of the task of driving.
Fatigued Driving
When a tired driver gets behind the wheel, they have the potential to harm others. A driver who nods off or falls asleep behind the wheel can easily cause a serious accident.
Vehicle Maintenance
Every vehicle driving on the road should be properly maintained. A vehicle needs regular oil changes and safety inspections. A blown tire, brake failure, or other mechanical issues could cause a dangerous collision.
Weather and Road Conditions
Weather and road conditions can have a significant effect on drivers. If the road is covered with rain or ice, cars could have trouble staying in their lanes or making safe turns and stops. Bright sun and fog can also affect the visibility of the road. Every driver has a responsibility to be aware of weather and road conditions and adjust their driving accordingly.
Alcohol
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is unsafe and illegal. If a driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of or greater than 0.08%, they could be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). There are many possible ways for a drunk or intoxicated driver to cause a car accident.
Speeding
If a driver is going faster than the speed limit, it could cause an accident. Speeding drivers may lose control of their vehicles. Other road users may not expect a driver to be speeding and could pull out in front of them. Speeding can also increase the force at which a collision occurs, which may increase the severity of damage or injuries.
The Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can investigate the cause of your accident and identify the responsible party when we represent you.
Establishing Liability
When you are in a car accident, you or your lawyer typically need to establish liability by proving the following elements:
Duty of Care
You must establish that the responsible party owed you a duty of care. In the case of a car accident, every driver has a duty to follow the laws and regulations of the road.
Breach of Duty
You must show that the responsible party breached their duty of care. When a driver violates a traffic law or does not drive safely and responsibly, they may be breaching their duty of care.
Causation
You must show that this breach of duty caused your accident and your injuries.
Measurable Damages
You must prove that the accident left you with measurable damages. These damages may include your injuries, damages done to your vehicle, and other types of losses.
An Accokeek car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can work with you to collect evidence of these elements when we represent you.
Maryland’s Contributory Negligence System
Another important aspect of car accident cases in Maryland is the state’s contributory negligence system. Maryland is one of just four states with a contributory negligence law in which being found 1% at fault for an accident can bar a claimant from recovering any amount of compensation for their damages.
The Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can collect evidence of the full extent of the responsible party’s negligence when we represent you. For a free case review with a member of our team, call us today at (410) 777-8960.
Potential Compensation in a Car Accident Case
You can file a lawsuit for your car accident as long as you are within the allowed timeframe. Per Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings §5–101, you are generally able to file a personal injury lawsuit within three years after the date of your car accident.
The potentially recoverable damages in a car accident case may include:
Current and future medical expenses
Loss of income
Decreased earning capacity
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Call the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow Today
If you were involved in a car accident caused by someone else, an Accokeek car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow might be able to fight for compensation.
Our firm prioritizes communication with our clients. In addition to phone and email access, our clients are given a unique text number for 24/7 communication with our staff via text.
For a free consultation on your case with a member of our team, call the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow today at (410) 777-8960. We can also suggest trusted, highly qualified medical providers who may be able to treat your injuries. These are the same providers that our staff and families would use if we were injured.
