When you are a passenger in a car, you trust that the driver will act responsibly. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Sometimes, a driver acts negligently and causes his or her passengers to become seriously injured. Read on to learn more about passenger injuries in Maryland and what to do if you are involved in a car accident.
Common Causes of Car Accidents?
For the most part, car accidents are a result of driver negligence. The most common examples of negligence include:
- Drowsy driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Distracted driving
- Texting or other usages of a mobile device while driving
- Failure to yield
- Speeding excessively
- Failure to abide by stop signs or traffic lights
What Do I Do if I am Injured in an Accident?
If you are injured in an accident caused by driver negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation. In order to obtain compensation, you will have to prove that this negligence occurred. To do so, you should take the following steps:
- Call 911. The police can file an accident report, which will document who was driving, how and when the accident occurred, and more. Additionally, the police can gather witness statements and conduct chemical tests.
- Document the scene. If possible, you should take photos and videos of the damage done to any vehicles or property involved. This is incredibly important when it comes to filing a personal injury claim. Make sure that you take your own photos, rather than relying on the driver.
- Obtain witness contacts. You and the driver may have conflicting opinions about how the accident occurred, if anyone saw the accident happen, they may be able to corroborate your version of events.
- Reach out to a personal injury attorney. A skilled attorney may be able to gather more proof, including police reports and security footage.
- Make sure to file your claim in time. If you wish to pursue legal action, you will have to file your personal injury claim within a certain amount of time. This deadline is known as a statute of limitations. In Maryland, the statute of limitations for a personal injury accident is generally three years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file within three years, you will likely lose your opportunity to recover the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact our firm today to discuss your case with a dedicated personal injury attorney.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED MARYLAND FIRM
The legal team at Markey & Orsi has proudly represented injured clients throughout the state of Maryland for almost 30 years. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence and require strong legal representation, contact Markey & Orsi today to schedule a consultation.
