Personal Injury Lawyers in Charles County, MD: Common Causes of Auto Accidents
If, through no fault of your own, you have suffered injuries in a Charles County, Maryland car or auto accident, contact us here at the Law Office of Robert Castro. Our number is (301) 870-1200. We are experienced and top-tier Maryland car and auto accident attorneys. There are a number of common causes of Southern Maryland auto accidents and those causes lead directly to legal liability for the at-fault driver.
One common cause of Maryland auto accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving is probably the most common reason that accidents happen in Southern Maryland. Examples of distracted driving include:
- Actions by a child or passenger in the car, distracting the driver.
- Connecting music or other devices, changing music settings, changing the radio station or other types of “fiddling” with entertainment
- Watching videos
- Eating or drinking (non-alcoholic)
- Personal grooming.
- Inputting and/or reading GPS directions (or an old-fashioned checking papers maps)
- Texting or talking on a phone while driving
Each of these is an example of the driver violating the general requirements that every Maryland driver pay attention — exclusive attention — to driving and that they are careful and watchful while driving. In Maryland, fault for an accident is based on the legal doctrine of negligence. Negligence is proven when it is shown that the driver breached one more duty imposed by Maryland law. Those duties include the duties to pay attention and to drive carefully. When it is shown that a driver was distracted, that indicates legal liability for any resulting accident and injuries caused.
Another common cause of Maryland car accidents is driver fatigue generally known as drowsy driving. This can be caused by various factors such as the at-fault driver not getting enough sleep, driving too long without rest and more. Again, driving while drowsy is a violation of the duties to drive carefully and only when properly rested and capable of handling the responsibilities of driving. When it is shown that a driver was drowsy, that indicates legal liability for any resulting accident and injuries caused.
Another very common cause of car accidents in Charles County, MD, is the violation of traffic laws. Examples include:
- Speeding
- Failing to stop at traffic control devices and signals
- Tailgating and driving too close
- Driving under the influence of illicit drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, and other substances
- And more
Among the other duties mentioned above, Maryland auto drivers have a duty to obey traffic laws. Thus, when it is proven that a driver was violating traffic laws, that indicates legal liability for any resulting accident and injuries caused.
A similar but different common cause of Maryland auto accidents is reckless driving. This also involves violating traffic laws, but there is “something more” involved. Examples include running red lights, speeding while weaving in and out of lanes, wrong-way driving, and more. Here again, proof of reckless driving will lead to legal liability for any resulting accident and injuries caused.
Contact Waldorf, MD Personal Injury Attorney Robert Castro Today
This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer at (301) 870-1200. We are Waldorf, MD, Personal Injury lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD 20601.
