Unfortunately, in Calvert County, Maryland, there are hundreds of car, truck, and vehicle accidents that cause property damage and injury to drivers and passengers. Injured victims are entitled to pursue compensation from those who caused the accidents. A victim’s ability to recover money damages requires that the victim prove that the at-fault party was guilty of negligence. This means proving the four elements of negligence under Maryland law: duty, breach of duty, causation, and injury. When trying to prove these four legal elements, it is best to have experienced and tenacious legal representation to help gather the correct type of evidence and evidence that will be admissible in the Maryland civil courts. If you have suffered injuries in an auto accident here in Calvert County, MD, contact the Law Office of Robert Castro. Our number is (301) 870-1200, or use our contact page. We are experienced and top-tier Maryland car accident attorneys serving all communities in Southern Maryland.

It is useful to consider the different types of Maryland car accidents since the type of accident tells something about how the accident happened and what types of evidence will be needed to prove liability.

Quantity of Vehicles

The number of vehicles involved will, to an extent, direct how the investigation and settlement will proceed. There are single-car, two-car, and multiple-car accidents. One might think that there is no person “at fault” for a single-car accident other than the person driving. But that is not always true. The fact that only one vehicle is involved means the focus of the case must be placed on uncovering what is often a “hidden cause.” For example, other persons on the road — such as pedestrians or even a running dog — can cause a person to swerve or lose control of a vehicle. A passenger might also be the cause of a single-car accident. Those persons (or the dog’s owner) might be liable to pay compensation depending on the facts.

Single-car accidents also occur when car parts malfunction or road conditions are unsafe or unacceptable. Defective car parts (i.e., tires, brakes, airbags) may lead to liability on the part of car manufacturers, sellers, repair shops, and more. Hazardous road conditions could lead to legal liability for municipal governments or property owners.

For two-car accidents, typically, the person held liable is the other driver. So, the other driver becomes the focus of the investigation and efforts at settlement, and, generally, there is not an expectation that the is a “hidden cause” of the accident. Two-vehicle accidents are the most common type of auto accident case in Maryland. Often, determining what happened and collecting the necessary evidence is somewhat straightforward. Typically, only one person or company is held to be legally liable.

For multi-vehicle accidents, the evidence and legal liability can become very complex. The focus of the case can become like trying to figure out how a set of billiard balls moved and which ball was the first to move. With many vehicles involved, it becomes more probable that a “hidden cause” might exist — like a defective car or faulty road construction. Further, it is likely that more than one person or company will be held legally liable. The investigation of what happened can be fact-intensive and time consuming and settlement can take a long time.

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.