Waldorf, MD Drowsy Driving Car Accidents
Sleep-deprived, tired, and drowsy driving is a common cause of auto accidents here in Waldorf, Maryland, and in other parts of Southern Maryland. In many ways, a drowsy driver will behave like a drunk driver or a driver impaired by medication. They may, for example, be swerving in and out of lanes, may drift off onto the shoulder of the road, may be slow to brake and stop, may be slow to start up after the light turns green, may run red lights and stop signs, etc.
When a drowsy driver causes a Maryland car accident, that driver can be held legally liable to pay compensation for any injuries and/or damage caused by the accident. If you have been injured in a drowsy driving 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 who are seasoned and skilled at obtaining the compensation you are entitled to. We charge no fee unless there is a recovery. Our consultations are free.
In Maryland, all drivers have a duty to drive carefully, to keep a careful watch for others using the roads, and a duty to avoid causing injury or damage to others. This is generally called a driver’s “duty of care.” Part of a driver’s duty of care is to avoid driving under circumstances where their driving abilities are impaired and compromised. Driving when you are overly tired or fatigued is a violation of a driver’s duty of care. As noted, a drowsy driver can be held legally liable for any accident caused.
To prove legal liability, a victim must provide evidence of the four elements of negligence. These are:
- Duty
- Breach of duty
- Causation and
- Injury or damage to property
As discussed above, with a drowsy driver, the first two elements are met. That is, the duty of care is breached by the fact that the drowsy driver “got behind the wheel” and became a danger to others on the road. When an accident occurs causing injury or damage, then the final two legal elements are met. This is the basis for legal liability in Maryland.
A drowsy driver is legally liable to pay FULL compensation for ALL injuries and damages. These include paying compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and income, damage to your car, and more.
Precisely proving that the at-fault driver was drowsy is often not essential, but can be helpful. Often, circumstances show that the drowsy driving caused other breaches of duty. For example, Maryland drivers have other duties imposed by Maryland law such as the duty to obey traffic laws. Thus, if a drowsy driver runs a red light or fails to stop at a stop sign, those failures are also breaches of a driver’s duty. Thus, liability can be based on those violations of Maryland’s traffic laws. If it can also be shown that the at-fault driver had not slept in 24 hours or was otherwise too tired to drive safely, then proof of the driver’s legal liability can become ironclad.
If you think you have been injured by a drowsy driver, act quickly to consult with experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys. In Maryland, there is a strict three-year deadline by which you have to file your personal injury lawsuit.
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.
