Chain reaction accidents refer to a series of consecutive crashes, beginning with a primary crash followed by secondary crashes occurring immediately within a certain distance. Maryland chain reaction accidents, especially those involving a drunk driver, can result in serious and potentially deadly consequences. Chain reaction accidents commonly affect large areas of road space and often cause traffic jams and delays in evacuations. With the growing number of motor vehicle accidents, it is vital for road users to understand the behaviors that increase the likelihood of a serious crash.
Studies identifying the contributing factors determining the severity of consecutive crashes found many geographic, environmental, and behavioral elements that impact these accidents. However, like many other crashes, human error, such as impaired driving, is a crash indicator. For example, a news outlet reported on a semi-truck driver that caused a fatal accident, shutting down a major interstate. According to the report, the semi-truck driver failed to slow down and crashed into a vehicle, causing a series of consecutive accidents. One of the drivers in the accident died, and two others were in critical condition. State patrol stated that the semi-truck driver denied impairment; however, he could not complete the sobriety tests effectively.
Washington D.C.’s drunk driving accidents kill many people every year, causing significant public health concerns for all road users. Securing compensation after a drunk driving accident requires the claimant to establish fault. Liability or fault may extend beyond just the drunk or impaired driver. For instance, in some cases, the employer of a drunk truck driver may be liable for the accident.
Each step of a civil claim for damages requires compliance with strict procedural and substantive rules of law. Even in cases where liability seems straightforward, a simple mistake can destroy a claim’s viability. An attorney can assist claimants in gathering evidence, establishing liability, apportioning fault, and recovering damages after an accident.
What Damages Can Maryland Drunk Driving Accident Victims Obtain?
Washington D.C. drunk driving accident victims may pursue compensatory and punitive damages against the at-fault parties. Compensatory damages include pecuniary (monetary) or non-monetary losses. Damages include actual losses such as hospital bills, treatment costs, and other damages with an invoice. Courts rarely award punitive damages; however, they serve to punish the at-fault party when their negligence involves egregious conduct.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Washington D.C. Drunk Driving Accident
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a drunk or impaired driver, contact the experienced lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen. The attorneys at our office have a long history of successfully advocating on behalf of and representing Washington D.C. accident victims. In addition to Washington D.C. drunk driving accidents, our firm handles other motor vehicle crash claims, premises liability, products liability, construction site accidents, and medical malpractice lawsuits. While no amount of money can take away the trauma that some of these cases inflict on a person, we have secured significant amounts of compensation to help our clients be made whole again. Contact our office at 800-654-1949 to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney on our team.