Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
When driving, we expect other motorists we share the road with to abide by road signs in a reasonable manner. After all, all drivers share a certain amount of responsibility to each other to operate their vehicles with reasonable safety. Sometimes, however, whether the driver is distracted or simply careless, negligent driving takes place and can result in devastating consequences. When an accident takes place because of the negligence of the at-fault party, it may give rise to a personal injury lawsuit.
According to a recent news report, a woman died after her car was hit by a large truck. Local police pronounced the 55-year-old woman dead at the scene because of injuries she sustained in the accident. The woman was driving her Buick when it was struck by an 18-wheeler log truck at an intersection. According to reports from the highway patrol and other local authorities, the truck driver ignored a stop sign and crashed into the Buick. An autopsy is scheduled for the woman and the local highway patrol is still investigating the circumstances of the accident.
In Maryland, like other states, the state code of transportation establishes certain rules of the road, including laws about stop signs and other yield signs. Drivers are expected to stop at a clearly marked stop line and to do so before entering any crosswalk. Similarly, Maryland has requirements for drivers to stop when approached with yield signs, and to stop at the near side of an intersection if there is no clearly marked stop line.
Paying attention to road signs and abiding by traffic signals is a basic tenet of being a responsible driver. In Maryland, like other states, drivers are under a duty to use reasonable care while operating their vehicles. When this duty is breached by driving carelessly, negligently, or recklessly and it causes an accident or unnecessarily places others in danger, this may be grounds for the victim to bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.
In Maryland, potential plaintiffs must establish negligence to prevail in a truck accident claim. Broadly, negligence means that the party did not take reasonable care to avoid causing injury to another individual. In Maryland, the plaintiff in a personal injury case must prove that the defendant had a duty to protect the plaintiff, the duty was breached, the plaintiff was actually hurt or injured, and the defendant’s action was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury.
What Do Maryland Truck Accident Victims Need to Prove to Recover Money Damages?
When running a stop sign because of speeding or reckless disregard for traffic signals, the elements for negligence are usually easily met, absent any extenuating circumstances. Maryland drivers have a duty to protect others on the road, the duty was breached when they ran a stop sign recklessly, the plaintiff is presumably injured and thus suing, and the defendant’s action of running the stop sign was also presumably the cause of the plaintiff’s injury.
Do You Need a Maryland Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you or someone you know was recently injured or killed in a Maryland truck accident, contact the lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen today. Our attorneys fight for the injured and will work to provide you with the support for your claim that you need. To schedule a free initial consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.