Maryland Rear-End Collision Attorney
Rear-end crashes are some of the more common types of car accidents that take place on the road. Studies show that about 87 percent of rear-end crashes occur because a driver was not focusing on the road. Many rear-end accidents happen because a driver was looking at his or her phone and failed to notice traffic ahead had slowed down or come to a stop.
Fortunately, many rear-end incidents are just fender benders and do not result in severe injuries to the people in the involved cars. Even so, about 1,700 deadly rear-end crashes occur each year in the United States.
If you were injured in a rear-end crash, you might feel frustrated by the fact that a careless driver caused you so much pain, suffering, and financial hardship. It is important to understand that you have options for collecting compensation from a negligent driver who caused your injuries.
The dedicated personal injury attorneys at Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP are here to help. Call us today at 410-769-5400 to speak with an experienced lawyer and learn how we can help you recover for your losses.
Fault in Maryland Rear-End Crash Claims
One negligent driver is typically the cause of rear-end accidents. The rear driver is the one whom courts will consider at fault in most of these accidents. Even if a driver is traveling too slowly or stops quickly in an emergency, the driver in the back is typically the one found liable. When following behind another car, drivers must keep at a reasonable speed and leave enough space to avoid striking the vehicle ahead if that vehicle were to slow down suddenly.
The fact that rear-end drivers are often at fault can help Maryland car crash victims recover from their injuries in these types of collisions.
Proving Negligence in a Maryland Car Crash
Maryland’s negligence law uses the theory of contributory negligence rather than comparative negligence. Most states follow comparative fault policies, which allow for a person who was partially at fault for his or her injuries to recover from another person who was more at fault. In those other jurisdictions, for example, the injured person may be considered 20 percent at fault for the crash, and the other person could be 80 percent at fault. The injured person would therefore be able to recover 80 percent of their damages. In practice, this means that if the damages amounted to $100,000, the victim could collect $80,000 from the other driver. In Maryland, the injured person in this situation would not recover anything because contributory negligence means that courts will bar a plaintiff who contributed to his or her injuries from collecting compensation from another person.
In the case of rear-end crashes, the liability is more likely to be clear-cut. However, it is important to note that a driver who failed to signal and then slammed on his or her breaks might be viewed as partially responsible for the crash. It’s critical to review the accident with an experienced attorney rather than just take the insurance company’s word for it if they say you are partially to blame.
If you are wondering whether you have a claim against another driver, contact a Maryland car crash attorney to discuss your case.
Crash Avoidance Systems and Rear-End Crashes
Studies indicate that crash avoidance technology is starting to reduce the number of collisions that occur on the road every year. Forward-collision warnings and automatic braking systems are already available in many makes and models. As cars start to take over more of the responsibilities of driving, people sometimes wonder who will be at fault when that technology fails.
Certainly, fully autonomous cars will raise some serious questions about liability in car crashes. However, for now, the driver is still required to pay attention behind the wheel. Even in the case of more advanced systems such as Tesla’s Autopilot, the manufacturers state that the technology is secondary to the driver. If a driver decides to use their Autopilot system as if it makes their car fully autonomous, then that driver is not using the technology as intended. For now, drivers are still responsible for correctly operating their vehicles.
Rear-End Crash Injuries in Maryland
If you were involved in a rear-end accident, many factors could impact the severity of your injuries. Some common injuries caused by rear-end crashes include the following:
- Whiplash
- Spine injuries
- Back injuries
- Head and brain trauma
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
- Broken ribs
- Arm and wrist injuries
Even minor crashes can cause strains and sprains that are painful and can impact a person’s ability to do the things he or she normally enjoys. Injuries are also expensive, and treatment and pain can prevent people from working, causing further expenses.
Contact Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP Today for Help After a Rear-End Collision in Maryland
At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, we can help you develop a strategy to recover for your injuries. Call us at 410-769-5400 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced car crash attorneys if a negligent driver injured you in a rear-end car accident.
