Anyone who gets behind the wheel of an automobile is legally obligated to drive responsibly. This requires them to follow the rules of the road to ensure that everyone on the road is safe. Unfortunately, not all people abide by these rules and they sometimes act negligently on the road. This behavior can cause serious car accidents that lead to life-impacting injuries for victims.
When a person is injured due to the negligence of another driver, they often want to hold that driver liable for their suffering. This can be done by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. During this time, the injured party must prove negligence. This requires them to understand what makes a driver negligent. An experienced attorney can guide them through this process.
Types of Driver Negligence
There are numerous different actions that can be classified as driver negligence. These can be categorized in two essential ways: dangerous and distracted driving. When a person fails to follow the rules of the road, they are driving dangerously. Actions that can be considered dangerous driving in the state of Maryland can include speeding, reckless driving, unsafe lane passing or lane changes, failure to abide by stop signs, driving under the influence, and more. These actions can put others on the road at risk for severe injuries.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents in the United States. If drivers are not paying attention to their surroundings, they can cause an accident. Common distractions can include the use of an electronic device while driving for navigation, phone calls, music, the internet, and more. Other distractions can include looking for something in the car, eating while driving, or interacting with other passengers.
Proving Negligence
When a driver is distracted or acting dangerously on the road, they are putting themselves and others sharing the road at risk for severe injuries or even death. In the event that someone becomes injured due to the negligence of another driver, that person can hold the driver accountable for their actions. This can be done during a personal injury lawsuit in which the injured party is required to prove negligence by a preponderance of the evidence. This means it is more likely than not that the at-fault driver was negligent. To accomplish this, the injured party must produce evidence to show that the accident and their injuries were a direct result of the driver’s negligent behavior. Evidence that can be helpful during a case can consist of a police report from the accident, medical documentation of the injuries, pictures of the accident, and witnesses to the incident.
Contact our Firm
The Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz has decades of experience representing clients in Howard County, Maryland who have been charged with a crime or have been seriously injured by another party’s negligence. Contact the Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz today to discuss your case.
