Car Accidents in Baltimore County

We Represent Car Accident Victims Throughout Baltimore County

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were approximately 5,615,000 police reported car accidents in 2012. Considering the safety improvements that car manufacturers continue to make to their vehicles, one might assume that the number of car accidents has decreased in recent years. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Car accidents continue to claim the lives of thousands of people across the country, and injure many more. The more you know about car accidents, including common causes, what to do immediately following a crash, and how to file a claim, the more prepared you will be if you are involved in a car accident.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

A car accident can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from slippery road conditions to drunk driving. Car accidents can be separated into two main categories. Driver error, or negligence, is responsible for the vast majority of car accidents, according to the NHTSA. In fact, the National Safety Council reported that 25% of all car accidents are caused by cell phone use, including talking or texting while driving. The other category is non-driver error, which includes factors beyond the driver’s control. The following are examples of each:

Driver Error

  • Driving through a stop sign or a red light
  • Reckless driving, including tailgating, cutting off another driver, and improper lane changes
  • Speeding

Non-Driver Error

  • Defective auto parts, including brakes, tires, and engine
  • Inclement weather, including rain, ice, snow, wind, and fog
  • Poorly marked construction zones
  • Potholes, fallen trees or utility poles, or other factors that affect road conditions

When a car accident occurs, it is not always clear who is responsible. In order to determine fault, the driver claiming to be the victim must prove that the other driver was negligent. The elements of a car accident negligence claim include the following:

Duty of Care

This means that every driver has a responsibility to operate his or her motor vehicle responsibly and in a manner that is not harmful to other drivers. This includes following the speed limit, using the appropriate turn signals, and obeying all traffic laws.

Breach of Duty of Care

When a driver fails to drive responsibly, he or she has breached the duty of care that is owed to the other drivers on the road. This can be a minor offense, like failing to use a turn signal, or a more serious offense, like driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Causation

Cause-in-fact means that the car accident was the direct cause of a particular result, like an injury. For example, if a driver gets whiplash from being rear ended by another vehicle, the crash is the cause-in-fact of the whiplash. Proximate cause means that while the breach may not be the direct cause of the damage, there would be no damage if the car accident did not occur. For example, if a drunk driver hits a utility pole, which falls on another car injuring the passengers, it is an example of proximate cause.

Damages

Damages can include actual injuries and property damage, as well as pain and suffering which includes things like psychological damage and a general inconvenience resulting from the crash. Damages also include any monetary compensation plaintiffs may receive as a result of a car accident claim.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries are as varied as the different types of car accidents. The less serious the collision, the less severe the injuries are likely to be. That being said, the following are examples of some of the most common types of car accident injuries:

  • Back injuries
  • Chest injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Leg and arm injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Baltimore County Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of All Types of Car Accidents

If you have been injured in a car accident, the Baltimore County car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that you receive the financial compensation that you deserve. We will guide you through every step of the legal process, making sure that you have all the necessary documentation in order to reach the best possible outcome. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Baltimore County, including the towns of Arbutus, Baltimore, Bowleys Quarters, Carney, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Dundalk, Edgemere, Essex, Garrison, Hampton, Ilchester, Kingsville, Lansdowne, Lochearn, Lutherville, Mays Chapel, Middle River, Milford Mill, Overlea, Owings Mills, Parkville, Perry Hall, Pikesville, Randallstown, Reisterstown, Rosedale, Rossville, Timonium, Towson, White Marsh, and Woodlawn, Maryland.