How To Determine Liability In Maryland Multi-Vehicle Car Accidents

Multi-vehicle crashes are common on busy Maryland highways, such as I-95 and I-70. Heavy traffic increases the risks, but reckless driving behavior is often ultimately to blame.

Determining liability in the aftermath can be challenging, especially when multiple motorists are involved. Our experienced Maryland car accident attorneys provide trusted legal representation to clients in these cases, helping them get the compensation they need to recover.

If you were injured in a multi-vehicle crash, we explain why it may have happened and how to protect your rights in a claim.

How Do Multi-Vehicle Car Accidents in Maryland Happen?

According to the Maryland State Police, more than 30,000 people are injured in car accidents throughout the state each year. They are particularly common on major highways and intersections, where heavy traffic increases the risks.

On busy city streets and roads such as I-270, I-695, and the Capital Beltway, even a relatively minor collision can affect nearby motorists and escalate into a major multi-vehicle crash. Common causes include:

• Following too closely in stop-and-go traffic;
• Sudden braking without warning;
• Speeding and going too fast for traffic conditions;
• Distracted driving, such as texting, changing GPS or car stereo settings, and reaching for items in the vehicle.

Once the first impact occurs, other drivers may not have enough time or space to avoid a collision. These crashes can cause potentially life-threatening injuries and are among the most challenging types of claims in terms of proving liability.

Determining Liability For Maryland Multi-Vehicle Collisions

When you suffer car accident injuries in Maryland due to the recklessness of other motorists, you have the right to hold them accountable. However, the state follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If you are found even slightly at fault in a multi-vehicle crash, it can jeopardize your rights to compensation.

That makes collecting evidence critical in Maryland multi-vehicle car accident cases. Evidence that can help prove liability and support your claim includes:

• Police accident reports and the officer’s impressions of what happened.
• Photos from people at the scene and surveillance videos from nearby traffic signals or businesses showing the vehicles involved and their positions right after the crash.
• Testimony from witnesses who may have seen how the crash unfolded.
• Testimony from accident reconstruction experts detailing how the crash likely unfolded.

Insurers are quick to dispute liability in multi-vehicle crash claims. Our experienced Maryland car accident attorneys can analyze the sequence of events, review crash reports, and take other actions to get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact Our Experienced Maryland Car Accident Attorneys to Request a Consultation

At Berman Sobin Gross LLP, we represent drivers and passengers injured in complex multi-vehicle crashes. We understand how quickly insurers try to shift blame in these cases and how to build strong claims under Maryland law.

If you were injured in this type of collision or any other crash, call or contact us online today. For trusted, experienced legal representation, request a consultation with our Maryland car accident attorneys.

Sources:

mdsp.maryland.gov/Pages/Dashboards/CrashDataDashboard.aspx

dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/CourtCrimCivil/Negligence-Systems.pdf