(Newswire.net — October 24, 2018) — Auto collisions are one of the most damaging everyday occurrences that take place in Baltimore. Not only do they lead to millions of dollars in property damage, but they also cause severe injuries. If you ever get in one, you should consider looking into your legal options with a trained professional. In this article by a traffic accident lawyer in Baltimore, you can educate yourself on the intricacies of traffic accident law in Baltimore so you don’t make any mistakes in your potential case.
Parking Lots Are Hotspots for Accidents
When most people think of a car accident, they imagine a high-speed collision at an intersection or on the freeway. While those types of crashes frequently take place in Baltimore, experts agree that parking lots are very dangerous in their own right. The reason is simple: There are fewer rules in parking lots. Not only are there no traffic lights, but people often do not follow stop signs and speeding laws. Additionally, there are many factors that drivers must take into account. Cars are driving through the lanes, other vehicles are backing up out of spots, and there are pedestrians everywhere. All of these issues combine to make parking lots an accident hotspot.
You Should Almost Always Call the Police After an Accident
Most Baltimore drivers do not want to get the police involved after an accident. They instead try to work things out under the table or through insurance only. Unfortunately, doing so can lead to a lower compensation package. When you call the police after an accident, they will confirm the identities of each party, interview everyone involved, collect evidence, and create an official report. Doing so can be vital to your future case, so you should call the police in most circumstances.
Hit and Runs Are Often Solved
A hit and run accident is one in which the at-fault driver flees the scene instead of stopping. Many people believe that reporting this event will not yield them any results, and choose to pay for the damages themselves. This is a mistake. When you get into an accident and start to see the other driver fleeing, do everything you can to collect vehicle information, such as make, model, color, and license plate. Depending on how much you obtain, you and the police department may get the justice you’re looking for.
Contributory Negligence Could Derail Your Case
Maryland is strange in that they are one of four states with a contributory negligence law. What this means is that if one driver is even 2% at fault, while the other is responsible for 98%, the first driver cannot recover compensation from the mostly at-fault party. For reference, other states allow drivers to bring a lawsuit even if they are found partially at fault. Though this is considered unfair by many, it is a simple fact of Maryland’s legal system, and you must work around it.
You Should Never Admit Fault Without Talking to a Lawyer
This point is related to the one above because admitting fault could destroy your potential for compensation, and doing so is a more common problem than you might think. Sometimes, people are emotionally charged from an accident and start to apologize to other people involved. Furthermore, they might feel guilty and tell a police officer that the crash was partially their fault, even if it wasn’t. This mistake will hurt your case, so you should try to never make it. If you decide that you want to admit legitimate fault later on in the post-accident process, that is fine, but never do so when you’re emotionally charged at the scene of a collision.
Though the world of car accidents is dangerous and potentially costly, educating yourself on basic legal ideas goes a long way in keeping you safe. Understanding the 5 concepts on this list will help you do just that. If you find that you need more information or legal representation, then your next step will be searching for a lawyer in Baltimore.