Takoma Park Car Accident Attorneys

What If I Was Partially Responsible for a Car Crash in Maryland?

Unfortunately, Maryland continues to apply a strict legal doctrine known as pure contributory negligence, which distinguishes it from the vast majority of other states. Under this rule, if a court finds you even slightly at fault for the accident, even 1%, you lose your right to collect any compensation whatsoever. 

While other jurisdictions might simply reduce your financial award based on your share of the blame, Maryland law completely bars recovery if the court decides your actions contributed to the crash in any way. Insurance companies utilize this harsh standard as a primary weapon, aggressively searching for evidence to shift a fraction of the responsibility onto you.

At Antezana & Antezana, LLC., we are familiar with these tactics and can aggressively defend you against any unfounded allegations of contributory negligence. We can investigate the precise circumstances of the collision to demonstrate that the other driver bears full liability for your injuries. Our team is prepared to challenge any narrative that suggests you acted with any level of negligence.

Common Forms of Negligence That Cause Car Accidents

Everyone on the road has a legal obligation to operate their vehicles responsibly. When their negligent failure to do so leads to a collision, the at-fault driver generally becomes liable for the harm they cause.

You may have a case and should get legal advice right away if you were injured in an accident caused by any of the following negligent behaviors:

• Distracted driving. Drivers who text, talk on the phone, eat, or adjust navigation systems while operating their vehicles divert their attention from the road. This lack of focus can prevent them from noticing other vehicles or changes in road conditions until it’s too late.
• Speeding. Motorists who exceed posted speed limits or drive too fast for weather conditions compromise their ability to safely control their vehicle. High speeds increase stopping distances and significantly magnify the force of impact during a collision.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Alcohol and drugs severely impair a driver's judgment, reaction time, and motor coordination. Intoxicated individuals often make unpredictable maneuvers that endanger everyone sharing the road.
• Reckless driving. Aggressive behaviors like tailgating and weaving through traffic demonstrate a willful disregard for safety. 
• Fatigued driving. Drowsiness slows reaction times and impairs decision-making capabilities. Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel or experience "microsleeps" can drift out of lanes and crash without braking.
• Failure to follow traffic laws. Drivers must obey traffic signs, traffic signals, and right-of-way laws. Ignoring traffic laws frequently forces other motorists to take sudden evasive actions, which can quickly lead to collisions.