Hit By A Fatigued Driver in Maryland?
Our attorneys know how to hold drowsy drivers accountable
Drowsy drivers in Maryland frequently cause serious car accidents. Whether they’re simply fatigued or fall asleep at the wheel, tired drivers wreak havoc in Silver Spring, Bowie, and other communities throughout Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.
When this happens, it’s important for injury victims to act right away – to protect their health and their legal rights. Otherwise, you might not fully recover, physically and financially. That’s why our attorneys want to meet with you.
Our legal team at Goldberg Finnegan in Silver Spring knows how to handle claims involving drowsy drivers and drivers who fell asleep at the wheel. We know how to find strong evidence. We understand the laws that apply to these accidents. Experience has taught us which legal strategies can be the most effective. You can count on us.
How common are drowsy driving accidents?
Each year, tired drivers cause more than 100,000 car accidents on average nationwide, according to accident data collected by the National Safety Council (NSC). That’s one drowsy driving accident every 5 minutes and 15 seconds.
Here are some other eye-opening statistics about fatigued driving accidents. These crashes cause more than 71,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities nationwide each year on average, according to the NSC.
Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel are particularly dangerous
Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel frequently cause serious and fatal crashes, including:
- Head-on collisions, especially on city streets or rural roads that don’t have barriers separating on-coming traffic.
- High-speed accidents, often because drivers do not attempt to slow down before hitting another car.
- Intersection accidents, especially T-bone accidents involving drivers running a red light and hitting the side of another car in the intersection.
What makes these accidents so complicated?
Tired driving accidents are often complex legal cases because the driver might not remember what happened and may not want to admit fault. Proving another driver was tired or asleep at the wheel can be very difficult, and without the right evidence, fault can be disputed. This is why it’s important to have a lawyer who knows how to investigate car accidents.
Can I sue a tired driver for causing my accident?
One of the options you have is filing a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This is a common option many people choose, especially if the driver denies causing your accident or the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to pay you.
Remember, it’s the at-fault party’s responsibility to pay for all your accident-related expenses. This is because Maryland has an at-fault car insurance system. As a result, you should not have to pay for any expenses related to your collision.
However, you need to take action right away. This is due to Maryland’s statute of limitations law, which requires car accident injury victims to file a lawsuit within three (3) years. And while three years might seem like a long time, the longer you wait, the harder it often becomes to find evidence in support of your case.
How much is my accident claim worth?
You might be surprised by how quickly accident-related expenses can add up after a crash. You might also not realize just how many expenses you have as a result of your crash, including:
- Medical care, including future medical treatments, such as follow-up surgery or future doctor’s appointments.
- Vehicle repairs or the cost of buying a new car if yours was totaled in the accident.
- Replacement income if you cannot work temporarily due to your injury.
- Lost future income if you can never return to work due to a permanent disability sustained in your accident.
- Pain and suffering in certain circumstances.
Our attorneys can help you recover your losses
Insurance companies, at-fault drivers, and their lawyers can be extremely difficult to deal with after an accident caused by a drowsy driver. That’s because they would rather fight your case than pay you the money you rightfully deserve.
Our Maryland drowsy driver accident lawyers can help you every step of the way. We also promise to keep you informed and seek your input throughout your case. Learn more about how we can help you. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation today.