Dangerous Roads in Calvert County
Anne Arundel County, home to a mix of suburban neighborhoods and busy commuter routes, experiences a significant number of motor vehicle accidents each year. Many of these crashes occur on dangerous roads in Anne Arundel County, where a variety of factors converge to create high-risk driving conditions. For example, roads such as Route 2 (Ritchie Highway), Route 3 (Crain Highway), and Route 50 are known for their high accident rates. Accidents frequently happen on Forest Drive in Annapolis, Generals Highway, and the intersections around Aris T. Allen Boulevard as well. Dangerous roads in Anne Arundel County often cause or contribute to serious collisions, leaving victims with lasting physical, emotional, and financial injuries, and the parties who carelessly allowed the hazards that cause such crashes to endure should be held accountable. At Foran & Foran, P.A., our experienced Anne Arundel County car accident lawyers are committed to helping victims of traffic collisions assert their rights, and if you were injured in a car accident on a dangerous road, we can help you seek the best legal outcome possible.
Obtaining a Police Report for an Anne Arundel County Car AccidentWhen a collision takes place on one of the dangerous roads in Anne Arundel County, law enforcement will typically respond to the scene and prepare a formal report of the incident. Obtaining the police report is an essential first step in building a legal claim, as it may serve as critical evidence in demonstrating negligence. Victims can access reports related to accidents investigated by the Anne Arundel County Police Department through the department website. Alternatively, reports may be requested in person at the Anne Arundel County Police Records Section, located at 8495 Veterans Highway in Millersville, Maryland. Valid photo identification and basic identifying details, including the report number or date and location of the accident, are necessary to complete the request. Promptly acquiring the police report can assist victims in documenting the nature of the crash and pursuing compensation from at-fault parties.
Establishing Negligence in Anne Arundel County Car Accident ClaimsAccidents on dangerous roads in Anne Arundel County may give rise to personal injury claims based on negligence. To prevail on a negligence claim, under Maryland law, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused the plaintiff’s injuries, which resulted in legally compensable damages.
The first element, duty, refers to the legal obligation to act with care. Motorists owe a general duty to drive safely, follow traffic rules, and avoid actions that could endanger others. Similarly, government agencies and contractors have a duty to design, construct, and maintain public roads in a reasonably safe condition. This duty includes removing known hazards, posting adequate warnings, and implementing safety measures at high-risk intersections and stretches of road. If a particular area has a history of accidents and the responsible authority fails to act, that inaction may be construed as a breach of duty.
A breach occurs when a party fails to fulfill its duty. In auto accident cases, breach often involves driver behaviors such as speeding, failing to yield, distracted driving, or operating a vehicle under the influence. When it comes to public infrastructure, a breach may consist of failing to repair known road defects, allowing signage to remain obstructed, or designing intersections with inherently dangerous traffic patterns. In either context, a breach must be supported by evidence, which may include accident reports, photographs, surveillance footage, and expert analysis.
The third element of a negligence claim, causation, requires the plaintiff to prove that the defendant’s breach of duty was both the actual and legal cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. Once causation is established, the plaintiff must demonstrate damages. Damages in Maryland car accident claims may include both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages encompass tangible financial losses, including hospital bills, physical therapy expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. Non-economic damages compensate for more subjective harms like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving long-term disability or permanent injury, plaintiffs may also pursue compensation for future medical expenses and diminished earning capacity.
Talk to an Experienced Anne Arundel County Car Accident LawyerCrashes on dangerous roads in Anne Arundel County can cause catastrophic injuries, and people who suffer such losses can often recover compensation from the responsible parties. If you were hurt in a crash on an unsafe road, it is important to act quickly to protect your rights, and you should meet with an attorney promptly. The experienced Anne Arundel County car accident lawyers at Foran & Foran, P.A. can evaluate your case and aid you in seeking the best legal outcome possible. Our office is in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we regularly represent clients in Hyattsville, Upper Marlboro, Bowie, La Plata, Waldorf, Rockville, Silver Spring, and throughout Prince George’s County, Charles County, Montgomery County, and across the state of Maryland. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, you may contact us online or call our office at (301) 441-2022.