Dangerous Roads in Charles County

Charles County is a fast-growing area of Southern Maryland, with a complex network of highways, rural roads, and suburban corridors that serve both commuters and commercial vehicles. Unfortunately, the region also contains several hazardous traffic areas. Collisions regularly occur on dangerous roads in Charles County, including Route 301 (Crain Highway), Route 5 (Leonardtown Road), and Route 6 (Port Tobacco Road). Other problematic areas include Mattawoman Beantown Road, Billingsley Road, and Berry Road, which are frequently the site of serious accidents that cause devastating injuries. If you were hurt in an accident on an unsafe road, you may have grounds for pursuing compensation, and you should talk to an attorney about your potential claims. At Foran & Foran, P.A., our experienced Charles County car accident attorneys are committed to helping people injured by the carelessness of others in the pursuit of justice, and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly on your behalf.

After an accident occurs on one of the dangerous roads in Charles County, it is wise to obtain the police report prepared by law enforcement. These reports can provide vital evidence in a subsequent personal injury lawsuit. To obtain a copy of a crash report from an accident in Charles County, individuals may visit https://ccso-md.nextrequest.com. Requestors will need to provide basic identifying information, including the involved party’s name and the report number, if available. Police reports may also be obtained directly from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Records Division, located at 6915 Crain Highway in La Plata, Maryland. A valid government-issued photo ID and payment via money order or business check are typically required. 

Legal claims arising from collisions on dangerous roads in Charles County are most often based on a theory of negligence. Under Maryland law, to demonstrate negligence a plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries and losses. This framework applies to both drivers and other responsible parties, such as government entities tasked with road design and maintenance.

The duty element in a negligence case often refers to the legal obligation to act with reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm, but it may also indicate an obligation imposed by a law or statute. All drivers have a duty to follow traffic rules and operate their vehicles safely under the circumstances. Likewise, public agencies and contractors have a duty to maintain roadways in a safe condition. A failure to fulfill any of these obligations may constitute a breach of duty.

To establish a breach, the plaintiff must present evidence showing that the defendant’s conduct deviated from what a reasonable person or entity would have done in similar circumstances. Examples of breach include a driver running a stop sign, texting while driving, or a county failing to repair a dangerous curve despite prior complaints or documented incidents. Establishing a breach often requires the use of photographs, traffic camera footage, police reports, and expert testimony.

After demonstrating that the defendant breached a duty of care, the plaintiff must prove that this breach caused the accident and the plaintiff’s injuries. Finally, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they sustained compensable damages. Recoverable damages in Maryland car accident cases may include past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and property damage. Plaintiffs may also pursue compensation for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Accidents on dangerous roads in Charles County can lead to devastating injuries and long-term consequences for victims and their families. If you suffered damages due to a crash on an unsafe road, it is in your best interest to consult an attorney regarding your options. The dedicated Charles County car accident attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A. have the experience and resources needed to craft compelling cases, and if you hire us, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf. Our office is located in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we proudly serve injured workers 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 set up a free and confidential consultation, you may contact us online or call our office at (301) 441-2022.