Dangerous Roads in Howard County

Howard County, situated between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., is one of Maryland’s most rapidly growing regions. With this growth has come increased traffic congestion, construction, and strain on existing infrastructure. Unfortunately, this has contributed to a rising number of motor vehicle collisions on dangerous roads in Howard County, including Route 29 (Columbia Pike), Route 32, Route 100, and Interstate 95. Local roads such as Snowden River Parkway, Broken Land Parkway, and Little Patuxent Parkway also experience high crash rates. Unfortunately, such collisions often lead to injuries that cause both physical pain and limitations and financial hardships. If you were hurt in a crash brought about by unsafe road conditions, you may be owed damages, and you should consult an attorney. The skilled Howard County car accident attorneys at Foran & Foran, P.A. are committed to helping accident victims pursue compensation for their losses, and if you engage our services, we will zealously advocate on your behalf. 

When a collision occurs on one of the dangerous roads in Howard County, the police report generated by law enforcement is often a critical piece of evidence in evaluating and pursuing a legal claim. To obtain a copy of an accident report in Howard County, individuals may visit www.crashdocs.org and provide the required information, such as the names of the drivers involved, the date of the crash, and the case number. Accident reports may also be obtained in person at the Howard County Police Department’s Records Section, located at 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland. Requestors must bring valid photo identification and submit payment via money order or business check. 

When a person suffers injuries in a car accident, they will often bring a civil lawsuit against the parties responsible for their harm. As most car accidents arise from careless behavior, most car crash cases will assert a theory of negligence. To establish negligence under Maryland law, a plaintiff must prove four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

The first element, duty, requires demonstrating that the defendant owed the plaintiff a legal obligation to act reasonably to avoid foreseeable harm. Drivers owe a general duty to obey traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely under the circumstances. In some cases, government agencies or contractors responsible for designing and maintaining roads may also be held liable if they fail to address known hazards. 

Next, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant breached that duty. Demonstrating a breach often requires evidence such as the police report, photographs of the scene, expert witness analysis, and eyewitness testimony.

After the breach is established, the plaintiff must prove causation by showing that the breach was both the actual and proximate cause of the accident and resulting injuries. Actual cause means that the accident would not have occurred but for the defendant’s conduct. Proximate cause requires that the injury was a foreseeable result of the breach. 

Finally, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they suffered legally recognizable damages. Under Maryland law, recoverable damages include both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages may include past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and vehicle repair expenses. Non-economic damages compensate parties for more intangible harms such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Injuries caused by accidents on dangerous roads in Howard County can be life-altering, affecting victims’ health, financial stability, and overall well-being. When these accidents result from another driver’s negligence or a hazardous road condition that should have been addressed, the law may provide a remedy. The seasoned Maryland car accident lawyers at Foran & Foran, P.A. are well-versed in handling complex personal injury claims involving road defects and negligent drivers. We have a strong record of advocating for clients in Howard County and throughout the state, and we are committed to helping you pursue fair compensation. Our office is located in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we represent injured individuals 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, contact us online or call (301) 441-2022.