Dangerous Roads in Montgomery County

Montgomery County, Maryland, is one of the most densely populated counties in the state and is home to several of the region’s most heavily trafficked routes. Unfortunately, this high volume of traffic, combined with poor road design, inadequate signage, and deteriorating infrastructure, has resulted in numerous dangerous roads in Montgomery Countywhere car accidents frequently occur. For example, intersections along Georgia Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, and Rockville Pike are especially prone to crashes. Many collisions also happen on Veirs Mill Road, Colesville Road, and parts of the Intercounty Connector. These accidents often stem from conditions that could have been mitigated with proper maintenance, better lighting, or clearer signals. If you were hurt in a collision on one of the dangerous roads in Montgomery County, you may be entitled to compensation, and it is crucial to speak with a lawyer about your legal rights. The skilled Montgomery County car accident attorneys at Foran & Foran, P.A. are proficient at helping people harmed by the negligence of others seek justice, and if we represent you, we can craft compelling arguments in your favor. 

After a collision occurs on any of the dangerous roads in Montgomery County, a police report may serve as a critical piece of evidence in a subsequent legal claim. To request a copy of a report for an accident that occurred within Montgomery County, individuals can visit the Maryland State Police website or go to www.crashdocs.org. Parties must provide basic identifying information, such as the driver’s name, date of the incident, and case number. Reports can also be obtained in person from the Montgomery County Police Records Division, located at 100 Edison Park Drive in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Requests must be accompanied by valid government-issued photo identification and the applicable fee, which may be paid by check or money order. 

When a person is injured in a crash on one of the dangerous roads in Montgomery County, they will often seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence. Under Maryland law, negligence occurs when someone breaches a duty of care owed to another person, resulting in harm. To succeed on a negligence claim, the plaintiff must prove four essential elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

First, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed them a legal duty. In the context of motor vehicle accidents, this typically involves the obligation to operate a vehicle safely and in accordance with traffic laws. Drivers are expected to exercise reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others on the road. This duty extends to all motorists, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. In cases involving road design or maintenance, government entities may also be found to have owed a duty to keep public roads in a reasonably safe condition.

Next, the plaintiff must show that the defendant breached this duty. Breaches may include speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or failing to yield the right of way. In cases involving dangerous road conditions, a breach might involve a failure to repair potholes, maintain signage, or provide adequate warnings of known hazards. Evidence of a breach may be found in the police report, traffic camera footage, witness testimony, and expert analysis, including accident reconstruction. Proving breach is essential, but it is not enough on its own.

The plaintiff must also establish causation by showing that the breach directly caused the accident and the plaintiff’s injuries. In cases where multiple factors contributed to a crash, it must be shown that the defendant’s conduct was a substantial factor in bringing about the injury. Medical records, expert testimony, and a clear timeline of events are often crucial in proving causation. Finally, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they suffered actual damages as a result of the defendant’s conduct. 

Damages in car accident lawsuits arising from dangerous roads in Montgomery Countymay include economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages consist of quantifiable financial harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future medical care costs. Non-economic damages address more subjective harm, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. In catastrophic cases, where the plaintiff suffers permanent disability or disfigurement, the amount of non-economic damages may be substantial.

Car accidents occurring on dangerous roads in Montgomery County can result in devastating injuries and lasting trauma. Whether the crash was caused by a negligent driver, poor road design, or governmental inaction, it is important for anyone injured in such collisions to understand their rights. The knowledgeable Montgomery County car accident attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A. understand the complexities of Maryland’s negligence laws and how to build persuasive cases based on thorough investigation and evidence, and if we represent you, we can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. Our office is conveniently located in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we aid injured parties in the pursuit of damages 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 through our website or call (301) 441-2022.