Dangerous Roads in Prince George’s County

Prince George’s County is home to some of the most heavily traveled and hazardous routes in the state of Maryland. Accidents frequently occur on roads such as the Capital Beltway, Route 50, Branch Avenue, and Crain Highway, where congestion, high speeds, and confusing traffic patterns increase the likelihood of serious collisions. Additional problematic areas include Pennsylvania Avenue, Indian Head Highway, and Kenilworth Avenue, all of which have a history of fatal and injury-causing accidents. These dangerous roads in Prince George’s County are often the site of preventable crashes caused by poor road design, inadequate maintenance, or failure to implement appropriate safety measures. If you suffered damages due to a collision caused in part by the hazardous condition of the roadway or another party’s negligent conduct, you may be entitled to compensation, and you should talk to an attorney. The experienced Prince George’s County car accident attorneys at Foran & Foran, P.A. understand the challenges that accompany these cases, and if we represent you, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf to help seek the results you deserve. 

One of the first steps an accident victim should take after a collision is to obtain the official police report, which can be a crucial piece of evidence in establishing fault. This report can be used to support a legal claim by providing objective documentation of the events surrounding the accident. Victims can obtain a copy of their accident report by visiting www.crashdocs.org. Alternatively, reports may be requested in person from the Prince George’s County Police Department Records Division, located at 4923 43rd Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland. Requestors must provide valid photo identification and either the report number or sufficient information to locate the report.

People hurt in accidents on dangerous roads in Prince George’s County will frequently pursue personal injury claims grounded in negligence. Under Maryland law, negligence is made up of four distinct elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages, and the plaintiff has to establish each to present a winning case. First, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff. In the context of motor vehicle collisions, all drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner and to comply with traffic laws. Similarly, entities responsible for road maintenance have a duty to design and maintain roads that are reasonably safe for travel.

Once a duty is established, the plaintiff must show that the defendant breached that duty. A breach occurs when a person or entity fails to exercise the level of care that is expected under the circumstances. For motorists, this might involve speeding, running red lights, distracted driving, or aggressive maneuvers. For governmental agencies or contractors, breach may involve failing to repair potholes, improperly timing traffic signals, or allowing vegetation to obscure traffic signs. A breach must be substantiated by evidence, such as accident scene photos, witness accounts, traffic camera footage, and the findings in the police report. In some cases, expert testimony is necessary to establish that a road’s design or maintenance failed to meet applicable safety standards.

Next, the plaintiff must also prove that the breach of duty directly caused the accident and the resulting injuries. In other words, they have to demonstrate that the crash would not have happened but for the defendant’s breach. Finally, the plaintiff must show that they suffered compensable damages. 

In Maryland, recoverable damages in personal injury cases may include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and costs of future care. Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, are also available under state law. Plaintiffs must provide documentation to substantiate these losses, which may include medical records, pay stubs, expert evaluations, and witness testimony. 

Injuries sustained on dangerous roads in Prince George’s County can have life-altering consequences. If you were injured in a collision in Prince George’s County, it is essential to understand your rights and speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The seasoned Prince George’s County car accident attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A. take pride in helping victims of negligence protect their interests, and if we represent you, we will fight tirelessly to help you seek the compensation you are owed. Our office is located in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we frequently represent people injured in collisions 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, please contact us online or call (301) 441-2022.