Cumberland Auto and Truck Accident Attorneys
Motor vehicle accidents take lives and tear families apart. If you have survived a devastating crash, you may be trying to heal from your physical injuries while grieving for loved ones killed in the accident. The bills, loss of income, and unimaginable grief that follow an auto or truck accident are overwhelming. You need a strong ally to stand up for you, take charge of your case, and fight for full and fair compensation while you focus on taking care of yourself and your family. Our Cumberland auto and truck accident attorneys are here for you.
Common Causes of Auto and Truck Accidents
Common causes of motor vehicle accidents include driver negligence, defective vehicles and defective roadways. Examples of the types of driver negligence that often cause serious auto and truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxication with alcohol, illegal drugs, prescriptions drugs, and/or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
- Fatigue
- Road rage
- Following too closely
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to yield
- Failure to use turn signals
- Unsafe passing
- Improper left turn
Seat Belts
Maryland take a very strong position in favor of victims in accidents where failure to wear a seat belt was involved. Although all vehicle occupants are required to wear seat belts in Maryland, the state’s seat belt law specifically states that failure to wear a seat belt cannot be used against you in your motor vehicle accident claim. It cannot be used to pass some of the blame off on you nor can it be used to reduce your compensation. In fact, your use or non-use of a seat belt cannot even be mentioned in court by anyone.
This does not prevent you from suing for injuries caused by a defective seat belt.
Defective Vehicle Accidents
Defective vehicle claims fall under product liability, and can be involved in two ways. The defect can be the cause of the accident or a crash-worthiness defect can cause injuries to be worse in an accident caused by a negligent driver or defective roadway. A faulty seat belt is a perfect example of a crash-worthiness defect.
Parties who may be held liable for injuries caused by a defective vehicle include:
- Vehicle manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer
- New or used car dealership
- Distributor
- Factory branch
- Others along the supply chain
- Rental company
- Repair shop
Product liability also applies if a defective child safety seat caused your child’s injuries or death.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in a Maryland auto or truck accident please call the Cumberland accident attorneys of Dolina Hobbs, LLC, at (301) 739-1013 or contact us online right away.
