Maryland is a “fault” state for car accidents, meaning that the driver or drivers responsible for causing a collision are financially liable for the resulting damage. Due to these laws, proving fault after a collision can be important to help clear your liability and strengthen your claim for compensation. While fault may be obvious in many circumstances, insurance companies often require a considerable level of evidence of their insured driver’s fault before they will even consider paying your claim. If you have been involved in a car accident, the following tips can help you strengthen your argument and maximize your chances of securing your entitled coverage.
- Take photographs: If you have a camera available to you at the time of your collision, take as many photographs of the damage as you can, including damage to your vehicle, damage to the other vehicles, property damage, and skid marks. Detailed photographs can be useful as a means of recreating an accident.
- Examine police reports: While police may not always come to the scene of minor collisions, more major crashes or accidents that involve substantial property damage or injury will most likely be handled by law enforcement. If police show up, they will create an accident report containing the facts of the accident scene, their observations, and possible implications of fault. It is important you request a copy of your collision’s accident report as it can be one of the most important of pieces of evidence for your case. Information about skid marks, the positioning of the vehicles, and whether or not the officer issued any traffic tickets can be crucial.
- Check local traffic laws: Another great way to support your argument is by consulting with your area’s vehicle code. Often found in an easy-to-read “Rules of the Road” brochure at your local DMV, these can help you identify the exact laws that another driver may have violated and include them in your claim.
- “No Doubt” Liability: Certain types of collisions are almost always the fault of the other driver, and insurance companies will rarely attempt to dispute the issue. For example, if you were rear-ended, it is virtually never your fault, as a basic rule of the road is to be able to safely stop if traffic is stopped ahead. Likewise, left-turn accidents are almost always the fault of the turning vehicle unless the car going straight was speeding or ran through a red light.
Injured? Call William R. Hall Today
If you have been injured in a car accident you believe was not your fault, it is important you consult with a Salisbury personal injury lawyer to maximize your potential compensation. Having represented countless injured clients during more than 20 years of dedicated legal practice, I, Attorney William R. Hall, can ensure your rights are protected and handle any disputes that should arise with your claim, allowing you to focus on your recovery with peace of mind.
Call (410) 205-1684 or schedule a no-cost case evaluation today to review your legal options.