Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog
Earlier this month in Lanham, Maryland, a man was killed while making a left turn. According to a report by the Washington Post, the man was driving on Fontana Road and attempted to make a left hand turn on to Annapolis Road when he was struck by an oncoming car. The accident occurred shortly after 1 a.m.
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash, however, a preliminary investigation indicates that the driver making the left hand turn failed to yield the right of way to the oncoming car. Police are currently looking into whether the speed of the other driver also played a role in the crash.
The man making the left turn was taken to the hospital where he later died of the injuries he sustained as a result of the crash. The other driver was also inured, however, he is expected to fully recover.
Yielding When Making a Left Turn
As the police explained here after conducting the preliminary investigation, a driver making a left in front of another oncoming car must yield the right of way to that car. Failure to do so will constitute grounds for being at fault for the accident, as well as for any injuries that are sustained as a result of the accident.
However, if the oncoming car is traveling in excess of the posted speed limit, that driver loses his right of way. The practical effect of this rule is that, although at first glance it may seem like a driver who is making a left turn is at fault, that may not be the case if that driver can establish that he didn’t really owe the oncoming driver the right of way because that driver was speeding.
Fault in Maryland Car Accidents
Determining who is at fault in a Maryland car accident is extremely important not only for any potential criminal liability, but also to determine who will be responsible for the accident victim’s injuries. In Maryland, only accident victims who are completely free of fault are able to recover for the damages they sustained as a result of an auto accident. This means that it is critically important for an experienced attorney to handle the case from the very beginning, ensuring that your role in the accident is that of a victim only.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Auto Accident?
If you have been involved in a Maryland auto accident, there is a possibility that you may be eligible to recover monetary damages based on the injuries you suffered. However, it is very important that you speak to an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney as soon as possible in order for your attorney to begin working on your case. The more time an attorney has to develop your case, the better the chances are of success at trial. Click here, or call 410-654-3600 today to speak to an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney.
More Blog Posts:
If Passed, “Jake’s Law” May Increase the Penalties for Cell Phone Use Resulting in an Accident, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published March 7, 2014.
Three-Car Accident on Route 340 Kills Two, Injures Four, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published March 20, 2014.