Earlier this month, a Clinton couple died as a result of a fatal accident involving several other vehicles. According to one local news source, the accident took place at the intersection of Kirby Road and Tinkers Creek Drive just before two in the afternoon on a Sunday.
Evidently, two cars had slowed down to allow the victims’ vehicle to turn onto Kirby Road from Tinkers Creek Drive. However, a third vehicle coming up from behind those two vehicles crossed over the median, attempting to pass the slower-moving vehicles. As that third vehicle got back into the proper lane of travel, it rear-ended the victims’ vehicle, which had just turned onto the road and hadn’t had a chance to pick up speed.
When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found the couple in critical condition. It wasn’t until a few moments later, when they were at the hospital, that they were officially pronounced dead. The driver of the other vehicle suffered only minor injuries.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fatal accident, and they have not yet issued a citation to any of the other drivers involved. However, that may change as the investigation deepens and eventually concludes.
Aggressive Driving Accidents in Maryland
While police have not yet cited anyone involved in the fatal car accident discussed above, it does seem that the driver of the vehicle that collided with the accident victims’ car was may have been making an illegal pass at the time of the accident. This kind of aggressive driving can increase the chance of causing a serious or fatal car accident and can also give rise to financial liability.
Recovering After a Serious Accident
Those who are injured in serious Maryland traffic accidents, as well as those who lose family members in fatal traffic accidents, are entitled to seek compensation from the party they believe to be at fault for their injuries or loss through a negligence or wrongful death action. In either case, the elements are similar and generally require that the plaintiff prove that the defendant’s negligent or reckless conduct was the cause of the accident that resulted in the injuries.
Most often, the bulk of the litigation in these types of cases is focused around the “causation” element. This element requires that the plaintiff show that it was the defendant’s actions that caused the ultimate harm. In Maryland in particular, a plaintiff who was even the slightest bit at fault in the accident that resulted in their own injury is completely prohibited from recovering.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Car Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of Maryland car accident, you may be entitled to monetary damages. While the issuance of criminal charges or traffic citations may help a plaintiff’s case, they are hardly a requirement. In fact, each year hundreds of cases result in favorable jury verdicts and settlements that did not result in criminal liability. To learn more, call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation with an experienced attorney.
More Blog Posts:
One Woman Dead, One Man in Critical Condition after Baynes Collision; Alcohol Suspected, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published August 11, 2015.
State Trooper in Serious Condition after Roadside Accident on Interstate 95 in Laurel, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published July 23, 2015.