Earlier this week in Deer Park, a woman was arrested after she crashed into a car while driving drunk. According to a report by one local news source, a couple was driving along State Road 219 when another driver pulled in front of them, cutting them off.
Due to the driver cutting off the couple, the two cars collided in a minor collision. However, rather than stop and ensure that everyone was all right, the woman kept on driving. The couple followed her for several miles, honking their horn and flashing their lights, trying to get her to stop. They were also able to get the car’s license plate number and call police.
When police finally tracked the woman down, she was at home and admitted to driving while she was drunk and also apologized for hitting the people. A blood test was given to the woman, and the results indicated that her blood-alcohol content was .33, which is one-third of her blood. She was immediately arrested and charged with driving under the influence and also with fleeing the scene of an accident.
Drunk Driving in Maryland
Maryland courts take drunk driving very seriously, not only in criminal courts but also in civil courts. In cases where a drunk driver causes an accident, the accident victim may wish to recover damages from the drunk driver for the injuries he or she sustained as a result of the drunk driver’s behavior.
Ordinarily, these lawsuits are brought under a theory of negligence, specifically “negligence per se,” which is a more plaintiff-friendly version of ordinary negligence. Negligence per se allows a plaintiff to rely on a criminal law prohibiting certain conduct to establish elements of the plaintiff’s case.
For example, negligence plaintiffs must show that the defendant owed them a duty of care that was breached. In some circumstances, this can be difficult to prove. However, when there is a criminal statute prohibiting certain conduct, that can be evidence of the duty as well as the defendant’s breach. After that, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s breach was the cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. This greatly simplifies the process that the plaintiff must go through in order to prove his or her case against the defendant.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Car Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a serious Maryland car accident, you may be entitled to monetary damages to help compensate you for your injuries or loss. In many cases where the defendant’s conduct is specifically prohibited by law, the doctrine of negligence per se may make it easier for you, as a plaintiff, to recover. However, before filing suit, it is advisable to speak with a dedicated Maryland accident attorney about what you should expect throughout the process. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation, call 410-654-3600 today.
More Blog Posts:
One Injured, Another Killed in Olney Head-On Collision, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published October 9, 2014.
Single-Vehicle Accident Takes the Life of One Fifteen-Year-Old and Injures Two Others, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published September 3, 2014.