After a car accident, determining who is legally responsible can be overwhelming, especially when more than one party is involved. Identifying who can be sued is a critical step in recovering compensation for injuries, property damage, or other losses.

While the at-fault driver is typically the one considered accountable for a crash, other people or entities might also share in the liability, depending on the circumstances.

Potential Liable Parties for Motor Vehicle Collisions in Maryland

There are a number of individuals and entities that, depending on their actions, may be held liable for a collision that occurs in the Baltimore area, including:

The At-Fault Driver

In most car accident cases, the at-fault driver is the one who’s held responsible. If a driver acts negligently—such as by speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence—they may be sued for the damages caused. Proving fault typically requires evidence, such as witness statements, traffic camera footage, or police reports, to show that a driver’s actions caused the accident.

If, for example, a driver runs into your vehicle at a stoplight while texting, they can be sued for negligence and damages. Unfortunately, determining fault isn’t always so simple or straightforward, especially when accidents include multiple vehicles or circumstances that are less clear.

As drivers, we’ve all encountered a road hazard at some point, whether it’s a deep pothole, fallen debris, or a malfunctioning traffic light. While these can seem like minor inconveniences, they can quickly become serious safety risks if they’re not addressed. Knowing when to report a road hazard is important for protecting both yourself and others on the road.

Quick reporting enables local agencies to respond promptly, reducing the likelihood of car accidents or vehicle damage.

What Counts as a Road Hazard?

A road hazard is any condition or object on a roadway that poses a risk to drivers, passengers, cyclists, or pedestrians. Hazards can appear suddenly, such as fallen tree branches after a storm, or they can develop over time, like deteriorating pavement.

Some hazards may cause inconvenience, while others can create immediate danger.

Examples include potholes large enough to damage tires, malfunctioning stoplights, missing road signs, broken guardrails, and debris from vehicles. Recognizing what qualifies as a road hazard helps drivers understand when they should take action and notify the appropriate authorities.

Parking lots may seem like pretty safe places, especially when compared to highways or busy city streets, but accidents happen in these areas more often than many people realize.

With cars constantly entering, exiting, and backing out of spaces, not to mention pedestrians walking to and from their vehicles, the potential for collisions and injuries is high. Parking lot accidents are not only common, but they also raise questions about liability and safety measures. Let’s find out more about these other types of car accidents.

When a major piece of art goes up for auction, it is typically sold for significantly more value than when it was originally purchased. That is a clear example of how an item goes up in value the longer it is owned. That is not the case with most cars. The value of your vehicle began depreciating the moment you drove it off the dealer’s lot.

Overall, your car’s value is determined by some of the following factors:

• Mileage
• Condition
• Color
• Options and add-ons
• Where you reside
• Accident history

How much your car is worth at the time of an accident will determine the level of compensation you can receive from a claim. What does it mean if your car was totaled? That will be the final determination about the post-accident value of your car.

Having insurance protects you from being financially drained in the event of an unforeseen harmful incident. That holds true when you have policies for your health, your home, and your car. Automobile insurance goes one step further by providing protection to victims of accidents that were not their fault. In Maryland, those protections became mandatory in 1972 when the state began requiring all car owners to carry auto insurance.

Of course, just because there is a mandate does not mean every driver has insurance. What happens if you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have a policy? That is where your uninsured motorist policy gets activated. That is also a mandatory policy in Maryland, but some options and waivers can be applied to your policy that will either diminish or enhance your protection.

Vehicle airbags are designed to save lives. In many car accidents, they do exactly that.

Unfortunately, when it is engaged, an airbag can cause injuries rather than prevent them. Whether from a defect, improper deployment, or the sheer force of impact, these injuries can lead to serious medical problems and financial burdens.

If you were injured by an airbag, you may wonder if you can get compensation, and the answer is yes… in certain situations.

The immediate moments after a car accident can best be described as chaotic.

You’re checking yourself and any passengers for injuries and calling 911. You’re inspecting your car for damages and wondering if you can drive away or need a tow. You’re also checking on the other motorists involved in the accident.

When the police show up, you have to provide a statement of your version of what happened. There is a lot going on that has to be unpacked.

In the days that follow, you could be dealing with medical treatment, car mechanics, and calling in sick to work. This is the phase of the accident recovery where bills begin to mount up. That alone can trigger more stress.

One of the first things your lawyer will do after taking on a car accident claim is to prepare a demand letter for your case. It’s helpful to understand what goes into this document.

The concept of insurance has existed for hundreds of years. When the auto industry kicked into gear, specific policies were generated for car owners. Auto insurance serves a dual purpose: It protects the car owner and anyone the car owner might get into an accident with. That is why, in 1972, Maryland made it mandatory for drivers to carry insurance.

There were more than 110,000 reported car accidents in Maryland in 2022, with about 28,000 of these resulting in physical injuries to drivers or passengers, and more than 500 fatalities according to reports by the Maryland Department of Transportation.

When you think of car accidents, it’s easy to just assume that the drivers involved are the ones responsible for the accident, right?  After all, they’re the ones behind the wheel, making decisions, and controlling the vehicle.

But what about passengers? Can a passenger be liable for a car accident in Maryland?

While it’s not common, there are certainly circumstances when one or more passengers could bear some responsibility for a crash. Let’s take a close look at this issue, and examine when and how passengers might be held accountable in Maryland.

In 2022, just 45% of fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants were using seat belts at the time of their accident, according to reports by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Seat belts save lives. That’s not just a popular saying; it’s a fact. In Maryland, seat belt laws are in place and enforced to help ensure the safety of drivers and passengers on our roads. Regardless of whether you’re new to the state or a longtime resident, knowing and understanding these laws can be crucial for your safety in a car accident, as well as to avoid tickets, fines, or other legal consequences.

Here in the Old Line State, we have some of the strictest seat belt laws in the country, and compliance isn’t just encouraged—it’s required.