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Being in a car accident, even a fender bender, is traumatic and stressful. However, if you sustained injuries you could face unexpected, crippling debt. Maryland had over 90,000 car accidents in 2020 alone. 36,000 victims were harmed, while 573 lost their lives.
No one can prepare for a life-changing crash, but at Regan Zambri Long, we firmly believe you and your family should not bear the responsibility of paying for someone else’s negligence. Call our Maryland car accident lawyers today for a free initial consultation to discuss your legal options and how we plan to secure the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.
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A serious car accident can be devastating to you and your family, whether you are struggling to get compensation through insurance companies or uncertain what steps to take, the experienced car accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long PLLC can help. Our compassionate attorneys have decades of experience handling personal injury cases in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Car accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of death in Maryland and across the United States of America. Car accidents are often preventable, especially in cases involving negligence. Though there are often many factors that lead to a car crash, the most common causes are:
Distracted Driving
Whether drivers take their eyes off the road to glance down at their cell phone, or simply let their mind wander in a daydream, losing focus can cost lives. Visual distractions are anything that takes the driver’s eyes off the road in front of them. This can include sending and receiving text messages, changing radio stations, speaking to a passenger in the car, or rubbernecking at the site of another accident. Motor distractions are distractions that take the driver’s hands off the wheel, like eating or putting on makeup when trying to operate the vehicle. Finally, there are cognitive distractions, such as daydreaming or too much noise inside the car that impair the driver’s ability to focus solely on the road.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous and unfortunately, very common among American drivers. There were 697 deaths from drowsy driving in 2019, although many argue that number is severely underreported. Fatigue lowers reaction time and can cause a driver to fall asleep at the wheel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) likens drowsy driving to drunk driving: if a driver has been awake for at least 18 hours, it’s the same as driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.05%. If the driver has been awake for over 24 hours, it is the same as driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.10%, which is over the legal limit.
If you find yourself yawning or blinking frequently, missing exits, drifting from your lane, or having difficulty remembering the past few minutes you’ve driven, the safest thing a driver can do is pull over to a safe spot and take a nap.
Alcohol/Drug Impairment
We’ve learned since we were kids that drinking and driving is dangerous and potentially, deadly. Unfortunately, an average of 10,000 people dying every year from drunk driving is not enough to stop drivers from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Many drivers think that if they are technically below the legal limit they are safe to drive. That is not necessarily true. Sight, motor coordination, and judgment all suffer from drugs and alcohol and heavily increase the risk of a collision.
Speeding/Reckless Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, two-thirds of drivers exceed the speed limit, no matter what sort of road they are traveling on. Speeding greatly increases the risk of an accident and also increases the chances of sustaining devastating injuries. When a driver is speeding, he or she has less time to react to a hazard in the road or an unexpected move another driver makes. It also takes a speeding car, especially a larger SUV, more time to slow down, which increases the chances of a rear-end crash. If there is any sort of inclement weather or poor road conditions, the driver is more likely to lose control of the vehicle if he or she is speeding.
Mechanical Defects
Properly and regularly maintaining your vehicle could be the difference between life and death. Catastrophic car accidents are routinely caused by defective brakes, tire blowouts, and engine failure.
Bad Weather/Poor Road Conditions
Black ice, large potholes, and uneven pavement can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, causing an accident.
Car accident victims may suffer a wide range of injuries following a car accident, both physical and psychological. A victim’s body sustains excessive force from various points when involved in a crash, especially one at high speeds. They may be slammed against the steering wheel, windshield, or window. Their chest and waist are exposed to the restrictions of a seatbelt and the force of an airbag. Debris from their own vehicle, as well as the other vehicle, can strike them.
These different forces can cause catastrophic and possibly permanently debilitating injuries such as:
The cost to treat a car accident injury largely depends on the severity of the injury. For example, a traumatic brain injury can cost up to $3 million to treat over a victim’s lifetime. Paralysis victims may have millions of dollars in costs, as well, including immediate care, long-term care, and new living expenses related to the paralysis. Ambulance rides, hospital stays, rehabilitation, occupational and physical therapy, and ongoing treatment are all extremely expensive.
These costs are why it is essential for you to have a seasoned car accident lawyer by your side. Our attorneys will work to make sure you collect enough compensation to offset any expenses related to your injuries. The car accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long have an extensive history of recovering millions in damages for their clients. Mr. Zambri, one of the firm’s founding partners, deeply cares for his clients. He understands he is meeting them at the worst moment in their lives and diligently works to ensure a speedy claims process so his clients can begin to rebuild their lives as soon as possible.
In one of his cases, Mr. Zambri secured a verdict of $5 million for a man and his son who were killed after being struck by a drunk driver. This money offset the victim’s entire economic losses from the accident. Mr. Zambri also secured the victim the maximum amount of compensation possible under the law of Maryland for non-economic harm and losses. He and the rest of our car accident attorneys can do the same for you. When you choose a Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyer to represent you, we will work to recover the following damages:
If you are an immediate family member of a car accident victim who lost his or her life, you may pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent parties who caused the accident. A wrongful death claim helps the family members pay for the medical costs and funeral expenses. If the car accident victim financially contributed to your household, our car accident lawyers will work to recover damages for the economic losses you will suffer because of their death.
You may also recover compensation for pain and suffering, specifically for loss of consortium. Loss of consortium is a unique type of compensation for family members who lost emotional benefits when their loved one was killed. For example, a spouse may claim loss of consortium damages based on the loss of affection and sexual relations. Children of the deceased may claim loss of consortium for lack of parental guidance. Our compassionate car accident attorneys understand we cannot bring your loved one back, but we can do everything in our power to provide even the smallest consolation in the form of justice and compensation.
One of the most important things to know is that Maryland is one of the few jurisdictions in the United States that practices contributory negligence. This means, if you are found to have any responsibility in the accident, even 1%, you cannot collect compensation. Your Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyer will advise you to do the following:
Our car accident lawyers will do a thorough investigation of the scene of the accident, as well as work with accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and other legal experts to prove the other party’s negligence. Our car accident attorneys are experts in Maryland contributory negligence law and will build a rock-solid case proving you bore no liability in the accident.
A: You have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. This may seem like a long time, but it is best if you do not wait to file the claim. If your injuries leave you incapable of working, you will not be able to earn your regular wages. Medical bills pile up rapidly and can send a car accident victim and their families into financial distress in a short amount of time. Contact a Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyer today. We will work for a speedy settlement so you and your loved ones can get your life back.
A: While every accident is unique, there are common patterns that occur on the road:
A: There are some accidents that are unavoidable. However, if you take the following steps, you can reduce your chances of being involved in a car accident:
A: At Regan Zambri Long, our Maryland car accident lawyers work not only to secure you the maximum amount of compensation possible, but to make sure you feel heard, respected, and cared for. We promise you, with our car accident attorneys, you and your loved ones are in good hands. Our clients know we are always here to answer your questions. Our attorneys will keep you updated on every aspect of your case. We understand that the days, weeks, and months following a car accident can be scary, overwhelming, and lonely. We want you to know: you are not alone. Our car accident lawyers will guide you through the claims process and only take a fee if they secure a settlement or verdict in your favor. Call today for a free initial consultation and take the first step to getting your life back on track.
