How does Maryland’s contributory negligence rule affect my Frederick accident claim?

There are two types of negligence rules in the United States called "comparative negligence" and "contributory negligence". If your state uses one of these two rules, it could make a big difference in whether you get compensation for injuries you received in a car accident.

Most states practice a rule that's called comparative negligence. In comparative negligence states, it is possible for a person injured in a car accident to receive partial compensation for their injuries even if they were partly responsible for the accident. The amount of money they can receive is lowered based on what percentage of the accident was considered their fault, but they still get something.

However, Maryland, Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia and the D.C. area all follow what is called the contributory negligence rule.

While this may seem like little more than a different name for the same practice, contributory negligence is in fact very different from comparative negligence.

In states that follow contributory negligence, no one who was in any way responsible for a car accident can sue anyone else for injuries sustained in that accident.

In other words, if both parties involved in the accident were partly responsible for the crash, then neither can sue the other for compensation for injuries - no matter how badly they were hurt.

This makes it that much more important for you to be able to prove without a doubt that the other person was entirely responsible for the Frederick car accident in which you were injured.

If the other party involved in the accident, an insurance agent, or anyone else is accusing you of being partly responsible for the crash, take this accusation very seriously. It could cost you the entirety of your compensation if they can prove that you were even slightly at fault for the crash.

Consider talking to an experienced Frederick car accident attorney for help protecting your rights as a victim and making sure that you are not robbed of the money that is rightly yours for injuries sustained in a Maryland auto accident.