Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Drunk and drugged driving accidents continue to occur despite strict laws in the state of Maryland and across the country. Driving under the influence can result in both criminal charges and civil liability. Maryland enacted the Drunk Driving Reduction Act, or Noah’s Law, which took effect in October 2016. The law mandates that an ignition interlock device be installed if anyone is convicted of driving under the influence. Even with the state’s strict laws, there were still around 7,000 crashes in 2018 involving at least one driver’s use of alcohol or drugs. Victims of DUI accidents may be able to recover compensation for their injuries and losses through a Maryland personal injury lawsuit.
A plaintiff may be able to file a negligence claim or another type of claim to recover damages stemming from the DUI crash. In a civil case, the liability of the driver must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence—a lower standard than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard that applies in criminal cases. In some cases, evidence from a criminal case or traffic offense can be admitted in a civil proceeding. In Maryland, if a driver pleads guilty to a criminal charge or a traffic offense in court, evidence of the plea normally can be admitted in a subsequent civil proceeding. when admissible, the evidence may be rebutted or explained by the driver. Notably, if a driver pays a traffic ticket outside of court, courts in Maryland generally will not admit evidence of the payment of the fine as an express acknowledgment of guilt.
Six-year-old Boy Hit by Suspected DUI Driver While Riding Bike
A six-year-old boy was recently hit by a driver in a pick-up truck while riding his bike, according to a news report. The crash took place on a recent Wednesday evening around 8:30 p.m. The boy was crossing the street on his bike along with two adults when he was hit by the truck.
The truck driver reportedly had smoked marijuana earlier that day. He also had a suspended driver’s license and had a warrant out for his arrest. He was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence with great bodily injury, for driving under suspension and for the warrant, and for possession of drug paraphernalia. The boy suffered from head injuries and other injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, but was reportedly in stable condition. He was not wearing a helmet when he was hit.
Contact a Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer for Immediate Assistance
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Maryland drunk driving accident, contact a Maryland personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries, whether or not the driver was convicted in a criminal proceeding. The dedicated injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, are ready to help Maryland motorcycle accident victims. Our attorneys have nearly two decades of experience representing victims throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., and know what it takes to succeed on our clients’ behalf. Call 1-800-654-1949 or contact us online to set up a free initial consultation.