Car accident cases are among the most common types of cases that personal injury lawyers handle. Although some car crashes may be attributable to inclement weather or auto manufacturing defects, the majority of them are the fault of one or more drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, your personal injury lawyer will evaluate the case to determine the most likely causes of the crash. The cause of the crash plays a vital role in determining liability, which can help you recover damages with a personal injury claim filed in Annapolis.

Distraction

Distracted drivers are a major threat on the nation’s roadways . Personal injury claims may arise from crashes caused by drivers paying more attention to their cellphones than to the road. Electronic gadgets in vehicles aren’t the only source of distraction. Drivers who gawk at accident sites may end up causing a crash themselves. Drivers can also be distracted by conversing with passengers, eating, grooming, changing the radio station, or checking GPS devices.

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation is often overlooked as a major cause of car accidents. In fact, being excessively fatigued can be as dangerous as being impaired by alcohol or drugs. It isn’t necessary to fall asleep at the wheel to cause a crash. A sleep deprived driver has impaired reaction time, poor judgment, and poor attentiveness. These functional impairments can easily lead to a car crash.

Intoxication

Despite the harsh legal penalties for drunk driving and the fact that its many dangers are commonly known, there are still thousands of drivers who drink before getting behind the wheel. Getting drunk impairs one’s judgment, which leads individuals to mistakenly believe that they are fully capable of driving. However, this is no excuse for jeopardizing public safety. Drunk drivers who cause multiple vehicle accidents may face civil lawsuits as well as criminal charges.

Aggression

Being stuck in traffic isn’t generally a pleasant experience, but most drivers handle these setbacks in a mature fashion. Those who don’t may exhibit aggressive driving behaviors. They may tailgate, speed, or unsafely pass other vehicles—all of which can contribute to crashes.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.

In most cases, when a driver is pulled over for traffic violations, he or she is given a citation or a warning and is let go without further incident. However, sometimes police officers may suspect that the driver is violating additional laws, such as those that may lead to drug charges. This may lead an officer to request a search of the vehicle . When this happens, the driver may get into further legal trouble and require the assistance of a criminal defense attorney in Annapolis.

You can watch this brief video for an overview on search and seizure laws. It explains Fourth Amendment rights through the eyes of Daryl, a young driver who has been pulled over for traffic violations and is asked to exit his vehicle. When he makes the mistake of leaving his car door open, the police officer asks Daryl if he has any drugs and if he minds if the officer takes a look. As soon as Daryl says “No,” he gives up his Fourth Amendment rights, even though it may not be clear to him whether he is answering the first or second question.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.

The arrest and booking processes can be overwhelming for defendants, even for those who have been arrested on prior occasions. Regardless of whether you committed the offense or not, you will need to take the same steps to protect your legal rights and preserve your freedom. As soon as possible, identify a reputable law firm in Annapolis that handles drug charges and other criminal cases. Contact the criminal lawyer and notify him or her that you have been arrested and you require legal representation.

Remaining Silent and Calm

One of your most basic legal rights is the right to avoid self-incrimination by remaining silent when police officers ask you questions. You should exercise this right immediately. Many defendants make the mistake of answering questions initially because the questions seem harmless. In fact, any information you provide could be used against you in ways that you might not anticipate. Additionally, the officer may later ask you a question that you definitely do not wish to answer. Invoking your right to remain silent at that point after having answered previous questions may appear suspicious to the officer. Similarly, you shouldn’t give the officer an excuse to add additional charges. Keep your body language non-threatening and your demeanor calm.

Cooperating to a Certain Extent

When you are brought to the precinct for booking, you will be asked for basic information such as your full name and address. You should answer these types of “pedigree” questions honestly, although you should still continue to remain silent when asked questions about the alleged incident or other issues. At this time, you will also have your photograph and fingerprints taken. You will need to surrender personal property, for which you will receive a voucher. Go through these requirements in a calm, cooperative manner to prevent additional problems.

Calling a Criminal Defense Attorney

Exercise your right to call a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. When you meet with your lawyer, you should remember that anything you tell him is strictly confidential. Full disclosure and complete honesty are essential; otherwise, your lawyer may experience problems when developing your legal defense strategies.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.

Traffic violations are particularly serious for commercial drivers, who rely on their licenses to earn a living. Unfortunately, CDL violations are also taken seriously in the eyes of the law, since negligently or recklessly handling a big rig can have much more disastrous consequences than the same errors committed with a passenger vehicle. Traffic violations for commercial drivers may include following too closely, speeding, making improper lane changes, and operating the vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. If you’ve been accused of any type of CDL violation, you need the legal advocacy services of a seasoned criminal attorney in Annapolis.

Some commercial drivers may be tempted to simply plead guilty, pay a fine, and try to move on with their lives. But doing so can have significant consequences down the road, since points may be assessed on the license. An experienced traffic lawyer can represent you in court and argue for the traffic violations to be dropped or reduced.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.