Highway construction and design varies quite frequently along its length to take into consideration varying traffic flow. Vehicles are often forced to change lanes or merge frequently on some highways, especially where they pass through densely populated areas.
Merging accidents, either when vehicles enter or leave a highway or while on the highway are some of the most common highway accidents. Most accidents happen because of poor driving or inattention to other vehicles while maneuvering.
Consider filing a personal injury claim if you are injured by another driver while merging on a Maryland or D.C. highway like I-270.
Interstate-270 in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Parts of Maryland and Washington, D.C. are crisscrossed by a network of highways, many of which are congested at peak hours and extremely busy. I-270 which runs mainly through Maryland near Baltimore is an example. I-270 is also known as Washington National Pike and is also part of Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Highway.
I-270 runs to around 35 miles in total, much of it in Montgomery County near Rockville and Gaithersburg. This stretch of interstate carries a lot of traffic at all hours of the day and night with up to 12 lanes through much of its length.
What to Do If Hit While Merging On I-270
It is important to be aware of the rules in Maryland and D.C. that determine whether you are entitled to compensation in a vehicle accident. Both Maryland and the District of Columbia have similar contributory negligence rules that prevent you from obtaining compensation if you were even slightly to blame for the merging accident that caused your injuries.
D.C. has a no-fault rule for vehicle accidents, while Maryland is an ‘at fault’ state. Basically, if the injury happened in the D.C. part of I-270 you must seek compensation from your own insurer unless the injuries are serious in which case you may be permitted to file a personal injury claim.
In Maryland, you can choose whether to seek compensation from your insurer or sue the driver who hit you.
Evidence to Gather If Hit While Merging On I-270
Evidence of who was at fault is crucial in any personal injury case, and especially so if you are hit on I-270 because of contributory negligence rules. Evidence must show who hit you, that the collision caused your injuries, and that it was due to negligence on the part of the other driver.
The police report, if the accident was serious, will be useful evidence. You can obtain evidence yourself if your injuries allow you to do so at the scene of the crash. Useful evidence can be photographic or obtained from witnesses who saw the crash happen and stopped.
Don’t forget to obtain documentation showing the extent of your injuries and how much they cost and whether there are any future predicted costs. You should be able to claim compensation for any damage to your own vehicle. A report from the tow truck company and repair bill will be needed.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
It is advisable to get a very experienced personal injury attorney if you do decide to make a claim after a merging accident. The strict Maryland contributory negligence rules will mean that insurance adjusters working for the driver who hit you will try all they can to allege that you were at least partly to blame for the accident and therefore let their own client off the hook.
