Contributory Negligence in Baltimore. Can I Recover If I Cause or Contribute to Auto Accident?

Seasoned Baltimore personal injury lawyers know solace from the harsh application of contributory negligence principles may sometimes be found in notion of last clear chance. As attorney Eric T. Kirk will tell you, a plaintiff who caused or contributed to an accident would normally be barred from any recovery from the defendant, unless that defendant had a new opportunity – a last clear chance- and failed to prevent the harm to the plaintiff. A knowledgeable Baltimore personal injury may be able to successfully argue for and obtain a financial recovery for a negligent plaintiff using this concept. A recent case shows the “Last Clear Chance” doctrine in action. The Maryland Daily Record [volume 122/Number 151] is reporting that a Baltimore personal injury lawyer has convinced a jury that the last clear chance principle should allow a negligent plaintiff to recover for his injuries. The plaintiff, an electrician, was severely injured when a circuit breaker exploded. The insurance company for the installer of the power system argued that the plaintiff was negligent for not having shut off the power prior to repairs, and therefore was barred from recovery. Plaintiff’s personal injury attorney successfully argued that the representative of the defendant, present at the inspection, should have warned the plaintiff to turn off the power, and this was their last clear chance to avoid the injury.

* Washington DC law provides a limited exception to the harsh rule of contributory negligence. “The negligence of a pedestrian, bicyclist, or other non-motorized user of a public highway involved in a collision with a motor vehicle shall not bar the plaintiff’s recovery  unless the plaintiff’s negligence is [g]reater than the aggregated total amount of negligence of all of the defendants” 

I’ve handled hundreds of cases involving allegations of negligence. I offer all my client a complimentary case analysis and evaluation. Contact me today to determine if “contributory negligence” is a factor in your case, and possible countermeasures.