Rear-end Collision in Montgomery County, Rockville, Maryland: Can You Prove Fault?

A Korean gentleman called our personal injury hotline this weekend and relayed the following facts, through one of our Korean auto accident interpreters. He stated he slowed and nearly stopped at a yellow light because the car stopped in front of him. The car drove away, and he was then hit twice from behind. He indicated that he believed he could not be at fault since he was rear-ended, wanted to make an injury claim, but was concerned since he was given a ticket at the scene. See a problem?

The Korean gentleman was alone in the car at the time of the accident. When the police came the two cars that hit him stated he stopped for no reason. The police did not call for a Korean interpreter. Korean interpreters are available through the operator. However, the police certainly don't have as many interpreters on staff who speak Korean as they do Spanish. Therefore, the call was not easy, and was not made. Further, the Korean gentleman was alone at the time of the car accident and he failed to call or get someone to the scene who spoke English. With no witness, and no ability to explain himself, he received a ticket for the accident solely because he spoke Korean and no English. Clearing the matter up later will prove futile. The accident claim was lost at that moment.

Obviously, if you don't speak English you need to be prepared for this type of situation. Spanish interpreters are readily available in accident situations. However, we have seen this same situation repeat itself countless times in situations where our Chinese speaking clients have been involved in motor vehicle accidents where they sustain injuries throughout Maryland and Virginia.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on car accidents please feel free to contact our office or visit us on the web at www.portnerandshure.com. Further, if you need an interpreter who speaks Spanish, Chinese or Korean at the scene of an automobile accident, you may call our firm in Maryland at 301-854-9000 or 410-995-1515 and in Virginia at 703-916-1227.