If the other driver blames your for the accident, you will have to defend against such claims if you want to recover for your injuries. The state of Maryland follows the doctrine of contributory negligence, which means that a plaintiff will not recover compensation if a plaintiff is found to be even partially at fault. Few states in the country follow this doctrine, but Maryland is one of them. The doctrine can lead to very harsh results for some plaintiffs. If a defendant claims contributory negligence as a defense and provides sufficient evidence of the plaintiff’s negligence, a judge or a jury will consider the fault of the plaintiff while also considering the fault of the defendant. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand how to effectively bring your claim and reduce the chances of being found to have been at fault.