2018 Maryland Code
Transportation
Title 24 - Vehicle Laws -- Size, Weight, and Load; Highway Preservation
Subtitle 2 - Regulation of Use of Highways
§ 24-208. Liability for damage to highway or structure
(a) Liability of driver. -- Any person who drives or moves any vehicle or any other object on any State, county, or municipal highway is liable for all damage that the State, county, or municipal highway sustains as a result of:
(1) Any illegal driving or moving of the vehicle or object;
(2) The driving or moving of any vehicle or object that weighs more than the maximum statutory weight specified in this title, unless the overweight is authorized by a permit issued under this title and the vehicle is operated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit; or
(3) The driving or moving of any vehicle or object that exceeds the maximum statutory height or width specified in this title, unless the oversize is authorized by a permit issued under this title and the vehicle is operated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit.
(b) Civil penalty. -- Any person liable for damages in excess of $ 25,000 under subsection (a)(3) of this section is also liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $ 10,000.
(c) Joint and several liability of owner. -- If the driver is not the owner of the vehicle or object, but is driving or moving it with the express or implied permission of the owner, the owner and driver are jointly and severally liable for the damage to the State, county, or municipal highway and any civil penalty assessed under this section.
(d) Recovery of damages in a civil action. -- A civil action for damages to a State, county, or municipal highway and any civil penalty under this section may be brought by the authority in control of it.
