Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

For drivers working or residing in cities such as Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, D.C., nobody needs to be reminded that high traffic volumes and congestion are a constant problem with little chance of letting up in the future. With high traffic density a fact of daily commuter life, it’s no surprise that car, truck and motorcycle accidents continue to occur on a regular basis.

As Maryland car and trucking accident attorneys, we know the frustration of being stuck in traffic following a major accident. But as personal injury lawyers, we also know that the victims of those “inconvenient” car and truck collisions are facing much more severe and painful recoveries; certainly more extended than the hour or so of delay the rest of us experience when a tie-up occurs due to a roadway accident.

It’s a matter of record that the driver and occupants riding in sedans, minivans, sport utility vehicles and other small passenger cars can be seriously injured or killed in a high-speed wreck with another motor vehicle. Although Maryland motorists have faced the prospect of physical injury for decades ever since the first horseless carriage hit another vehicle, the fact remains: car accidents can result in broken bones, deep cuts and laceration, back injury and closed-head trauma.

Of course, when a traffic accident does occur -- whether between two cars, a truck and a bicycle, or a single-vehicle crash caused by a defective automotive component – the victims are often overwhelmed from the event. Still, if at all possible, it is important to make note of the facts following a car crash or commercial trucking wreck so that it is easier to determine if that motor vehicle collision was a result of a negligent act or the carelessness of another motorist.

Continue reading "Baltimore Car Accident Update: Things for Maryland Motorists to Remember following a Traffic Collision" »

Highway deaths in and around Baltimore, Rockville, the District, and Frederick, MD, occur for dozens of reasons every month. Many of these fatal car, motorcycle and commercial trucking accidents could possibly be avoided or mitigated in one way or another, but sadly not all. Drunken driving contributes to a significant percentage of car, truck and motorcycle crashes, a result of which is a substantial number of occupant injuries including closed-head trauma, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries.

A local Annapolis bar was in the news recently as law enforcement and the public focused on the serving of alcohol to underage patrons. According to news articles, the Acme Bar and Grill is under fairly intense scrutiny for an episode that occurred this past summer. Based on reports, the bar allegedly served several underage customers on June 15, two of whom died in a motorcycle wreck just minutes after walking out of that drinking establishment.

The incident raised serious questions about the bar’s practices vis-à-vis serving underage individuals, in particular those who may go out and drive a motor vehicle while intoxicated. While personal responsibility is a fine ideal, the law stipulates that people under the age of 21 cannot be served liquor legally. Criminal charges are not unusual in cases like this where a young person has been injured or died after being sold alcohol at a bar, liquor store or restaurant.

According to news articles, last summer’s incident involved two people allegedly known to at least one of the bar’s staff to be underage. Events following the entry of 20-year-old
Craig Eney, Jr., and 19-year-old Kelcey Silva transpired rather quickly, based on police reports. After stopping by the bar around in the early morning hours of that fateful day, both individuals consumed sufficient alcohol to raise their blood-alcohol content (BAC) to levels exceeding the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Continue reading "Annapolis Personal Injury News: Bar Sold Liquor to Underage Maryland Motorist Who Died in Fatal Accident" »

During the summer months is when we tend to see a greater frequency of car-motorcycle accidents here in Maryland. Of course, most every motorcycle rider knows that his or her chosen pastime can be fraught with risks, but when managed well those risks can be minimized, though not always eliminated. Much of what anybody on the road depends is the skills and alertness of other drivers; hopefully for most of us, motorists, truckers and bikers alike all do their part to be vigilant and safety conscious.

Unfortunately, as we all know too well, this is not always the case. As personal injury lawyers serving the residents of Maryland and Washington, D.C., I and my colleagues see our share of serious and sometimes fatal bike, auto and commercial truck wrecks in the news every week. Especially in the case of bikers, the stakes are high as far as bodily injury goes.

A motorcyclist who tangles with a larger motor vehicle such as an SUV, minivan or commercial delivery truck can receive any number of injuries ranging from lacerations and contusions to neck, back and closed-head trauma, otherwise known as traumatic brain injury. Recovery from the latter types of injuries can be a long and costly road for the victim as well as his or her family. In some cases, the individual may never be the same, having been permanently disabled due to another driver’s negligence.

Continue reading "Baltimore Personal Injury News: Pasadena, MD, Man Dies in Glen Burnie Traffic Accident" »

Bodily injuries suffered as a result of an automobile accident can range from minor cuts and bruises, to broken bones and closed-head injuries. The latter, also referred to as traumatic brain injuries, can spell serious trouble for victims of traffic collisions. Yet as scary as head trauma can be, the recovery can turn out to be quite amazing, according to some experts.

As a Baltimore car and truck accident lawyer and Maryland personal injury attorney, I and my colleagues have seen the aftermath of many car, truck and motorcycle wrecks, as well as the human toll. But as the story of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has shown, the road to recovery from traumatic brain injury can be just this side of miraculous.

While it’s surely too early to tell -- according to medical professionals a patient’s progress in this area is best measured at the six- to 12-month mark following a closed-head injury -- Ms. Giffords progress shows that there is hope for many people who have suffered serious trauma to the brain.

According to a recent article, while recovery from closed-head injuries can be a long and uncertain road, patients can exhibit recoveries that are nothing short of amazing. Experts in this medical field urge caution and remind the public that traumatic brain injuries take many forms and lead to various outcomes.

Gunshot wounds to the head, as well as serious brain injuries caused by high-speed car and motorcycle crashes can result in extensive damage to the various parts of the brain controlling speech, motor control and memory. Recovery can take years, and start with a grueling routine of speech and physical therapies. Even the most simple tasks have to be relearned, such as getting dressed, eating and speaking again.

Still, it’s no secret that the brain itself has tremendous capacity to rebuild and renew damaged areas. Evidence from research with animals indicates that the brain has the ability to reorganize and regenerate, producing new synapses as it grows additional neurons and blood vessels.

Experts say that the process of recovering from traumatic brain injuries can take years, even after initial improvements. In fact, many victims continue to make progress as far as three to five years later. For Ms. Giffords, we can only wish her the best for a swift and full recovery.

Recovery from traumatic brain injury a long, uncertain road, BaltimoreSun.com, January 21, 2011

Vacations and holidays are a great opportunity to take the family out for a drive to a favorite beach, campground or picnic location. Unfortunately, holiday traffic throughout Maryland can be frought with potential accidents which can complicate a normally fun and carefree excursion. As a Baltimore and Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer, I know how certain factors can result in an unforeseen automobile or commercial truck accident.

Whether vacationers are driving a passenger car, minivan or going solo on their motorcycle, danger on the roadways is still present regardless of the occasion. And injuries caused by careless or drunken drivers can ruin a family outing, not to mention a family’s future happiness and security. We’ve seen too many husbands, wives, children and grandparents hurt unnecessarily as a result of a tragic motor vehicle collision.

During Labor Day weekend there were numerous traffic accidents across the state of Maryland. According to a report out of Ocean County, MD, half a dozen people alone were injured in several different traffic accidents on Labor Day itself. Based on reports, car crashes in the resort town included pedestrian-auto accident and a hit-and-run crash.

While none of the injuries were believed to be life threatening, the weekend in Ocean County saw six people hospitalized due to accidents. Based on news reports, a string of crashes began around 12pm with a two-vehicle collision along the Route 90 bridge. That head-on crash resulted in four individuals -- two from each vehicle -- being sent to area hospitals, according to officials.

Later, just after 3pm a motor vehicle hit a motorcycle in what was described as a hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Seventh and Baltimore streets. The collision resulted in the rider of the bike being hospitalized. According to news reports, the passenger on that bike was lucky uninjured.

Not long after that motorcycle-car accident, a pedestrian was reportedly struck by a vehicle along Second Street. The accident, which occurred around 5pm on Monday, was still under investigation by the Ocean City Police Department, which was handling investigation of all of those incidents due to their having occurred with municipal limits.

6 injured in separate OC crashes, DelmarvaNow.com, September 6, 2010

Some automobile, truck and motorcycle collisions are completely avoidable, while others are simply bad luck. Almost every time however, someone’s negligence leads to a serious injury or even a motor vehicle fatality. Occasionally, however, there are incidents that arise following a traffic accident which make no sense, are completely unexpected and due to aggressive and uncontrolled belligerence.

As a Maryland auto accident attorney, I understand how tempers can flare after a bad car or truck accident. What is rare, yet sometimes very real, is a physical attack on another individual based on anger and lack of self control. As drivers, we all must be aware of others on the road. To blame another person for one’s own error is petty and uncivilized. Yet a story out of the Baltimore Sun shows that these kinds of situations arise from time to time with tragic consequences.

According to news articles the rider of the allegedly-illegal dirt bike rider crashed into another vehicle, following which a passenger on the bike assault the driver of the passenger car involved in the accident. The traffic incident happened during the work week in West Baltimore at the intersection of South Monroe and West Pratt. The dirt bike rider apparently ran a red light and hit the sedan broadside. The traffic collision reportedly caused the operator of the bike to be thrown from the vehicle onto the roadway.

According to authorities, the worst of the bodily injuries sustained by the passenger car driver came not from the motor vehicle accident itself, but from the ensuing attack by the passenger and several others. The driver was hurt so badly that he needed urgent care at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

The teenager who was driving the bike suffered broken bones and was also admitted to the Shock Trauma Center. That individual was arrested and faces charges of assault, not to mention related motor vehicle infractions and charges associated with driving an illegal dirt bike.

Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident involving illegal dirt bike operation. According to the news, teenagers and riders of other ages are known by police to ride in packs through city streets. Their activities threaten the safety and well-being of pedestrians and other motorists due to risky riding practices such as racing and doing wheelies and other stunts while in traffic.

Dirt bike rider crashes into car; assaults driver, BaltimoreSun.com, June 2, 2010

Separate traffic accidents occurred earlier this month in Anne Arundel County. Emergency responders helped five individuals who were hurt in Davidsonville and Glen Burnie, according to the county’s fire department. As Maryland car accident attorneys, the lawyers at Lebowitz-Mzhen, LLC are experienced in representing victims of fatal and non-fatal automobile accidents across the state. A news story coming out of Millersville, MD, reminds that one person’s negligence can cause much pain and suffering to many others.

According to reports, emergency personnel responded to a motorcycle crash in Davidsonville at 10:30am on September 7. In what appears to have been a single-vehicle crash, a 47-year-old motorcycle rider was found injured on the side of Patuxent River Road near Doublegate Road. It is not certain if this accident was a result of rider error or because of defective equipment, however rescuers aided and transported the man to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Just after noon that same day, responders were called to the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Glen Burnie. The force of the collision, which occurred at the intersection of Ritchie Highway and Maryland Avenue, caused an occupant in one of the vehicles to become entrapped before firefighters were able to free the victim.

According to news reports, rescuers found a woman trapped in her car, with three other people suffering from minor injuries. Those three were treated at the scene and taken to area hospitals for evaluation. The woman, a 39-year-old resident, was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

In cases like these, although minor injuries can seem non-life-threatening, there is still a chance that they may cause life-long discomfort or, worse, chronic and painful recurrences. Never assume that a minor injury is something to be dismissed. If you have any concerns about the seriousness of an injury as a result of a traffic accident caused by the negligence of another person, we highly recommend that you contact a qualified auto injury accident lawyer to review your options.

5 hurt in separate traffic accidents, hometownannapolis.com, September 8, 2009

Police and emergency medical personnel from Howard County, Maryland, responded to the scene of a motorcycle injury accident recently on the southbound side of Maryland Route 29 near Seneca Drive. According to police reports, a married couple riding double on a BMW R75/6 bike collided with a guardrail on the afternoon of June 8 near Columbia. They were both taken to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for treatment.

Howard County police reported that Timothy Danaher, 55, was operating the couple’s BMW motorcycle while his wife, Diana Danaher, 55, rode as a passenger. Reports indicate that the bike veered to the left for an as yet unknown reason, resulting in the vehicle striking a roadside guardrail. Both people were thrown from the motorcycle. At the hospital, the wife was listed as in fair condition, although the husband’s condition was listed as critical.

Motorcycle accidents can result in some of the most serious injuries for the operator and passenger. As Maryland automobile and motorcycle accident lawyers, we have vast experience in this type of injury accident case. Although the Howard County police department’s traffic enforcement section was still investigating the crash, from the sound of it, this accident may have happened due to a defective part or perhaps improper maintenance. Regardless of the cause, the husband’s injuries could be severe, and may include traumatic brain injury or damage to the spinal cord.

Continue reading "Husband and Wife Injured in Columbia, MD, Motorcycle Accident" »

An off-duty Annapolis, Maryland, patrolman was seriously injured last week when he crashed his motorcycle into the back end of a construction vehicle on I-95, near Route 216 in Scaggsville, MD. The two-vehicle accident occurred around 11 p.m. on May 31 and shut down the interstate for nearly an hour.

Edwin Caraballo, a 28-year-old Pikesville resident who has been working one year with the Annapolis Police Department, received multiple injuries and was knocked unconscious after he apparently drove his 2004 Suzuki 600 motorcycle into the rear of a construction truck at a high rate of speed, according to Maryland State Police.

The police investigation revealed that Caraballo was riding along I-95 when he changed lanes suddenly apparently not knowing that the lane was in the process of being shut down for construction. The man hit the rear of a Chevrolet work truck belonging to DW Miller Inc., a Pennsylvania firm.

When police arrived, they found Caraballo unconscious in the roadway. Howard County Fire and Rescue personnel attempted to revive him and he was subsequently flown to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he was listed in serious but stable condition. Reports indicate that the man only had knee and arm injuries, which makes him lucky because incidents like this can easily result in traumatic brain injuries or worse.

According to reports, the off-duty officer was not riding with the proper documentation for his bike or himself. State police charged him with negligent driving, driving an uninsured vehicle, and driving without current registration and a proper driver's license for a motorcycle.

Continue reading "Off-duty Annapolis Cop Injured in I-95 Motorcycle Accident" »

A 19-year-old driver who caused a fatal motorcycle crash that killed a Maryland man has been fined $115 for the accident, but investigators found she was otherwise not negligent in the case of this traffic death. The rider, Harry D. Catts, of Smithsburg, MD, died from injuries suffered on Route 11 in Pennsylvania in late April.

Despite the gravity of the incident, police investigators and the local prosecutor’s office said that Samantha J. Young was not grossly negligent when she turned left in front of the 72-yeal-old Catts. Eye witnesses reported seeing the teenage driver make a left turn into the path of the motorcycle rider, who struck the side of Young's car.

Police said the crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. on April 26 at a busy intersection near the Plainfield exit of Interstate 81. According to police reports, Young told an officer at the scene that she saw the green light and made the turn, but claimed she didn't see the motorcyclist. An accident reconstruction team reviewed the crash scene but apparently found nothing out of the ordinary. Authorities stated that there was no alcohol or cell-phone use involved, and police said that the traffic signals were found to be working properly.

As Maryland Automobile Accident Attorneys, our office has represented many families who have lost a loved one through a motorcycle or car accident. Motorcycle accidents, in particular, can result in very serious bodily injuries or even death due to complications from head trauma or spinal cord injuries.

In this case, the police determined that the driver who caused the accident was simply inexperienced and therefore not grossly negligent for the motorcycle rider’s death. Despite the local district attorney’s statement that the accident was "a mere error of judgment," there is little solace in the fact that the young woman received only a monetary penalty.

Continue reading "Driver Responsible for Death of Maryland Motorcycle Rider Gets $115 Fine" »