Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

While we would all like to think that a church might be one of the safest places, there is much to be said about the dangers lurking in any vehicular traffic situation, be it a parking lot, pedestrian crossing or even a quiet street. There are hidden threats that all of these places present to drivers and pedestrians alike. As a Baltimore automobile accident attorney, I’ve certainly examined my share of pedestrian, car and truck accident scenes, but finding a fatal accident outside a church on Sunday is probably the farthest from anyone’s imagination.

That said, there is a caveat to every person who has walked through a parking area or public roadway: Be careful out there. Especially in places that give us the most comfort and feeling of security, this is where many people drop their guard and possibly increase their risk of bodily harm. While fatal pedestrian accidents may be fewer near a place of worship, the mix of people and cars means that the danger always exists. Any death is tragic, but such deadly accidents should be avoidable if all concerned are doing their part to thwart trouble.

According to a news report, two older parishioners were killed and a third person injured when a sport utility vehicle driven by 63-year-old Mary G. Camilleri suddenly accelerated in reverse hitting the three people. According to a spokesperson for the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Camilleri’s vehicle slammed into another SUV and pushed it onto a sidewalk on North Seton Avenue. The vehicle then continued backwards and struck the pedestrians as they were attempting to cross the road. It came to a stop after hitting another parked car.

According to reports, 53-year-old John Cillo and Patricia Mauro-Cillo, 64, were both killed. The 89-year-old mother of Mauro-Cillo, Marian Derosa, was seriously injured.
News accounts stated that a parish nurse tried to revive John Cillo using a defibrillator kept in the church prior to the arrival of emergency personnel. Derosa was treated at the scene and then transported to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for additional medical attention and observation.

At the time of the article, investigators for the Frederick County Sheriff's Office were planning to meet with the state's attorney regarding possible charges against Camilleri.

Charges weighed in deaths of 2 outside Emmitsburg church, BaltimoreSun.com, August 9, 2010

Two people killed outside Emmitsburg parish, CatholicReview.org, August 10, 2010

As Baltimore automobile accident attorney, I hear about numerous fatal car crashes that occur throughout Maryland every year. Some collisions happen as a result of driver error, while others are sometimes caused by defective vehicle equipment, such as poorly maintained brakes and tires, faulty safety components or defective suspension or steering systems.

Whatever the cause of a traffic accident, car-pedestrian collisions can be some of the worst, which also includes car-motorcycle and car-bicycle crashes. In all of these kinds of collisions, the person on foot or on two wheels has a very good chance of being severely hurt or even killed as a result.

A recent news article showed that one man, a Columbia resident, was sentenced to six months in jail following the death of an elderly woman he hit with his vehicle in November 2009. According to reports, 82-year-old Ayten Icgoren died the day after she was struck while trying to cross the street near the Owen Brown Village Center.

Police reports indicated that two witnesses saw 53-year James Walden Beaman Jr. hit the woman with his pickup truck and then leave the scene of the accident. The witnesses stated that Beaman's white Toyota wobbled and seemed to skid as he tried to stop on the wet pavement. Icgoren apparently tried to get out of the way but wasn’t fast enough to escape injury.

Police said that the driver then drove a short way to the village center, then reportedly returned after police and paramedics arrived at the scene of the collision. Although Beaman plead not guilty last May, but reportedly agreed to the facts presented by the prosecution during a hearing.

It was only recently that Beaman was sentenced to 18 months in jail, but most of the sentence was suspended with the defendant having to spend just six months in jail. Convicted for failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk as well as leaving the scene of the accident, the man was also ordered to complete 500 hours of community service, plus two years of supervised probation.

Columbia man jailed for hit and run, BaltimoreSun.com, July 15, 2010

From time to time, as Maryland pedestrians, we all run the risk of being injured by a passenger car or commercial truck as a result of an unexpected traffic accident. But few people imagine that they will be injured by a policeman riding in a squad car. Kids are a whole different story, and their actions can result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries.

As a Baltimore and Washington, D.C., personal injury lawyer, I and my staff understand the physical pain and discomfort that can be associated with pedestrian-auto accidents. While nobody expects to be caught up in an accident with a motorcycle, SUV or minivan, fewer people still would picture themselves being hurt by a police car in their own neighborhood. However, this is apparently what happened to one poor child not long ago in North Baltimore.

According to news accounts, little Alvin Williams had his right leg broken when it was apparently run over by a Baltimore patrol car in July. The freak accident meant the 5-year-old boy would have to spend the balance of the summer with his leg in a cast, rather than playing with his friends. He likely suffered other injuries such as cuts and bruises during the accident.

Based on reports, the boy was playing with neighbors on a hot Tuesday evening when he reportedly ran across Sheridan Avenue as he followed another neighborhood kid. Police said that the youngster darted from between two parked cars and was subsequently hit by a police cruiser that had just turned off York Road. The department said that the officer did not see the child until it was too late.

The accident report shows that Alvin fell to the pavement after hitting the rear quarter panel of the police car cruiser, after which the vehicles back tire ran over the boy’s leg. According to witnesses, Alvin hit the front of the vehicle, fell down and was then run over by the cop’s front tire. While police claim the cruiser was traveling slowly, the boy’s grandfather said that the patrol car was "going at a good speed." The grandfather also claims that the officer was distracted because he was looking for another person in the area.

Continue reading "Baltimore Police Chief Sorry for Injuries Sustained by 5-Year-Old Maryland Boy in Traffic Accident" »

Being a Maryland personal injury lawyer and automobile accident attorney practicing in the Baltimore area, my firm has the experience and skill to represent individuals hurt as a result of another driver’s negligence. We also help families of victims killed in motorcycle crashes, passenger car wrecks, or commercial truck accidents. It goes without saying that fatal pedestrian accidents can be quite disturbing for the victims’ families.

While there are many factors to consider in every automobile accident case, it is important to remember that as drivers, we all have a responsibility to be observant when it comes to watching out for pedestrians. Certainly, when a person uses a designated crosswalk, there is a relative expectation of safety for the individuals crossing the roadway. Pedestrian accidents can and do happen with sometimes tragic results.

But every case is different, which is why we rely on police reports, eye witness testimony and other knowledgeable sources. A recent traffic accident shows what can happen under all the wrong circumstances. According to news reports, a 41-year-old Rosedale, MD, resident was unexpectedly killed along Interstate 695 when he was struck by a passing vehicle.

Police reports showed that Alvarino D. Vigil was apparently trying to walk back to his residence somewhere off the expressway after leaving his disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the interstate, near the I-95 interchange. Police believe Vigil was struck by the other vehicle as he was trying to cross the merging lane from I-95, police said.

The report coming out of the Maryland State Police headquarters stated that the driver of the vehicle that struck Vigil suffered only minor injuries. She was transported to Franklin Square Hospital where she was treated and subsequently released.

Although the accident was still under investigation at the time of the news article, police investigators believe that the accident was not a result of speed or alcohol, but likely due to pedestrian error.

Man Hit, Killed By Car On Beltway, WBLTV.com, June 29, 2010

Apparently one needn’t be driving, riding in or even remotely thinking about operating a motor vehicle to be involved in a traffic accident. As a Baltimore automobile accident and injury lawyer, I have heard about some rather interesting car collisions in my time. From single-car wrecks and auto-pedestrian collisions to multiple-vehicle crashes and commercial trucking accidents, Maryland residents are hurt or killed on a surprisingly regular basis on and near our public roadways.

In what could be described as an automobile-restaurant collision, three individuals where hurt and a commercial eatery put temporarily out of business when a motorist apparently lost control of her sport utility vehicle in the Chestnut Hill Shopping Center parking lot and drove straight into the front of a local Vietnamese restaurant in Beltsville, MD.

News reports indicated that a number of customers and restaurant staff were inside the PHO 88 restaurant around half past noon when woman drove her Honda Pilot through the brick and glass storefront of the eatery. According to police reports, three male patrons, reportedly in their 30s, received minor injuries in the crash. The two ladies in the Honda were not injured, according to authorities.

Emergency crews from Prince George's County Fire and EMS responded to the scene following the accident. Responders rendered first aid to the injured men and then transported them to a local hospital for additional treatment and observation. The restaurant itself reportedly sustained significant damage and the local building inspector declared it uninhabitable until the damage could be repaired.

3 injured when car hits restaurant, WashingtonPost.com, June 25, 2010

Getting over a serious traffic accident is no easy feat, and as a Maryland auto accident lawyer and personal injury attorney I know first-hand what people go through to recover from a car, truck or motorcycle crash. Being hit while in the relatively protected shell of a motor vehicle is usually much more preferable to being hit while on foot.

The human body is a wonder of biology and natural engineering, but our bodies where never meant to withstand the impact force of a 3,000-pound car, SUV or minivan traveling even as slow as 25 miles per hour. The injuries sustained by a person when confronted with a colliding vehicle can vary from amazingly slight to life-threateningly deadly. Broken bones, lacerations and traumatic head injuries number just a few of the resulting conditions after a car or truck crash.

Earlier this year a Baltimore woman was hit by a car while just outside of her own vehicle. According to a recent news article, that April 2 hit-and-run accident left 40-year-old Miki Scholtes with no income and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, since she did not have health insurance at the time of the crash. Three months later, she is still recovering, bound to a wheelchair with only the hope of walking again, while the driver of the car that injured her has yet to be located.

The accident, a tragedy by any measure, occurred on an April afternoon when Scholtes was packing up after her latest job on St. Albans Way. According to reports, the self-employed painter and home improvement contractor was about to head to her next appointment, opening the driver door of her vehicle when she was hit by a passing blue blue GMC pickup truck with Maryland tags.

The force of the impact bent back the side door of Scholtes' Ford Ranger and threw her about six feet into the air. In the process, her pelvis was reportedly snapped in half, and one of her femurs was broken in four places. A roofer working on a nearby building saw the event, but could not read the license plate number of the vehicle that hit the woman.

The news article stated that Scholtes was at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and Maryland General Hospital for about a week, after which she started rehabilitation at University Specialty Hospital located in downtown Baltimore. Apparently unable to pay all of her bills, she reportedly plans to move into her parents’ home in Hillendale after she is released.

Friends and family have worked ceaselessly to help gather donations to cover Scholtes’ car payments and car insurance. Meanwhile, she is applying for Social Security assistance in paying her hospital bills.

Hit-and-run victim "has some really fantastic friends', ExploreBaltimoreCounty.com, June 22, 2010

A Maryland resident was arrested by police following an out-of-state traffic accident that left a local man severely injured in an allegedly alcohol-related auto-pedestrian accident. According to a news article, local police took 38-year-old Pamela Currie into custody after an early morning pedestrian accident that apparently resulted in serious injury to a man was only crossing the street.

As a Maryland injury lawyer, I and my colleagues hear of these types of traffic collisions numerous times each month. In this case, the accident appears to involve alcohol, which indicates that the driver was impaired at the time of the crash. Local police said that the crash happened at about 1:00 in the morning on a Thursday in front of a city hall.

While this was thankfully not a fatal traffic accident, the victim was nonetheless left with multiple injuries and will need time to recover. Based on news accounts, an eye witness said that the 46-year-old man was thrown about seven feet onto the pavement. He reportedly landed on his left side, with one of his shoes being found another 15 feet from where he landed. Police accident investigators reportedly found skid marks at the scene that indicated the driver was probably speeding at the time of the impact.

The injured man had to wait nearly 15 minutes before an ambulance service was able to attend to him. He was apparently treated at the scene and then taken to a local hospital for further treatment and observation.

According to news reports, Currie was operating her Nissan Xterra south along Washington just before the serious accident. Police indicated that a male passenger was also riding in the SUV. According to local reports, if police can determine that the passenger was sober when the crash occurred, then he could be fined for letting Currie drive an automobile while drunk.

It was apparently clear to police that the driver was intoxicated, since police reports show that Currie appeared to be inebriated when she exited her vehicle to take a field sobriety test. Investigators were still looking into the crash at the time of the report, however the driver was reportedly charged with aggravated assault by auto and refusal to submit to chemical blood-alcohol (BAC) test. Her vehicle was towed to a local municipal garage.

Update: Pedestrian Struck; Driver Arrested For DWI, HobokenPatch.com, June 3, 2010

It’s a sad fact of life that people die senselessly in car, truck, SUV and motorcycle accidents every year here in Baltimore and across the state. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable, since they are both difficult to see and have little if any protection from a 3,000-pound motor vehicle. Highway workers number as part of this group of individuals killed or maimed each month on Maryland’s roadways.

As a Maryland car accident attorney and personal injury lawyer, I know that many accidents can be prevented. Unfortunately, the statistics speak for themselves and show that severe injuries, such as neck and head trauma, are common in pedestrian crashes. We are never surprised, sadly, that such collisions can result in pedestrian deaths as well.

A recent news story shows how deadly a nighttime traffic accident can be for a lone individual on a dark stretch of highway. According to reports, a highway worker was killed in during a late-night collision, after which the driver of the car fled the scene. Even though Ghassen Sabra had an active warning light on the nearby work truck he was using, the 52-year-old was still struck and killed while doing highway maintenance work late at night in Anne Arundel County.

Based on police reports, Sabra was clipped by a car and left for dead in the center lane of Route 50. An 18-wheel tractor-trailer then ran the man over when the truck’s driver had no time to stop. The accident occurred around midnight in a non-construction zone. This was apparently the first fatal car accident involving a highway worker in Maryland since 2006. Sabra’s untimely death raised to eight the number of highway workers killed over the past five years.

Preliminary investigation by police showed that Sabra was working in the left lane of eastbound U.S. 50, either setting up or removing traffic-counting devices, at the time he was hit. Sabra, who was wearing reflective clothing at the time of the accident, was thrown into an adjacent lane where he was run over by the big rig.

Continue reading "Maryland Highway Worker Killed in Apparent Hit-and-Run on U.S. 50 in Anne Arundel County" »

Depending on how you read the data, Baltimore pedestrians either have a lot to celebrate or a fair amount of caution yet to exercise when traversing the city’s crosswalks. According to Transportation for America, a pedestrian and bicycle safety group, more than 76,000 Americans have died over the past 15 years just crossing the street in their own communities.

My office provides legal services to individuals injured in pedestrian accidents caused by negligent passenger car drivers or as a result of a commercial trucking accident. As Maryland injury attorneys, we understand the pain and suffering that can follow a pedestrian-automobile accident, as well as the associated medical costs for treatment and rehabilitation.

The published report on pedestrian injuries and fatalities across the country ranked a number of metropolitan areas in terms of frequency of accidents involving persons on foot. In discussing the issue of pedestrian injuries, the authors of the study sum up the total number of deaths as being the equivalent of a jumbo jet crashing with a full passenger load once every month or so. It’s shocking to say the least.

Calling out the total number of deaths in this decade, Transportation for America points out that nearly 4,000 children under 16 years have been killed so far in the 2000s. Based on their figures, the authors observed that in children, elderly and infirm individuals, and ethnic minorities are over-represented in the totals.

The study is quick to address the fact that many pedestrian deaths are typically termed “accidents,” which indicates an error either on the part of the vehicle operator or the person on foot. However, the authors make a strong point that quite a large percentage of these so-called accidents occurred along roadways that were “dangerous by design.” In other words, the blame should perhaps be shifted to the poor roadway and sidewalk design, rather than to the users of those streets and walkways.

It has become more and more prevalent that communities are retrofitting poorly designed roadways into more complete streets. This is being done through the addition of sidewalks and bicycle lanes, reduction of crossing distances and the installation of trees and crosswalks to make walking and biking safer and more inviting.

Continue reading "Maryland Automobile Accident News: Baltimore Ranks 29th Nationwide in Fatal Pedestrian-Car Accidents" »

Automobile accidents involving individuals on foot can happen almost anywhere vehicular traffic is located near pedestrian crosswalks, bus stops and even in shopping malls and parking lots. Tens of thousands of people are hurt and injured after being hit by cars and trucks, and even by bicycles, especially in the city. As Baltimore injury accident attorneys, I and my colleagues understand the extent of injuries that can be sustained in an auto-pedestrian traffic accident.

From simple bumps and bruises to serious cuts, compound fractures and head injuries, being struck by a motor vehicle can lead to extensive medical procedures and correspondingly high hospital bills. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly one in every 14 traffic accidents involving a person on foot results in a death. This happens despite the efforts that most pedestrians go to in order to avoid being hit by a car, SUV or commercial truck.

Although numerous car-pedestrian crashes happen when people are crossing a street or rural road, accidents can also occur when individuals are jogging or running for sport or exercise. The danger also extends to car-bicycle collisions, where motor vehicle operators sometimes claim they did not see the victim until it was too late. In a city, slower moving elderly residents can be extremely vulnerable to vehiclular collisions as they cannot jump out of the way as easily as a younger person.

Regardless of the cause, the result of any automobile-related pedestrian crash can be catastrophic for the relatively unprotected pedestrian. A recent incident in Baltimore County showed how tragic this kind of accident can be. According to news reports, a 31-year-old woman died on a Saturday night after she was hit by a motor vehicle while attempting to cross a road on foot.

Rebekah Hamman may have been tying to run across the roadway and avoid an approaching northbound automobile when she was struck on Bel Air Road around 9:30pm on May 1. Emergency crews at the scene treated and transported the gravely injured woman to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

Based on an initial accident scene investigation by Baltimore County Police Department, Hamman was apparently crossing Bel Air Road just south of Still Meadow Road when she ran into the path of the vehicle. There is a bus stop nearby, from which the woman may have started to cross the roadway. Whatever the starting point, police said that Hamman apparently tried to outrun the oncoming vehicle after she had already made her way part way across the street.

According to reports, the force of the crash threw Hamman into the northbound lane of Bel Air Road. The driver reportedly stopped and called 911 -- and no charges were pending against the driver at the time of the news report.

Woman killed in weekend pedestrian accident, BaltimoreSun.com, May 2, 2010

Any person’s death causes us to reflect on the fragility of life. When a young mother dies, it’s a terrible tragedy, not only for the individual but for the family that she leaves behind. As Maryland auto accident attorneys, my office is dedicated to helping families of victims who are killed in car, truck and motorcycle-related accidents.

Regardless of the circumstances, the result of a parent’s death can put a strain on a small family, especially in uncertain economic times. The recent news of a woman who was killed while pushing her baby’s stroller across a street makes the heartbreaking point that pedestrian safety is paramount in an urban setting.

According to reports, over 35,000 vehicles use the intersection where Mavi Maldonado lost her life. Police reports indicate that the mother and her 14-month-old son were trying to get to the bus stop when the mom was struck by a pickup truck near the entrance to the Golden Ring shopping in Baltimore County. She passed away several hours later.

Based on news article, 17-year-old Maldonado was allegedly struck by a ‘97 Ford F250 pickup truck going eastbound on Philadelphia Road just as she reached the sidewalk curb. According to Baltimore County police, the woman’s toddler was neither hit nor injured in the incident. The initial investigation did not show whether Maldonado or the force of the accident pushed the boy’s stroller out of harm's way.

The boy’s father, who had earlier reported Maldonado missing, was reunited with his small son at Maryland Shock Trauma Center where the mother and toddler had been transported following the accident.

Although the driver of the truck, 45-year-old Wayne Cataldi, reportedly stopped to aid Maldonado, Baltimore County police were still investigating the cause of the accident at the time of the news article.

It has been suggested that the intersection where the accident occurred may be too dangerous for pedestrians crossing the roadway. The bus stop Maldonado was attempting to get to is close to the intersection of Philadelphia Road and Interstate 695.

Mother killed, toddler survives in weekend pedestrian accident, BaltimoreSun.com, April 26, 2010

It seems that we are reading more and more about pedestrian-auto accidents. Sadly, persons on foot have little in the way of protection against a 3,000-pound automobile, which usually spells disaster for the pedestrian how is hit by a car or truck. While laws are in place to make crossing streets and walking near roadways safer, there is no substitute for heightened awareness on the part of walkers, joggers and runners whenever motor vehicles are around.

As a Baltimore injury lawyer, my office has experience to assist victims of auto-pedestrian collisions. Injuries can be severe and long-lasting for victims and their relatives, mainly due to the sometimes lengthy recovery period following a severe impact. This past St. Patrick’s Day, a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Woodlawn, Maryland, left an 18-year-old man in critical condition at a local hospital.

According to news reports, Baltimore County police were still looking for the driver nearly a week after the tragic traffic accident. Terrel Chambers was reportedly walking with his girlfriend down a busy stretch of roadway along the west side of Windsor Mill Road when a car came speeding up behind him, striking the man and then leaving the scene.

Fortunately, another motorist saw the accident and stopped to render assistance by administering CPR to the young man until emergency responders arrived at the scene. Chambers was subsequently taken to Shock Trauma where he admitted in critical condition.

Based on police reports, the suspect vehicle is probably a green-colored Honda or Acura from the late 1990s to early 2000. Authorities believe that the vehicle will likely be missing its right sideview mirror. Witnesses told police that the car was last seen turning off Windsor Mill Road onto Lugine Avenue.

Windsor Mill Hit-And-Run Driver Still On The Loose, WJZ.com, March 23, 2010

Inattentive drivers can be just as dangerous as drunk drivers; that’s a fact. And while the law has punishments in place for those whose drinking and driving results in the severe injury or death of another individual, distracted or careless motorists must also be held accountable if their negligence causes harm. As a Baltimore automobile accident lawyer, my aim is to help victims and their families to recover medical costs and other damages caused by another person.

Recently, a resident of Linthicum Heights pled guilty to a single count of vehicular manslaughter resulting from the August 22 pedestrian accident that left 59-year-old Glen Burnie woman dead. On that day, Mary Bernice Collins was on her way to Holy Trinity Catholic Church for evening mass when she was hit. She was reportedly standing on a sidewalk when hit by a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Matthew Evan Norwood.

Following the collision, Norwood reportedly left the scene. Based on circuit court reports in Annapolis, Norwood accepted a plea agreement in exchange for the prosecutor’s office to drop seven other related charges, not the least of which was for hit-and-run.

According to news reports, the man was apparently extremely sleepy due to the effects of two prescription drugs, Xanax and a narcotic analgesic, methadone. Prosecutors argued that the man knew the effects of the drugs, yet still decided to take the wheel of his vehicle just before 7pm that evening.

Police stated that the man was driving north on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard when the vehicle jumped a curb near the intersection of Oak Lane and struck the victim. Eye witness testimony confirmed that the minivan Norwood was driving hit the victim while she was standing on the sidewalk. He reportedly drove off without stopping.

Collins was thrown nearly 100 feet from the point of impact and into the front yard of a nearby home. She was taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, where she was pronounced dead.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 20. News reports indicate that prosecutors will argue at that Norwood should serve more than 18 months in a state prison for the crime.

Man guilty in fatal hit-and-run, HometownAnnapolis.com, March 5, 2010

Negligent drivers, whether they operate passenger vehicles or commercial delivery trucks or tractor-trailer rigs, should be help accountable for their actions behind the wheel. In Maryland, the penalties for reckless driving involving fatalities can appear to be hardly sufficient considering the results that are evident. Not a week goes by that it seems we hear at least one news story of a traffic fatality on one of this state’s busy roadways.

As a Baltimore automobile accident lawyer, I and my colleagues fight a seemingly never ending battle for car crash victims and their families. It makes not difference whether a person is hurt as a result of a semi truck hitting their car or another passenger vehicle slamming into their sedan, minivan or SUV. The pain and suffering sustained during the accident and afterward can be substantial.

Not long ago we reported on a bill introduced into the Maryland state legislature that would increase the penalties for drivers found guilty of reckless and negligent driving in instance where the driver’s action led to the death or serious injury of another individual. It’s heartening to know now that the bill has already received support in the form of a successful vote in the Senate and will soon be moving on to the House.

According to news reports, the bill introduced by Sen. Bryan Simonaire and known as the Joseph Norfolk Act was initially inspired by the June 2007 traffic death of Cpl. Scott Wheeler of Millersville. The 31-year-old Wheeler, Howard County police officer, was struck by a passing car while on patrol duty. The office was reportedly hit a Nissan Sentra on Route 32 after he attempted to pull the driver over for speeding. He died several days later. At the time of that crash, investigators said the 24-year-old woman driving the Nissan didn't see Wheeler in the road. She eventually paid $310 in fines.

If passed by the House, this new law would set the maximum fine for both negligent driving and reckless driving at $1,000 – double the current fine. The bill also calls for a loss of license for up to 180 days if the defendant is convicted. At the time of the news article, there was as yet no date set for a vote in the House.

Reckless driving bill passes state Senate, HometownAnnapolis.com, March 17, 2010

To some observers, it could be said that Maryland’s automobile manslaughter laws are not nearly as harsh as they should be for individuals convicted of killing another person as a result of a traffic wreck. While car and truck accidents happen all of the time, a percentage of these collisions are fatal. As a Baltimore auto accident lawyer, I and my colleagues have helped dozens of families deal with the tragic loss of a loved one due to another person’s negligence.

Wrongful death suits can be quite commonplace in instances of gross negligence on a driver’s part. Certain factors can make a vehicular manslaughter charge necessary, such as drinking and driving, excessive speed and aggressive driving, even distracted driving is getting the attention of some states as a cause of fatal passenger car and trucking-related collisions. Pedestrians killed by a motorist’s poor judgment are another group that is represented in the gruesome fatal traffic accident statistics.

A recent editorial brought home some of the heart-breaking details that illustrate typical facts surrounding these sad stories of loss and grief. One example of the seeming injustice of Maryland’s traffic laws was an incident where a driver only had to pay two traffic tickets after an accident that killed a gentleman and was allegedly caused by excessive speed, racing and off-road driving.

In another case, a Baltimore County couple lost their 15-year-old son when he died in front of their home having been hit by a van traveling at more than 60mph in a 30mph speed zone. In that instance, it was learned that the license of the 21-year-old driver had previously bee suspended three times for speeding in another state -- arguably more harsh than the punishment he received for the fatal accident he caused in Maryland.

High-speeds and poor judgment can result not only in broken bones and traumatic brain injuries; it can also lead to death or permanent disability. There is no easy way for a family to recover from the loss of a child, parent or bread-winner. Many times the loss hits families and affects the family members for years to come -- sometimes for their entire lives.

Some Maryland officials agree that there exists a major loophole in state law that separates instances of what some would call “ordinary negligence” and that of gross negligence. Some believe that the standard for proving gross negligence is impossibly high to meet here in Maryland, which would explain how many apparently grossly negligent drivers can essential snuff out a person’s life yet only be charged with a simple moving violation as a consequence of their actions.

Hopefully legislators will succeed in tightening up that gap for the sake of every family who has or will lose a loved one to a bad driver. Only time will tell if things change for Maryland residents.

The Ninth Ward: There's no excuse for Maryland's lax vehicular manslaughter laws, HometownAnnapolis.com, February 24, 2010

It’s not surprising that automobile accidents involving pedestrians can often be fatal, and at best sometimes inflicting serious bodily injury to the person on foot. Whether you are a walker, jogger or runner, you know the risks you take every time you cross a busy street. City’s like Baltimore, Annapolis and the District can be dangerous for individuals hoofing it for health or just to save a few dollars in parking fees or bus fare.

As a Maryland auto accident attorney, the emphasis on safety can never be too high. I and my colleagues have seen the result of too many terrible car-pedestrian crashes to feel any other way. It’s difficult to imagine no longer being able to walk with your spouse or push your grandchild in her stroller, but these realities are just a part of life for some victims of traffic accidents.

A recent editorial pointed out the seriousness of having clear and easy-to-use pedestrian walkways in a city. The complaint in this case involves Prince George's County's apparent failure to clear the county's pedestrian pathways following the recent bout of heavy snow and bad winter weather that has pummeled the East Coast. The result of this poor response according to the author? People, pedestrians, are being killed by trucks and automobiles.

Case in point, in mid-February a 32-year-old electrical engineer who worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and resided in Temple Hills, was hit by a car from behind and killed on the spot. The hit-and-run driver left the scene after hitting Asa Fukuhara as he walked the less than half-mile distance from his apartment to the Naylor Road Metro station. Why? Furukawa was walking on the street because the sidewalks were covered with snow.

The sad fact in this case is that Mr. Furukawa died not as the latest weather system dumped tons of snow on the city, but it was a full eight days after that latest storm. That storm provided a combined snowfall of more than 30 inches over the course of six days, which apparently broke every previous record.

Based on the editorial, by the time of Mr. Fukuhara’s untimely death, the federal government had been back in operation for six days and the Metro system had resumed normal operations at all stations and on all bus routes that same day.

The bottom line, as explained in the editorial, is that residents of the county should expect that pedestrian pathways be cleared within a reasonable timeframe. Failure to clear pedestrian and bicycle paths promptly in and around transit station areas, schools, bus stops, and other areas reflects what this writer termed an “overall pattern of disregarding the safety and comfort needs of citizens who either choose not to or are not able to travel in automobiles.”

Prince George's must ensure pedestrian and rider safety, GreaterGreaterWashington.org, February 22, 2010

It goes without saying that street racing has no place on public roads. Aggressive driving can and usually does result in injuries. For those who would argue the point, I suggest you buy a helmet, join a bona fide racing organization like the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), and take your car on a closed course where proper car and spectator safety measures are in effect.

As an automobile accident attorney and personal injury lawyer, I read all too frequently of innocent motorists and pedestrians killed or injured by one or another case of aggressive driving. It makes little difference if it’s a so-called “planned” event like an illegal street racing meet, or if it’s a spur of the moment, road-rage incident, people can and do get hurt. A high-speed crash can cause broken bones, head and neck injuries, or even death. Spectators can also be killed by a driver’s mistake, which then invites possible vehicular homicide charges.

According to news reports, concrete barriers have been added to Interstate 70 in an effort to try and cut down on the amount of street racing incidents. This latest change followed a fatal car accident last year that claimed the lives of two spectators during one of many illegal speed events.

Police reports show that a Chevy Impala driven by Donniel Raeburn, 26, of Pikesville veered out of control striking and killing Mary Kathryn Abernathy, 21, and Jonathan Henderson, 20. Raeburn was recently arrested and currently faces two charges of negligent manslaughter by auto and negligent homicide by auto. If convicted, he could spend decades in prison.

Following that fatal July 2009 accident, the state’s highway authority made changes at the end of I-70 where much of the racing had been going on. Known as a street racing hot spot, there are now new lane markers indicating a narrowing of the roadway -- the tail of the interstate is now just a single lane.

Still, police say that street racing is nearly impossible to stop. In addition to last year’s two deaths, a similar accident two years ago in Prince George's County claimed eight other lives.

Eastern Baltimore Co. Man Charged In Fatal I-70 Crash Reporting, WJZ.com, January 18, 2010

Three people were hurt and one man was killed in a tragic automobile accident in mid-January at a parking lot near the Lexington Market. Accidents of this kind can sometimes be attributed to faulty vehicle steering or brake systems. Occasionally, driver error or drunk driving can result in multiple personal injuries from being hit by a truck, SUV or passenger car.

As a Baltimore automobile accident and injury lawyer, I have seen first-hand the often severe injuries that a pedestrian can sustain as a result of being struck by a motor vehicle. When a crash of this kind occurs, with a crowd of people, many individuals can be hurt or even killed. According to a news article, a 72-year-old pedestrian died of his injuries after he and others were hit by a Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Police reports show that the woman driving the truck apparently suffered a seizure as she was driving through one of the market’s parking lots, just off North Eutaw Street. The driver subsequently lost control of the vehicle causing it to drive into a group of people. In the course of the crash, Donald L. Wheeler from Virginia sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

One man who was trapped under the truck was seriously injured and taken to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Another person, a woman who was found unconscious and not breathing, was also taken to Shock Trauma. A third pedestrian sustained a knee injury was treated at University Hospital, part of the University of Maryland Medical Center downtown.

At the time of the report, police were unable to provide names or ages of those who survived the accident. A police spokesperson said no charges had been brought against the driver, who was treated at University Hospital for a possible seizure. The driver’s female passenger was not hurt in the crash.

Truck plows into crowd, killing man, BaltimoreSun.com, January 17. 2010

Here in Baltimore, we have a range of public transportation choices that make for convenient and relatively comfortable travel throughout the city and environs. Many of the transit lines are handled by light rail and commuter rail services. While these subway and rail lines are very helpful in getting around the city, dangers do lurk on every level crossing and pedestrian crossover. As a Maryland personal injury and auto accident attorney, I understand how a simple walk across railroad tracks can end tragically.

While the railroads provide a fair degree of safety and warning equipment, sometimes that is not enough. Especially for those persons who are distracted from the very real danger of a train collision and its potential for fatal results.

Two relatively recent deaths on railroad tracks in the city point up the importance of remaining aware of one’s surroundings, as well as not taking unnecessary risks whenever near a railroad right-of-way.

According to a news article, a man was struck and killed in mid-January by a southbound Amtrak passenger train just south of the railroad's Aberdeen station. According to reports, officers responded to a call around 2:30pm regarding a body that was seen about 15 feet from the railroad's southbound track in the 600 block of S. Philadelphia Blvd. At the time of the report, police did not know the cause of the accident and were investigating the death.

This accident came just a week after a young high school girl died when she was struck by another Amtrak train near Middle River in Baltimore County. Based on reports at the time, Amtrak and MARC traffic along the Northeast Corridor was disrupted Tuesday, January 5, following the collision that killed 14-year-old Ann Marie Stickel of the 700 block of Maple Crest Drive.

Police reports indicate that the southbound train hit the girl as she and a friend were walking along the tracks with their backs to the oncoming train. The Kenwood High School student and the other girl were not authorized to be on the tracks, according to police. The youngster was later found to be wearing headphones, which prevented her from hearing the train until it was too late.

The girl’s friend, who was not wearing earphones, jumped out of the way just in time. The accident occurred about 11 miles north of Penn Station involving a Northeast Regional train traveling from New York to Washington.

Man fatally struck by Amtrak train near Aberdeen station, BaltimoreSun.com, January 16, 2010

Middle River Girl Hit, Killed By Train, BaltimoreSun.com, January 6, 2010

We’ve stated it here before: Pedestrians hardly ever do well against a motor vehicle during a traffic accident. As motorists we all have a duty to watch out for persons on foot, but as pedestrians we must also be highly vigilant and aware of oncoming traffic. Even if you cross in a legal zone, such as a crosswalk, be sure all cars are stopped and it is safe. Being “dead” right will not make your family feel better after a fatal pedestrian collision.

Recently a news article indicated that the Baltimore County Police had finally realeased the identity of the man killed in a fatal pedestrian accident on Pulaski Highway. According to reports, police stated that the Middle River man who died was 40-year-old James Rayman, of the 9600 block of Pulaski Highway.

Police believe that the victim ran across the eastbound lanes of Pulaski Highway near the Colonial Motel just east of Middle River, then climbed over a nearly 4-foot tall concrete barrier separating the east- and westbound lanes. Police said Rayman then entered the fast lane and it was there that he was hit by a late-model Ford F-350 pickup truck.

According to new reports, Rayman suffered multiple injuries as a result and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck, whose name was not released by the police, was uninjured during the incident and reportedly remained at the scene until police arrived. The county police crash team is investigating the accident.

Police identify Middle River man killed trying to cross Pulaski Highway, BaltimoreSun.com, January 14, 2010