Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

Some have likely heard this said: “That wasn’t such a bad traffic accident; the damage to the vehicle was minimal.” If you haven’t, then you probably have not dealt with an insurance company as a plaintiff in an injury case. Having represented hundreds of victims of car, truck or sport utility vehicle (SUV) crashes, my firm understands that it is quite easy to be seriously hurt in an automobile accident even though the repairs to the vehicle don’t amount to much at all.

This is a case of major bodily injuries, yet relatively minor vehicle or property damage. Sadly, this familiar, yet deceptive argument is used very frequently by defense attorneys and insurance companies when auto collisions are concerned. And it’s one of the best reasons to consult a personal injury lawyer experienced in the area of auto accident law.

Whether you live in Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia or the D.C. area, car accidents can occur most anywhere, some of them with devastating consequences. Insurance companies many times will try to downplay the extent of an accident to try to justify a reduced settlement to the injured parties. This is done sometimes by introducing evidence in the form of distorted, grainy or out-of-focus photos showing minor vehicle or property damage.

But this is done without offering any expert testimony regarding the direct and causal relationship between the extent of the property damage and the victim’s bodily injuries. Brain trauma as well as neck injuries can occur even when a vehicle has sustained minimal outward damage itself. Yet every year, hundreds of auto accident victims settle for less than what they deserve due to these kinds of tactics.

The purpose of the defense is to disprove, usually by false implication, what has been proven by medical evidence and expert testimony -- typically by a licensed physician. It’s easy to forget how much energy is released – or inflicted on a victim’s body -- as a result of a traffic accident. Yet insurance company attorneys will usually make no mention of the sudden and very high energy forces that are transmitted throughout a motor vehicle in the milliseconds following a collision.

Continue reading "Maryland Auto Injury Update: So-called Minor Car or SUV Accidents can Cause Serious Personal Injury" »

Everyday, families in and around Maryland lose loved ones who have made a difference in the lives of people throughout their community. Unfortunately, a traffic accident can suddenly and tragically put an end to anyone’s life in an instant. The emotional scars that losing a mother, daughter, friend or colleague can last for years, if not forever. As an injury lawyer practicing in the Baltimore area, I help families of victims recover damages from negligent parties who cause fatal car, truck or SUV crashes.

Sadly, any monetary damages can only alleviate the pain of loss. Nothing can bring a person back who has been killed by a careless motorist, drunk driver or deficient product safety. Recently, I was reminded of the senseless randomness of traffic accidents. According to a news article, Alisha Mae Deneen, young teacher from Washington County died in a single-car accident on I-81 at the railroad crossing north of Maugansville Road.

According to the State Police, the accident happened sometime prior to 5:30pm on New Year’s Day after a passer-by noticed the woman’s vehicle on the railroad tracks. Reports indicate that the 31-year-old Deneen was driving a 2009 Infiniti G37x, which apparently crossed the median, overturned and fell on to the tracks below. The exact time of the accident had not been determined at the time of the news article. Emergency personnel found the driver dead at the scene.

A single-vehicle crash can be caused by any number of reasons, from driver error or defective equipment to an animal crossing in front of the vehicle or even debris on the roadway itself. Whatever the cause, police investigators will determine it in time. Meanwhile, Deneen’s family, as well as the students at Clear Spring Elementary School where she taught, will likely miss her dearly.

Deneen remembered for smile, rapport with students, Herald-Mail.com, January 3, 2010

No matter if you’re from Annapolis, Washington, D.C., Baltimore or anywhere else in Maryland, more than one person has seen the result of a roll-over accident on a highway or rural road. Roll-over crashes are particularly common with sport utility vehicles (or SUVs), which have a high center of gravity and can tip over much more easily than a sedan or other low-slung passenger car. Minivans can also be involved in roll-over crashes in Maryland, meaning multiple passengers can be hurt or killed as a result.

As Maryland car accident attorneys, I and my colleagues have represented dozens upon dozens of victims of motor vehicle collisions, including roll-over accidents. Seatbelts, of course, save lives and I stand by their use. But in a roll-over situation, not even a seatbelt can save a person 100 percent of the time.

A recent article pointed up the danger of driving not only an SUV, but also mixing possible drug or alcohol use with vehicle operation. According to reports, an out-of-state motorist was involved in a single-vehicle accident along U.S. 15 near U.S 40. The accident occurred just after 4pm on January 7 when 37-year-old Michael Edward Brooks apparently swerved his sport utility vehicle off the southbound lane of U.S. 15.

The man’s SUV ended up at the bottom of an embankment near West Patrick Street in Frederick County, according to Maryland State Police. After rescue personnel arrived at the scene, the Pennsylvania resident was treated and then flown to Washington County Hospital with several injuries he received when the vehicle overturned during the accident. Fortunately for the driver, it appears that none of his injuries were life-threatening.

Due to the nature of the crash, police investigators checked the interior of the vehicle and found some type of illegal paraphernalia, however charges were still pending at the time of the news report. Emergency workers also rescued the man’s injured dog, which was trapped inside from the SUV. Rescue workers attached to the Independent Hose Company turned the dog over to the Frederick County Animal Control.

SUV driver injured in crash, FrederickNewsPost.com, January 08, 2010

Product liability suits arise out of faulty or poorly designed parts or components. In the case of automobile accidents, defective vehicle equipment, such as tires, steering system parts, brakes or air bags can either result in injury or death, or exacerbate the effects of a car or truck crash. As Maryland auto injury attorneys, my firm understands that car and truck collisions happen for all kinds of reasons including defective equipment.

A defective automobile part or component can cause a driver to lose control of his or her vehicle resulting in a possible traffic accident and personal injury. Depending on what system or safety equipment failed, the resulting wreck can cause injuries from cuts and bruises to serious internal bleeding, damaged organs and even fatal brain or spinal trauma.

According to reports, a 36-year-old Baltimore County resident lost his life when his truck went out of control, slid down an embankment on Mount Carmel Road and crashed. According to police, Richard Winkler III, of the 3200 block of Mount Carmel Road, was driving his 1990 Chevy pickup in the westbound lane near Masemore Road in Parkton just after 11pm when the truck crossed the center line, overturned and rolled down an embankment.

Emergency crews attempted to rescue and revive the man, however he was pronounced dead at the scene. It was unknown at the time if the roll-over was to blame for the man’s death or if he died as the truck hit the bottom of the embankment. Police were unsure, at the time of the report, whether or not the accident was caused by the record-breaking snowfall in the area or if it was due to defective vehicle equipment or driver area. An investigation was no doubt needed to determine the cause.

Man dies after crashing his truck in Parkton, BaltimoreSun.com, December 22, 2009

As a Maryland car and truck accident attorney, I interact every day with persons injured in automobile accidents. Many of these traffic collisions are caused by operator error, driver inattention or distraction. Occassionally, poor road or weather conditions can result in single- or multi-car accidents. The latest snow storm that we all experienced made driving more than inconvenient for many Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. residents -- at least one person died as a result of this storm.

Since bad weather almost always results in poor road and driving conditions, I always suggest to friend and family that they avoid going out in storms like the one we just had. Getting into a car or truck wreck because of slippery streets is always a possibility, which is something that happened to dozens of motorists this past week.

According to news articles, the winter storm that socked the East Coast stranded many motorists and caused numerous fender-bender crashes. Near blizzard conditions reportedly hit many residents of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states, slowing and even stopping travel throughout the region.

Highway crews in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia sprayed brine on heavily traveled roads to help prevent snow and ice from sticking. The National Guard used Humvees to rescue stranded motorists in the Virginia area, while nearly 500 people moved into emergency shelters to keep warm after power outages caused furnaces to fail. At least one person was killed as a result of numerous traffic accidents.

Based on news reports, nearly two feet of snow fell in some areas, with parts of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. experiencing blizzard conditions. Public transportation in the District of Columbia nearly ground to a halt, but it wasn’t enough to keep senators from staying in session to debate health care reform.

Eventually the slow-moving storm headed to the northeast but not before the mayors of Washington and Philadelphia declared snow emergencies while governors in both Virginia and West Virginia declared states of emergency.

Forecasters had said the storm system was expected to generate winds up to 35 miles per hour, which could cause near-whiteout conditions. It was thought that this could have been the most snow seen in the nation’s capital since February 2003, when nearly 27 inches of snow fell at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

East Coast storm update: Snow causes thousands of accidents, knocks out power, strands motorists, Syracuse.com, December 19, 2009

A flagman at a Buckeystown construction site along Maryland’s Route 85 was killed by a construction vehicle while working his shift. According to news reports, Maryland State Police arrived at the scene to find the road construction had died after being crushed by a construction truck driven by another co-worker. I and my colleagues have seen the results of this kind of fatality on more than one occasion. As a Maryland auto accident lawyer I also understand how a family can be devastated by the loss of a primary bread-winner.

In this particular instance, the accident occurred just before 3pm on a Friday afternoon. Police reports say that Carroll Michael Rehmert of Brooklyn Park, MD, was working on foot as a flagman near the intersection of Route 85 and Lime Kiln Rd when he was killed. The 57-year-old man was an employee of LAI Construction, according to news reports.

At the time of the incident, Rehmert was working as in an area where damaged lines in the road were being repaired. He had stopped traffic in the northbound lanes when the truck backed over him, pulling Rehmert under the rear axle.

Tragically, after Rehmert had been pulled beneath of the truck, the driver ran over the man a second time when he panicked after realizing what had happened. The operator of the bucket truck was identified as 37-year-old Anthony Wayner Lamburn of Alum Bank, PA. Rehmert was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both men worked for LAI Construction, a Maryland-based company located in Perry Hall, Maryland. At the time of the news report, police had not yet determined if charges would be filed in the case, and an investigation was continuing. It was also not known if the accident had been reported if officials at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had been contacted regarding this fatal incident.

Construction Worker Killed in Buckeystown, Your4State.com, November 6, 2009

Fatal car accidents are tragic enough, but when you throw in alcohol use the tragedy is even more difficult for a community to bear. There is no excuse for driving drunk, yet every day across Maryland and the rest of the country motorists from all walks of life get behind the wheel while intoxicated. The lucky ones never have a car accident, however many do and those car, turck and SUV crashes can be fatal. The saddest situations involve traffic deaths at the hands of a friend or relative.

As Maryland auto accident attorneys, I and my colleagues see this kind of scenario all too often. Recently I read of a fatal single-vehicle crash that took the life of a young high school student from Howard County, MD. That young man’s choice to ride with a driver who was allegedly drunk was the worst possible decision he could have made.

Based on news articles, 17-year-old River Hill high school student Steven Dankos was riding in the bed of a pickup truck in late November with the older brother of one of his best friends at the wheel, 22-year-old David Erdman. A third passenger was also with them, Erdman’s 17-year-old brother Thomas was riding inside the pickup, police said.

According to police reports, the accident occurred just before 3am on Folly Quarter Road at Buckskin Lake Drive when Erdman lost control of the vehicle and crashed into several ornamental stone pillars along the road.

The vehicle overturned as a result fo the crash, which caused Dankos to be thrown from the truck and land some distance from the impact site. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not know where the three were coming from or where they were headed. The accident report showed that Thomas Erdman was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center and later released to recover at home.

At the time of the news article, investigators were still trying to determine whether the two teenagers had been drinking and whether or not they knew the driver was impaired, as alleged by the police.

David Erdman was charged by Howard County police with driving under the influence, negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle and negligent homicide by motor vehicle. He was arrested after being released Sunday from Howard County General Hospital.

Driver of truck charged in accident that killed River Hill football player, BaltimoreSun.com, December 1, 2009

Two older residents of Boonsboro, Maryland, were recently involved in a serious single-car accident on Sharpsburg Pike when the sedan in which they were riding left the roadway and crashed into a stone wall near the side of the road. As a Maryland auto accident attorney, I have handled hundreds of cases such as this over my career. In many such instances, defective vehicle equipment has been known to have played a part, however driver error is never outside the realm of possibility.

In this case, an 81-year-old female passenger was injured when the driver of the 1992 Buick LeSabre she was riding in apparently lost control of the vehicle on Sharpsburg Pike a little before noon. According to news reports, 86-year-old John Robert Miller of Bakersville Road in Boonsboro, was driving when the car left the roadway.

Patsy Miller, also of Boonsboro, was injured when the LeSabre ran off the right side of the road near 5604 Sharpsburg Pike, south of the Antietam National Battlefield visitors center in Washington County. According to Maryland State Police, the vehicle struck a mailbox and then a drainage ditch. The car then reportedly went airborne and struck a monument before overturning into a stone wall and coming to rest on its roof.

After emergency workers arrived at the scene they treated the two occupants before transporting them to area hospitals. Mr. Miller was taken to Washington County Hospital, but was pronounced dead soon after. At the time of the report, Patsy Miller was being treated at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and was listed in fair condition.

Woman hurt in fatal crash hospitalized in Baltimore, Hearald-Mail.com, October 20, 2009

Any traffic death is a tragedy, but those automobile accidents that take a young, promising life are all the more horrendous. As a Maryland car accident lawyer, I try to help the families of these victims find some sort of closure. Though nothing can bring back a loved one killed in a car or truck accident, the monetary awards that some victims receive can help the family to recover after a loss of this magnitude. News of a recent traffic death on the GW Parkway illustrates the senseless waste of human life that an auto accident can inflict.

According to reports, 22-year-old Ashley Roberta was killed in late October when the sport utility vehicle she was riding in crashed into a metal guardrail on the parkway around 3:15am. The University of Maryland graduate was pronounced dead at the scene.

Roberta, a native of Phoenix, Maryland, graduated from the university last May with a degree in criminology. She reportedly had planned to attend law school and was interviewing for a job as a paralegal, according to a friend and senior family advisor.

Police reports indicate that the single-vehicle accident occurred on the southbound side of the George Washington Parkway near the Memorial Bridge where the parkway crosses Boundary Channel. The vehicle was carrying three people including U.S. national team soccer star, Charlie Davies.

At the time of the reports, police had not finished assessing the scene, but initial reports point to either driver error or a mechanical failure caused perhaps by defective vehicle equipment. The force of the crashed crash split the SUV in two, causing severe injuries to Davies and the unidentified female driver, and killing Roberta.

Davies was critically injured with a broken tibia and femur and fractures to the face and elbow. He reportedly underwent six hours of surgery and was initially listed in serious but stable condition. At the time of the reports, he was expected to recover. There was no information at the time on the condition of the driver of the vehicle.

The accident was so horrific that the sport utility vehicle the three were traveling in was litterally ripped in half, requiring two tow trucks to haul the wreckage away.

The girl 'everyone wants to talk to', DiamondBackOnline.com, October 20, 2009

Tragedy can strike at any time. For many people, an SUV, pickup truck or passenger car crash can spell the difference between a happy future and a sad end. As Maryland automobile accident lawyers, Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC has the experience to help families of traffic accident victims make it through a very difficult time.

Nothing good can come out of the death of a loved one caused by a severe vehicle collision or other fatal traffic accident, especially if that person is the breadwinner in the family. But talking to a personal injury lawyer is always a good idea. A recent single-vehicle crash reminded me of how transient life can be.

According to reports, a Gaithersburg, MD, man was killed in a single-vehicle wreck not long ago on a stretch of Maryland 464. Maryland State Police identified the man as Ruo Y. Zhao. Police reports indicate that the 26-year-old was driving a 2008 Mitsubishi westbound on Point of Rocks Road, just east of Lander Road, at what the authorities describe as a high rate of speed. This was stated, according to police, by a witness who saw the car prior to the crash but did not see the actual event.

Cpl. Todd Hill of the Frederick barrack said that Zhao may have hit some standing water on the roadway. This could have resulted in the vehicle’s tires hydroplaning and causing a lost of steering control. Depending on the age of the tires or whether they had unusually heavy wear, this could be an instance of defective equipment as one possible contributing factor in the accident.

Police believe that the driver likely could not regain control of his vehicle, which traveled from the westbound lane across the eastbound lane and continued off the road, striking several trees. Sadly, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, Zhao's identity was released only after relatives living in China were notified of his death. Based on a preliminary investigation, police feel that the crash was a clear cut case of driver error combined with high speed and poor weather. Personnel at the scene found that the vehicle split into several large pieces upon impact with the trees, confirming their suspicions of speed being a factor.

Gaithersburg man killed in Frederick Co. crash, WTOP.com, October 19, 2009

Single-vehicle accidents can be caused by a number of factors; from poor maintenance procedures to defective vehicle equipment. An automobile accident involving just one vehicle can also be related to driver error, such as a distraction of some sort -- cell phone use or texting -- even physical impairment, such as alcohol or drug use. As a Maryland auto accident lawyer, my firm works with the police to find the true cause of fatal or near-fatal accidents, and to learn if there is third-party involvement.

Any injuries sustained during a car crash can be severe enough to keep a person from earning a living and supporting his or her family. Medical expenses only add to the burden a family must endure during the victim’s convalescence. A recent news item shows just how easily someone’s life can be turned upside down in an instant.

According to news reports, police found a man lying on the eastbound shoulder of Interstate 68 on October 4 in the morning hours, an apparent victim of a single-vehicle crash. Investigators determined that the out-of-state driver had been ejected from his vehicle after it struck a guardrail sometime before 7am.

The accident took place near Hancock, MD, according to initial police reports. Brian Steven Justice, 42, of Clearville, Pennsylvania, was driving his Toyota Camry west along I-68 when for some reason it veered into the guardrail in the westbound center median at the 74-mile marker. Justice was apparently thrown from his vehicle, which no doubt contributed greatly to the severity of his injuries. When police arrived on the scene at 7:03am, officers called for emergency medical help.

Justice was treated and then flown by helicopter to Washington County Hospital with what Maryland State Police said were “very serious injuries.” According to reports, the man’s condition later that day was still critical. He was expected to be transferred to the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.

At the time of the report, a cause had yet to be determined, however is would seem that defective equipment cannot be ruled out. The Maryland State Police of the Hagerstown were involved in the investigation.

Pa. man seriously hurt in Interstate 68 crash, Herald-Mail.com, October 5, 2009

It can happen to anybody, and the results are tragically similar no matter who the individual may be. Auto accidents can take a person’s life as quickly as a blink of an eye. Injuries are more likely, but the root cause is always suspect. In the recent case of the untimely death of a Maryland law enforcement professional, the question of driver error versus defective equipment comes into play. As a Maryland automobile accident attorney, my firm runs into situations like this all of the time.

According to reports, a Baltimore police officer died following a terrible single-vehicle accident on Black Rock Road. The 32-two-year-old off-duty patrolman was apparently on his way to work, driving his pickup truck eastbound just before 2pm in the afternoon of September 24.

Jason Simons, who was a seven-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department and assigned to the Towson precinct, apparently lost control of his vehicle in a sharp turn on a wet section of roadway. Investigators said that the vehicle hit a guardrail and then flipped onto its top, trapping the officer. When emergency crews arrived they extricated Simons from his truck and treated him. He was flown to Shock Trauma, however he died before doctors could save him.

This crash was still under investigation at the time of the news report. The wet road may have played a role in the accident however, as a veteran police officer on his way to work it is hard to imagine that driver error was to blame. Only time will tell, but crashes such as this can many times be linked to defective equipment.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a automobile accident due to poorly designed parts or components, or because of someone else’s negligence, I recommend that you consult with an experienced auto injury attorney to determine your options.

Officer dies after car crash, WTOP.com, September 24, 2009

A young man from Baltimore County, MD, was tragically killed after the vehicle that he was driving left the road near the junction of Interstate 83 and the Baltimore Beltway. The single-car accident occurred on a southbound I-83 offramp near Lutherville, Maryland. According to police, 17-year-old Kwest T. Logan, a resident of Cockeysville, was headed to the westbound Baltimore Beltway when his vehicle veered off the roadway and crashed some distance from the interstate.

As a Maryland car accident attorney, I know that a crash such as the one described here could have happened as a result of a number of causes. Driver error is always a possibility, however defective steering parts, a blow-out from old or improperly maintained tires, or warn out brakes could be the cause. In the end, defective equipment can many times be due to the negligence of another person or company.

In this case, according to the news report, Logan’s black 1997 Nissan Maxima for some reason left the roadway and hit a tree about 75 feet from the offramp, most likely during the evening hours of Sunday, September 27. It wasn’t until the next morning that a passing motorist called police after noticing light reflecting off the car while driving in slow-moving traffic during morning rush hour.

Police and emergency vehicles arrived at the scene of the accident around 10am Monday morning, however the young man, who was a senior at Dulaney High School, was already dead. In their preliminary investigation, police believe Logan not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. There were no other occupants, according to police. According to the news article, Logan's mother called Baltimore County police to report the teen missing around 9pm the night before.

Baltimore County teenager killed in crash on I-83 ramp, BaltimoreSun.com, September 29, 2009

Single-vehicle traffic accidents can be both serious and deadly. In Maryland, we see numerous car crashes involving just one vehicle, and many times a rollover is involved. Sad to say, but many passenger vehicles, such as pickup trucks and SUVs, do not always provide the necessary protection in the case of vehicle rollover. Being experienced auto accident lawyers, we are able to represent victims and their families in cases where a car or truck crashes due to defective equipment or poorly-maintained roadways.

In a recent news article, a Walkersville man was killed this past Friday in the late afternoon. According to Maryland State Police, officers responded to a single-car crash along MD-194 at Stauffer Road. Initial police reports indicate that the driver, Roger Robinette, was speeding along that stretch of road when he apparently and lost control of the vehicle.

According to reports, Robinette’s car went airborne then rolled over on impact, coming to rest in a nearby cornfield. During the crash, the driver was thrown from the vehicle, which caused him to sustain life-threatening injuries.

First responders on the scene administered first aid then transported the driver to Frederick Memorial Hospital where doctors worked to save his life. Unfortunately, the man died some time later from the injuries he received in the accident.

At the time of the report, authorities were still investigating the crash but they said alcohol was not a factor in the accident. Although it appears speed and driver error may have been the main cause of the automobile accident, there is a chance that defective equipment may have played a part. In such as case, there could be grounds for a wrongful death claim against the vehicle manufacturer or parts supplier(s).

We always recommend that families of victims contact a qualified auto accident lawyer to assess the facts and determine if there are grounds for a case. Having an attorney on your side to represent you and look out for your best interests during a potentially difficult time will make all the difference in the world.

Walkersville Man Killed In Car Crash, 4YourState.com, October 2, 2009

A hospitalized St. Mary’s County man died from injuries sustained one week earlier as a result of a fatal single-vehicle crash on Route 6 near the town of La Plata, MD. Adrian Paul Proffer, a resident of Hollywood, Maryland, was the second person to die from the September 8 crash -- a third person survived the wreck, but not without receiving life-threatening injuries herself.

Although police believe speed was a contributing factor, because this was a single-car accident defective equipment is also a possibility. As Maryland automobile accident lawyers our office handles personal injury cases caused by poorly designed or improperly maintained vehicle equipment.

This is a tremendous tragedy for all of the families involved. According to news reports, Proffer was scheduled to babysit his niece that morning and was late returning home from a night out. His aunt, Dottie Proffer, believes the driver was rushing him home for that reason when the deadly accident occurred.

According to Maryland State Police, the driver of the silver 1999 Ford Mustang in which Proffer was riding apparently lost control of the vehicle on a wet section of Route 6 road. The car left the roadway and struck a guardrail, after which it crossed both lanes of traffic and went off the road into a nearby wooded area.

The 26-year-old Proffer was the front-seat passenger when the car hit a tree and finally came to rest at about 8am. The driver, Jeffrey Daniel Milan, 25, of Hollywood, died that day, while the rear-seat passenger, 24-year-old Kristina Ann Himes also of Hollywood was taken to Prince George's Hospital Center with life-threatening injuries.

Emergency responders placed Proffer on a medivac helicopter, which flew him to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he later died. Reports indicate that Proffer suffered a severe head injury during the accident.

Passenger dies of crash injuries; St. Mary's man is second to perish, SoMdNews.com, September 16, 2009

Auto accidents are tragic enough, but when passengers are injured due to the actions of the driver of the vehicle in which they are riding, that’s even more heartrending. Children especially should never be subjected to the life-threatening injuries of an avoidable single-car accident. As a Maryland personal injury and auto accident attorney, my firm handles cases not unlike the one reported in a recent news article.

According to an investigation by the Maryland State Police, a 2001 Toyota Sienna minivan was headed southbound on Whitesburg Road near Oak Hill Road when it apparently went out of control. Police reason that the minivan driven by a Uyen Buu was traveling at an excessive speed -- deemed too fast for conditions -- and crossed the northbound lane of Whitesburg Road, then slid off the roadway and crashed into a tree in a nearby wooded area.

Police said that all of the passengers were injured as a result of the crash. The adult driver of the minivan suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC). The two children, a five-year-old and a six-year-old, were transported to PRMC and then flown to John Hopkins in Baltimore.

At Lebowitz-Mzhen, LLC, we understand the importance of covering the cost of your medical bills when you have been subjected to an auto accident through the negligence of another driver. For adults who work, you may also have to endure lost time at work, which can severely impact you and your family in their time of need.

We also work with insurance companies to make sure that all future medical care and rehabilitation services resulting from your injury will be covered. As our personal injury lawyers explore your situation with you, we will discuss the different remedies available to you. We will also speak with the other parties and the different insurance companies, while doing our best to handle your medical needs as soon as possible.

3 Hurt in Snow Hill Crash, WBOC.com, September 8, 2009

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

A teenage driver was severely injured and his two passengers killed when the vehicle they were riding in crashed off Maryland’s Route 4 in Anne Arundel County last month. According to reports, the Bradley Buta, 19, was at the wheel and driving near Lowell Pindall Road when the incident took place.

The crash happened just before 6pm not far from the Calvert County line. Police investigators believe that the young driver somehow lost control of the 2003 Toyota Highlander he was driving, after which the vehicle went off the road and struck a traffic sign. The impact then caused the SUV to flip and roll into the nearby woods.

After emergency crews arrived, the driver was taken to Prince George's Hospital Center with serious, but not life-threatening injuries. His two passengers were not as lucky. Katherine Marie Buta, 57, and Douglas Donald Houglund, 67, were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Lebowitz-Mzhen, LLC has represented numerous clients who have been injured in a car, light truck or SUV accident. We also help the families of victims who cannot speak for themselves due to fatal injuries sustained during an automobile accident. In this case, the vehicle was an SUV. At the time of the news report, the police had not yet determined a cause of the accident, but driver error could have contributed. Considering the age of the driver, this may be the situation, but only time will tell.

SUVs are especially prone to roll-over accidents, but this may have been a result rather than the cause of the initial loss of control. Defective vehicle or component design (such as defective tires, brakes, suspension parts, etc.) can also be contributing factors.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from an automobile accident, we strongly advise you to speak to a qualified personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling personal injuries resulting from negligence in auto accidents. At Lebowitz-Mzhen, LLC, our personal injury lawyers have years of experience in handling motor vehicle injuries and accidents, and we will be happy to advise and properly represent you, should you decide to file a personal injury claim.

2 Die In Route 4 Crash In Anne Arundel Co., wbaltv.com, August 4, 2009

As automobile accident lawyers, Lebowitz-Mzhen, LLC represents the victims of injury accidents as well as the families of those killed in fatal auto and truck crashes. While the cause of most single-car accidents is driver error, many times the reason can be traced to the failure of a vehicle part or component, such as tires, steering gear or suspension components. Regardless of the cause, there is a strong argument for having a qualified auto accident attorney by your side when pursuing a lawsuit against a company or an individual for medical costs and other damages as a result of a car accident.

A recent news story is typical of the kind of accident that raises the question of faulty equipment versus driver error. The death of a 19-year-old Keedysville youth killed near Downsville as a result of his car leaving the roadway on state route 632 is a typical scenario.

According to Maryland State Police, at approximately 1:25 a.m., Matthew Goetzinger was driving a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer on the southbound lane of Maryland Route 632 with another passenger in the vehicle. The teenager was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle about a quarter-mile north of the Maryland 63 crossroad.

Police reports indicate that the vehicle crossed over the center line and, upon leaving the roadway, struck an embankment and then overturned. Although the driver was reportedly wearing his seatbelt, he was pronounced dead at the scene. There was no mention of whether defective equipment, driver error, excessive vehicle speed or a deadly combination of one or more of these factors may have triggered the fatal crash.

The passenger, 19-year-old Ryan Lewis of Boonsboro, MD, was injured in the wreck. After police and emergency workers arrived at the scene, Lewis was transported to Washington County Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and subsequently released.

19-year-old from Keedysville killed in crash, Herald-Mail.com, August 21, 2009

Speaking for myself, as a Maryland auto accident attorney, one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do in this job is try to comfort family members who have lost a loved on in a car or truck accident. Any accidental death is traumatic for those close to the victim, but automobile crashes are violent events and it’s so hard for the survivors to deal with the untimely death of a spouse, parent, child or sibling.

In Boston, Annapolis, Washington, D.C., or anywhere across this great state, our car accident lawyers come up against the harsh reality wrought by others’ mistakes. Recently, three members from the same family were involved in a horrendous single-vehicle crash that left two dead and a third in serious condition at a local hospital.

According to reports, a 57-year-old woman was driving her bother and her son eastbound on Maryland Route 4 near Lothian, MD, during the early evening hours of August 3. Police reports indicate that the vehicle was near Lower Pindell Road when it inexplicably left the roadway, struck a sign post, then rolled down an embankment and overturned into a stand of trees.

Until an accident investigation is completed, it is difficult to know if the crash was caused by faulty equipment, such as the car’s steering or suspension system, or if it was a case of driver error. A vehicle crash is bad enough, but when combined with a rollover scenario or impact with stationary objects, such as tree in this case, injuries to the occupants can range from broken bones to traumatic brain injury and spinal damage.

Whatever the cause in the particular accident, the result was devastating. Anne Arundel County Fire Department personnel had to cut the driver and her 67-year-old bother out of the mangled vehicle, but sadly both of them were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver’s 19-year-old son was still alive, but suffered multiple injuries. He was transported to Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly, where he was initially listed in serious condition. One thing is certain, the friends and relatives of these victims will have a difficult time coming to terms with their loss.

Two killed, one seriously injured in Lothian accident, BaltimoreSun.com, August 4, 2009