Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

Understanding Maryland Hit-And-Run Accidents

November 24, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

When a driver causes an accident by colliding with another vehicle, piece of property, or individual and then flees the scene without providing their personal information, a hit and run accident has taken place. Because these accidents can often leave victims with collecting compensation after they take place, those who are responsible should be held accountable.

According to a recent local news report, a 26-year-old man was recently struck and killed by a car. Maryland State Police are investigating the incident, which took place shortly after 3:15am when troopers were called in after a report of a person in the roadway and an overturned vehicle. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities located a pedestrian in the roadway, who was later pronounced dead.

Based on a preliminary investigation, authorities believe that the 26-year-old man was pulled over on the shoulder and outside of his vehicle when the crash occurred. A Chevy Silverado then struck the man and his vehicle, causing the Chevy to overturn and cross two lanes of traffic before the driver was able to escape. Witnesses at the scene provided a description of the at-fault party and claimed that the driver of the overturned vehicle fled the area on foot. The suspect was located 40 minutes after the accident and was taken into custody. Investigators believe that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the accident.

Maryland’s I-95 Among Ten Most Dangerous Roads in the United States

November 19, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Any time we get behind the wheel, there is a risk of getting into an accident. This risk, however, often increases depending on what road you are driving on. According to the most recent Fatality Analysis Reporting System data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I-95 is the most dangerous highway in the United States.

The report, which analyzes which roads, counties, and states present the greatest risk for drivers based on the number of fatalities in auto collisions, found that total vehicle fatalities increased by an estimated 7.2 percent from 2019 to 2020. In addition, in 2020 alone, the United States experienced the highest rate of fatalities from auto accidents since 2007, with nearly 1.37 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

Based on data from the Federal Highway Administration, drivers drove 430.2 billion miles less in 2020 compared to 2019, resulting in about a 13.2 percent decrease. This dramatic change is likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing requirements, which kept many people at home. The decrease in total miles traveled by vehicles combined with an increase in auto accident fatalities resulted in the significant 7.2 percent increase in total vehicle fatalities that took place between 2019 and 2020.

Tragic Maryland Car Accident Leaves Four Injured and a Toddler Dead

November 10, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

If there is one sure thing in life, it is that it often deals you the most unexpected hand at the most unexpected time. Often, this takes place through events out of our control, such as major accidents or incidents caused by others. When this happens, it is often impossible to be fully prepared—but understanding the basics of how to move forward legally following a major accident, death of a loved one, or similar incident can better equip you and your loved ones for your next steps.

According to a recent local news report, a three-car accident left a toddler dead and four adults severely injured. Local authorities reported that the driver of a Ford was turning left when it crashed into an Acura and a Honda. The impact from the Ford caused the Acura to skid off the road and hit a brick wall. The three individuals in the Acura, including a three-year-old who was in the backseat, were all transported to the hospital for further treatment. The driver and one of the passengers of the Acura had serious but non-life-threatening injuries, but the toddler later died at the hospital. The drivers of the Honda and Ford were also transported to local hospitals but were expected to survive. The accident remains under investigation by local authorities.

Following an unexpected and tragic accident involving the sudden passing of a loved one because of another party’s negligence or recklessness, filing a lawsuit may be the furthest thing from your mind. There are, however, many legal options that you and your loved ones should consider in the wake of such an accident, including potentially filing a wrongful death claim in Maryland courts.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed on Maryland Road

October 31, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In busy metropolitan areas, pedestrians often share public roads with motorists and bikers alike. Although in principle everyone should respect each other and their right of way, this does not always happen in practice. Sometimes, when drivers are not paying attention or visibility is poor, accidents can happen involving pedestrians. Because pedestrians are even more vulnerable when crossing a busy road, these collisions can often have devastating consequences, such as injury or death.

According to a recent local news report, a pedestrian was killed in a fatal crash along a busy part of I-83. Investigators reported that a rideshare driver was driving north on I-83 and called 911 because an unruly and potentially intoxicated passenger was assaulting him. The rideshare driver then pulled over, and the passenger exited the car and crossed over the median into the southbound lane. The man was walking along the highway when a Range Rover crashed into him. The accident remains under investigation by local authorities.

Unfortunately, Maryland is no stranger to pedestrian-related accidents. Because pedestrian accidents are most common in busy, urban areas, nearly 72 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur in traffic-congested areas similar to busy metropolitan hubs across Maryland.

Understanding the Basics of Maryland Car Accident Law

October 24, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In Maryland, the rates and frequency of car accidents have been increasing in recent years. In 2020, 573 people died in motor vehicle accidents, which is a six percent increase from the previous year.

Following a car accident in Maryland, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may be considering legal action. Before getting started, however, it is crucial that Maryland drivers and potential plaintiffs alike understand the basics of Maryland car accident laws so that they can best protect themselves in the event of a devastating crash.

According to a recent news report, a 25-year-old man was killed when the car he was a passenger in veered off the road and crashed into a tree. Local authorities stated that the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and that the driver was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition. Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the collision, which took place in the middle of the night.

Appellate Court Finds Overbroad Settlement Offer by Insurance Company Was Not Made in Bad Faith

October 17, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this year, a state court issued an opinion in a car accident case involving where the insurance company’s settlement offer was at issue. The case highlighted some challenges that can arise during settlement negotiations in the aftermath of an accident. The court was asked to decide whether an insurance company acted “in bad faith” when their offer to settle included a broad release of all claims against the driver at fault, but gave the victim’s attorney the option to revise the terms.

Insurance companies are required by law to act “in good faith” when trying to settle in order to protect the financial interests of the people they insure. That means they should make timely and reasonable settlement offers that try to fully compensate victims, making it likely that they will agree to settle. Drivers buy liability insurance all the time because they expect the insurance company to protect them from financial liability. In some states, like Maryland, drivers are required to have a minimum amount of liability insurance to cover potential bodily injury and property claims that may result from accidents.

In a recent 11th circuit case, the injured party claimed that the driver’s insurance company acted in bad faith by sending an overbroad settlement agreement. The proposed settlement offer under the driver’s bodily injury policy included a release from liability for all claims while a settlement offer under their property damage policy was not yet made. The victim claimed that the release of all claims was too broad, allowing it to take advantage of unwitting victims who might not know what other claims they might want to make and chose not to settle. The insurance company argued that it did not act in bad faith. They maintained that the settlement offer agreement was only proposed and invited the injured victim to make changes to the language to make it a more appealing offer.

Maryland Wrong Way Crash Leaves Three Hurt

October 11, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Maryland residents frequently use highways and roadways in their lives. From commuting to work to doing daily errands, roadways are the easiest way to get places. But roads also pose risks for life-altering car accidents. Even if you are an alert driver, the risk of a distracted or inhibited motorist sharing the road increases the chance of being involved in an accident. An uncommon, but dangerous type of accident can come from a “wrong-way” driver. Wrong-way accidents can be sudden and traumatic, with a motorist intentionally or unintentionally speeding toward oncoming traffic. Because wrong-way accidents can be head-on and sudden, drivers may not have time to react. The results can often be deadly. The legal and medical impacts of the accident may not be immediately clear. These results can outlast the initial shock of a crash and make it crucial to have an experienced personal injury attorney.

Recently, a wrong-way driver caused a crash involving three cars in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Fortunately, the crash was not fatal. However, three people were injured. The accident started when a driver traveled the wrong way in the westbound lane and hit two vehicles driving the right way in the lane. It is unclear what caused the driver to drive in the opposite direction of traffic.

A report from AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found some factors for increasing the risk of a wrong-way crash. Older drivers are more likely to be wrong-way drivers, with the risk increasing significantly if they are over 70 years old. Alcohol impairment of the driver also makes it more likely that they will become a wrong-way driver. The report also shares that having a passenger in the car can reduce the risk of wrong-way crashes.

What Contributory Negligence Means for Survivors of Maryland Multi-Vehicle “Chain Reaction” Crashes

September 30, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Car accidents can be confusing and scary for any driver, especially when they are injured and they may not think about how the type of accident and amount of cars involved can impact the compensation they can recover for their injuries. For one thing, it isn’t always clear what the cause of a multi-car crash was or who is at fault for legal and insurance purposes. When a car accident involves multiple cars, in what are often called “chain-reaction” crashes, the difficulties of determining fault increase substantially.

For Maryland drivers, these questions become more important because of the way Maryland law assigns fault in multi-car accident cases. Maryland law looks at the fault of all parties involved in the accident, not just the first car to set off the chain of collisions. That means that in a chain-reaction crash where the second car in the chain was texting instead of watching the road when they were hit and that caused them to hit the third driver instead of swerving, the court might find them partly responsible. Speaking with an experienced attorney familiar with Maryland’s unique law is an important step to protect your legal rights when entering litigation and seeking financial compensation related to injuries from a car accident.

According to one recent news report, there a multi-car crash sent three people to the hospital, leaving two people suffering from serious injuries. The chain-reaction accident started when a car crossed a highway median, entering oncoming traffic and hitting another car head-on, injuring the driver. The struck car then collided with a tractor-trailer, in turn injuring that driver as well. Both of the motorists in the struck vehicles were extracted from their vehicles and brought to the hospital for treatment of severe injuries, while the driver of the car who started the chain reaction was able to walk out of the hospital with only minor injuries.

Backing-Up and Parking Lots Accidents in Maryland

September 23, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Determining liability in an accident is a critical part of every lawsuit, and it is essential to recovery in Maryland. Maryland follows strict contributory negligence laws, and as such, establishing fault is a priority in every case. While backing-up accidents may seem straightforward, various factors at play can often affect a claim.

In most Maryland backing-up accident cases, the first inquiry is whether the driver backing out had the right of way. Generally, the car that did not maintain the right of way will be liable for the accident. However, there are exceptions to the right of way rule, and when more than one car is backing up, the driver with the legal right of way may not be paying attention to their surroundings. In these cases, the driver with the right of way may be responsible for some portion of the accident. Another factor in these accidents is whether the car was stopped or moving leading up to the collision. If the vehicle was moving but stops with sufficient room, they may not be liable for the accident.

The most frequent types of backing-out accidents involve a driver backing out of a parking lot. When a car backs out of a parking space into a parked car, generally, liability lies on the person backing up. However, there are exceptions if the static car is illegally parked and in a position where the moving car cannot see the vehicle.

Wrongful Death Claims Following a Fatal Maryland Car Accident

September 16, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Wrongful death claims may be appropriate when a person dies because of another’s negligent or intentional conduct. In these situations, Maryland allows the deceased’s family to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. While the state permits these claims, the wrongful death statute is challenging and requires strict adherence to notice and filing requirements.

Maryland Code § 3-901 explains that a party may bring forth a wrongful death action if a death occurred because of another party’s negligent act or omission. The primary inquiry is whether the deceased would have been entitled to damages if they survived the incident. In this situation, spouses, parents, and children may be entitled to monetary compensation. These claims may arise from a construction accident, nursing home abuse or neglect, defective products, medical malpractice, and auto accidents.

For instance, news sources recently described a harrowing four-vehicle accident in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. State troopers and Maryland State Police Crash Team responded to the scene of the accident. A preliminary investigation reveals that an Audi crashed head-on with an SUV in the center turn lane. The SUV then swiped another vehicle which flipped over and hit another sedan. The SUV driver and passenger died at the scene of the accident. In addition to a host of weapon possession charges, police charged the driver of the Audi with driving under the influence and reckless driving.