Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

Maryland Pedestrian Fatality on I-495 Highlights Legal Challenges in Highway Collision Cases

May 2, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Pedestrian crashes are among the deadliest incidents on Maryland roads, and they raise difficult legal questions when they occur on highways. While many drivers expect to see pedestrians in neighborhoods or crosswalks, people on foot are struck on interstates far more often than the public realizes. These cases are legally sensitive, especially when the events leading up to the collision are unusual or involve fleeing a disabled vehicle.

A recent fatal accident in Prince George’s County underscores the risks. According to Maryland State Police, a man was struck and killed on I-495 after fleeing a parked vehicle and attempting to cross the inner loop on foot near College Park. The crash occurred shortly after 3 a.m. and involved a Toyota sedan. Authorities are still working to identify the pedestrian and determine why he exited the vehicle. Charges may be pending, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Highway Pedestrian Crashes Raise Unique Legal Questions

In most pedestrian crash cases, liability depends on where the person was located and what actions were taken by both the driver and the pedestrian before impact. Highways, however, are not designed for pedestrian access. That fact does not automatically eliminate legal responsibility, but it does change how the facts are reviewed.

Drivers still have a duty to remain alert and to respond appropriately when a person is visible on or near the roadway. If a pedestrian tried to avoid another hazard or had just escaped a disabled vehicle, courts may examine whether the driver had time to prevent the crash. That review may include speed, lighting conditions, and whether the car remained in its lane.

Hit-and-Run or Partial Flight From the Scene Can Complicate Claims

While early reports do not suggest the driver of the Toyota fled, pedestrian fatalities that involve hit-and-run behavior introduce additional legal obstacles. When a driver leaves the scene, it becomes harder to determine vehicle speed, impairment, or possible distractions. Families left behind are often forced to pursue claims through uninsured motorist coverage or wait for law enforcement to identify the vehicle involved.

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Even in cases where the at-fault party remains at the scene, the pedestrian’s fleeing behavior may be used by insurance carriers to argue against full compensation. These cases require careful legal analysis. Was the pedestrian disoriented? Was there an emergency that made remaining in the car unsafe? These factors often affect liability and the outcome of any wrongful death claim.

Car Accidents in Maryland Often Leave Lasting Impacts

April 30, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Even a moment’s lapse behind the wheel can change lives forever. In Maryland, car crashes cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year, leaving families grappling with sudden loss and overwhelming uncertainty. If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a Maryland motor vehicle accident, taking immediate action to protect your rights can make a meaningful difference in the road ahead.

A tragic accident in Carroll County recently highlighted how quickly devastation can unfold. Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 97 where a Volkswagen collided head-on with a Chevrolet truck. The truck’s driver, a 78-year-old Westminster resident, was rushed to Carroll Hospital but did not survive. The Volkswagen driver was airlifted to a trauma center with serious injuries. As the Maryland State Police Crash Team continues its investigation, questions remain about what caused the crash and whether charges will be filed.

How Is Liability Determined in a Maryland Car Accident?

In Maryland, every driver has a legal obligation to operate their vehicle with care and attention. If a driver becomes distracted, fatigued, impaired, or behaves recklessly, and a crash occurs as a result, they can be held financially responsible for the injuries and damages they cause.

Upper Marlboro Woman Dies After Head-On Collision in Anne Arundel County: Legal Implications and Victim Rights

March 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A tragic crash in Anne Arundel County has left one woman dead and a repeat DUI offender facing severe legal consequences. The February 17 collision on Mitchells Chance Road near Hamlet Club Drive involved a Chevrolet pickup veering into oncoming traffic and striking a Ford truck head-on. The Ford’s passenger, a 74-year-old Upper Marlboro resident, suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital.

This case highlights the devastating consequences of impaired driving. Families impacted by such reckless behavior often struggle with medical costs, funeral expenses, and long-term financial hardship. Legal action against the responsible party may provide relief and hold repeat offenders accountable.

How Impaired Driving Led to This Fatal Crash

Reality TV Star Receives One-Year Sentence for DUI Crash in Maryland

March 17, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A well-known cast member from The Real Housewives of Potomac has been sentenced to one year in jail following a drunk driving crash in Montgomery County. The conviction stems from a March 2024 arrest, where the driver was found guilty of multiple charges, including negligent driving and failure to control speed to avoid a collision. While acquitted of reckless driving, the court issued a strong sentence, citing the individual’s history of previous traffic offenses.

The judge overseeing the case expressed skepticism that the four known drunk driving incidents over the past 17 years represented the full extent of impaired driving. Given the repeated nature of the offenses, the court determined that a more serious consequence was necessary. Along with the jail term, the driver must pay over $2,000 in fines and be prohibited from operating a vehicle for a year after release.

Repeat DUI Offenses and Public Safety Concerns

Upper Marlboro Woman Dies After Head-On Collision in Anne Arundel County: Legal Implications and Victim Rights

February 28, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A tragic crash in Anne Arundel County has left one woman dead and a repeat DUI offender facing severe legal consequences. The February 17 collision on Mitchells Chance Road near Hamlet Club Drive involved a Chevrolet pickup veering into oncoming traffic and striking a Ford truck head-on. The Ford’s passenger, a 74-year-old Upper Marlboro resident, suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital.

This case underscores the devastating consequences of impaired driving. Families impacted by such reckless behavior often struggle with medical costs, funeral expenses, and long-term financial hardship. Legal action against the responsible party may provide relief and hold repeat offenders accountable.

How Impaired Driving Led to This Fatal Crash

Understanding Liability in Rideshare Accidents Under Maryland Law

January 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Rideshare services have become a standard mode of transportation, but accidents involving rideshare drivers raise unique questions about liability. Maryland’s rules on insurance and liability provide essential protections for victims of these incidents. A recent Florida case involving Uber Technologies, Inc. offers insight into how courts evaluate liability, especially when the rideshare driver is not actively using the app at the time of an accident. By applying Maryland law to similar circumstances, this discussion highlights critical legal considerations for victims seeking justice.

How Does Maryland Law Addresses Rideshare Liability?

Maryland follows clear guidelines for determining rideshare liability, which often depends on whether the driver was logged into the app or actively transporting passengers at the time of an accident. Under Maryland law, rideshare companies are generally required to carry commercial liability insurance for their drivers, but the coverage only applies under specific conditions:

– App On, No Passenger. If a driver is logged into the app but does not have a passenger, the company’s contingent coverage may apply. This usually includes limited liability coverage.

Maryland Wrongful Death Claims in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents

January 22, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

When a loved one loses their life in a hit-and-run crash, families face heartbreak compounded by unanswered questions. Maryland law provides avenues for justice and accountability, even when the driver leaves the scene. Wrongful death claims stemming from hit-and-run incidents involve unique challenges, but legal options remain available to seek compensation and closure.

In cases like the recent tragedy in Ellicott City, where a woman was fatally struck while using a pedestrian crosswalk, identifying the at-fault driver becomes a priority. Maryland law allows surviving family members to pursue compensation for financial losses, emotional anguish, and more. While locating the responsible party presents obstacles, legal tools and resources can assist in holding drivers accountable. This process may involve analyzing traffic camera footage, gathering witness statements, and using forensic evidence from the crash site to clearly understand what occurred. Legal support can help families ensure all available avenues for justice are explored.

What Maryland Law Says About Hit-and-Run Accidents

Understanding Your Rights After a Serious Maryland Crash

December 22, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A pair of devastating car accidents in Maryland early Friday morning left two people dead and eight others hospitalized. The first occurred on Interstate 270 in Montgomery County, involving a fiery collision that tragically claimed one life and injured four others. Hours earlier, another accident in Prince George’s County resulted in one fatality and four additional injuries.

If you were injured in a car accident or have questions about your rights, understanding your legal options is critical. Maryland law allows victims and their families to seek compensation for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

Details of the I-270 Crash in Montgomery County

What Maryland Residents Need to Know About Legal Options After a Fatal Single-Vehicle Accident

November 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Recently, two Salisbury residents tragically lost their lives in a single-vehicle crash on Route 50 in Dorchester County. According to Maryland State Police, the driver of a Subaru veered off the roadway for unknown reasons, striking a utility pole and causing the vehicle to catch fire. The driver and an adult passenger both succumbed to their injuries, while a young child was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of understanding liability and legal options following similar accidents.

Investigating Liability and Contributing Factors After a Maryland Car Accident

The Route 50 accident raises questions about what might have caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and whether any third parties or external conditions contributed to the crash. Maryland law recognizes several potential factors in single-vehicle accidents that could establish liability:

Drunk Driver Charged with DUI after Injuring Montgomery Co. Firefighter at Scene of Earlier Accident

October 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Some of the most dangerous situations encountered on most any expressway, beltway or highway are construction zones and accident scenes where road workers or EMS personnel must perform their jobs in close proximity to passing cars and trucks. Despite caution placards and warning signs placed ahead of roadway construction zones — or flashing emergency vehicle lights and flares near active crash sites — some drivers are far too distracted to operate their vehicle safely, often completely ignoring the dangers of driving too fast through a reduced speed zone.

Many distracted or otherwise impaired drivers manage not to cause an accident; but sadly, many other violators are not nearly so lucky. Commuters who drive past long-term construction zones on a daily basis can become more annoyed by the situation and less concerned about the threat of pedestrian accidents along the roadside. And while motorists may be disdainful of construction sites as impediments to their daily commute, coming upon an active crash scene — with the attendant police vehicles, fire trucks and rescue personnel — most thoughtful drivers should understand the gravity of the situation and slow down to a safe passing speed.

Unfortunately, numerous police officers and firefighters are killed or injured every year by drivers who fail to slow down for, or yield the right-of-way to first responders. This sad and all-too-familiar scenario was repeated in early September this year along a stretch of I-495 in Silver Spring, MD, where State Troopers from the Rockville Barrack had responded to a late-night traffic accident between a semi tractor-trailer rig and Lexus passenger car, causing several lanes of I-495 to be closured down.