Fatal Traffic Accidents

A Series of Accidents in Prince George’s County Leaves Two Dead and One Injured

March 14, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Two people were killed and another critically injured in a series of auto accidents in Prince George’s County. According to a report by ABC 7, the accidents all occurred around Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

The First Accident

A violent collision occurred Wednesday night on the 8600 block of Contee Road when one vehicle crossed the center median for an unknown reason and slammed into another oncoming vehicle One of the drivers was thrown through the windshield. One of the drivers was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was taken to a nearby hospital where she is expected to recover. Police believe that speed was a factor in the accident.

The Second Accident

A man driving alone was killed when his car unexpectedly left the roadway and collided with an object on the side of the road. The accident occurred at Rhode Island Avenue and 38th Street in Mt. Rainier. The man was taken to the hospital, but died from the injuries he sustained as a result of the accident.

Car Splits in Half, Killing Two, After Getting into an Accident with a Taxi

January 27, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this week, an accident near the Landover Metro Station left an Acura split in half and both of its occupants dead. According to a report by WTOP, the driver of the Acura was heading in the opposite direction as a taxi when the driver of the Acura lost control and crossed into oncoming traffic. Apparently, the Acura collided with the taxi and then continued into a telephone pole that split the car in two.

Both the driver of the Acura and his passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. The taxi driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover. Police believe that speed played a part in the accident, as well as the slippery condition of the road.

Speed Is a Leading Cause of Fatal Maryland Car Accidents

It probably does not come as a surprise to anyone, but speeding is a leading cause of traffic accidents and traffic deaths in Maryland. According to some studies, speed is a factor in about one-third of all fatal accidents. While speeding is never a good or safe idea, it is even more dangerous when the road conditions are slick, icy, or snow-covered, as they have been for much of the past few months.

District Court Decision Affirms Importance of Knowing the Terms of your Car Insurance Policy

December 27, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In a recent district court case in West Virginia, the court reached an opinion, which demonstrates the absolute importance of understanding the terms of your car insurance policy.

In the case, Lewis v. Likens, Dist. Court, SD W. Va. (2013), an elderly resident of an unlicensed nursing home facility was being driven by a volunteer of the home when the driver pulled out in front of a UPS tractor trailer, causing a collision that killed the resident.

The decedent’s daughter filed a lawsuit following the accident, alleging the volunteer’s liability for her wrongful death, and alleging that her own uninsured motorist policy should cover her mother, and that she sought to collect under that policy. She additionally sought a declaration that her mother resided primarily with her at the time of the collision, and that thus she would be covered by the terms of the policy.

U.S. Court of Appeals Affirms Judgment in Favor of Defendant in Maryland Contributory Negligence Case

December 18, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reached a decision this year regarding Maryland’s contributory negligence bar to recovery in any personal injury action.

In the case, Saravia v. Chen, U.S. Ct. App., 4th Cir. (2013), the plaintiffs filed a negligence and wrongful death action following a fatal car accident. At trial, the district court granted the summary motion of defendants (a bus driver and his employer), concluding that the decedent’s contributory negligence barred any recovery.

On appeal, the plaintiffs argued that the district court erred in granting summary judgment on several bases.

Husband Sues Wife’s Employer for Wrongful Death Following Tragic Car Accident

November 19, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In an unorthodox twist to the typical car accident fatality case, an Ohio man is suing his wife’s former employer, claiming that they are responsible for causing the single vehicle accident that killed her.

The lawsuit, Jasper et. al v. Jewish Hospital et. al, details the hospital’s procedures of regularly requiring the woman, and other nurses, to work in excess of their regularly scheduled hours. Additionally, because the woman had special certifications, she was regularly called in during her supposed off time to conduct trainings, or to work when the hospital was understaffed, which was reportedly often.

According to the complaint, on March 16, 2013, “Ms. Jasper was killed when her vehicle suddenly departed from the road, ramped an embankment, became airborne, and crashed into a tree while driving home from her shift at the Hospital.” The attorney representing the woman’s husband, children, and estate, said in a statement that they believe she many have fallen asleep just before her car left the road.

Man Attempting to Flee Maryland Traffic Stop Killed After Being Ejected From Car

November 12, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A Delaware man was killed in Maryland earlier this month after he was ejected from the car he was driving in an attempt to flee a traffic stop.

The incident occurred just after 2:30 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, when a trooper on patrol radared a Chevy Malibu traveling at 66 mph in a 50 mph. The trooper then activated the emergency equipment on his marked car, and pulled the vehicle over.

As the officer approached the car and began talking with the driver, another vehicle pulled up behind the trooper’s car. The driver stated that the other car contained his girlfriend. At that point, while the trooper was still conversing with the driver of the Malibu, the driver sped off, attempting to flee the traffic stop. Police have stated that the man’s license was revoked, and that he was wanted on a traffic warrant.

Speeding Accident in Hyattsville Kills Two

November 5, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A violent car accident last week resulted in the untimely death of two individuals who were riding in the same car.

The accident occurred early Friday morning in Hyattsville, authorities say, at the intersection of Riggs Road and Drexel Street. According to police, a Toyota Camry was turning right onto Riggs Road when it was struck by an Acura. Police said that the Acura was traveling southbound on Riggs Road when it lost control, crossing into the northbound lanes, where it struck the Camry on the front driver’s side.

The passenger of the Camry was transported to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The driver of the Camry died at the scene. The driver of the Acura was transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Fatal Car Collision on Old Route 40 in Washington County

October 29, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Maryland State Police reported that one person died as the result of a three car accident in Washington County.

The incident happened in the early afternoon on Old Route 40 eastbound near the intersection of Toms Road, between Funkstown and Boonsboro.

Police reported that an older man and woman were driving in a Nissan truck, and were waiting in the travel lane for oncoming traffic to clear so they could make a left turn onto Toms Road. Then, according to officers, an Oldsmobile driven by a 22 year old man traveling down the eastbound lane collided into the rear of the Nissan truck, for unknown reasons. The impact of the collision caused the truck to flip onto the drivers side, forcing it into oncoming traffic, where it was then struck by a GMC Envoy, containing a 72 year old driver.

At Least One Dead in Oxon Hill Four-Car Accident

September 6, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Police in Prince George’s County are continuing an investigation into a four-car collision that happened recently in Oxon Hill in which one man died.

Police reported that they were called to the 7400-block of Indian Head Highway around 3:30 in the morning, and that one of the officers pronounced one of the drivers dead at the scene. According to a preliminary investigation, police believe that the deceased driver was struck by another car shortly after making a U-turn. That crash then resulted in secondary collisions. Two additional individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Police also believe that alcohol and speed appear to have been factors in causing the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.

Several Deaths in 7 Vehicle Accident on Route 32 in Anne Arundel County

August 30, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Just hours after an accident occurred this week on Route 32 in Anne Arundel County, investigators reported that they believe that speed was a major factor in causing the seven car collision.

Police believe that one car traveling “at a high rate of speed” rear-ended another vehicle, which then set off a deadly chain reaction eventually involving a total of seven vehicles. Three individuals died as a result, all of whom were traveling in the same vehicle. Two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the third was pronounced dead shortly thereafter at a local trauma center.

In sum, six passengers were injured in the accident, requiring transport to nearby hospitals. Four people were sent to Baltimore-Washington Medical Center with minor injuries. One man was flown to Shock Trauma in critical condition. An eight year old girl was flown to Johns Hopkins Pediatric for treatment of life-threatening injuries. It remains unclear which passengers were traveling in which vehicle, and what happened to the initial vehicle that was reportedly speeding.