Multi-vehicle Accidents

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.

Four-Car Accident Sends One to the Hospital in Baltimore

January 13, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Last month, a four-car accident in Baltimore sent one person to the hospital in what witnesses describe as a “chain reaction” of rear-end collisions. According to a report by the Baltimore Sun, the accident occurred near Jones Junction and the Bel Air police barracks. Apparently, one car slammed into another car that was stopped at a red light at the intersection near Harford Road. After that, the car in front crashed into the car in front of it. Then that car was pushed into the car in front of it. A total of four cars were involved in the accident.

One driver was taken to the hospital. At the time of the report, police were still investigating the cause of the accident and whether drugs or alcohol was involved.

Following Too Closely is a Citable Offense in Maryland

Let’s face it, no one probably knows all the traffic laws in Maryland; we generally all just try and do our best when we’re driving out there and hope for the best. However, one offense that many Marylanders are unaware of—but should be aware of—is following behind another vehicle too closely.

Appeal Planned in $1 Million Judgment Stemming from Seeder-Planter Car Collision Personal Injury Lawsuit

December 11, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Defense attorneys in a personal injury case that involved a seeder-planter and a car that caused one individual to lose an eye announced their plans to appeal the judgment to Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals. The judgment, at just over $1 million, is reportedly the largest known judgment for a case of this kind reached in the Lower Shore area.

The decision regarding liability was handed down in October, ordering the defendants to pay the plaintiffs $1,026,786 in damages. The defense attorneys stated that the decision to appeal followed a hearing in early November, denying the defense attorneys’ motions to dismiss and for a new trial.

While the ruling itself is not yet readily available, the reports on the case reveal the details regarding the outcome of the case, and the planned basis for the appeal.

Maryland Appeals Court Affirms Exclusion of Testimony Regarding Defendant’s Conduct Following Car Accident

December 4, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In a ruling earlier this year, the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland clarified the nature of damages available for emotional distress, and Maryland’s stance on recovery for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.

The case, Alban v. FIELS, 61 A. 3d 867 (2013), involved a car accident between two passenger trucks that occurred in Baltimore in 2009. According to witnesses, the driver of a white truck struck the truck of the plaintiffs (Albans), and then fled the scene. However, given that he was proceeding on a dead end street, he was perceived turning around, driving past the accident, and laughing or smirking. He was also reportedly seen smirking at a nearby convenience store where at least one witness had followed him following the collision.

At trial, the plaintiffs filed a lawsuit with various claims arising out of negligence, including psychological damage endured by Ms. Alban. The defendant did not contest liability for negligence in the accident, and the case was tried on the issue of compensatory damages. A jury awarded the couple as follows: non-economic damages in the amount of $5,000 to Ms. Alban, “zero” damages to Mr. Alban, and noneconomic damages in the amount of $5,000 to both the Albans for their joint claim for loss of consortium. The trial court entered judgment for $10,000 plus costs.

Maryland State Trooper in Critical Condition Following Shoulder Collision

October 18, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A Maryland State Trooper was sent to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in critical condition earlier this month, after being hit by a car on Route 100.

Maryland State Police say the trooper was hit violently by a driver who failed to obey the “Move Over” law. At around 1 a.m., another state trooper had pulled over a suspected drunk driver. The injured trooper arrived to assist, but was hit as another car violently crashed into her as she walked along the shoulder of the highway.

Maryland State Police say the driver was reportedly intending to get off at Catherine Avenue when he hit the trooper. The impact was so strong it sent her flying into the air, into the back of another trooper’s windshield, which her body reportedly broke, crashing into a K-9 cage within the car. The trooper then fell into a nearby ditch. She was transported to Shock Trauma with a broken arm, head injuries, and cuts and contusions. Fortunately, her condition was recently reportedly downgraded to serious.

Street Racing Suspected in Multiple Vehicle Collision

October 7, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Maryland State Police continue to investigate a multiple car accident that shut down part of Crain Highway in Brandywine last weekend. Witnesses told at least one news source that they believe street racing was to blame for causing the collision.

Maryland State Police said in a statement that a black Mercury Marauder was speeding on the northbound lanes of 301 when it crossed over the median and crashed into on coming traffic, which caused a chain reaction wreck involving a total of five cars.

The cars involved included an Ford F-350, Acura TL, Chevrolet SSR, Dodge Dakota, and Ford Expedition. In sum, eleven people were taken to local hospitals, including at least four children aged seven and younger. In total 11 people were taken to area hospitals in varying conditions. Some were airlifted while others were taken by ground. The cause of and circumstances surrounding the accident remain under investigation.

No Fatalities in 10-Car Accident Near Maryland State Line

September 26, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In stark contrast to other multi-vehicle accidents in recent weeks, an accident that occurred in Pennsylvania, near the Maryland state line, involving ten vehicles resulted in no fatalities. That vehicle count included four tractor trailers and a tow truck. Amazingly, not a single person died.

The accident happened approximately eight miles north of the border around 1:30 p.m. on the I-83 North. It began when traffic began to buildup for unknown reasons. One tractor trailer was unable to stop in time, and crashed into the rear of another vehicle, which caused a chain reaction collision. In fact, one vehicle was so badly destroyed, it reportedly had to be removed from the roadway by means of a forklift. A fuel hazmat team was also called to the scene.

Of the individuals involved in the collision, seven people were taken to local hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the collision.

Route 152 Closed Following Serious 3 Car Accident

August 27, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this week, authorities responded to the scene of a serious three vehicle accident on Route 152 (Mountain Road) near Old Mountain Road North in Joppa. The accident was so serious, in fact, that the rescue crews on sight called for a special medical team from the University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore in order to assist with extricating the driver from the car.

Maryland State Police said that responders were initially contacted at 3:34 p.m. Monday, after a pickup truck traveling south on the highway crossed the center line and collided head-on with a car heading north. After the initial collision, the pickup reportedly hit a dump truck that was traveling north behind the car. Based off of photos from the scene, it appears that the car then drove off of the highway and rolled down an embankment.

According to reports, the driver of the car was flown by helicopter to Shock Trauma after the individual was freed from the wreckage. The driver of the pickup was transported by ambulance to Johns Hopkins. The driver of the dump truck driver was reportedly not seriously injured.

Landover Tractor Trailer Collision Erupts into Flames

July 25, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Three teens were injured in a car accident in Landover earlier this month, and narrowly escaped further tragedy.

Authorities in Prince George’s County reported that a tractor trailer was pulling into a warehouse on Ardwick Ardmore Road just before midnight Tuesday when the collision occurred. The car became wedged under the trailer, but the teens were able to escape just before both vehicles reportedly caught fire.

A fire department spokesperson said that the tractor trailer was carrying materials used to manufacture mattresses at the time of the accident. It took fire crews approximately 20 minutes to fully extinguish the flames.

The teens were transported to local trauma centers. The driver of the truck was not seriously injured. The street was closed for a period of time while authorities cleared the scene, and conducted an initial investigation.

3 Car Accident in California, Maryland

July 8, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Police, fire, and other rescue crews responded to the report of a three car accident along Airport Road in California last month. When the crews arrived, they discovered the three vehicles still in the roadway.

According to the initial investigation, authorities believe that a Dodge Caravan was traveling west on Airport Road, when it struck an Infiniti M45 that was in a turn lane waiting for the roadway to clear.

The initial collision’s impact from the Caravan caused the Infiniti to cross into oncoming traffic, which resulted in a collision with a BMW 735.

Three individuals were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.

While the accident remains under investigation, the initial cause of the accident remains unreported.

Based on the circumstances as reported, whereby one vehicle crashed into a vehicle that was in a turning lane, it seems likely that one of two possible scenarios occurred. One potential explanation is that the car who which waiting to turn was pulled too far out into traffic, which left insufficient space for oncoming traffic to pass safely. The car could also have accelerated too soon in anticipation of turning, thus putting it farther into the path of oncoming traffic.

An alternative explanation is that the car which was waiting to turn was within a safe distance from oncoming traffic, and that it was the oncoming driver who either drove too closely to the turning car, misjudged the distance, or made some other error, which accidentally resulted in the collision.