Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

Maryland Automobile Accident News: Law Suits Claim Toyota Knew About Dangerous Acceleration Risk in 2003

November 6, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Defective automotive equipment can be just as deadly as a drunken driver when it comes to traffic accidents and fatalities on Maryland roadways. As a Baltimore car accident lawyer and personal injury attorney, I understand how poorly designed or maintained safety systems on cars, trucks and commercial motor vehicles can result in catastrophic roadway crashes leading to injuries and possible death.

Both the vehicle manufacturers and the maintenance facilities for those vehicles must do their part to ensure that all systems work as designed. Defective equipment can ihis include braking systems, steering components, lights and seatbelts, among others. If any system fails to work properly it could cause an accident or make any future accident more dangerous for the occupants, not to mention those motorists in the vicinity of a serious crash.

According to news articles, a law suit against the Japanese auto maker, Toyota, claims that the company knew as far back as 2003 about the possible acceleration risk on some of its vehicles. Based on reports, a Toyota technician stated in 2003 that sudden acceleration is an “extremely dangerous problem.” This was a full six years prior to the first of many recalls that the company has had to issue.

Maryland State Police Suspect Drunk Driver Responsible for Frederick 4-Car Crash on Md. 180

November 3, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

As a Maryland car accident and injury lawyer, I have seen the unfortunate results of far too many automobile crashes. While some traffic collisions are unavoidable, many could have been prevented if a driver had paid more attention to avert a car or trucking accident. Quite frequently, especially when driving is involved, simple common sense would have made the difference between life and death.

Sadly, we can’t predict when such factors will conspire to cause a car, truck or motorcycle wreck. But ultimately, people are responsible for their own actions. Take the issue of drinking and driving, which is a hot topic in most anyone’s book. Drunk drivers cause more than their share of costly and sometimes fatal traffic crashes. A news article not long ago illustrates what can happen when alcohol is mixed with motor vehicles.

According to reports, a 40-year-old driver from Hagerstown man was charged with drunken driving following a multi-vehicle accident along Md. 180 near Himes Ave. in Frederick, MD. The crash occurred on a Monday afternoon during the busy rush hour and was apparently made worse by rain and slippery road conditions.

Maryland Auto Injury News: Man’s Family Accepts $100,000 Award from Fatal 2008 Bay Bridge Accident

October 31, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Every so often a life-altering event occurs that makes people think: What would I do in a similar situation? The death of a family member is always a shock to the survivors and everyone involved can be affected a different way. As a Baltimore automobile accident attorney and Maryland personal injury lawyer, I understand that reaching a settlement that will best help the victim’s family is one of the most important goals in a wrongful death suit.

Not only medical costs, but lost wages and other financial matters left in the wake of an untimely death are all concerns for the surviving family members. A recent wrongful death suit was settled, according to news reports, leaving the family of the victim with only $100,000 for the apparent loss of a husband and provider.

Based on court records, the family of 57-year-old John Short accepted the $100,000 limit payable by another driver’s insurance company in the case of a fatal crash on the Bay Bridge back a couple of years ago. According to reports, Short died on August 10, 2008, when he steered his semi tractor-trailer rig off the bridge as he tried to avoid hitting an oncoming vehicle driven by 19-year-old Candy Baldwin.

Maryland Auto Accident News: Baby Critically Injured in Single-vehicle Crash in Prince George’s County

October 26, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Defective vehicle equipment is not the only cause of single-car, truck and motorcycle crashes, but it is one of many reasons for these kinds of traffic accidents. As a Maryland auto and trucking accident attorney, I know how a simple problem or event can escalate into a major collision with life-threatening consequences. Elderly adults, teens and toddlers are all potential victims of automobile accidents here in Baltimore, over in the District and all across the state.

Children are the most innocent of victims when it comes to car and truck collisions. They have little control over anything that happens in a vehicle, yet they can be the ones who suffer the most from violent auto accident. This is why we, as parents and relatives, must all do our part to protect young children from the dangers that are always present on our roadways.

Despite how much we try, accidents will likely always occur and jeopardize the happiness of our children. According to a news report, a one-year-old baby was injured not long ago in a single-car wreck that happened in Prince George’s County. Based on police reports, the accident took place on a Monday around 4pm along Floral Park Road when a ’93 Ford Probe went out of control and hit a tree or some other kind of stationary obstacle by the roadside.

Frederick, Maryland, Accident News: Prince George’s County Teen Hurt in Car-Pedestrian Traffic Accident

October 24, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Across the nation, more than 4,000 people annually are injured by motor vehicles while walking on or near public roadways. Seeing that figure, it’s important to remember that Maryland has its share of pedestrian accidents involving cars, buses and commercial deliver vehicles. As Baltimore personal injury lawyers, I and my staff are experienced in the law and able to represent victims and their families in cases of severe or critical injury and even wrongful death.

While every person who ventures out in public must be cautious when crossing busy streets and intersections, drivers have an equal responsibility to look out for persons on foot as well as those riding on bicycles. Children are especially at risk, since they can be easily distracted when crossing roadways.

Sadly, accidents continue to occur, even with public awareness campaigns and traffic safety local enforcement. Not long ago, a youngster was hit by a car in Frederick County and severely hurt. According to local news reports, the 16-year-old boy was struck on a Friday evening along a stretch of Route 85 near Executive Way in Frederick.

Baltimore Accident News: Worchester County Driver Charged with Drunken Driving after Single-car Crash and Fire

October 21, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Having represented numerous auto accident victims as a Maryland personal injury attorney, nothing much surprises me or my colleagues and staff. While news of a single-vehicle crash these days might make people think of claims against Toyota for issues of mechanical problems and unexpected acceleration, not all individual car crashes can be pinned on defective vehicle equipment.

Driver error or simple negligence can also be a cause of many accidents, not only here in Baltimore, but in Washington, D.C., Annapolis and Frederick, MD. In cases where an individual is hurt or killed as a passenger of a vehicle may open the door for a civil suit against the driver, depending on possible negligent behavior prior to a traffic accident.

Drunk driving, driving while distracted (such as texting), or driving under the influence (DUI) of prescription medication can all be contributing factors in a car, truck or motorcycle accident. A recent news article pointed out the dangers of motor vehicle collisions, even single-car accidents.

Maryland Auto Safety News: Put Those Cellphones Away or Risk Being Ticketed by Police

October 19, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Driver negligence comes in many forms. Causing an accident because one is drowsy, hung over, or worse, drunk are all potential negligence suits waiting to happen. Add to that the possibility of maiming or killing another individual and a driver could be facing prison time and other civil penalties. But these are but several of the numerous causes of automobile and trucking-related crashes.

One hot button issue, which is now part of Maryland state law, is the use of cell phones in a moving vehicle. As a Maryland auto and trucking accident attorney and a Washington, D.C., personal injury lawyer, I have seen the result of distracted driving for years. Cell phone use is high on everybody’s list of major distractions — texting being one of the biggest distracters of all and one of the most likely causes of traffic collisions across the country.

Finally the state of Maryland has a new law on the books that prohibits talking on a hand-held cell phone when operating a motor vehicle. The Maryland General Assembly approved legislation last spring and now it is illegal for motorists across the state to use a hand-held cell phone while driving.

Maryland Auto Injury News: Every Vehicle Driven on Maryland Roadways Must have the Proper Insurance

October 17, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

We hear about it all of the time; people being hurt in accidents by another driver who is either under-insured or carries no insurance whatsoever on their vehicle. Of course, by law, every driver must maintain insurance coverage on their vehicle. This not only a good idea, but it can protect you from difficult financial times if you cannot afford to pay for extensive vehicle repairs following an accident.

As a Maryland automobile accident lawyer, I know that car crashes happen with alarming frequency. As drivers, we may not expect to be caught in a highway collision with an 18-wheeler, but it could happen. Similarly, nobody wants to think about having their car stolen or vandalized, but in dense urban centers such as Baltimore, Annapolis and the District, this is always a concern.

From time to time it’s a good idea to look at auto insurance and reacquaint oneself with the available policies and coverages. We ran into an article on choosing the right car insurance and it had several important points to make. In general, however, automobile insurance boils down to deciding how much one is willing to pay out-of-pocket for possible repairs versus how much the insurance company may have to pay.

Many car owners feel that purchasing car insurance to be a bit confusing. The first step is to figure out your needs and then examine available policies in order to understand what your potential risk will be and how much you will be willing to take on yourself. There as a number of factors to consider, such as understanding your specific needs, knowing which discounts you may qualify for, being aware of Maryland’s specific legal requirements, among others.

One key is picking a policy with a balanced deductible. This is the key to choosing a policy because it states the amount that you, the owner, are willing to pay to have the vehicle made right after a crash. The deductible you choose will usually have a direct bearing on the size of the premium you end up paying for you car insurance policy.

Maryland Auto Safety News: Ford Recalls Half-million Minivans for Possible Dangerous Rear Axle Problem

October 16, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Residents of Maryland and other cold-weather states may find that they have a problem with that aging Ford minivan in the driveway. According to news reports, Ford Motor Company has issued a statement naming the Ford Windstar in a recall involving more than one-half million vehicles across several model years.

As a Baltimore auto accident attorney and Washington, D.C., injury lawyer, I understand the potential for injury resulting from a defective equipment problem in a motor vehicle or heavy commercial truck. Critical components found in such important vehicle systems such as the steering and suspension must operate correctly if a vehicle is to remain safe.

Whether a design error, incorrect material specification or maintenance issue, safety problems can lead to highway accidents, which may or may not involve injury or death to the occupants. According to the recent news reports, up to 575,000 Windstar minivans in the cold weather states could have a problem with their rear axle.

Maryland Auto Injury Accident News: Baltimore County Woman Dies in Fatal Anne Arundel Parkway Crash

October 14, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Defective vehicle equipment can be one cause of fatal or near-fatal automobile accidents. As a Maryland car accident attorney and personal injury lawyer, the potential for injury in a highway collision is quiet high when a critical vehicle system, such as steering or brakes, fails to function properly. As drivers, we rely on our vehicles to be not only trouble free, but remain safe for long periods of time and over tens of thousands of miles.

While many car and truck accidents are caused by another person’s negligence, instances of defective equipment can and do occur raising the question of product liability in the minds of victims and their attorneys. Not long ago, a Baltimore County resident was tragically killed when her vehicle was struck by another car whose driver apparently lost control of it.

According to news reports, the accident happened along a stretch of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Anne Arundel County at about 8:30pm on a Wednesday evening. Maryland State Troopers arriving at the scene determined that a ‘98 Toyota Camry traveling south crossed the median and hit a northbound ‘96 Chevrolet Metro driven by Stacy Alvater.