Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

Maryland Man Convicted of Alcohol-related Vehicular Homicide Gets Another 6 Years for Drinking Again

September 20, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Drinking and driving subjects everyone on the road to potential danger involving traffic accidents with injuries or even fatal car crashes. As Maryland personal injury attorneys and automobile accident lawyers, I and my colleagues work to help the victims of car accidents caused by another individual’s negligent behavior. Getting behind the wheel when intoxicated is one way to kill or hurt other drivers and passengers on the road.

According to a recent article, a 43-year-old alcoholic will get another six years in prison for taking a drink at a local gas station. Whether or not this was a so-called “moment of weakness,” the description would mean very little to a person injured by this man, should he not have been caught by police. According to news reports, the man was on probation after being convicted for automobile manslaughter back in 2005, but even that episode in his life didn’t seem to make enough of an impression to keep him from taking a sip of an alcoholic beverage.

Based on reports, Michael Thomas Spears pled guilty to violating his probation, which in this man’s case was spelled out as abstaining from alcohol. In his original vehicular manslaughter trial, it was argued that Spears’ negligence resulted in the death of 92-year-old Berkman Gatton and the partial blinding James Nichols, son of the elderly man.

Maryland Auto Accident News: Baltimore Woman Dies in Fatal Two-Car Crash along Interstate 70

September 18, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A tragic automobile accident took the life of a Maryland resident not long ago along a stretch of Interstate 70. As a Baltimore personal injury attorney and auto accident lawyer, I know that many dozens of people are killed every year riding as passengers in another individual’s car, pickup truck or SUV.

Motor vehicle accidents, both passenger car and commercial truck crashes, take the lives of thousands of people every year in this country Maryland. The result of this crash is sadly typical of many traffic collisions. In addition to the person who was killed, three others where taken to area hospitals for medical treatment.

According to news reports, the accident happened a little after 2am when a Nissan Altima, driven by 51-year-old Terrance Goode, hit a Volkswagen Jetta on I-70. Based on Maryland State Police reports, the Jetta was being driven by 24-year-old Ashley Gilbert of Monrovia, MD.

Baltimore Auto Injury News: Maryland Man Seriously Hurt in Sharpsburg Car Crash and Rollover Accident

September 16, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Rollover accidents can result in rather serious, if not life-threatening injuries. As Maryland personal injury lawyers and car accident attorneys, I and my staff have seen dozens of automobile, motorcycle and trucking accident victims throughout our careers.

Most traffic accidents result in some kind of bodily injury, but when it comes to rollovers, head and neck injuries are much more common. Depending on the circumstances, an occupant who is not belted-in can occasionally be ejected from the vehicle during the crash, which usually means severe injuries and many times can result in an untimely death.

It’s a sad fact that a family who loses a bread-winner — such as a single working mom or a father who is trying to hold down multiple jobs to support the family — has a much harder time of it when a motor vehicle fatality takes a life. That moment can come quickly and unexpectedly — there is never a good time for any life altering car accident to happen, especially to the survivors.

Baltimore Car Accident News: Multiple Injuries Reported in Single-Car Crash on Maryland Route 50

September 14, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Depending on the circumstances a seemingly simple error in judgment or apparently minor mechanical problem with a vehicle’s suspension or steering systems can lead to a serious crash and subsequent injuries to a car’s occupants. Occasionally, a traffic accident may involve fatalities as a result of a collision with a stationary object or another motor vehicle, such as another passenger car or, worse, a large semi tractor-trailer like a Peterbilt 18-wheeler or Kenworth big rig hauling dangerous or flammable cargo, such as heating oil or gasoline.

Serving the citizens of Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington, D.C., and other Maryland-area communities, I and my staff of experienced automobile accident and personal injury attorneys understand the pain and suffering that victims of traffic accidents may suffer from. I know that it only takes a moment of indecision, or a brief lapse in concentration to turn a pleasant ride into a deadly, life-altering episode.

A recent news report illustrated the potential of a single-car crash and how it affected a handful of people riding together in a vehicle. According to police, seven persons, all believed to be related, were sent to local hospitals following a crash on Route 50 in Anne Arundel County. Based on news reports, the crash occurred on a Saturday afternoon when the driver of a ’96 Mercedes-Benz for some reason lost control of the vehicle.

Maryland Auto Accident News: Annapolis City Council Member Hurt in “Missing-Stop-Sign” Car Crash

September 11, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Motor vehicle accidents happen for a variety of reasons, some more unusual than others. The common thread is that any car, minivan or SUV collision can be serious, or even fatal to the occupants of the vehicles involved. As a Maryland personal injury attorney serving Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas, I have seen what can happen even under the most normal of circumstances.

Sometimes a third party can be named in a personal injury suit. The conditions must warrant such an action, but it is certainly not unheard of. Not long ago, a city council member was injured when the vehicle in which she was riding was struck by another car at an intersection that had no stop sign.

According to news reports, three persons were hurt during a rather severe accident in Severna Park. Based on police reports, councilwoman Cathy Vitale was one of three individuals injured in the car crash, which occurred around 2pm at the intersection of Arundel Beach Rd. and Sunset Dr.

Maryland Car Accident News: Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Drivers Again Named Worst in Nation

September 8, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Well, it’s happened once again. Baltimore, MD, and Washington, D.C., have both made the very bottom of the Allstate insurance company’s “Best Drivers Report.” As a Maryland auto accident lawyer and personal injury attorney, I won’t say that I expected this, but the statistics show what many people probably already know — that car, truck and motorcycle accidents do seem to happen with alarming frequency in and around the state.

The Allstate report lists nearly 200 cities across the country, all of which fared better than our nation’s capital, which is why I always suggest to friends and associates to be extremely careful when traveling on our publics roadways. Single- and multiple-vehicle collisions are not uncommon in cities such as Annapolis, the District, Owning Mills and Columbia, among others, which makes defensive driving a necessary pastime here in Maryland.

According to the report, Baltimore was right behind D.C. in the poorest showing for 2010 — just like in 2009. Allstate ranked the metropolitan areas using insurance claim data from the 2007 and 2008 calendar years. The result of those findings showed that the average driver living in the Washington area is involved in a traffic accident once ever 5.1 years. What this also means is that D.C. drivers are, amazingly, 96 percent more likely to have an accident than an average driver anywhere else in the U.S.

Ocean City Traffic Accident News: Several Maryland Drivers Injured in Labor Day Weekend Car Crashes

September 7, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Vacations and holidays are a great opportunity to take the family out for a drive to a favorite beach, campground or picnic location. Unfortunately, holiday traffic throughout Maryland can be frought with potential accidents which can complicate a normally fun and carefree excursion. As a Baltimore and Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer, I know how certain factors can result in an unforeseen automobile or commercial truck accident.

Whether vacationers are driving a passenger car, minivan or going solo on their motorcycle, danger on the roadways is still present regardless of the occasion. And injuries caused by careless or drunken drivers can ruin a family outing, not to mention a family’s future happiness and security. We’ve seen too many husbands, wives, children and grandparents hurt unnecessarily as a result of a tragic motor vehicle collision.

During Labor Day weekend there were numerous traffic accidents across the state of Maryland. According to a report out of Ocean County, MD, half a dozen people alone were injured in several different traffic accidents on Labor Day itself. Based on reports, car crashes in the resort town included pedestrian-auto accident and a hit-and-run crash.

Maryland Driver Severely Injured After Being Thrown from SUV in Single-vehicle Frederick County Car Crash

September 4, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Seatbelts have been a hot topic over the years with Maryland and other states promoting increased safety belt usage through public service campaigns, traffic safety legislation and enhanced police enforcement. While it could be said that most drivers understand the benefit of seat belt use as it applies to preventing or reducing serious injury or death as a result of a car crash or truck accident, there remains a portion of the driving public that ignore the safety aspect of these simple yet highly effective devices.

Some of the blame for non-use of safety belts has been placed on the effectiveness of air bags in helping passenger car occupants avoid serious or life-threatening injuries in the case of traffic collisions. And although some airbags are meant to reduce the chance of a person being ejected from a vehicle during a minivan, light truck or car crash, many experts would likely agree that seat belts are better at keeping a person from being thrown from a motor vehicle.

As a Maryland personal injury lawyer and automobile accident attorney, I understand the tragic results of single- and multi-car traffic accidents. Single-vehicle crashes can be just as serious as those involving more than one car, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle hitting another car or commercial truck. And, being ejected from a vehicle as part of a serious crash can be much worse for an individual than the initial collision might have been.

Maryland Automobile Accident Report: Two Passengers Killed in Queen Anne’s County Car Crash

August 31, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Once again drinking and driving has been pointed to as a contributing factor in yet another car accident in Queen Anne’s County. As a Baltimore personal injury lawyer and car accident attorney, I know all too well how alcohol can play a big role in traffic collisions. The pain inflicted on others as a result of another person’s negligent behavior can be extensive and long lasting.

In this latest incident, two people died when the vehicle in which they were riding crashed along a stretch of Maryland’s Route 8. According to news accounts, the accident happened around 8am on a Sunday morning when 41-year-old Victor A. Smith of Annapolis apparently lost control of his BMW, which then crossed the center line into oncoming traffic.

The Smith had been driving his black BMW northbound along Route 8 near Great Neck Road in Stevensville when the accident occurred. As the car veered into southbound traffic, 46-year-old Agnes C. Phelps tried to avoid Smith’s BMW by pulling off to the side of the road and onto the shoulder, according to police reports. Even so, Phelps’ car was hit by the BMW, which then caused both vehicles to leave the roadway.

Baltimore Personal Injury News: Maryland Driver Killed in Beltway Car Accident

August 29, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A single-vehicle passenger car accident can be the result of a number of factors, including defective vehicle components, bad weather, poorly maintained road surface, or driver error. As a Maryland car accident lawyer, I and my staff understand the pain and suffering that any serious traffic collision can inflict on drivers and passengers.

Whether the crash involves a single automobile, such as a sedan, minivan, SUV or pickup truck; a motorcycle or other two-wheeled motor vehicle; or a commercial truck, such as an 18-wheeler, box truck, or delivery van, the injuries sustained by the driver and/or passengers can be extensive depending on the circumstances.

Police investigators usually work to determine the cause of any serious accident to determine the contributing factors and ultimately who was at fault. In many cases, driver error is found to be the main reason for a car or truck crash — other factors can be listed such as excessive speed, alcohol or drug use, poor visibility, etc.