Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

State Police Car Crashes into Honda Minivan; Mother and Toddler Receive Minor Injuries

May 31, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Not long ago a bunch of kids came close to being hurt when a fire truck rolled away from its parked position at a community event. The incident was a close call for some parents, who assumed that an emergency vehicle and its crew are all about public safety. However this is only one example of how private citizens can be injured by vehicles operated by public servants and government employees.

More recently, a traffic accident involving a Maryland State Police car and a Honda minivan carrying a mother and child points out that police officers as well as fire department personnel can also become involved in injury and fatal automobile crashes. Wrecks like the one that occurred last month remind everyone that law enforcement officers and fire fighters are human, too.

Whether a person is hurt in a traffic accident, the facts are not always easy to determine until an investigation is carried out. Unfortunately, many who are hurt in bad car crashes never see a penny, which can hurt in bad economic times like we have been experiencing. A skilled Maryland injury lawyer can assist victims of negligent driving collect damages to help pay for medical costs and property damage.

Maryland Woman Killed by Auto near Baltimore County Bus Stop in Fatal Pedestrian Accident

May 29, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Automobile accidents involving individuals on foot can happen almost anywhere vehicular traffic is located near pedestrian crosswalks, bus stops and even in shopping malls and parking lots. Tens of thousands of people are hurt and injured after being hit by cars and trucks, and even by bicycles, especially in the city. As Baltimore injury accident attorneys, I and my colleagues understand the extent of injuries that can be sustained in an auto-pedestrian traffic accident.

From simple bumps and bruises to serious cuts, compound fractures and head injuries, being struck by a motor vehicle can lead to extensive medical procedures and correspondingly high hospital bills. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly one in every 14 traffic accidents involving a person on foot results in a death. This happens despite the efforts that most pedestrians go to in order to avoid being hit by a car, SUV or commercial truck.

Although numerous car-pedestrian crashes happen when people are crossing a street or rural road, accidents can also occur when individuals are jogging or running for sport or exercise. The danger also extends to car-bicycle collisions, where motor vehicle operators sometimes claim they did not see the victim until it was too late. In a city, slower moving elderly residents can be extremely vulnerable to vehiclular collisions as they cannot jump out of the way as easily as a younger person.

Maryland Drivers Expect More Roadway-related Accidents; More Vehicle Repairs Due to Poor Road Conditions

May 27, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Negligence comes in many forms. Individuals who operate their vehicles in a thoughtless or aggressive manner can cause traffic accidents that result in personal injury. Similarly, the state government and local municipalities have a responsibility to the public’s general welfare, which should include proper maintenance of public roadways, pedestrian sidewalks and other public works-related projects.

Unfortunately, due to ever increasing budget cuts and other belt tightening measures, predictions are cropping up regarding the impact of poor roadway maintenance and its future effect on car, SUV and motorcycle crashes and other road accidents. When safety is compromised, unnecessary property damage and injury can be a result. Wrongful death can also be a result of individual or corporate negligence.

As Maryland personal injury lawyers, we travel the same city streets and rural roads that everyone does. Single-vehicle accidents can be caused by damaged pavement or deteriorating roadway and traffic control infrastructure. Sadly, it appears that the current economic downturn will cause more vehicle damage and could even result in some unnecessary fatalities.

According to a recent report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, Maryland motorists already pay an added $425 in vehicle costs because of rough roads — this is more than 25 percent higher than the national average of $335. The report looks at how states applied federal funds for maintenance of their aging highways and bridges. While Maryland has a history of major road construction, the report makes a point to praise the state for targeting funds at repair of infrastructure ahead of funding new construction.

Reportedly, Maryland drivers have certainly felt the impact of poorly maintained roads. According to the report, in 2008 the state ranked 37th (in percentage of road quality) with 41 percent of roads in “less than good” condition. Compare that to the national average of 45 percent. What probably won’t come as a surprise to many drivers, Baltimore had the 15th-highest additional repair and vehicle accident costs due to poor roads — $589 per year.

One bright spot, if you can call it that was the finding that — as of December 2009 — only seven percent of Maryland’s bridges were categorized as “structurally deficient,” defined as having a major defect in either the supporting structure or a crack in the roadway. While anything short of 100-percent safe should be of concern, compared to the national average of 12 percent, Maryland is doing better than most states.

Baltimore Automobile Accident Update: Suing for Wrongful Death Following a Fatal Maryland Car Crash

May 26, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Any time a person dies it can be a sad and emotional time for the immediate family and relatives of the deceased person. Under the best of circumstances, such as death by natural causes, spouses, children and other dependants can face an uncertain future. But when loss of life is caused by possible negligence on the part of another individual, such as in a car, motorcycle or trucking-related accident, the tragedy is amplified many times over.

As Maryland personal injury attorneys, my firm understands the difficult times that a family faces after the loss of a loved one. If a family member dies because of another individual’s negligent or wrongful behavior, it may be appropriate to file a wrongful death claim.

Such claims allow members of a family to receive compensation for their loss — including loss of comfort, love, companionship, and financial support. It must be kept in mind that death does not negate a family’s right to be compensated for its loss. Furthermore, it does not preclude recovery for any suffering or pain that the deceased experienced as a result of wrongful or negligent actions on another person’s part.

Wrongful death following an automobile accident is described as any death which is due in whole or in part to the negligence or deliberate misconduct of another person. The term “car accident” can be a poor choice of words in cases of wrongful death, especially since many auto and trucking wrecks are caused by another person who often is determined to have been operating their vehicle in an inappropriate manner that either caused or worsened the actual vehicle crash.

If a car accident claims the life of a loved one as a result of another driver’s error or negligence, this may be cause for a wrongful death lawsuit. Actions on the part of another driver that may point to wrongful death can include one or more of the following:

— Drunk driving
— Speeding
— Following too close
— Performed illegal driving maneuver
— Defective road conditions

— Defective vehicle safety equipment

In some instances the cause may seem minor, however when another driver is speeding, for example, not only is that person breaking the law, he or she is increasing the danger their vehicle poses to others on the road.

Driver from Federalsburg, MD, Charged in DUI-related Multi-car Traffic Accident in Salisbury

May 22, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Injury accidents can be triggered by a variety of factors, not the least of which is driver error. The tragedy of many automobile and truck crashes is that the offending driver was drunk at the time of the wreck. Fatal car, SUV and motorcycle accidents can sometimes be traced back to alcohol use, which makes these kinds of crashes all the more avoidable.

Maryland automobile accidents can lead to serious injuries and lengthy hospital stays. The medical costs of such incidents can be a tremendous burden to the victims and their families. In cases of fatal collisions, the survivors can be left without a bread winner compounding the financial troubles at a time when the family is most vulnerable.

Not long ago a driver who was arrested for allegedly causing a multi-car accident was charged with drunk driving. Based on news articles, 28-year-old Brad Austin Wootten was driving a 2000 Ford Explorer when he rear-ended a passenger car at the end of the road closure. That collision caused a multi-car accident involving a total of four vehicles.

Baltimore Injury News: Bowie Resident Dies in Single-vehicle Car Crash on Maryland’s Route 301

May 19, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Single-vehicle auto wrecks can happen for a variety of reasons. While driver error is quite common, other causes can be attributed to these kinds of traffic accidents, with results ranging from simple cuts and bruises to head and spine trauma. Depending on the sped of the crash and other circumstances, fatalities are not uncommon.

Weather conditions as well as the state of the roadway can also be contributing factors in a car crash involving only one vehicle. As Maryland automobile accident lawyers, we are often called upon to represent individuals and their families in cases of defective vehicle equipment. Such cases can include failure of safety systems, broken or poorly maintained steering components, worn or damaged tires or suspension components.

Under the right circumstances, a defective vehicle component can prove to be an accident waiting to happen. At highway speeds, such component failures can result in death or severe injury to the driver and passengers. A recent accident along Route 301 near Mill Branch Road is a situation where defective equipment may be suspect.

Maryland Auto Accident News: Criminal Suspects Held Without Bond in Fatal Northwest Baltimore Car Crash

May 17, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Two accused criminals have been charged in connection with a car crash that eventually led to the death of an elderly man. The accident occurred in late April in Northwest Baltimore when the two suspects allegedly fled police and subsequently hit the victim’s vehicle.

Based on police reports, 86-year-old Elbert Davis was driving his Chevrolet Monte Carlo at the time he was hit by the pair of fleeing suspects. The men, 29-year-old Umar Burley and 26-year-old Brent Matthews, were arrested following the accident. Davis and another elderly passenger were the only occupants of the Monte Carlo. Davis suffered a heart attack as a result of the crash and died later that day.

Police reports show that the plainclothes detectives who attempted to arrest the two suspects prior to the accident did not initiate any car chase, which police authorities said would be against department policy. News reports indicate that the detectives were driving in the general direction that the suspects had fled when they came upon the accident scene less than a mile away. According to reports, Davis was the father of a city police officer.

Maryland Mother, 17, Dies in Fatal Pedestrian-Automobile Accident in Baltimore County

May 15, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Any person’s death causes us to reflect on the fragility of life. When a young mother dies, it’s a terrible tragedy, not only for the individual but for the family that she leaves behind. As Maryland auto accident attorneys, my office is dedicated to helping families of victims who are killed in car, truck and motorcycle-related accidents.

Regardless of the circumstances, the result of a parent’s death can put a strain on a small family, especially in uncertain economic times. The recent news of a woman who was killed while pushing her baby’s stroller across a street makes the heartbreaking point that pedestrian safety is paramount in an urban setting.

According to reports, over 35,000 vehicles use the intersection where Mavi Maldonado lost her life. Police reports indicate that the mother and her 14-month-old son were trying to get to the bus stop when the mom was struck by a pickup truck near the entrance to the Golden Ring shopping in Baltimore County. She passed away several hours later.

Head-on Crash Kills Driver after Toyota Truck Crossed Centerline in Fatal Baltimore County Traffic Accident

May 12, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Of all traffic accidents, head-on wrecks can be and usually are the most deadly. Vehicle speed has a great bearing on how bad such a car, SUV or minivan crash will be, but the results are many times fatal. Size disparity between the vehicles involved in undivided highway and surface street collisions can make a big difference in the outcome as well.

Operators of compact cars and motorcycles have a greater chance statistically of being killed or severely injured when hit by a larger more massive vehicle, such as a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), or worse, a commercial 18-wheeler (also known as a big rig or semi tractor-trailer).

Being a Baltimore injury lawyer and automobile accident attorney, my office has represented numerous clients who have been hurt in Maryland traffic wrecks. As mentioned, many head-on crashes result in death of one or more individuals. A recent wreck in Kingsville illustrates the tragic aftermath of such encounters.

Baltimore Auto Accident News: Maryland and D.C. Highly Ranked in Safety for Teenage Drivers

May 9, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Everyone is concerned over maintaining the safety of their loved ones. Relatives and close friends all hope for the safe arrival of families traveling across the state or just across town. One group that gets a considerable amount of attention are those younger folks in their teens and growing up to be adults. As a Maryland injury lawyer and auto accident attorney, I’ve seen the statistics and I know how scary it is for parents of teens and young adults.

When it comes to car, truck and motorcycle accidents, young people are definitely over represented in terms of deaths and injuries sustained on the road. It’s not surprising then that parents go grey just about the time their kids take their first driving lessons. While it’s difficult to change the habits of entire age groups, a recent article gave us hope that here in Maryland, parents can sleep somewhat more soundly at night.

According to a news article, automobile accident statistics support the notion that young people (those aged 15-20 years old) are at increased risk of getting into a motor vehicle accident than any other group. It is disheartening to note that while this age group makes up less than seven percent of the general population, it accounts for 14 percent of all car accident cases.