Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog
Wrong-way crashes tend to create a certain kind of shock for families, because the collision itself often feels senseless. In the early Sunday morning crash on I-95 near MD 216 in Howard County, Maryland State Police reported that a Toyota traveling the wrong direction struck a Chrysler head-on, leading to two deaths and two people with serious injuries. With a report that alcohol may have played a role, many people immediately wonder how responsibility gets evaluated and which insurance coverage actually pays.
What The Initial Police Information Suggests About Fault
Maryland State Police described the Toyota as traveling southbound in the northbound lanes before the head-on impact. When a driver enters an interstate in the wrong direction, liability often points strongly in that direction, especially when impairment is part of the investigation. Police also reported criminal charges against the Toyota driver that include counts tied to impaired driving and deaths caused by driving conduct.
Even when fault appears clear, a civil claim still runs on evidence. Investigators and insurers generally look at physical roadway signs, debris fields, vehicle damage, event data recorders, surveillance footage if any exists near ramps, and witness accounts. Troopers also reported that the crash involved multiple impacts and required a lengthy response, which often means more documentation, more reconstruction work, and a longer timeline before a final investigative file is complete.
How Maryland Contributory Negligence Can Show Up In Serious Crash Claims
Maryland uses contributory negligence, which can prevent recovery if an injured person is found even slightly at fault. That rule affects how insurers handle claims, because adjusters often look for any argument that shifts a small percentage of blame.
In a wrong-way head-on collision, contributory negligence usually does not match the core facts. Still, insurance carriers sometimes explore side issues such as speed, seat belt use, lane position, visibility, or reaction time. Those questions can feel unfair to families who did nothing to cause the wrong-way entry, yet they come up because the insurer wants to reduce or eliminate payout exposure. Clear records, consistent medical documentation, and careful handling of statements often matter more than people expect.
Who May Be Liable Besides The Wrong-Way Driver
One driver can cause the crash and still not be the only responsible party in every situation. Liability depends on facts that are not always obvious during the first news cycle.
Potential additional responsible parties can include:
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A bar, restaurant, or social host, depending on where the driver drank and what Maryland law allows in the specific scenario
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An employer, if the driver acted within the scope of work at the time
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A third party involved in vehicle ownership or maintenance, if mechanical conditions contributed in a provable way
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A roadway entity, in limited circumstances, if design or signage issues contributed to wrong-way entry and the evidence supports that link
Each category has its own rules, deadlines, and defenses. A wrong-way crash often remains primarily a driver-fault case, yet a thorough investigation typically checks for other contributing factors so a family does not miss coverage that could matter later.
How Insurance Really Works After A Fatal Or Catastrophic Collision
Insurance can feel like a black box after a severe crash, especially when several people have life-altering injuries or when a death occurred. The starting point is usually the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage. If that policy limit is low compared to the harm, underinsured motorist coverage can become central.
Many families first learn about uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage only after a claims adjuster mentions it. That coverage generally sits on the policy for the vehicle the injured person occupied, and it can also exist on a person’s own auto policy. Coverage rules vary, and carriers often scrutinize notice, cooperation, and documentation requirements. Timing matters too, because some benefits can help quickly while the larger liability claim develops.
Medical bills frequently move through health insurance at first, simply because care cannot wait. Later, insurers may raise reimbursement issues, which families often experience as confusing paperwork at the worst possible time. A practical approach usually involves keeping organized records and taking a careful, measured stance with authorizations and recorded statements.
What A Civil Claim Can Include In A Case Like This
In a fatal crash, civil claims often involve two connected tracks, one tied to the person’s estate and another tied to certain family members who suffer the loss. The available damages depend on the specific relationships and the financial and personal impact of the death.
For survivors with serious injuries, damages commonly focus on concrete needs first: hospital care, rehabilitation, future medical treatment, lost earnings, reduced earning capacity, and the cost of day-to-day help that becomes necessary after a catastrophic injury. Non-economic losses can also apply, including pain, suffering, and the ways an injury changes a person’s daily life and relationships. Insurance carriers often resist these categories more than families expect, which is why consistent medical notes and credible life-impact documentation tend to matter.
How A Criminal Case May Affect The Civil Side
A criminal case can provide a sense of accountability, and families sometimes hope it will automatically resolve the civil claim. Civil recovery still requires its own proof, and the timing may not match the criminal timeline.
Criminal proceedings can still help in real ways. Police reports and investigative materials can preserve evidence and establish key facts early. Court testimony, toxicology results, and admissions can also become important pieces later. At the same time, a civil case may move on a separate track depending on what the family needs and what evidence is available.
If your family has been affected by a serious Maryland crash and you want a calm, practical review of insurance and next steps, Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers offers a Free Consultation – (800) 654-1949.