As February came, so too did a big winter storm, hitting the East Coast hard. Maryland was covered in snow, which, while pretty, can cause major complications on the roads and highways. Winter weather is a major contributing factor to Maryland car accidents and driving during or after a winter storm can be dangerous. Even smaller instances of winter weather than the one recently experienced can be cause for concern—freezing rain, for example, can cause roads to ice over, making them slippery and making it more difficult for drivers to control their vehicles or stop.
For example, take a recent tragic Maryland car accident. According to a local news report, a fatal accident occurred in Jessup one Tuesday morning, on I-95 just before Maryland Route 32. Early that morning, three cars were involved in a minor crash, causing them to pull off of the road. Shortly after, the registered owner of one of the vehicles, a 36-year-old man, arrived at the scene to assess the damage. At this time, according to Maryland State Police, a driver of a silver Honda Civic traveling north on I-95 lost control of his car and then hit a Honda Accord. The impact of the crash pushed the Honda Accord into the owner assessing his vehicle, and fatally pinned him in between two vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Others were injured in this series of accidents as well—one man was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma center, and three other individuals were taken to Howard County General Hospital with injuries.
Local authorities believe that both crashes were caused by weather conditions, specifically, a storm on Monday evening that caused ice and slick spots on the roads Tuesday morning. In fact, Maryland State Policy said that between Monday at 5 PM to Tuesday at 5 AM, their officers responded to 63 crashes and 28 disabled/unattended vehicles and answered 424 calls for service. This highlights how important it is for Maryland drivers to remain vigilant and on high alert when driving during winter weather, or to avoid driving if they can.
Can Accident Victims in a No-Fault Weather-Related Accident?
Drivers who have never been in accidents before may find that the wintry weather and slick conditions make it more difficult to control their vehicle, potentially leading to crashes. And unfortunately, nothing can undo the injuries or deaths sustained as a result of these accidents. However, accident victims may be able to file a claim with their own insurance company following a single-vehicle or no-fault accident. That said, there is no guarantee that the insurance company will approve the claim or pay fair damages. An attorney can assist in preparing these claims on behalf of injured accident victims.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Maryland Car Accident?
The rates of Maryland car accidents may increase as the state experiences wintry weather, from snow to sleet and freezing rain. If you or a loved one is injured in one of these accidents, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact the personal injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, as soon as possible to discuss the accident and your legal rights and options. Our attorneys have years of experience working with accident victims and their and families after these tragic crashes, and can handle your case with skill and compassion. Call now to schedule a free consultation at 800-654-1949.