Car Accidents

Keeping Kids Safe in Maryland Car Accidents

September 19, 2023 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

When a child is injured in a car accident, a parent’s worst fear comes true. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 63,000 children suffered injuries in a car accident in 2020. Issues such as ill-fitting booster seats and riding without a seatbelt have worsened those statistics. Fortunately, parents and caregivers can take a few extra precautions to ensure their child is as safe as possible in the event of a car accident.

Sadly, four children and one adult suffered injuries after a serious vehicle accident in Waldorf, Maryland. As a news article reported, the accident occurred on the southbound side of the highway. Emergency personnel responding to the accident found two damaged vehicles with multiple injured occupants. Two ambulances transported three children and one adult to the hospital for their injuries. A fourth child, who suffered head injuries, was medically evacuated by chopper to the hospital. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

How Can You Keep Your Children Safe in a Car Accident?

Parents can follow a few steps to protect their children in case of an accident. First, make sure your children use a seat belt. In the event of a car accident, seat belts can often be the difference between a minor and major injury. If your children refuse to wear a seatbelt, try to explain the importance of wearing one for their safety. For small children, wearing a seatbelt is only the first step to preventing serious injury. In addition to wearing a seatbelt, make sure to place your children in a car seat. Small children may not be able to wear a seatbelt without the boost of car or booster seat. The right car seat for your children will depend on their age, weight, and height, and it is important that the seat is the proper size.

Report: Maryland Roadway Fatalities On Track for Increase From Last Year

August 31, 2023 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent report from the Maryland government roadway fatality reduction initiative, Zero Deaths Maryland, indicates that Maryland is currently on track for a higher number of roadway fatalities in 2023 than in 2022. At this time last year, Maryland had 321 roadway fatalities reported, while currently Maryland has 353 roadway fatalities reported. Since 2018, the number of fatal crashes in Maryland has gradually increased year by year. In 2018, there were 485 fatal crashes, but the total rose to 546 by 2020.

There are various causes of fatal automobile accidents, including the size of the vehicles involved and whether any of the vehicle operators were impaired. According to Zero Deaths Maryland, the state has been relatively stable when it comes to fatal car accidents involving driver impairment and overall accidents involving impaired drivers. In 2017, Maryland had 170 driver-impaired fatal crashes while in 2021, the state had 154 driver-impaired fatal crashes. Similarly, in 2017 there were 6,654 total driver-impaired crashes, while in 2021 there were 6,522.

Accidents involving large seized vehicles such as trucks or RVs and campers are also inherently more dangerous than other types of crashes for a number of reasons. Trucks, especially semi-trucks or 18-wheelers are heavier and larger than standard passenger vehicles, resulting in more serious accidents when they are involved in crashes. Additionally, the conditions that many truck drivers operate under force them to drive extreme distances, resulting in fatigue. Finally, shipping trucks are also potentially carrying hazardous cargo, complicating truck crashes and accidents. While many people intuitively understand the greater risks involved in truck accidents, they may not know that according to the statistical analysis organization Policy Advice, truck accidents have increased by 52% since 2009, and 74% of all fatal passenger vehicle accidents include a large truck. A recent news article discussed a local fatal truck crash.

The Deadly Consequences of Speeding: Addressing the Risks for Young Drivers

August 22, 2023 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In today’s fast-paced world, speed seems to be a common theme both on and off the roads. Unfortunately, the consequences of speeding can be devastating, especially when young and inexperienced drivers are involved. A recent tragic incident in Leonardtown, Maryland serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with speeding and young drivers.

According to a local news report discussing the tragic collision, emergency services were called to a horrific head-on motor vehicle collision on Newtowne Neck Road in Leonardtown, Maryland on July 26, 2023. The collision involved a 2013 black Kia Rio and a 2015 silver Dodge Durango. The Dodge Durango was being driven by a 39-year-old individual with two passengers. Despite the chaos, all three occupants of the Durango survived the collision with non-life-threatening injuries.

Tragically, the news was not as favorable for the occupants of the Kia Rio. The driver, a juvenile male, was flown to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. However, the young passenger,a 14-year-old boy, lost his life in the collision. This heart-wrenching incident underscores the need for heightened awareness of the dangers posed by speeding, especially for young and inexperienced drivers.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Maryland

July 30, 2023 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Maryland, like many other states across the country, sees its fair share of car accidents every year. Understanding the common causes of these accidents is crucial for both policymakers aiming to improve road safety and drivers looking to protect themselves and their loved ones. Below, we delve into some of the most prevalent causes of car accidents in Maryland, in the hopes of raising awareness and potentially reducing their frequency.

Distracted Driving: In the era of smartphones and constant connectivity, distracted driving has emerged as a major concern. Texting while driving, using apps, or even just glancing at a notification can lead to a loss of focus. Even a few seconds of distraction can be enough to cause a catastrophic accident. It’s not just phones though; adjusting the radio, eating, or any activity that diverts attention from the road can be hazardous.
Speeding: Exceeding the posted speed limits or driving too fast for conditions remains a significant cause of accidents. Speeding reduces the driver’s ability to steer safely around curves, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to dangerous situations.

High Speed Suspected to Be the Cause of a Fatal Car Crash in Mechanicsville, MD

June 30, 2023 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Speeding is a massive cause of car accidents throughout the country. Some estimates project that speeding is a contributing factor in over a third of all accidents nationwide. Approximately 41 percent of drivers surveyed admitted to frequently or sometimes driving 15 miles per hour or more over the speed limit on the highway (roads with speed limits over 55 miles per hour). An additional 37 percent of drivers admitted to driving 10 miles per hour or more over the speed limit on residential streets (roads with speed limits over 30 miles per hour) in the past 30 days.

How Does Speed Impact the Seriousness of a Car Accident?

Unfortunately, the probability of death or serious injury rises with impacts at higher speeds. According to some estimates, the risk of serious injury or death doubles for every ten miles per hour over 50 miles per hour that a vehicle is traveling. As a result, pedestrians and bicyclists struck by cars driving 40 miles per hour are eight times more likely to die than a pedestrian or bicyclist struck at 20 miles per hour. A recent news report detailed a fatal car accident.

According to the news report, the fatal accident occurred on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in the early afternoon in Mechanicsville. At 1:44 pm St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash on Three Notch Road near the intersection of Mr. Zion Church Road in Mechanicsville. When law enforcement officials arrived on the scene, they found multiple vehicles involved in a significant crash, with two cars overturned. Three vehicles were involved, a white 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, a silver 2008 Toyota Camry, and a silver 2000 Toyota 4Runner.

Fatal Maryland Crash Reveals Dangers of Head-on Collisions

January 21, 2023 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent news report detailed a tragic accident that occurred in Caroline County, Maryland. According to the news report, the car accident involved two cars on Williamsburg Road. Initial reports revealed that a Nissan drove east when it crossed the center and struck a Ford F-450 head-on. The driver of the Nissan, a 44-year-old male, died at the accident scene. The crash is still being investigated and a post-crash analysis is being conducted.

Head-on collisions, although much rarer than other types of accidents, can have devasting impacts for the parties involved. While the reasoning behind these types of collisions can vary, some of the causes can include but are not limited to, mistakes that occur when driving, distracted driving, drunk driving, and mechanical issues with a vehicle. However, it may take some time to determine who the at-fault driver was in head-on collisions. This is because of the forceful impact that these crashes have, which may result in vehicles veering off to different parts of the roads and ending up in completely different orientations. Post-crash analysis can be pivotal to determining what lead to the accident and may involve the evaluation of skid marks and debris from the scene of the accident.

Head-on collisions can have devasting consequences including death, brain injuries, broken bones, and paralysis, to name a few. This can result in lost wages, limited mobility and a change in the quality of life, and other consequences. As a result, after such an accident you may be considering what legal steps to take to recover damages.

Maryland Collision at Intersection Leads to One Fatality and Multiple Injuries

October 28, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Intersections can be crowded and sometimes confusing for the various people who are traveling from one place to the next – including bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers of trucks and cars. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration revealed that more than 50 percent of the combined total of fatal and injury crashes occur at or near intersections. What causes such a high rate of accidents at intersections?

According to a recent news report, a car crash in Germantown, Maryland led to one fatality and three people injured. The collision involved a truck and a Jeep, where a Ford was traveling southbound when a Jeep turned left. The Jeep struck the Ford F250 at the intersection. A man who was a passenger in the jeep was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the jeep was transported to a local hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver and passengers of the truck were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries. According to photos tweeted by the county’s fire rescue Chief, a truck appeared to have crashed through a fence in the front yard of a house. The investigation into what led to the crash is still ongoing.

What are Some of the Reasons for Intersection Collisions?

Although intersection collisions can happen for a myriad of reasons, some of the common reasons include having an obstructed view of the area which may prevent a driver from having a full line of vision, illegally running a red light, illegally making a turn at the wrong time, miscalculating the movement decisions of other drivers, and distracted driving. There are some tips that drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists can follow to help keep themselves and others safe when at an intersection.

Fatal Maryland Car Accident Claims

August 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Every year, Maryland motor vehicle accidents cut the lives short of thousands of people in the state. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) reported 534 fatalities on Maryland roads in 2019. While the pandemic significantly reduced the traffic on the state’s roadways, reports indicate that fatal Maryland car accidents were up 12 percent from 2019 and 17 percent from 2018. The majority of Maryland traffic fatalities occur in Prince George’s County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, and Baltimore City. Baltimore City likely experiences fewer fatal accidents because not many large trucks travel within the city limits.

The leading cause of fatal accidents is a result of an unsafe or sudden road or lane departure. Lane changes occur when a vehicle exits its lane and slams into another vehicle or object. These road and lane departures are connected to nearly 50% of all fatal accidents in the state.

For example, a recent local news report described a fatal two-car collision in Anne Arundel County. The accident occurred when a Chevy SUV driver tried to change lanes and was hit by Dodge Charger. The driver and passenger of the SUV died upon impact, and the other driver was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries.

Contributory Negligence in Maryland Car Accidents

July 10, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Riding a motorcycle is between 15 to 40 times more dangerous than driving a car, and each year dozens of motorcyclists are killed and thousands more are injured in Maryland car accidents. Motorcyclists should exercise extreme caution when out on the road, carefully obeying all traffic signs and laws. While motorcyclists might be tempted to shirk certain rules of the road, doing so could have a significant impact on a victim’s recovery in the event of an accident.

Given the elevated risk of being involved in a Maryland car accident, motorcyclists should be aware that in Maryland, contributory negligence in a car accident can dramatically impact a victim’s recovery. Although it might seem to contradict general wisdom regarding fault in an accident, even minor negligence by the victim can be used effectively by defense attorneys to counter plaintiff claims. A recent local news article discussed a fatal collision between a speeding police car and a motor scooter that occurred in June 2022 in Maryland.

According to the news article, the accident occurred when a 58-year-old Maryland man was riding a motor scooter through an intersection. The police car drove through a red light at the intersection as it was responding to a service call with lights and sirens activated, crashing into the motor scooter at high speed, ejecting the victim from the motor scooter. Officers provided aid to the victim until EMS arrived at the scene of the accident before he was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. Ultimately, the victim’s injuries were too severe to be successfully treated and he succumbed to his injuries from the crash. The article states that the officer driving the police car suffered minor injuries, and does not mention that any charges have been filed against the officer.

Understanding the Difference Between Maryland Civil and Criminal Claims

May 17, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Following a major accident involving criminal charges, some victims may believe that because the state will be criminally prosecuting the at-fault party, this is the same as filing a personal injury lawsuit and receiving compensation. In reality, the criminal prosecution led by local authorities and a civil personal injury lawsuit that a victim of an accident may bring are completely different cases—even though they may both implicate and arise out of the same set of facts from the accident. Understanding this difference is crucial so that you do not miss out on the compensation that you deserve.

According to a recent local news report, a major car accident involving multiple vehicles left at least one individual dead. Based on a preliminary investigation, a Mercedes failed to stop for a red light at an intersection and crashed into a Chevrolet. The Chevrolet then crashed into a Honda. Both the driver of the Chevrolet and the Honda were stopped at the intersection while waiting for the red light. The driver of the Chevrolet was declared dead on the scene and the driver of the Honda was transported to a local hospital by helicopter, where he later died. Based on this preliminary investigation, local authorities believe that speed and alcohol were both contributing factors to the accident. The details of the crash remain under investigation.

What is the difference between a criminal and civil lawsuit in Maryland?

Following a major car accident like the one described above, local authorities may prosecute the at-fault party if criminal wrongdoing, such as driving or operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, was a contributing factor or the cause of an accident. The charges that local authorities bring against the at-fault party, however, do not involve compensation to the victims of the accident. Instead, they aim to punish or deter the at-fault driver through fines imposed by the government, jail time, community service, or suspension of a license.