Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

Maryland Car Crash Claims After Smith v. Sheehan And Pre-Impact Fright Damages

November 22, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Maryland’s appellate court recently clarified that in some car accident cases, you can recover for the fear you feel in the seconds before a second collision, not just for the physical impact itself. In Smith v. Sheehan, the court confirmed that “pre-impact fright” is a valid category of non-economic damages when supported by evidence, including objective signs of emotional distress. This ruling can increase the compensation available in serious Maryland car crash claims, especially multi-impact collisions.

If you lived through a terrifying sequence where your vehicle spun, slid, or headed toward another impact, that emotional experience may be compensable in addition to your physical injuries. Understanding how the court views pre-impact fright helps you and your lawyer build a more substantial claim from the start.

How Smith v. Sheehan Changed The Conversation About Fear During A Crash

In Smith v. Sheehan, a driver in Baltimore County felt a violent rear-end impact that sent her car spinning into a guardrail. She testified that after the first hit, she screamed, prayed, and believed she might die before the second impact. The trial judge refused to give a jury instruction on pre-impact fright, reasoning that the doctrine only applied before the first impact, which she did not see coming. The jury awarded modest non-economic damages, and the plaintiff appealed.

Maryland Car Accident Attorneys Address Dangers of Poorly Designed Roadways

October 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent pedestrian death in Harford County has once again raised questions about safety along Route 1. The victim was struck and killed while attempting to cross the busy road, highlighting ongoing concerns about whether state and local authorities are doing enough to protect the public.

If you are injured on a dangerous roadway, liability may extend beyond individual drivers. Government agencies and contractors can sometimes be held accountable when roadway design, poor maintenance, or delayed safety upgrades contribute to a fatal or life-altering crash. Speaking with an attorney can help you determine whether your case involves this type of claim.

How Roadway Design Can Increase the Risk of Accidents

Fatal Collisions Involving Fleeing Drivers Threaten Innocent Maryland Bystanders

September 30, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

If a loved one was killed or injured when a driver fled police pursuit, you may feel overwhelmed, but you are not without legal recourse. Recent incidents in Prince George’s County reveal a troubling spike in civilian casualties. Over two months, three innocent people, including a 3‑year‑old child, lost their lives in crashes caused by drivers attempting to evade law enforcement. Those families now face the challenge of seeking justice when the criminal system may not fully account for civil losses.

Even though drivers may face criminal charges like vehicular manslaughter or DUI, the civil courts evaluate wrongful death and injury based on negligence. That standard focuses on whether a driver caused harm through reckless or dangerous conduct. When officials confirm the driver had other options and chose to flee, that may support compensation claims, even if criminal charges lag.

How Maryland Law Applies to Victims of Reckless Police Pursuits

Maryland recognizes wrongful death claims when someone dies due to another’s negligent actions. A driver who flees from police engages in reckless behavior and may be liable for resulting harm to bystanders. Even if charges are pending or unresolved, civil courts will assess whether that behavior caused loss and emotional suffering.

Pursuing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Montgomery County Rollover Collision

August 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Rollover collisions are among the most hazardous events on the road. When a vehicle flips, seat belts may fail, structural damage can be catastrophic, and occupants often suffer serious head or spinal injuries. In this case, the woman was thrown from her vehicle, which often signals a high-speed impact or angle of collision that overwhelms the car’s safety systems.

When a left turn is involved, investigators will look closely at who had the right of way and whether speed or distraction contributed to the crash. Your attorney can request accident reconstruction reports, camera footage, and black box data to build a complete picture of what happened.

What a Wrongful Death Claim Can Provide

What Maryland Drivers Should Know After the Fatal Head‑On Crash in Fort Washington

July 22, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A fatal head-on collision on Allentown Road in Fort Washington on June 20, 2025, left one person dead and two others injured after a vehicle reportedly crossed into the opposite lane. Incidents like this raise difficult legal and practical questions for those affected, including how fault is determined and what recourse may exist under Maryland law.

When a serious crash occurs, especially one involving a fatality, issues of liability, insurance, and recovery often follow quickly. In Maryland, understanding how civil claims work after a collision can help clarify what steps are available in the aftermath of a traumatic event.

Why Head‑On Crashes Cause Such Severe Consequences

New Maryland DUI Law Raises Serious Safety Concerns for D.C. Drivers and Victims

July 4, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

As of June 1, 2025, Maryland has enacted new laws increasing penalties for drivers convicted of driving under the influence. While these changes may seem like a matter for criminal courts, they also reflect an ongoing threat to public safety. For families in Washington, D.C., where roads and drivers constantly cross state lines, these changes signal heightened risks for anyone sharing the road with an impaired driver.

The rise in penalties should not only deter drunk driving but also reinforce the seriousness of the harm impaired drivers cause. If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash involving alcohol or drugs, these new rules strengthen the argument for full civil accountability.

What Changed on June 1 and Why It Matters

The new law assigns twelve points on a Maryland driver’s license for any DUI conviction. That point level results in immediate license revocation. In addition, Maryland has expanded its ignition interlock requirements under Noah’s Law, applying the device more broadly even for drivers receiving probation before judgment. According to coverage from WBAL and CBS News Baltimore, the law also targets repeat offenders more aggressively and increases state patrol enforcement during high-risk periods like summer holidays.

These changes matter for D.C. residents because Maryland drivers routinely enter the District for work, recreation, or travel. A driver impaired in Prince George’s County can cause life-altering harm just minutes from downtown D.C. In many personal injury cases, victims are left to cope with catastrophic injuries, medical debt, and long-term trauma while the driver responsible may simply face administrative penalties. Maryland’s increased penalties demonstrate that the state now recognizes the seriousness of the consequences of impaired driving.

Deadly Crash on I-70 in Frederick County Highlights Dangers of Chain-Reaction Collisions

June 22, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A devastating crash on Interstate 70 in Maryland’s Frederick County claimed two lives and left two other drivers hospitalized with serious injuries. According to a recent report, the chain of events began when a BMW SUV traveling westbound rear-ended a box truck near Exit 62 in the New Market area. The force of the impact caused the box truck to cross the grassy median into the eastbound lanes, where it collided head-on with an oncoming tractor-trailer. Both commercial vehicles veered off the road and caught fire in the adjacent wood line.

Two passengers riding in the box truck were pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers of both trucks were flown to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. Authorities have not yet released details about their conditions. Interstate 70 remained closed in both directions for hours as troopers with the Frederick Barrack conducted their investigation.

Chain-Reaction Accidents and Legal Responsibility in Maryland

Maryland Pedestrian Fatality on I-495 Highlights Legal Challenges in Highway Collision Cases

May 2, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Pedestrian crashes are among the deadliest incidents on Maryland roads, and they raise difficult legal questions when they occur on highways. While many drivers expect to see pedestrians in neighborhoods or crosswalks, people on foot are struck on interstates far more often than the public realizes. These cases are legally sensitive, especially when the events leading up to the collision are unusual or involve fleeing a disabled vehicle.

A recent fatal accident in Prince George’s County underscores the risks. According to Maryland State Police, a man was struck and killed on I-495 after fleeing a parked vehicle and attempting to cross the inner loop on foot near College Park. The crash occurred shortly after 3 a.m. and involved a Toyota sedan. Authorities are still working to identify the pedestrian and determine why he exited the vehicle. Charges may be pending, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Highway Pedestrian Crashes Raise Unique Legal Questions

In most pedestrian crash cases, liability depends on where the person was located and what actions were taken by both the driver and the pedestrian before impact. Highways, however, are not designed for pedestrian access. That fact does not automatically eliminate legal responsibility, but it does change how the facts are reviewed.

Drivers still have a duty to remain alert and to respond appropriately when a person is visible on or near the roadway. If a pedestrian tried to avoid another hazard or had just escaped a disabled vehicle, courts may examine whether the driver had time to prevent the crash. That review may include speed, lighting conditions, and whether the car remained in its lane.

Hit-and-Run or Partial Flight From the Scene Can Complicate Claims

While early reports do not suggest the driver of the Toyota fled, pedestrian fatalities that involve hit-and-run behavior introduce additional legal obstacles. When a driver leaves the scene, it becomes harder to determine vehicle speed, impairment, or possible distractions. Families left behind are often forced to pursue claims through uninsured motorist coverage or wait for law enforcement to identify the vehicle involved.

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Even in cases where the at-fault party remains at the scene, the pedestrian’s fleeing behavior may be used by insurance carriers to argue against full compensation. These cases require careful legal analysis. Was the pedestrian disoriented? Was there an emergency that made remaining in the car unsafe? These factors often affect liability and the outcome of any wrongful death claim.

Car Accidents in Maryland Often Leave Lasting Impacts

April 30, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Even a moment’s lapse behind the wheel can change lives forever. In Maryland, car crashes cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year, leaving families grappling with sudden loss and overwhelming uncertainty. If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a Maryland motor vehicle accident, taking immediate action to protect your rights can make a meaningful difference in the road ahead.

A tragic accident in Carroll County recently highlighted how quickly devastation can unfold. Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 97 where a Volkswagen collided head-on with a Chevrolet truck. The truck’s driver, a 78-year-old Westminster resident, was rushed to Carroll Hospital but did not survive. The Volkswagen driver was airlifted to a trauma center with serious injuries. As the Maryland State Police Crash Team continues its investigation, questions remain about what caused the crash and whether charges will be filed.

How Is Liability Determined in a Maryland Car Accident?

In Maryland, every driver has a legal obligation to operate their vehicle with care and attention. If a driver becomes distracted, fatigued, impaired, or behaves recklessly, and a crash occurs as a result, they can be held financially responsible for the injuries and damages they cause.

Upper Marlboro Woman Dies After Head-On Collision in Anne Arundel County: Legal Implications and Victim Rights

March 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A tragic crash in Anne Arundel County has left one woman dead and a repeat DUI offender facing severe legal consequences. The February 17 collision on Mitchells Chance Road near Hamlet Club Drive involved a Chevrolet pickup veering into oncoming traffic and striking a Ford truck head-on. The Ford’s passenger, a 74-year-old Upper Marlboro resident, suffered critical injuries and later died at the hospital.

This case highlights the devastating consequences of impaired driving. Families impacted by such reckless behavior often struggle with medical costs, funeral expenses, and long-term financial hardship. Legal action against the responsible party may provide relief and hold repeat offenders accountable.

How Impaired Driving Led to This Fatal Crash