Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

DUI and Negligence Per Se in Maryland: What You Need to Know After a Drunk Driving Accident

September 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

When someone gets behind the wheel while intoxicated, they aren’t just breaking the law—they are also putting everyone around them at risk. In Maryland, drivers who cause accidents while under the influence can be held accountable through criminal charges and in civil court through personal injury lawsuits. In DUI cases, Maryland law provides a critical legal concept known as negligence per se that can make it easier for victims to prove the impaired driver’s responsibility.

What Is Negligence Per Se in Maryland?

In most personal injury cases, proving negligence requires showing that the at-fault driver failed to act with reasonable care. However, in cases involving DUI, the legal principle of negligence per se can apply. Negligence per se means that a driver is automatically considered negligent if they violate a law designed to protect the public and that violation directly causes harm to someone else.

In Maryland, driving under the influence is illegal under Maryland Transportation Code § 21-902. This law protects the safety of everyone on the road by prohibiting impaired driving. When a driver violates this law and causes an accident, they are automatically considered negligent because they’ve broken a safety law intended to prevent the exact type of harm that occurred.

Driver Charged with Multiple Counts of Manslaughter Fatal DUI Crash in Wicomico County

August 31, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

DUI accidents are among the most devastating types of crashes, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. In Maryland, families who lose loved ones in such accidents have legal options to pursue justice and compensation. Understanding your rights under Maryland law is essential if you are dealing with the aftermath of a DUI-related death. A Maryland DUI accident attorney can help you work through these tragic incidents and recover the compensation you deserve.

Fatal DUI Accident in Wicomico County Leads to Manslaughter Charges

In a tragic early morning crash on May 19, three lives were lost due to a head-on collision involving a driver suspected of driving under the influence. The accident occurred on US 13 near Fruitland when a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction collided with another car carrying a young family. The crash claimed the lives of a 21-year-old man, a 20-year-old woman, and their 1-year-old child.

Tragic Multi-Vehicle Accident in Prince George’s County

July 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A tragic accident occurred earlier this month in Prince George’s County, leading to the death of three individuals. The Maryland State Police are investigating this devastating multi-vehicle crash, which involved a high-speed lane change that resulted in a collision between three cars. Authorities suspect that alcohol may have been a contributing factor. This heartbreaking event underscores the complexities and dangers of multi-vehicle accidents under Maryland law.

Understanding Multi-Vehicle Accidents in Maryland

Multi-vehicle accidents, often termed “pile-ups,” involve more than two vehicles and can result in severe injuries and fatalities. These accidents can happen in various ways, such as chain reactions from a single collision or simultaneous impacts involving multiple cars. Maryland law considers several factors in determining fault and liability in such cases, including speed, road conditions, and driver impairment.

Tragic Accident on Capital Beltway Claims One Motorist’s Life

June 24, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A devastating accident occurred recently on the Capital Beltway, leaving one person dead and six others injured. The crash took place in the early morning hours, involving multiple vehicles and causing significant traffic delays. Incidents like these are heartbreaking and can leave families and individuals dealing with the aftermath for years to come. If you or a loved one has been affected by a car accident, understanding your options and knowing where to turn for help is crucial.

Details of the Accident

The accident happened around 1:20 a.m. on the Capital Beltway, near Route 4 in Prince George’s County. According to reports, multiple vehicles were involved, and the collision was severe enough to result in one fatality and six injuries. Emergency responders were quick to arrive at the scene, providing medical assistance and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but such incidents often highlight the need for increased awareness and safety on the roads.

Fatal Maryland Car Accident Leaves Teenager Dead

May 31, 2024 | 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. A recent news article discussed a fatal Maryland car accident.

According to the news article, the crass occurred on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at approximately 5:06 p.m. Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported 2-car collision at the intersection of Budds Creek Road and Mechanicsville Road in Mechanicsville. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2021 Honda Accord attempted to make a left-hand turn from Mechanicsville Road onto southbound Budds Creek Road. The driver failed to yield the right of way to a 2000 Chevrolet truck traveling northbound on Budds Creek Road. The young driver of the Honda, aged 19, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger of the pick-up truck was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital by ambulance for minor injuries. At this time, speed does not appear to be a factor in the accident.

Fatal Hit-and-Run Leaves One Dead, One Driver Still Sought After Fleeing the Scene

April 25, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety defines hit-and-run accidents as collisions in which at least one person involved in the crash departs the scene of the crash before offering any (or sufficient) information or aid to the other involved person(s) or fails to properly report the crash. Hit-and-run accidents are a major issue for many reasons, but in particular, they can increase the severity of outcomes given delays or the complete absence of medical attention for the victims. As of 2017, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that both the rate and fatality levels of hit-and-run collisions are on the rise. There were an estimated 737,100 hit-and-run crashes in 2015. This translates to a hit-and-run crash happening somewhere in the U.S. every 43 seconds. The 2,049 fatalities that resulted from hit-and-run crashes in 2016 were the highest number recorded up to that point.

What Causes Hit and Run Accidents?

Hit-and-run accidents are often characterized by several distinct elements. Common characteristics include the accident having very few witnesses and or poor lighting, as the driver is more likely to believe there will not be repercussions for their behavior. If there are many witnesses or the scene is highly visible, people are less likely to flee the scene of a crash. Similarly, drivers are much more likely to flee the scene of an accident between the hours of midnight and 4:00 a.m., than between 8:00 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. This is due to a host of reasons, but one explanation is that nighttime drivers generally engage in more risky behavior.

A recent news report described a fatal local hit-and-run accident. According to the reporting by WUSA9 Washington D.C., one person is dead and another has been hospitalized after a hit-and-run crash in Southeast D.C. late on Thursday, March 15. Just after 10:20 p.m., DC Fire and EMS described a two-vehicle T-bone crash that had just happened. Authorities responded to 25th Street Southeast and Alabama Avenue Southeast after reports of a crash with critical injuries. Upon arrival at the scene, they found both vehicles, as well as two people suffering from critical life-threatening injuries. Later, one of the victims passed away. Police say one of the drivers involved in the crash ran from the vehicle before they arrived. The police department is actively searching for that driver, but no description of the person of interest has been released.

Impaired Driving Blamed for Fatal MD Crash

April 22, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Dangers of Driving Under the Influence in Maryland

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only dangerous but highly illegal. The chances of crashes and fatal accidents increase when drivers are inhibited because they are less able to react to dangerous road conditions and generally exercise poor judgment when driving. Drivers operating under the influence make bad driving decisions, misjudge driving maneuvers, and are unable to fully concentrate on the road. Unfortunately, Maryland drivers are no exception to this trend and are all too familiar with the dangers of drivers operating their vehicles under the influence. According to a Center for Disease Control (CDC) study, Maryland drivers reported driving after drinking at a higher rate than the national reporting rate. In fact, between 2009 and 2018, 1,515 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes in Maryland. The CDC has found that over 10,000 people per year die in such crashes throughout the country. Recent local news coverage discussed a fatal DUI crash that tragically resulted in a death.

According to the news coverage about the recent crash, the tragic incident occurred around 11:03 PM, on April 1, 2024. The Maryland crash occurred on Route 228 and resulted in the death of one individual and left another in serious condition. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers discovered a devastating scene where a Chevrolet Malibu had collided head-on with a Ford F-150. The preliminary investigation by troopers reveals that the Malibu was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Route 228 near Sharpersville Road at the time of the collision. The Malibu, operating in the opposite direction of traffic, struck the Ford. Investigations into the crash point towards alcohol impairment and driver error as contributing factors. Maryland State Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and have appealed to the public for any witnesses to come forward.

Safe Driving Tips to Avoid a Maryland Car Accident

March 28, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Auto accidents can take a toll on accident victims and their families. These accidents can take multiple forms, from single-vehicle accidents to crashes at an intersection. Fortunately, a

driver’s conduct can reduce their risk for various types of crashes. While not all accidents are completely preventable, drivers can exercise caution to avoid a crash.

How Can You Stay Safe on the Road?

Drivers can follow several safety tips to prevent multiple types of deadly accidents. First, to prevent a rear-end collision, maintain a safe following distance. If a car stops or slows without warning, a safe following distance will allow you to avoid colliding with the car. As a general rule, stay at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you. During inclement weather, you should stay even farther behind. Similarly, avoid talking on the phone while driving so you can remain focused and respond to sudden changes in traffic. Second, to prevent single-vehicle accidents, scan the road for debris, animals, or sudden sharp curves. Speeding also can lead to accidents even if you are the only driver on the road.

Cause of Fiery Fatal Three-Car Crash Under Investigation After Leaving Four Dead

March 15, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Automobile accidents involving larger vehicles and cars such as trucks and pickups can be devastating. The size, mass, and speed of larger cars and automobiles increase the severity of collisions, often turning crashes into fatal incidents. Many people have a basic understanding of the risks associated with sharing the road with larger vehicles, such as pickup trucks, but not many people comprehend just how dangerous these crashes can become. 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 large trucks.

Accidents involving pickups, trucks, buses, and other large-sized vehicles such as pickup trucks are more dangerous than other types of collisions for a number of reasons. The conditions that many large vehicle drivers, such as greyhound truck operators, operate under force them to drive extreme distances, resulting in fatigue. Further, large emergency response trucks, such as fire trucks, are often driving at extremely high speeds and operating under different driving rules than ordinary traffic, creating more opportunities for accidents. Finally, commercial trucks also carry heavy cargo, complicating truck crashes and accidents. A local news article discussed a recent fatal Maryland crash involving a pickup truck.

According to the local news article about the fatal Maryland multi-car crash, the accident occurred on the 2600 block of Chillum Road near 21st Place a few blocks away from Queens Chapel Road around 5 pm. Authorities called it a mass casualty incident. According to Prince George’s County Fire & Rescue, eight adults and four children were transported to area hospitals with a range of life-threatening to non-life-threatening injuries. Four adults and one child were ultimately reported dead following the incident. According to Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue spokesman, a white pickup truck traveling west on Chillum Road struck a Cadillac and continued on its course with one of its tires on fire. The pickup truck careened down a road and struck a van head-on. The van caught fire after the crash. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

One Dead in Maryland Pedestrian Accident

February 29, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Pedestrian accidents often occur when a driver fails to operate their vehicle safely. The injuries resulting from a pedestrian accident can be especially severe. To recover compensation for their injuries, victims of a pedestrian accident can pursue a negligence lawsuit against the responsible driver. Understanding the legal elements of a negligence lawsuit is an important step toward bringing a successful claim.

As a recent news article reported, a woman tragically died after a pedestrian hit-and-run accident in Seat Pleasant, Maryland. When responding to the scene, local police found the pedestrian in the roadway. The driver who struck the pedestrian had fled the scene of the crash. Investigators are still working to identify the hit-and-run driver.

What Damages Are Available in a Maryland Pedestrian Accident?

If you suffer serious injuries in a pedestrian accident, you can pursue several types of damages awards. The damages you receive will often fall under the umbrella of compensatory damages. Compensatory damages intend to place the plaintiff in the same position they were in before the accident giving rise to their claim. They include medical costs resulting from the accident, including hospital bills as well as current and future treatment needs. Additionally, you can pursue compensatory damages to recover lost wages due to your injury, which includes lost future earnings. The law considers these to be pecuniary damages, meaning they have a clear dollar amount attached to them. You can also pursue non-pecuniary damages that are harder to quantify, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. This type of compensatory damages award intends to compensate plaintiff for the emotional harm that comes along with a serious accident.