Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

Understanding Liability in Rideshare Accidents Under Maryland Law

January 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Rideshare services have become a standard mode of transportation, but accidents involving rideshare drivers raise unique questions about liability. Maryland’s rules on insurance and liability provide essential protections for victims of these incidents. A recent Florida case involving Uber Technologies, Inc. offers insight into how courts evaluate liability, especially when the rideshare driver is not actively using the app at the time of an accident. By applying Maryland law to similar circumstances, this discussion highlights critical legal considerations for victims seeking justice.

How Does Maryland Law Addresses Rideshare Liability?

Maryland follows clear guidelines for determining rideshare liability, which often depends on whether the driver was logged into the app or actively transporting passengers at the time of an accident. Under Maryland law, rideshare companies are generally required to carry commercial liability insurance for their drivers, but the coverage only applies under specific conditions:

– App On, No Passenger. If a driver is logged into the app but does not have a passenger, the company’s contingent coverage may apply. This usually includes limited liability coverage.

Maryland Wrongful Death Claims in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents

January 22, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

When a loved one loses their life in a hit-and-run crash, families face heartbreak compounded by unanswered questions. Maryland law provides avenues for justice and accountability, even when the driver leaves the scene. Wrongful death claims stemming from hit-and-run incidents involve unique challenges, but legal options remain available to seek compensation and closure.

In cases like the recent tragedy in Ellicott City, where a woman was fatally struck while using a pedestrian crosswalk, identifying the at-fault driver becomes a priority. Maryland law allows surviving family members to pursue compensation for financial losses, emotional anguish, and more. While locating the responsible party presents obstacles, legal tools and resources can assist in holding drivers accountable. This process may involve analyzing traffic camera footage, gathering witness statements, and using forensic evidence from the crash site to clearly understand what occurred. Legal support can help families ensure all available avenues for justice are explored.

What Maryland Law Says About Hit-and-Run Accidents

Understanding Your Rights After a Serious Maryland Crash

December 22, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A pair of devastating car accidents in Maryland early Friday morning left two people dead and eight others hospitalized. The first occurred on Interstate 270 in Montgomery County, involving a fiery collision that tragically claimed one life and injured four others. Hours earlier, another accident in Prince George’s County resulted in one fatality and four additional injuries.

If you were injured in a car accident or have questions about your rights, understanding your legal options is critical. Maryland law allows victims and their families to seek compensation for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

Details of the I-270 Crash in Montgomery County

What Maryland Residents Need to Know About Legal Options After a Fatal Single-Vehicle Accident

November 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Recently, two Salisbury residents tragically lost their lives in a single-vehicle crash on Route 50 in Dorchester County. According to Maryland State Police, the driver of a Subaru veered off the roadway for unknown reasons, striking a utility pole and causing the vehicle to catch fire. The driver and an adult passenger both succumbed to their injuries, while a young child was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of understanding liability and legal options following similar accidents.

Investigating Liability and Contributing Factors After a Maryland Car Accident

The Route 50 accident raises questions about what might have caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and whether any third parties or external conditions contributed to the crash. Maryland law recognizes several potential factors in single-vehicle accidents that could establish liability:

Drunk Driver Charged with DUI after Injuring Montgomery Co. Firefighter at Scene of Earlier Accident

October 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Some of the most dangerous situations encountered on most any expressway, beltway or highway are construction zones and accident scenes where road workers or EMS personnel must perform their jobs in close proximity to passing cars and trucks. Despite caution placards and warning signs placed ahead of roadway construction zones — or flashing emergency vehicle lights and flares near active crash sites — some drivers are far too distracted to operate their vehicle safely, often completely ignoring the dangers of driving too fast through a reduced speed zone.

Many distracted or otherwise impaired drivers manage not to cause an accident; but sadly, many other violators are not nearly so lucky. Commuters who drive past long-term construction zones on a daily basis can become more annoyed by the situation and less concerned about the threat of pedestrian accidents along the roadside. And while motorists may be disdainful of construction sites as impediments to their daily commute, coming upon an active crash scene — with the attendant police vehicles, fire trucks and rescue personnel — most thoughtful drivers should understand the gravity of the situation and slow down to a safe passing speed.

Unfortunately, numerous police officers and firefighters are killed or injured every year by drivers who fail to slow down for, or yield the right-of-way to first responders. This sad and all-too-familiar scenario was repeated in early September this year along a stretch of I-495 in Silver Spring, MD, where State Troopers from the Rockville Barrack had responded to a late-night traffic accident between a semi tractor-trailer rig and Lexus passenger car, causing several lanes of I-495 to be closured down.

Understanding Legal Rights Under Maryland Law after Two University of Maryland Eastern Shore Students Die in Tragic Car Crash

October 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The tragic loss of two University of Maryland Eastern Shore students in a car crash has left their community devastated. The accident, which occurred in the early morning hours on Sussex Highway in Seaford, Delaware, involved two vehicles and resulted in multiple fatalities and critical injuries. Police believe impairment may have been a contributing factor in the crash, which can complicate the legal issues surrounding it. This heartbreaking incident highlights the importance of understanding your legal rights after a car accident and how an attorney can assist in pursuing justice and compensation.

In Maryland, victims of car accidents and their families have the right to pursue legal claims when negligence or wrongful actions are involved. In cases where impairment or reckless driving is suspected, the legal implications can be significant, and having the right legal representation is crucial for protecting your interests. Understanding Maryland car accident laws and knowing when to seek the help of an attorney is vital for anyone affected by a tragedy like this.

Car Accidents and Legal Accountability in Maryland

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.