Earlier this month in Hagerstown, a man and a woman were killed when the driver lost control of his 2002 BMW, sending it into a utility pole. According to a report by the Your4State.com, the accident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on Cearfoss Pike, just west of Garden View Drive.
According to the police report, the driver of the BMW was attempting to pass a slower-moving vehicle on Cearfoss Pike and lost control of the vehicle. As he began to pass the vehicle, he was unable to keep the vehicle on the road. As the car left the roadway, it slammed into a utility pole, a nearby utility box, and finally into a large boulder. When the vehicle eventually came to a stop it was upside down.
Both passengers were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. At the time of the article’s publication, police were still investigating the cause of the accident.
Dangerous Driving Shortly After Bars Close
While the police had not come to a conclusion about the exact causes of the accident, considering the aggressive driving that was involved and the time of day, it isn’t a stretch to think that alcohol may have been involved.
Driving under the influence is an epidemic across America, and Maryland is no exception. In 2009, nearly one-third of the 547 fatal traffic accidents in Maryland were caused at least in part by intoxicated driving. That is over 150 fatal accidents due to drunk driving.
The Risks of Drunk Driving Are Widely Known
When a jury has to make a decision to award an accident victim damages based on the actions of another driver, the question the jury must answer is: was the driver negligent? Negligence, legally speaking, has a fairly specific definition; however, at its core it does involve a judgment call.
Drinking and driving is one of the most negligent behaviors a driver can engage in. The risks of drinking and driving have been well documented over the past several decades, and the research is undisputed. It as though the accident victim is asking the jury if driving while blindfolded is negligent; it doesn’t take scientific research to answer the question.
What To Do if You Have Been Involved in a Maryland Auto Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Maryland car accident, you should contact an experienced Maryland accident attorney as soon as you have recovered from your injuries. With the assistance of a skilled attorney you will be able to evaluate the strength of your case and determine if it is in your best interest to proceed with the case. In some cases, substantial monetary awards are obtained based off of the other driver’s negligent driving. The law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers has a team of dedicated Maryland personal injury attorneys ready to meet with you and discuss the facts of your case. Click here, or call 410-645-3600 to schedule a free initial consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
Maryland College Student Killed in Hit and Run Accident, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published February 6, 2014.
Driver Sentenced to Five Years for Pokomoke Hit-and-Run Accident, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published February 20, 2014.