Tragedy can strike at any time. For many people, an SUV, pickup truck or passenger car crash can spell the difference between a happy future and a sad end. As Maryland automobile accident lawyers, Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers has the experience to help families of traffic accident victims make it through a very difficult time.
Nothing good can come out of the death of a loved one caused by a severe vehicle collision or other fatal traffic accident, especially if that person is the breadwinner in the family. But talking to a personal injury lawyer is always a good idea. A recent single-vehicle crash reminded me of how transient life can be.
According to reports, a Gaithersburg, MD, man was killed in a single-vehicle wreck not long ago on a stretch of Maryland 464. Maryland State Police identified the man as Ruo Y. Zhao. Police reports indicate that the 26-year-old was driving a 2008 Mitsubishi westbound on Point of Rocks Road, just east of Lander Road, at what the authorities describe as a high rate of speed. This was stated, according to police, by a witness who saw the car prior to the crash but did not see the actual event.
Cpl. Todd Hill of the Frederick barrack said that Zhao may have hit some standing water on the roadway. This could have resulted in the vehicle’s tires hydroplaning and causing a lost of steering control. Depending on the age of the tires or whether they had unusually heavy wear, this could be an instance of defective equipment as one possible contributing factor in the accident.
Police believe that the driver likely could not regain control of his vehicle, which traveled from the westbound lane across the eastbound lane and continued off the road, striking several trees. Sadly, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, Zhao’s identity was released only after relatives living in China were notified of his death. Based on a preliminary investigation, police feel that the crash was a clear cut case of driver error combined with high speed and poor weather. Personnel at the scene found that the vehicle split into several large pieces upon impact with the trees, confirming their suspicions of speed being a factor.
Gaithersburg man killed in Frederick Co. crash, WTOP.com, October 19, 2009