The weather is getting colder, and the days are getting shorter, which also signals the beginning of the holiday season. While the holiday season is exciting and a source of joy and community for many, it can also be a dangerous time of the year for Maryland drivers. With an increase in family gatherings and alcohol consumption, as well as generally worse driving conditions in the wintry weather, Maryland car accidents caused by drunk or intoxicated drivers are especially concerning in the winter months. Although driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is against the law in Maryland, people unfortunately still do it all the time, leading to tragic and preventable car accidents.
For example, take a recent Maryland car accident that occurred last month in Churchville in Harford County. According to a local news article covering the incident, a Maryland man was driving home one night just after 8 PM with his fiancé and their two children, 7 and 11 years old. Tragically, on their way home, a driver in a Jeep crashed into the passenger side of their car, hurting his fiancé and his children. His fiancé and his daughter, only 7 years old, were both severely injured and had to be airlifted to Shock Trauma in a nearby hospital for emergency surgery. His fiancé suffered broken ribs and internal bleeding, but is out of the ICU now and expected to recover fully.
Tragically, however, one week later, the young girl was still in the ICU, heavily sedated in a coma and hooked up to a ventilator. Her injuries were substantial—the right side of her body was crushed, and she had multiple broken bones and a severe brain injury. Family and community members are waiting hopefully for a recovery. However, the injuries are so substantial that she will likely still have months of medical care ahead of her, even if she survives. While nothing has been confirmed yet, the police report created after the accident stated that alcohol contributed to the crash.
This is a terribly tragic example of how devastating Maryland car accidents can be, and how dangerous driving while under the influence is.
Are There More Accidents Over the Holiday Season?
Yes, while motorists should always be careful while driving, they should especially be on the lookout for dangerous situations during the holiday season. The winter may see an increase in individuals attending holiday parties or family gatherings and drinking before driving back home. If a crash does occur, it is important for Maryland drivers to remember their legal right to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver to recover financially for their injuries. While this cannot undo the harm that these crashes cause, it can play an important role in making sure individuals do not suffer financial hardship because of someone else’s mistake.
Contact a Maryland Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland car accident, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC today. We will work with you to pursue financial recovery from the negligent driver responsible for your injuries and assist you every step of the way. To schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney, call today at 800-654-1949.