One of the hallmarks of reckless driving is illegal speeding. Unfortunately, the probability of death or serious injury rises with impacts at higher speeds. According to some estimates, the risk of serious death or injury doubles for every ten miles per hour over 50 miles per hour that a vehicle is traveling. As a result, pedestrians and bicyclists struck by cars driving 40 miles per hour are eight times more likely to die than a pedestrian or bicyclist struck at 20 miles per hour. A recent news report detailed a fatal car accident.
According to the news report, the crash occurred in the evening on Tuesday, June 13, when a Mercedes, operated by a 34-year-old man crashed into a Subaru, killing a couple, and causing a third car to be hit. The two people in the Subaru were a 75-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The prosecutor in the case did not state if speed was a factor in the crash, and investigators appear to be waiting for data from the Mercedes to determine the driver was speeding. Law enforcement officials did say, however, that the Subaru had very extensive damage to the side where it was hit. The driver of the Mercedes experienced serious injuries himself and was transported to the hospital. The third car struck, a Hyundai, was also hit by the Mercedes. The driver of the Hyundai experienced minor injuries and was transported to the hospital.
The case is currently being investigated as a case of reckless driving, and the driver of the Mercedes was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide. He is currently being held pending a pre-trial detention hearing in Superior Court. According to the Department of Transportation, the crash shut down Route 27 for hours on Tuesday evening, as the crash occurred during rush hour.
What Is the Leading Cause of Car Accidents?
Speeding is a massive cause of car accidents throughout the country. Some estimates project that speeding is a contributing factor in over a third of all accidents nationwide. Approximately 41 percent of drivers surveyed admitted to frequently or sometimes driving 15 miles per hour or more over the speed limit on the highway (roads with speed limits over 55 miles per hour). An additional 37 percent of drivers admitted to driving 10 miles per hour or more over the speed limit on residential streets (roads with speed limits over 30 miles per hour) in the past 30 days.
Do You Need a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney?
If you or a loved one has suffered injury or harm from a car accident in Prince George’s, Charles, Baltimore, or Montgomery County, contact the lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen today for help. Our attorneys have many years of experience fighting for the injured and will work to provide you with the support, legal knowledge, and confidence to proceed with your claim. The costs stemming from injury or abuse can quickly become overwhelming, and having a team of experienced lawyers on your side can make all the difference. To schedule a free and confidential consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.