Aggressive Driving

Baltimore Auto Accident Injury Law Update: Reckless Driving Bill Pending in Maryland Legislature

April 8, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Negligent drivers, whether they operate passenger vehicles or commercial delivery trucks or tractor-trailer rigs, should be help accountable for their actions behind the wheel. In Maryland, the penalties for reckless driving involving fatalities can appear to be hardly sufficient considering the results that are evident. Not a week goes by that it seems we hear at least one news story of a traffic fatality on one of this state’s busy roadways.

As a Baltimore automobile accident lawyer, I and my colleagues fight a seemingly never ending battle for car crash victims and their families. It makes not difference whether a person is hurt as a result of a semi truck hitting their car or another passenger vehicle slamming into their sedan, minivan or SUV. The pain and suffering sustained during the accident and afterward can be substantial.

Not long ago we reported on a bill introduced into the Maryland state legislature that would increase the penalties for drivers found guilty of reckless and negligent driving in instance where the driver’s action led to the death or serious injury of another individual. It’s heartening to know now that the bill has already received support in the form of a successful vote in the Senate and will soon be moving on to the House.

Maryland Accident News: Hit-and-Run Blamed in Crash Involving Baltimore County Police Car

March 24, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Throughout Maryland and the Washington, D.C., area, even law enforcement professionals can find themselves the victims of bad drivers. As a Baltimore personal injury and auto accident lawyer, every month my office is contacted by individuals who have been hurt as a result of the negligence of another driver. This recent automobile crash involving a county police squad car is just another example of the frequent lack of responsibility exhibited by certain motorists.

According to Baltimore County Police, the department was at the time of the latest news report looking for the operator of a vehicle that struck and damaged a police car as well as injuring the patrolman at the scene. The hit-and-run accident happened on February 17 in the early morning hours in the Essex area. Fortunately, the crash did not result in serious injury to the officer.

Based on reports, the officer was driving eastbound on Eastern Boulevard near Chesapeake Park Plaza when a white man driving a dark-colored Honda passenger car attempted to execute a U-turn and ended up hitting the patrol car’s rear passenger side. Because one of the officer’s tires blew out he was unable to pursue the suspect.

Maryland Automobile Injury Update: Aggressive Driving Blamed for More than Half of Truck and Car Crashes

March 11, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

There probably isn’t a car or truck driver out there who hasn’t at one time or another experienced the effects of aggressive driving. Whether you travel Maryland’s highways for a living or commute to school or work in Annapolis, Columbia, Washington, D.C., or anywhere else for that matter, auto accident statistics point to aggressive and otherwise dangerous drivers as one of the most frequent causes of traffic accidents.

In fact, the American Automobile Association (AAA) stated last year that more than 55 percent of all fatal car, truck, SUV and minivan wrecks in the Maryland area (as well as across the nation) were caused by some kind of aggressive driving. These accidents more than likely resulted in numerous personal injuries and related claims.

As experts in the area of automobile accident and injury law, I and my colleagues have personally dealt with individuals caught up in the unfortunate aftermath caused by aggressive drivers, such as traumatic brain injuries and even death.

Maryland Auto Accident Update: Speed Enforcement Cameras Help Police Give Out 8,800 Speeding Citations

February 28, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

There may still be a debate as to whether “speed kills,” but one thing is for certain, the higher the speed the more severe an accident is likely to be. In this regard, speed does make for more deadly auto wrecks. And while automobile accidents are typically caused either by driver error or as a result of faulty or defective equipment, when high vehicle speed is added to the mix, serious injury and sometimes death can result.

While speeding in cities occurs, the speeds involved are not as high as those on rural roads, highways and expressways. High speeds can also contribute to roll-over accidents, especially with vehicles that have high centers of gravity, such as SUVs (sport utility vehicles) and minivans. In construction zones, car-pedestrian accidents can also be caused by excessive vheilce speed. Whatever the cause, speeding doesn’t help the situation.

Recent news indicates that the radar speed cameras in used around the Baltimore area are doing what they’re designed for. According to news articles, Maryland highway officials say nearly 8,800 citations were issued during the first six weeks of the state’s speed camera enforcement program.

Maryland Auto Injury News: High-speed Street Racing Blamed for I-70 Fatalities in Baltimore County

February 25, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

It goes without saying that street racing has no place on public roads. Aggressive driving can and usually does result in injuries. For those who would argue the point, I suggest you buy a helmet, join a bona fide racing organization like the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), and take your car on a closed course where proper car and spectator safety measures are in effect.

As an automobile accident attorney and personal injury lawyer, I read all too frequently of innocent motorists and pedestrians killed or injured by one or another case of aggressive driving. It makes little difference if it’s a so-called “planned” event like an illegal street racing meet, or if it’s a spur of the moment, road-rage incident, people can and do get hurt. A high-speed crash can cause broken bones, head and neck injuries, or even death. Spectators can also be killed by a driver’s mistake, which then invites possible vehicular homicide charges.

According to news reports, concrete barriers have been added to Interstate 70 in an effort to try and cut down on the amount of street racing incidents. This latest change followed a fatal car accident last year that claimed the lives of two spectators during one of many illegal speed events.

Maryland Auto Accident News: Another Aggressive Driving Accident in Baltimore County Sends Driver to Hospital

February 14, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Aggressive driving is the cause of many accidents on Maryland’s highways and city streets. Whether it’s road rage, joy-riding or just plain showing off, aggressive drivers can hurt or injure other innocent motorists without much concern for their own safety. As a personal injury attorney and car accident lawyer serving the residents of Baltimore and surrounding areas, I have seen the result of fast, thoughtless drivers over the years.

Car, truck and SUV accidents can easily result in multiple injuries to occupants and bystanders, especially in a dense urban setting. Regardless of the reasons, injuries from these kinds of accidents can include bruising and abrasions, broken bones, neck and back injuries and even fatal brain trauma.

A recent article points out how sometimes it is the aggressive driver himself who gets hurt during an accident of his own making. According to police, Clemmis Tommy Futrell, of the 3400 block of Winterberry Court, in Reisterstown, was changing lanes quickly while moving in and out of traffic along Reisterstown Road in the morning hours of January 11.

Aggressive Driving Causes SUV Roll-over Accident on Interstate 97, Sends One Driver to Hospital

February 9, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Roll-over crashes are often a result of high-speed accidents or overly quick steering maneuvers. Sport utility vehicles (or SUVs) are particularly susceptible to these kinds of accidents. To make things worse, many light trucks, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, are not always designed with enough strength in the roof structure. In the event of a roll-over, the roof can be crushed sufficiently to seriously injure or kill the driver or passengers.

As a Maryland auto accident lawyer, my job is to help people recover the costs of an accident caused by another person’s negligence. This includes not only other drivers who may be at fault, but also the automobile companies who design and manufacture the vehicles whose roofs don’t always protect the occupants.

A recent accident on Northbound I-97 is an example of this kind of accident. It’ also shows how aggressive driving can cause other motorists harm, not to mention injury to the perpetrator as well. According to police, a 39-year-old driver was seriously hurt when his GMC Yukon crashed and rolled over on the interstate after hitting an out-of-control car that had been allegedly speeding moments before.

Maryland State Trooper and Two Others Injured in Dorchester County Car Crash on Route 50

January 28, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A serious traffic accident can happen to anyone, anytime and almost anywhere. A recent news report shows that not only everyday motorists can be hurt or killed in truck or car crashes, experienced and highly trained law enforcement professional can also be hurt. Injuries from highway collisions can range from bruises and minor cuts to head and brain injuries. It’s not uncommon for a person to be seriously injured and later die from those injuries in the hospital.

According to reports, 39-year-old Trooper Kenneth Myers Jr. and another Maryland State Trooper were carrying out traffic enforcement duties on Route 50 around mid-day on January 19 when the accident occurred. Police reports indicate that Myers, of the Easton State Police Barrack, was driving an unmarked police car eastbound on Route 50. The 2006 Ford Crown Victoria carrying the two troopers was chasing another vehicle that was exceeding the posted speed limit and traveling around 80mph.

Details at the time of the news reports were not completely clear, however it is known that Myers cruiser hit a 2004 Toyota Avalon driven by 75-year-old Marjorie MacSorely at the intersection of routes 50 and 731 shortly after noon, according to reports. Based on police statements, it appears that MacSorely’s vehicle pulled into the path of the oncoming police cruiser.

Maryland Construction Worker Killed in On-site Truck Accident in Frederick County, MD

December 22, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A flagman at a Buckeystown construction site along Maryland’s Route 85 was killed by a construction vehicle while working his shift. According to news reports, Maryland State Police arrived at the scene to find the road construction had died after being crushed by a construction truck driven by another co-worker. I and my colleagues have seen the results of this kind of fatality on more than one occasion. As a Maryland auto accident lawyer I also understand how a family can be devastated by the loss of a primary bread-winner.

In this particular instance, the accident occurred just before 3pm on a Friday afternoon. Police reports say that Carroll Michael Rehmert of Brooklyn Park, MD, was working on foot as a flagman near the intersection of Route 85 and Lime Kiln Rd when he was killed. The 57-year-old man was an employee of LAI Construction, according to news reports.

At the time of the incident, Rehmert was working as in an area where damaged lines in the road were being repaired. He had stopped traffic in the northbound lanes when the truck backed over him, pulling Rehmert under the rear axle.

Fatal Single-Car Accident in Frederick County Leaves Maryland Driver Dead

November 18, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

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.