Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog
Over the past five years, nearly 800 people in Maryland have been killed in crashes involving impaired drivers and over 10,000 people per year die throughout the United States in alcohol-impaired crashes. Each year, tens of thousands of people are arrested on Maryland roads for drunk or impaired driving. The state currently deploys a specialized team of five trained Maryland State troopers assigned to the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) to enforce impaired driving laws. Since 2013, State Troopers in SPIDRE have taken more than 4,000 impaired drivers off of Maryland roads.
What Makes Drunk Driving So Dangerous?
Alcohol-impaired drivers are particularly dangerous for a number of reasons. Impaired drivers have reduced levels of concentration and slower reaction times when processing their surroundings. Additionally, drunk drivers suffer from lesser hand-eye coordination and they are more likely to use poor judgment and suffer from memory loss while under the influence. All of these factors greatly increase the likelihood of impaired drivers being involved in car accidents. Signs of impaired drivers on the road include but aren’t limited to, quick acceleration or deceleration, weaving across the road, erratic breaking, slow response to traffic signals, or excessively slow driving (10 mph below the speed limit). When driving, exercise extreme caution if you spot any of these signs from other drivers on the road. In 2016, Maryland implemented stricter drunk driving laws throughout the state, including harsher penalties and an Ignition Interlock Program. A recent news report detailed a Maryland car crash.
According to the news report, the fatal accident occurred in the afternoon on March 30, when a 2008 Toyota Tundra was traveling southbound on Ritchie Highway when it ran a red light. The Toyota Tundra drove through the intersection and collided with a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox turning left into the Marley Station Mall. A third vehicle, a 2013 BMW, that was turning left into the mall was hit by the other two vehicles in the process. The 36-year-old passenger of the Chevrolet Equinox was pronounced dead at the scene. The 60-year-old driver was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The 35-year-old driver of the Toyota Tundra was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, while the 13-year-old passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the BMW was not injured. According to the police, evidence suggests that the driver of the Toyota Tundra was under the influence of alcohol and speeding at the time of the accident. The crash remains under investigation by the Traffic Safety Section of the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
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.