Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

Family of Uber Driver Killed in Accident Makes Case Against Uber for Damages

October 27, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The mobile rideshare and gig economy has grown substantially in the last decade, and with this growth, challenges have arisen when determining liability for accidents involving gig-economy drivers while on the job. An accident involving a rideshare or food delivery driver may involve multiple insurance coverages at once, and in many instances, drivers’ and passengers’ claims with an insurance company after an accident are being illegitimately denied. A recently published news report discusses the plight of the family of a Maryland man who was killed in an accident while he was driving for Uber.

According to the facts discussed in the local news report, the deceased man had been a driver for Uber for over a year when he was killed in a head-on collision this past winter. The Uber driver was not at fault for the crash, as the other driver was intoxicated and driving the wrong way, which immediately caused the crash. Because the at-fault driver was not insured, the family of the deceased driver was forced to make a claim with uber to collect damages from the commercial auto insurance that uber carries on all of its drivers while they are actively using the driver app.

Are Uber Drivers Covered under the Company’s Insurance Policy?

Although the Uber website states that drivers were covered with up to $100,000 in uninsured motorist coverage while working, the insurance company only offered this driver’s family $30,000 of coverage for damages related to his death. Based on this misleading contradiction, the driver’s family has hired an attorney to pursue the full $100,000 in damages from the insurance company and Uber itself. Uber has responded to the lawsuit by claiming that the coverages offered are noted to “vary by state,” and that the exact coverages applied to this particular driver policy were outlined in the terms and conditions, which he affirmatively agreed to before starting to drive for uber.

Establishing Fault in Maryland Multi-Car Accidents

October 12, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Multi-car accidents can result in more than one injury or damage to more than one vehicle. Alternatively, a crash involving multiple vehicles can contribute to a single injury. On occasion, the injured person might have also contributed to their own injury as well as the other parties’ injuries. In these circumstances, determining who is at fault for a multi-car accident can be quite complex.

For example, according to a recent news article, a woman died following a three-vehicle crash in Baltimore County on the outer loop of I-695. The fatal accident occurred just before 1:00AM, when a car struck the side of a backhoe being escorted by two pickup trucks from the Maryland Department of Transportation. Then, the car hit the rear of the front pickup truck. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are still investigating the precise cause of the crash.

How Does Maryland Law Apportion Fault in Car Accident Lawsuits?

A lawsuit brought after a multi-vehicle crash can involve several different theories of fault. Maryland law allows an injured person to sue two or more defendants for the same injury, such as two drivers of different cars. In other states, a court may apportion liability equally among all defendants. Known as joint liability, this theory is based on the idea that the defendants are all independently at fault for their own actions.

Red Light Accident in Maryland Leads to One Person in Critical Condition

September 29, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Traffic lights play an important role in maintaining order, the flow of traffic, and the safety of road users. When traffic lights are not obeyed, it can lead to serious injuries or even death. When drivers run red lights, drivers of other vehicles or even pedestrians can, unfortunately, face the consequences of another’s actions. In addition, the drivers who run red lights also face the risk of serious injury. Red light cameras have played an important role in discouraging drivers from running red lights, with the penalty of facing fees. According to a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “cameras reduced fatal red light running crash rate of large cities by 21 percent and the rate of all types of fatal crashes at signalized intersections by 14 percent.” Failing to obey traffic signals can result in serious harm, which is why it is important for drivers and pedestrians to play their part by following these signals.

A recent news report revealed that Easton Police responded to a serious crash at the intersection of eastbound Ocean Gateway and Airport Road in Maryland. A 59-year-old man was attempting to turn left in his pickup truck when he had a green arrow. As the pickup truck was turning, a 27-year-old driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe hit his vehicle. According to witnesses, the driver of the Chevrolet was speeding past other vehicles that were stopped on the right shoulder. The Tahoe rolled several times along the road shoulder before crashing in a grass field. The Tahoe driver was ejected from his vehicle. As a result, he was airlifted to a Trauma center and was last known to be in critical but stable condition. The driver of the pickup truck was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries.

The Failure to Obey Traffic Signals

Three Teens Dead After Maryland Crash Involving Tractor-Trailer

September 10, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In devastating news, two Maryland teenagers were pronounced dead on the scene of a crash after their sedan crashed into a tractor-trailer on a highway. The driver of the sedan and the right rear passenger were the two teens who died at the scene. The third teen, who was sitting in the front passenger side of the sedan was flown to a shock trauma unit, but later succumbed to his injuries. The 71-year-old tractor-trailer driver was not injured in the crash.

Although investigations are still occurring to determine what led to the crash, initial investigations appear to reveal that the sedan was merging onto a highway in Hagerstown at a high rate of speed when it crashed into the passenger cabin of the tractor-trailer. There were no obvious signs of impairment, although this is still under investigation. The highway area near the crash was closed for almost 5 hours as state police responded to and investigated the crash.

What Does It Mean to be the “At-fault” Driver of a Car Accident?

In legal terms, if someone is considered the at-fault driver in a personal injury lawsuit, you may be wondering what this exactly means. An at-fault driver is considered liable for the car accident, and is the driver who was found to be negligent. Driver negligence can range from speeding at the time of the accident, which contributed to the accident, to texting while driving. It can also include rear-ending another vehicle, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and other actions (or inactions) that caused the accident to occur.

Two Hospitalized in Maryland Pileup

August 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Multi-car pileups are undoubtedly dangerous: they block traffic, risk the lives and wellbeing of multiple drivers and countless passengers, and can contribute to other accidents. In addition to putting more people at risk, pileups can be a nightmare for people trapped inside the wreckage of multiple vehicles. Emergency personnel may have to use the jaws of life to extract survivors from accidents, which can risk further injury as pieces of the wreckage are moved and sharp instruments venture near the trapped victims.

Recent reports state that two people have been hospitalized after a multi-car pileup in Annapolis, Maryland. The wreck was announced by fire department personnel at 8:18 a.m., and one trapped victim was not rescued from their car until 8:32 a.m, when fire department personnel were able to remove them. Traffic was blocked during that time. Officials do not have an update on the injured victims at this time.

What Damages Are Available in Maryland Personal Injury Cases?

Whether due to the negligence of other drivers or the negligence of emergency personnel attempting to clear the wreckage, victims who suffer injuries in multi-car pileups may be entitled to compensation. But what economic and non-economic harms are survivors entitled to receive in a Maryland personal injury case?

Intoxication and Improper Passing Leads to Two Dead

August 14, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

As smaller and harder to see citizens of the road, bicyclists are often in danger from the risk of drivers attempting to pass other vehicles without checking for oncoming traffic. This risk is compounded when intoxicated drivers are behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,654 people died in accidents caused by alcohol-impaired driving in 2020. Driving under the influence of alcohol impairs an individual’s reasoning ability and response time. Even just a small amount of alcohol in the bloodstream can inhibit visual functions, impair the ability to multitask, and respond to changes in driving conditions or emergency situations. All of these factors can contribute to an intoxicated driver’s poor judgment in passing or inability to check their surroundings carefully for other motorists and pedestrians.

According to a recent article, two victims, 48 and 57 year old men, died and three others were injured when they were struck by an intoxicated driver. Of the deceased, one was pronounced dead at the scene and the other died from their injuries in the hospital. The victims were all bicyclists participating in a charity bike ride when the collision occurred. Two have been treated and released from the hospital, but the third remains in serious condition.

The accident happened when a truck in front of the driver began to slow down. Rather than slow down or stop, the driver swerved around the truck and into the lane of oncoming traffic, where the driver hit a group of bicyclists. Officers say the road on which the accident occurred is straight and there are no obstructions and noted that the intoxicated driver did not appear to look for or see the bicyclists before attempting to pass. The driver has been charged with several counts of driving while intoxicated and is being held on a $1 million bond.

Maryland Pedestrian Struck and Killed while Walking Down Highway

July 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Many busy, high-speed roadways lack sidewalks or any lane for pedestrians. The lack of protection poses a risk to pedestrians of injury or death. Too often, pedestrians cannot avoid these roadways, such as highways or interstates. For example, if a driver encounters a flat tire, check engine light, or even take an important phone call, they may have no choice but to stop. They may even leave their car and walk along the highway to seek help. In fact, a 20 year-old woman from Upper Marlboro was struck after she left her car to walk down I-270 near Maryland Route-109 in Frederick.

According to a local news article, the victim parked her car on the shoulder of the highway northbound before walking southbound down the highway. She was then struck by a BMW sedan and pronounced dead on the scene. The driver was unharmed. The reason the victim exited her vehicle is unclear, but some drivers may have the instinct to walk along the highway if they encounter an emergency.

Highway Pedestrian Safety Tips

Speeding and Alcohol Leads to One Dead in Maryland Rear-End Crash

July 10, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Driving at high speeds can lead to devastating consequences and endangers everyone sharing the road, including other drivers and pedestrians. Alcohol consumption is a common factor involved in speeding crashes on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2018, drivers who were speeding when in fatal crashes were more likely to have been drinking and drinking more than those drivers who were not speeding.

In recent news, an 18-year-old male died after his vehicle was struck in the rear by another motor vehicle. According to initial investigations, speeding and alcohol appear to be contributing factors to the crash. When responders arrived on the scene, they found one driver unconscious. The driver was taken to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

In general, states have different speed limits depending on the type of road, whether it is residential or non-residential, whether it is straight or curvy road, and so on. Speed limits are typically laws that set maximum speed limits in certain settings, but the reasonable speed a car should be going can change depending on factors such as traffic, construction, and weather conditions.

Wrong-Way Accident Leads to One Dead on Maryland Highway

July 5, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

When it comes to driving, there is no question that paying close attention to road signs, traffic signals, and your surroundings is essential to road safety. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), wrong-way driving involves “vehicular movement along a travel lane in a direction opposing the legal flow of traffic on high-speed divided highways or access ramps.” Furthermore, according to NTSB, wrong-way collisions occur infrequently, accounting for only about 3 percent of accidents on high-speed divided highways, but these collisions are much more likely to result in fatalities and serious injuries compared to other types of highway accidents. Wrong-way collisions are most often head-on collisions.

In a recent news report, a two-vehicle crash in Prince George’s County, Maryland resulted in one woman dead. The accident took place on I-495, and involved a Lincoln Navigator traveling southbound in the northbound lanes. The Lincoln crashed into a Buick Enclave that was traveling south in the southbound lanes. The driver of the Buick was found dead at the scene, and when troopers arrived at the screen, one vehicle was on fire. The driver of the Lincoln was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries. At the time of the news article, no charges have yet been filed and an investigation into the accident was taking place.

What Are the Common Causes of Wrong-Way Collisions?

Driving in the correct direction is one critical component of driving and something that all drivers on the road should take care in doing. There are a few reasons why wrong-way accidents may occur. According to the NTSB, one of the most common reasons drivers find themselves heading in the opposite direction of traffic is because of entering an exit ramp. Also, alcohol or driving under the influence has been found to be a cause of serious accidents. Additionally, driving in conditions where visibility may be obstructed can lead to these types of accidents. For example, driving in poor weather conditions, or having difficulty with vision at nighttime may be a cause of wrong-way accidents. It is important for all drivers to consider the conditions for driving that may help keep everyone safe while on the road, and to pay close attention to road signage.

Woman Struck and Killed while Attempting to Change a Flat Tire

June 20, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Highways, interstates, and other high-speed roadways can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians. Many roads that lack sidewalks forbid pedestrians from walking on the side of the road to ensure their safety, however, sometimes pedestrians may not be able to avoid finding themselves on a high-speed roadway. If someone has car trouble, for example, they may need to pull their vehicle off to the side of the road to address the issue. A Maryland woman was recently killed after she exited her vehicle to address a flat tire and was struck by a speeding vehicle.

According to a local news report discussing the accident, the victim, a 47-year-old woman from Glen Burnie, suffered a flat tire and pulled to the side of the road to address the problem. After the victim exited her vehicle, she was hit by another car that was speeding and unable to stay in its lane. According to the report, another vehicle that had stopped to assist the victim was also struck, but the occupant was not seriously injured. the woman who had initially stopped was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other driver was not injured in the crash. After sobriety tests were performed, the other driver was arrested for DUI, automobile homicide, and other charges. Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating drugs reduces reaction time and encourages poor decision making, and likely contributed to the cause of this tragic accident.

What Should You do to Stay Safe When Changing a Tire?

If you get a flat tire, run out of gas, or have another maintenance issue that renders your car inoperable, always try and pull over to the right side of the road, as far into the shoulder as possible. After your vehicle has stopped, activate your hazard lights, and keep an eye on your rear-view mirror to watch approaching traffic. Whether you are able to get out of the road or not, it is advised to stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives. Statistics have demonstrated that drivers are safer in their vehicle than standing outside somewhere around it. If you must exit your vehicle, attempt to do so from the passenger side. Once a tow truck has been called and arrives, the driver will have the knowledge and equipment available to safely stop traffic and allow you to exit the vehicle.