Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog

The Increased Dangers of Maryland Car Accidents During Peak Holiday Travel Season

December 16, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The pandemic decreased holiday travel the past few years; however, this year marks a return to some semblance of normalcy. Maryland drivers will likely experience more air, auto, and public transportation traffic during the holiday season. Maryland roads become busier starting around Halloween and through New Year, which results in additional road hazards.

This increase in travel combined with winter weather may increase the likelihood of an accident. While the number of crashes decreased on the actual holiday, the rate of accidents increased in the days surrounding the holiday. As such, motorists and passengers should take steps to avoid dangerous driving and protect themselves and others during this season.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that while many behaviors may lead to accidents, the holidays bring about additional driving hazards. The four most dangerous holiday driving behaviors include:

Impaired Drivers

Impaired driving is the cause of more than half of all car accidents. This type of driving refers to operating a vehicle while being affected by alcohol, prescription or illicit drugs, sleepiness, distractions, or a medical condition. Although many people assume that December 31st is the most alcohol-related accident, Halloween has three times more fatal accidents than New Year’s Eve.

Understanding the Consequences of Maryland Hit and Run Car Accidents

December 10, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The only thing more stressful than a run-of-the-mill car accident is one where the at-fault party leaves the scene without providing any information. Sometimes, these hit and run accidents can have devastating consequences and involve significant property damage or injury to the party that was hit. When this takes place, hit and run accidents can often be extremely dangerous—especially when the at-fault party fails to help someone who was hurt at the scene and may need medical attention.

According to a recent news report, a Newark police officer was charged with reckless vehicular homicide after he struck a pedestrian with his personal vehicle and took the body home, where he consulted with his mother about what to do with it. The officer was off duty when his car slid into the shoulder of the road and struck the pedestrian. Neither the officer nor his passenger in the car contacted local police or provided aid to the pedestrian. Instead, the officer drove away and returned to the scene several times before placing the pedestrian’s body into his car and driving it home to his parents’ house. According to prosecutors, the officer and his passenger then discussed what to do with the body with the officer’s mother.

Eventually, the officer’s father called the police to report that his son had been in an accident. When local authorities arrived, they found the pedestrian’s body in the backseat of the officer’s vehicle. The prosecutor’s office noted that the pedestrian had died of blunt force trauma.

Maryland Sees Highest Number of Deadly Crashes in Six Years Due to Speeding

December 3, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Although traffic nearly disappeared at the beginning of the global pandemic, road conditions have never been more deadly—especially for Maryland drivers. A combination of speeding, recklessness and other dangerous behaviors among local drivers has resulted in an unexpected increase in dangerous or fatal accidents in the last 20 months.

According to a recent local news report, Maryland roads have increased in danger since the beginning of the pandemic and are seeing a new high in rates of deadly crashes due to excessive speeding and distracted driving. Maryland State Police have noted that based on recent numbers, there have been more local drivers dead per collision, drivers moving at higher speeds, and more instances of driving under the influence or while impaired than ever before.

In 2020, the Maryland Department of Transportation noted that it saw its highest number of fatal crashes in six years due to excessive speeding. Although traffic numbers were down at the beginning of 2020, there was an increase in the number of total fatal crashes overall with 573 deaths in 2020 compared to 535 deaths from the year before. Despite fewer drivers traveling in 2020, the accidents that took place were more severe, which led to an increase in car accident fatalities.

Understanding Maryland Hit-And-Run Accidents

November 24, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

When a driver causes an accident by colliding with another vehicle, piece of property, or individual and then flees the scene without providing their personal information, a hit and run accident has taken place. Because these accidents can often leave victims with collecting compensation after they take place, those who are responsible should be held accountable.

According to a recent local news report, a 26-year-old man was recently struck and killed by a car. Maryland State Police are investigating the incident, which took place shortly after 3:15am when troopers were called in after a report of a person in the roadway and an overturned vehicle. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities located a pedestrian in the roadway, who was later pronounced dead.

Based on a preliminary investigation, authorities believe that the 26-year-old man was pulled over on the shoulder and outside of his vehicle when the crash occurred. A Chevy Silverado then struck the man and his vehicle, causing the Chevy to overturn and cross two lanes of traffic before the driver was able to escape. Witnesses at the scene provided a description of the at-fault party and claimed that the driver of the overturned vehicle fled the area on foot. The suspect was located 40 minutes after the accident and was taken into custody. Investigators believe that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the accident.

Maryland’s I-95 Among Ten Most Dangerous Roads in the United States

November 19, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Any time we get behind the wheel, there is a risk of getting into an accident. This risk, however, often increases depending on what road you are driving on. According to the most recent Fatality Analysis Reporting System data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I-95 is the most dangerous highway in the United States.

The report, which analyzes which roads, counties, and states present the greatest risk for drivers based on the number of fatalities in auto collisions, found that total vehicle fatalities increased by an estimated 7.2 percent from 2019 to 2020. In addition, in 2020 alone, the United States experienced the highest rate of fatalities from auto accidents since 2007, with nearly 1.37 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

Based on data from the Federal Highway Administration, drivers drove 430.2 billion miles less in 2020 compared to 2019, resulting in about a 13.2 percent decrease. This dramatic change is likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing requirements, which kept many people at home. The decrease in total miles traveled by vehicles combined with an increase in auto accident fatalities resulted in the significant 7.2 percent increase in total vehicle fatalities that took place between 2019 and 2020.

Tragic Maryland Car Accident Leaves Four Injured and a Toddler Dead

November 10, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

If there is one sure thing in life, it is that it often deals you the most unexpected hand at the most unexpected time. Often, this takes place through events out of our control, such as major accidents or incidents caused by others. When this happens, it is often impossible to be fully prepared—but understanding the basics of how to move forward legally following a major accident, death of a loved one, or similar incident can better equip you and your loved ones for your next steps.

According to a recent local news report, a three-car accident left a toddler dead and four adults severely injured. Local authorities reported that the driver of a Ford was turning left when it crashed into an Acura and a Honda. The impact from the Ford caused the Acura to skid off the road and hit a brick wall. The three individuals in the Acura, including a three-year-old who was in the backseat, were all transported to the hospital for further treatment. The driver and one of the passengers of the Acura had serious but non-life-threatening injuries, but the toddler later died at the hospital. The drivers of the Honda and Ford were also transported to local hospitals but were expected to survive. The accident remains under investigation by local authorities.

Following an unexpected and tragic accident involving the sudden passing of a loved one because of another party’s negligence or recklessness, filing a lawsuit may be the furthest thing from your mind. There are, however, many legal options that you and your loved ones should consider in the wake of such an accident, including potentially filing a wrongful death claim in Maryland courts.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed on Maryland Road

October 31, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In busy metropolitan areas, pedestrians often share public roads with motorists and bikers alike. Although in principle everyone should respect each other and their right of way, this does not always happen in practice. Sometimes, when drivers are not paying attention or visibility is poor, accidents can happen involving pedestrians. Because pedestrians are even more vulnerable when crossing a busy road, these collisions can often have devastating consequences, such as injury or death.

According to a recent local news report, a pedestrian was killed in a fatal crash along a busy part of I-83. Investigators reported that a rideshare driver was driving north on I-83 and called 911 because an unruly and potentially intoxicated passenger was assaulting him. The rideshare driver then pulled over, and the passenger exited the car and crossed over the median into the southbound lane. The man was walking along the highway when a Range Rover crashed into him. The accident remains under investigation by local authorities.

How Common Are Maryland Pedestrian Accident?

Unfortunately, Maryland is no stranger to pedestrian-related accidents. Because pedestrian accidents are most common in busy, urban areas, nearly 72 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur in traffic-congested areas similar to busy metropolitan hubs across Maryland.

Understanding the Basics of Maryland Car Accident Law

October 24, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In Maryland, the rates and frequency of car accidents have been increasing in recent years. In 2020, 573 people died in motor vehicle accidents, which is a six percent increase from the previous year.

Following a car accident in Maryland, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may be considering legal action. Before getting started, however, it is crucial that Maryland drivers and potential plaintiffs alike understand the basics of Maryland car accident laws so that they can best protect themselves in the event of a devastating crash.

According to a recent news report, a 25-year-old man was killed when the car he was a passenger in veered off the road and crashed into a tree. Local authorities stated that the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and that the driver was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition. Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the collision, which took place in the middle of the night.

Appellate Court Finds Overbroad Settlement Offer by Insurance Company Was Not Made in Bad Faith

October 17, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this year, a state court issued an opinion in a car accident case involving where the insurance company’s settlement offer was at issue. The case highlighted some challenges that can arise during settlement negotiations in the aftermath of an accident. The court was asked to decide whether an insurance company acted “in bad faith” when their offer to settle included a broad release of all claims against the driver at fault, but gave the victim’s attorney the option to revise the terms.

Do Insurnace Companies Need to Act in Good Faith?

Yes, insurance companies are required by law to act “in good faith” when trying to settle in order to protect the financial interests of the people they insure. That means they should make timely and reasonable settlement offers that try to fully compensate victims, making it likely that they will agree to settle. Drivers buy liability insurance all the time because they expect the insurance company to protect them from financial liability. In some states, like Maryland, drivers are required to have a minimum amount of liability insurance to cover potential bodily injury and property claims that may result from car accidents.

Maryland Wrong Way Crash Leaves Three Hurt

October 11, 2021 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Maryland residents frequently use highways and roadways in their lives. From commuting to work to doing daily errands, roadways are the easiest way to get places. But roads also pose risks for life-altering car accidents. Even if you are an alert driver, the risk of a distracted or inhibited motorist sharing the road increases the chance of being involved in an accident. An uncommon, but dangerous type of accident can come from a “wrong-way” driver. Wrong-way accidents can be sudden and traumatic, with a motorist intentionally or unintentionally speeding toward oncoming traffic. Because wrong-way accidents can be head-on and sudden, drivers may not have time to react. The results can often be deadly. The legal and medical impacts of the accident may not be immediately clear. These results can outlast the initial shock of a crash and make it crucial to have an experienced personal injury attorney.

Recently, a wrong-way driver caused a crash involving three cars in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Fortunately, the crash was not fatal. However, three people were injured. The accident started when a driver traveled the wrong way in the westbound lane and hit two vehicles driving the right way in the lane. It is unclear what caused the driver to drive in the opposite direction of traffic.

What Are the Causes of Wrong-Way Accidents?

A report from AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found some factors for increasing the risk of a wrong-way crash. Older drivers are more likely to be wrong-way drivers, with the risk increasing significantly if they are over 70 years old. Alcohol impairment of the driver also makes it more likely that they will become a wrong-way driver. The report also shares that having a passenger in the car can reduce the risk of wrong-way crashes.