Maryland Personal Injury Blog

Maryland Police Officer not Indicted in Fatal Car Crash

By injuheis on January 29, 2009

After a year of investigation, county prosecutors have decided not to indict a Prince George County police officer who faced several serious charges in a 2007 car accident that claimed the life of a University of Maryland student. According to a recent report in the Washington Post, Officer Mario Chavez had been drinking the evening of December 10, 2007, and traveling at a rate twice the posted speed limit when his cruiser struck a car that was turning left across his lane. The Maryland car accident resulted in the death of 20-year old Brian Gray, who was being followed home in another car driven by his mother, Mary Gray.

After a year-long investigation by county prosecutors, Officer Chavez was issued a speeding ticket but will not face any additional criminal charges. The decision shocked friends and family members who claim that Officer Chavez was given lenience due to his employment as a law enforcement officer. They claim that evidence gathered in a civil case against Officer Chavez suggests he should be held responsible for far more serious charges than a traffic violation.

“A speeding ticket is an insult to the value of my son’s life,” Mary Gray said. “If they were looking for things for an indictment, they weren’t looking very hard. This feels like it’s being swept under the rug—a cover up.”

Mrs. Gray also expressed outrage that her son’s blood alcohol level was checked, with no alcohol found in his bloodstream, but Officer Chavez’ was not. In a deposition from the civil case against Chavez, he admitted drinking ‘three or four beers’ that evening, but had slept on a friend’s couch to sober up before driving. But phone records indicated that Chavez had made a half-hour phone call to his wife during the time he claimed to be sleeping.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a Maryland auto accident, Maryland auto accident attorney Steven H. Heisler may be able to help you recover medical and additional expenses as a result of the accident. Mr. Heisler specializes in injury cases involving auto accidents and his knowledge and expertise has helped countless clients over the years. Don’t get pushed around by rich insurance companies! Call Maryland personal injury lawyer Steven H. Heisler today at 877-228-4878 for a free consultation!

Posted in Accidents, Auto Accidents, Injuries |

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Accident Results in Death of Truck Driver

By injuheis on January 27, 2009

A 57-year-old truck driver was killed on August 10, 2008, when a woman fell asleep at the wheel, crossed into oncoming traffic, and caused him to lose control of his truck which plunged off the bridge. According to this Washington Post report, 19-year-old Candy Lynn Baldwin admitted to reporters and Maryland police officials that she had fallen asleep at the wheel around 4 a.m. that morning. She told reporters at The Post she was exhausted that morning after getting little sleep over her mother’s wedding weekend.

Queen Anne’s County State Attorney, Frank M. Kratovil Jr., said his office’s investigation found that no criminal charges against Baldwin would be brought as she was not found to be grossly negligent in this Maryland car accident. But according to the National Transportation Safety Board, significant sleep loss degrades hand-eye reflexes in a way that is equivalent to blood alcohol content of 0.10 percent which constitutes being legally drunk in most states.

Drivers operating a vehicle while suffering from sleep deprivation have been found to be grossly negligent and convicted of vehicular manslaughter in many states and countries around the world. In 2005, a Maryland appeals court affirmed a drowsy driver’s gross negligence manslaughter conviction—concluding that “the deliberate failure of a driver to heed clear warning signs of drowsiness is evidence of a reckless disregard for human life.”

Despite the decision in this case, thousands of people throughout the country are needlessly killed and injured each year as a result of people operating vehicles while impaired by sleep deprivation or alcohol consumption. Maryland personal injury attorney Steven H. Heisler has represented many clients hurt in such accidents and has helped them recover millions of dollars in damages to offset medical and other expenses.

This Baltimore auto accident injury lawyer offers free consultations to clients and will launch an immediate investigation into the accident which caused death or injuries. His Maryland car accident injury law firm represents a wide range of people who have suffered personal injuries, and Mr. Heisler and his staff have earned the reputation of being very tough with rich insurance companies. Don’t get pushed around by rich insurance companies—call Steven H. Heisler today at 877-228-4878.

Posted in Accidents, Auto Accidents, Injuries |

TEN SAFETY TIPS TO HELP YOU AVOID DEADLY CAR CRASHES IN SNOWY WEATHER

By Steve Heisler on January 20, 2009

Two people lost their lives and approximately 12 were severely injured as a result of a massive auto and tractor-trailer pileup on Interstate 70 in rural Washington County, Maryland on January 19,2008.

The Maryland auto accident involved 42 vehicles and authorities are in part blaming the incident on the snowy weather conditions.

There is no dispute that driving in snowy and icy conditions is a serious hazard. Here are ten safety tips for driving in snow and ice, courtesy of Mac Demere of Edmunds.com (www.edmunds.com).:

1. If driving on snow, use snow tires! To have sufficient snow traction your tires should have at least 6/32-inch deep tread.
2. Be sure to keep your windows clean. Replace your windshield wipers and make sure the windshield wiper system works and the anti-icing fluid is topped out.
3. Use the air conditioner to remove frost and ice from the windows. The air conditioner can be set to “hot”.
4. Make sure your headlights are functioning properly and free of snow.
5. Be sure to learn how to properly use anti-lock brakes. Think stomp, stay and steer Stomp on the brake “as if you were trying to snap it off”. “Stay hard on the pedal. Steer around the obstacle”, says Demere.
6. Keep an eye out for black ice. Black ice may appear to be a harmless puddle but it can be deadly. Demere says to “…test the traction with a smooth brake application or slight turn of the wheel”.
7. Don’t forget that bridges and intersections tend to ice up. Look for water that runs across the road.
8. If your front tire loses traction due to an icy patch on the road DO NOT continue to turn the steering wheel. The car will turn whichever way the wheels are pointed and you could end up striking a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.
9. Make sure your back tires have as much tread as your front. Select a car with ESC (Electronic Stability Control). ESC will be mandatory on all 2012 vehicles.
10. Don’t be tricked that technology will always save you from an accident. All Wheel Drive and Electronic Stability Control are important but do not guarantee your safety. Drive cautiously in snow and ice.

Should you find yourself involved in a Maryland Tractor-Trailer Accident, feel free to contact me by e-mail (sheisler@injurylawyermd.com) or by phone at 877-228-4878.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Injuries, Tractor-Trailer Accidents |

MARYLAND BICYCLISTS BEWARE OF RIDING THROUGH CROSSWALKS!

By Steve Heisler on January 15, 2009

Lafayette, Colorado teenager Jaideep Mangat was seriously injured in September of 2008 when he was struck by a pickup truck while riding his bicycle through a crosswalk.

According to Michael Bluejay of Bicyclesafe.com, collisions involving cars turning right at an intersection and striking bicycle riders in crosswalks are very common.

“Cars aren’t expecting bikes in the crosswalk, so you have to be careful to avoid this one,” says Bluejay.

Bluejay adds that one study revealed that sidewalk-riding is twice as hazardous as road riding.

How to avoid this kind of collision? Bluejay recommends getting a headlight (in most states this is the law), riding slow enough so that you’re able to come to a complete stop if required, and don’t ride on the sidewalk to begin with.

“Crossing between sidewalks can be a fairly dangerous maneuver. If you do it on the left hand side of the street, you risk getting slammed. If you do it on the right hand side of the street, you risk getting slammed by a car behind you that’s turning right. You also risk getting hit by cars pulling out of parking lots and driveways. These kind of accidents are hard to avoid, which is a compelling reason to not ride on the sidewalk in the first place,” states Bluejay.

If you’ve been injured in a Maryland Bicycle Crosswalk Accident or have any questions, e-mail me at sheisler@injurylawyermd.com.

Posted in Bicycle Accidents, Injuries, Pedestrian Accidents |

LEGIONNAIRE BACTERIA DISCOVERED AT MARYLAND GENERAL HOSPITAL

By Steve Heisler on January 12, 2009

For the second time in the last 22 months, evidence of the deadly legionella bacteria has been reported at Maryland General Hospital.

Officials at Maryland General report that the virus was discovered on January 5th, 2009 in the shower area during routine testing of the Baltimore hospital’s water supply. While patients and staff members are being advised to drink bottled water and access to the showers are restricted, there are no reports of anyone becoming infected.

Legionnaire’s disease affects between 10,000 to 50,000 Americans every year. The disease kills between five and 30 percent of those who contract it.

Patients contact Legionnaire’s disease when they inhale vapor or mist that has bacterial contamination. It cannot be transmitted from person to person. The disease often occurs in hospitals, cruise ships and air conditioned hotels where bathtubs, whirlpool spas and hot tubs, humidifiers and plumbing systems become contaminated. Contact a Maryland Legionnaire’s Disease Lawyer if you believe you’ve been infected.

Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease include cough, chills and high fever. Victims are usually diagnosed with pneumonia. If you suspect you may have contacted Legionnaire’s disease insist that you be given a urine test and tested specifically for the disease. Once diagnosed, patients are treated with heavy doses of antibiotics. Call a Baltimore Legionnaire’s Disease Attorney to get more information.

Posted in Injuries, Legionnaire's Disease |