Maryland Personal Injury Blog

SUV-Bus Accident in Baltimore County Injures Motorist

By injuheis on January 6, 2010

According to The Baltimore Sun, an auto accident involving a school bus and an SUV took place in northeastern Baltimore County. The crash occurred shortly before 8AM. While the specifics of the accident were not discussed, it was determined that it was the SUV that crashed into the bus, an indication that the driver of the SUV may have played more of a determining role in the crash.

The driver of the SUV was taken to Franklin Square Hospital Center with non-life threatening injuries. An update on the man’s condition was not made available at the time of the article. Luckily, none of the students that were being transported to the Maryland School for the Blind in Parkville were injured.

While accidents of all kinds are dangerous, those involving school buses are especially problematic, given that a large number of children are present on a school bus and are typically not wearing seatbelts. If it is determined that a school bus driver is at fault for an accident, then that driver and the school district responsible for employing the driver can be held liable for damages resulting from the accident, including costs associated with injuries and recovery.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please don’t hesitate to contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free evaluation of your case. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will examine the details surrounding your accident, and will hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. If you’ve sustained an injury in an auto accident, contact our skilled Maryland auto accident attorneys today, and we’ll ensure that your rights are upheld in a court of law.

Source:http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bal-schoolbus1111,0,6647128.story

Posted in Auto Accidents |

Frederick County Collision Kills Damascus Motorist

By injuheis on November 10, 2009

Maryland’s local NBC affiliate’s website, your4state.co, recently reported that a two-vehicle crash that took the life of a Damascus motorist is currently being investigated. The accident took place on Bill Moxley Road in Frederick County, and involved a 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier and a 1995 Chevrolet Corsica. Authorities believe the two vehicles struck each other as they were coming over a hill. Five people were injured in the crash, with only the driver of the Cavalier succumbing to his injuries. The other accident victims riding in the Cavalier, a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old girl, sustained injury and were taken to Baltimore Shock Trauma for treatment. The driver of the Corsica, a 51-year-old man, and his female passenger also sustained injury and were also taken to Baltimore Shock Trauma. The conditions of all individuals involved were not made public.

Although this accident is still being investigated, some sort of negligent action will undoubtedly emerge as having contributed towards its occurrence. That is, negligent action that can contribute towards an auto accident can take a variety of forms. Reckless driving is one of the primary causes of all auto accidents. Driving at speeds greater than posted limits, failing to abide to traffic signage and signals, and failure to yield the right of way to other vehicles are all ways in which negligent action can lead to an auto accident. However, negligent action on the part of local municipalities can also contribute towards an accident. Specifically, if roads are not properly maintained, potential hazards are not properly made known to motorists, or traffic signage is obscured or faded to the point that such signage is illegible and, thus cannot, be followed, then the likelihood of an accident occurring is greatly increased. Regardless of the situation though, it is always a good idea to retain the services of a skilled Maryland auto accident attorney in the event that you become involved in an auto accident.

While the cause of accidents varies from one case to the next, the root of that cause is typically steeped in negligence. If you have been injured in an auto accident, don’t hesitate to contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free evaluation of your case, and his experienced attorneys will ensure that your rights are upheld at all times. His personal injury attorneys will examine the details surrounding your auto accident, and will hold negligent contributing parties accountable for their actions. Please call us today for your free consultation.

Source:http://your4state.com/content/fulltext/?cid=82461

Posted in Accidents, Auto Accidents, Injuries, Wrongful Death |

Walkersville Man Loses Control of Vehicle on MD-194

By injuheis on November 3, 2009

According to Maryland’s local NBC affiliate’s website, your4state.com, a single vehicle car crash on MD-194 and Stauffer Road took the life of a Walkersville man. According to reports, the man was in fact speeding at the time of the accident, and lost control of his vehicle before crashing. The vehicle reportedly rolled over before it ended up in a Maryland cornfield, ejecting the driver who later died at Frederick Memorial Hospital. While investigation into the crash is continuing, it is not believed that the man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.

Tragedies like this often result when Maryland motorists choose to drive recklessly. In this incident, though it was not reported as to whether or not the man was wearing his seatbelt, it is safe to assume that he either was not in fact wearing his seatbelt, or that the seatbelt in his vehicle failed, thus ejecting him from his vehicle. If the seatbelt did in fact fail, then the manufacturer of the seatbelt could in fact be held liable for injuries that resulted from the Walkersville man being thrown out of the vehicle. Thus, auto product liability could have very well played a hand in the man’s death, simply exasperating the fact that he was traveling recklessly down MD-194, which at this point in the investigation seems to be the main reason why the man lost control of the vehicle and crashed.

Not all traffic accidents are the same. While some are caused by the motorists themselves via dangerous driving technique, others are not the fault of motorists at all. Auto product liability is an issue that contributes towards too many accidents each year. If you have been injured in a traffic accident, and you believe that a faulty auto product may have played a contributing role in your accident, don’t hesitate to contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free evaluation of your case, and his experienced attorneys will ensure that your rights are upheld at all times. His experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys will examine the details surrounding your accident, and will hold negligent contributing parties accountable for their actions. Please call us today for your free consultation.

Source:http://your4state.com/content/fulltext/?cid=82222#

Posted in Accidents, Auto Accidents, Auto Product Liability, Personal Injury |

Unlicensed Driver Crashes into Maryland Apartment Building

By injuheis on October 30, 2009

According to the Associated Press, an auto accident involving a minivan and an apartment building took place on Good Luck Road. According to reports, the driver of the minivan was unlicensed and was apparently being taught how to drive by his friend. The unlicensed driver lost control of the vehicle, and crashed into a Lanham apartment building, specifically crashing through the wall of an apartment that was occupied at the time. The resident of the apartment sustained a leg injury from debris sent flying from the crash’s impact, and is lucky to be alive. The minivan came to rest on top of the bed where the apartment resident had been reclining on just minutes before the crash occurred.

While authorities are still investigating the details of the crash, it has already been determined that the driver of the vehicle is not a United States citizen and was here illegally. On top of that, the individual instructing the unlicensed driver on how to operate the motor vehicle does not possess a license either. Both individuals face reckless endangerment charges, while the driver of the crashed vehicle also faces charges of driving without a license.

Being unlicensed, and in one case undocumented, individuals, it is safe to assume that neither negligent party involved has auto insurance. However, just because those individuals do not have insurance does not mean that the victim in this accident is not entitled to compensatory damages to help pay for his medical bills, property damage, and other costs associated with the accident. In Maryland, insurance companies are required to provide uninsured motorist coverage to ALL policy holders. While the individuals responsible for the accident are criminally charged, it is essential that the victim in this accident seek the sound legal advice of a skilled Maryland personal injury attorney.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident, even if, as in this case, you weren’t even in a motor vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free evaluation of your case, and his experienced attorneys will ensure that your rights are upheld at all times. Personal injury claims should not be ignored, and those responsible for your injuries should be held accountable for their actions. Please call us today for your free consultation.

Source:http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hT-WGg3in1dC50oMrbKk4M9cvkNAD9B5L0DO1

Posted in Auto Accidents, Personal Injury |

Drugs More Deadly Than Car Accidents, For Now

By injuheis on October 26, 2009

A recent Associated Press article revealed that the number of deaths caused by drugs is now greater than the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents in the state of Maryland. It has been speculated that more commonly prescribed painkilling opiates are to blame, and that doctors and physicians are prescribing the substances at a much greater rate than in previous years. According to an epidemiologist with the CDCP, “People see a car accident as something that might happen to them,” but may view drug overdose “as something that’s not going to happen to them.” With estimates labeling one in five U.S. adults as being prescribed an opiate of some kind each year, the question arises as to whether or not the number of motor vehicle accidents will eventually once again surpass the number of drug deaths, particularly since the likelihood of individuals driving while under the influence of prescription medication is bound to rise as the number of patients dependent on painkillers continues to increase.

The epidemiologist also added that the drop in traffic fatalities is “considered one of the great public health triumphs” in recent history, but such a drop certainly won’t benefit if more and more individuals find themselves able to easily acquire prescription painkillers. The issues of medical malpractice and reckless driving are both brought into question here. In one regard, while the vast majority of medical professionals prescribe painkillers because their patients do in fact need them, all medical personnel needs to more vigilant in deciphering between a need for medication, and an unnecessary dependency on it. Furthermore, lax judgment in regard to prescribing such medications needs to be addressed to ensure that the safety of not only the medicated individual, but of all other individuals in Maryland, is given careful consideration.

Consequently, while the number of traffic fatalities has thankfully decreased, the number of traffic accidents remains vulnerable to being negatively impacted by the increase of medicated individuals out and about on Maryland roads and highways. Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of either drugs or alcohol constitutes utter reckless, and all incidents that are deemed as such become the responsibility of those individuals that chose to exhibit and partake in such dangerous behavior. Any time one person is injured because of the negligent action of another, an experienced personal injury attorney in Maryland should be consulted to ensure that the rights of the injured party are upheld in a court of law.

If you have been injured in a traffic accident, whether it was caused by an utter disregard for traffic laws or because the other party involved chose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, don’t hesitate to contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free evaluation of your case, and his experienced attorneys will ensure that your rights are upheld at all times. Please call us today for your free consultation.

Source Article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gdz4JUVbE5HtzJ5ceT6ERTpfI_6gD9B1TECG3

Posted in Accidents, Auto Accidents, Injuries, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death |

Miles Driven Up, Traffic Fatalities Down

By injuheis on October 14, 2009

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System Encyclopedia, there were 2,926 billion vehicle miles driven in 2008. In 1994, there were 2,358 billion vehicle miles driven. With an increase in miles driven nationwide, one would assume that the number of traffic accidents resulting in fatality would have undoubtedly risen as well. Luckily for motorists, such as those in Maryland, the number of fatalities has actually decreased, a possible sign that automobile safety is more seriously being taken into consideration by both motorists and automobile manufacturers.

According to the report, there were a total of 36,254 motor vehicle crashes resulting in fatality in 1994. In 2008, the number of motor vehicle crashes resulting in fatality was 34,017. Not only do these fatality numbers represent a 6% decrease, but they also indicate that safety measures, roadway conditions, or some other determining factor was put into effect over the 14 year period to help diminish the number of crashes. However, upon examining the report, one will notice that, while 2008 totals are the lowest they’ve been since 1994, there had been a steady increase in the number of motor vehicle crashes involving fatalities from 1994 to 2005. The following figures show the most recent trend in regard to the number of motor vehicle fatalities:

• 2005: Number of motor vehicle crashes resulting in fatality = 39,252
• 2006: Number of motor vehicle crashes resulting in fatality = 38,648
• 2007: Number of motor vehicle crashes resulting in fatality = 37,435
• 2008: Number of motor vehicle crashes resulting in fatality = 34,017

One possible explanation for why numbers have diminished over the last few years could be that people are driving less, but the report shows that the number of vehicle miles driven has stayed relatively static over the years. One could reason that while people are driving just as much each year as they had in recent years past, motorists might simply be practicing safer driving techniques. Regardless, these figures need to be looked at in two ways. In one regard, there are fewer fatalities caused by motor vehicle crashes on a yearly basis now than there had been in the past. And two, there are still a large number of motorists that lose their lives each year because of a variety of factors, including driver inattention and general negligence, poor road conditions, and faulty automobile parts that warrant safe driving practice less likely to occur.

If you have suffered personal injury as the result of a traffic accident, or a loved one has lost his or her life, you’ll need a skilled Maryland auto accident attorney on your side to help sort through the details of the incident. Please call Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free evaluation of your case, and he will ensure that those responsible for personal injury and wrongful death are held accountable for their actions.

Source Article: http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

Posted in Auto Accidents, Personal Injury |

Police Officer Injured by Truck on Baltimore-Washington Parkway

By injuheis on October 7, 2009

According to The Baltimore Sun, a male police officer was injured while conducting a routine traffic stop on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway near Route 197. After having pulled a vehicle over to the side of the road, the officer parked, exited his own vehicle, and began writing up the traffic citation. A pickup truck, having left the roadway, proceeded to plow into the back of the parked police cruiser, which in turn careened into the vehicle the police officer was issuing the traffic citation to. The officer, who had been standing at the driver’s side window of the pulled over car, was forced underneath the police cruiser and was dragged for about 40 feet.

The police officer was taken to Washington Hospital Center for treatment. His injuries were deemed nonlife-threatening, an excellent outcome in any traffic related accident. However, many victims of traffic accidents are not so lucky, and severe injury is often sustained, particularly when a person is dragged any length of distance by an operating vehicle.

At the time of this article, it was not determined whether or not the driver of the pickup was under the influence of any sort of illicit substance, or simply chose to drive recklessly, injuring another person in the process. The driver of the truck was taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center for observation, and it was not made public whether or not the driver sustained any sort of injury. The circumstances surrounding this accident will undoubtedly be revealed after an investigation, one which will attribute fault towards one or more determining factors that caused the crash.

Not all accident victims are as lucky as the police officer was. Often times, injury sustained is so great that recovery time can prevent a person from going about their daily routine, even forcing that person out of work. However, it should be noted that monetary loss associated with traffic accidents does not need to burden the victim. Those responsible for the traffic accident can and should be held liable for their actions, and monetary compensation should be awarded to injured victims.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury as the result of a traffic accident, you’ll need an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer on your side to help sort through the details of the incident. Please call Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, for a free evaluation of your case. Steven H. Heisler and his attorneys will ensure that your rights as an accident victim are never infringed upon.

Source:http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/commuting/bal-bwparkway0825,0,4126752.story

Posted in Accidents, Auto Accidents, Injuries, Personal Injury |

4 Seriously Injured in Severn Car Crash

By injuheis on September 30, 2009

Car accidents can happen in a matter of seconds and create vast amounts of destruction. The Baltimore Sun recently reported that a total of 10 people were injured in a two-vehicle crash in Severn, Maryland. The accident took place near the intersection of Still Meadows Drive and Jacobs Road. Anne Arundel police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Of the 10 victims, only one sustained life-threatening injuries. Four others were deemed to have serious injuries, while the four remaining victims suffered only minor injuries. In total, six adults and four children were injured in the crash.

Although there is no theory as to why the accident occurred, one would imagine that any intersection accident may involve negligence of some kind. All it takes is for one vehicle to disobey a rule of the road, and the lives of others can unfortunately be put into grave danger. Driver inattention can also lead to accidents, as can a lack of common sense, as in the case when drivers choose to operate their vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Furthermore, dangerous road conditions, such as uneven roads, obstructed traffic signals, or even leftover road-side construction materials can all play a significant factor in causing an automobile accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury as the result of an automobile accident, you’ll need a skilled Maryland car accident lawyer on your side to help sort through the details of your case. Please call Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free evaluation of your case, and his experienced attorneys will ensure that your rights are upheld at all times.

Source Article:http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/anne-arundel/bal-md.briefs200jul20002018,0,1479778.story

Posted in Auto Accidents, Personal Injury |

Maryland Street Intersection Accident Kills One, Injures One

By injuheis on August 18, 2009

One person died and another suffered major personal injury after a van and a landscaper’s truck collided in Montgomery County. According to a news report in the Baltimore Sun, the fatal traffic collision occurred in the 28000 block of Kemptom Road in Damascus, Maryland. Police said the driver of the van died at the scene and that the driver of the landscaping truck suffered several injuries and is in critical condition. Police are still investigating what caused the fatal crash.

Investigating the cause of a car crash or traffic collision is extremely important. If you or a loved one is involved in a serious auto accident that involves major injury or death, it is in your best interest to retain the services of an experienced and skilled Maryland auto accident attorney, who will follow up with the investigation, remain on your side, look out for your best interests and fight for your rights. Accident investigations can be complex and it takes someone with comprehensive knowledge of Maryland traffic laws to analyze all aspects of such an incident. In cases where the at-fault party is on-the-job, his or her employer could also be held liable for the victim’s injuries. Cases that involve more than one defendant can get complicated pretty quickly.

If you are looking to pursue your legal rights in a Maryland intersection accident case, please contact the law office of Steven H. Heisler to find out more information about how you can proceed with your case. We offer free consultations and case evaluations. We will remain with you every step of the way, keep you updated and informed and make sure you are fairly compensated for your injuries, damages and loss.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death |

Maryland Motorcycle Accident Injures Man

By injuheis on August 11, 2009

A man was injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident on Mapleville Road, the Herald-Mail reports in an article. The motorcyclist was traveling south on Mapleville near Beaver Creek Road when he lost control of his 2003 Yamaha motorcycle, Maryland State Police said. He was thrown off the motorcycle and crashed into several trees and shrubs; however, he suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Motorcycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries – sometimes, injuries that can leave you disabled for a lifetime. Medical treatment for these injuries and long-term care, if it becomes necessary, can cost a lot of money. In solo crashes, it is important to look into whether there was a dangerous road condition or a mechanical problem or defective auto product in the motorcycle that caused the rider to lose control. Where there are other vehicles involved, it is critical to get all information about the other party, such as license plate, insurance, driver’s license number and witness information. If the other party is determined to be at-fault, then you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and loss.

Along with quality medical treatment and care, you also need to seek out and consult with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who has a sound understanding of Maryland motorcycle and traffic laws. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident, please contact Maryland motorcycle injury lawyer, Steven H. Heisler, for a free consultation. He represents clients involved in a variety of motorcycle accidents that involve head trauma, defective auto products and defective helmets. Steven H. Heisler will fight for your rights while remaining sensitive to special and unique issues you face as an injury victim. Call today for a free case evaluation.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Motorcycle Accident, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death |