Drive Safely this Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend
By admin on November 22, 2011
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the roads will be very crowded this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which it defines as November 23 through 27. Since the recession, holiday travel had dropped. Last year, 40.9 million Americans traveled during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Even though the state of the economy is still uncertain, AAA estimates this year’s Thanksgiving weekend travelers to total 42.5 million.
Thanksgiving is a highly anticipated and delicious holiday. People look forward to it, not just because of the traditional feast that comes with it, but because they can celebrate in the company of family and friends. When traveling to family and friends, however, it is important to drive safely so that you can make it to your destination. Focusing on the road is especially important as the weather becomes more rainy and snowy.
It is natural to be impatient on your way to a Thanksgiving celebration, especially if you are hungry, but it is important to consciously keep your focus on the road and driving. Following these tips will help make sure you arrive in time for turkey in one piece:
- Buckle-up – Seat belts can protect you from serious injury and even save your life in the event of an accident.
- Avoid distractions – Turn off your cell phone or give it to a passenger.
- Drive sober – Celebrate at Thanksgiving, not on the way to or on the way from your Thanksgiving celebration.
Every motorist is responsible for his or her own safety, as well as the safety of other motorists on the road. When a driver is distracted, reckless, or otherwise negligent, he or she increases the risk of an auto accident and a missed holiday celebration. If you have been injured in a Maryland car crash caused by the negligence of another, contact the experienced car accident attorney in Baltimore, Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a consultation. Mr. Heisler will examine the details of your case to determine whether you have a valid personal injury claim. To learn more about your legal rights and options, call (877) 228-4878 today.
Safe Driving Tips for Maryland Motorists during Deer Mating Season
By admin on November 2, 2011
In states with large deer populations, November is a dangerous month for motorists, especially on rural roads. It is the beginning of rutting, or mating, season when deer actively travel in search of mates and they are not opposed to crossing roads to find them.
According to a Cecil Whig article, Maryland has a deer population of approximately 234,000 and ranked 13th for deer-vehicle collisions in the nation in 2010. This is a small increase from the previous year, despite the general nationwide decline. Approximately 30,000 motorists hit deer annually in Maryland, resulting in an average cost of $3,000 per accident.
As the month of November begins, motorists need to be especially careful on Maryland roads. According to Maryland State Police (MDSP) Corporal E. P. Masaracchia, there has been an increase in calls concerning morning deer-vehicle collisions, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service confirmed that deer activity is increasing, especially at dawn and dusk. In order to help motorists stay safe in the next several weeks, DNR offers the following safety tips:
- Slow down, do not swerve to avoid hitting a deer;
- Deer standing on the side of the road can unexpectedly step in front of a vehicle. Slow down and use the horn to scare it away;
- If one deer crosses the road, there may be more. Deer usually travel in groups, so slow down and proceed cautiously;
- Be especially aware of deer-crossings in the early morning and late afternoon, as deer generally move from daytime resting spots to evening feeding areas; and
- Slow down and stay alert in areas with deer-crossing signs.
Following these guidelines will help you prevent a deer-vehicle accident, as well as prevent accidents with other vehicles. Knowing what to do when a deer crosses the road is important in keeping vehicle occupants safe, especially in multiple lanes of traffic. Swerving to avoid a deer may put you in the path of another vehicle. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Maryland car crash as the result of another motorist’s negligent or reckless driving, contact the experienced Baltimore traffic collision attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a consultation at (877) 228-4878. Mr. Heisler can help you get the compensation you deserve.
October Brings New Laws to Maryland Roads
By admin on October 14, 2011
The fall season has finally arrived and with it, some important new laws for Maryland drivers. There are three laws that went into effect on October 1, 2011, which are expected to strengthen traffic enforcement and close loopholes in existing legislation, according to The Washington Post. The first law updates Maryland’s texting while driving law, the second broadens drunk driving penalties, and the third legalizes criminal prosecution of drivers who cause fatal accidents.
Texting
Although Maryland has had a texting ban for more than a year, it was only considered a secondary offense. In an effort to decrease the number of distracted driving accidents in Maryland, the new law makes reading and sending text messages a primary offense, which means that a police officer can pull over a driver who is texting for no other reason than that. Drivers using GPS on their cell phone or other mobile devices and those who are sending an emergency text are exempt from prosecution under the new law.
Drunk Drivers
Another new law requires that all repeat drunk driving offenders use an ignition interlock device, which requires a breath sample before allowing the car to start. Some other drunk driving offenses will also require the use of the ignition interlock device, including underage DUI and extreme DUI (with a BAC over twice the legal limit).
Causing a Fatal Accident
Finally, a new law allows for the criminal prosecution of drivers who, through negligence, cause the death of pedestrians, bicyclists, occupants of other vehicles, and others. The actual law stipulates that it is “a misdemeanor for a person to cause the death of another as a result of the person’s driving, operating or controlling a vehicle or vessel in a criminally negligent manner.”
Maryland has taken many steps in the right direction in its effort to decrease serious injury and fatal car accidents. Unfortunately, until each and every person complies with every law, car accidents will continue to cause injury and death. If you have been injured in a Maryland auto accident as the result of another’s negligence, contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” today. Mr. Heisler is an experienced Baltimore car crash attorney and can help you understand your legal rights and options. Call today at (877) 228-4878 for a consultation.
Maryland Joins NHTSA “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” DUI Enforcement Campaign with “Checkpoint Strikeforce” Enforcement Program
By admin on September 2, 2011
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving kills approximately 11,000 people every year. In fact, in just one day, drunk driving crashes cause injury to 1,440 people and death to 29. Further frightening statistics state that between midnight and three a.m., a person is killed in a drunk driving accident every 23 minutes. All of these injuries and deaths can be prevented.
Driving while intoxicated is not an accident, it is a choice. Any person who gets behind the wheel while drunk completely disregards the safety of others. Now, as the Labor Day holiday weekend approaches, state highway safety officers and local law enforcement are teaming up to crackdown on drivers who endanger the lives of others.
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is joining the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort with their 6-month “Checkpoint Strikeforce” drunk driving enforcement and education program. The program began in July with both a media and enforcement campaign. Law enforcement will be primarily focused on mass saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints in specific areas that have had a high number of impaired driving-related collisions.
National and state efforts to decrease impaired driving crashes are only one piece of the solution. Until each and every person commits to never drinking and driving, we will continue to see devastating statistics related to drunk driving. If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving collision in Maryland, the experienced Baltimore auto accident attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” can help you hold the negligent driver liable for their actions. Call Mr. Heisler today to learn more about your legal options at (877) 228-4878.
Maryland Drivers Can Now Dial 5-1-1 for Travel Information Thanks to SHA
By admin on August 18, 2011
Being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic can wreck havoc on your schedule. What makes matters worse is that you have no way of knowing how much longer it will take you to reach your destination, until now. Maryland’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has launched a free phone system that provides drivers with travel information.
The System
Maryland drivers who want to make sure the way is clear before hitting the road to go to work, go home, or take a trip can call 5-1-1, designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to find out if there are road repairs, auto accidents, or other obstacles that may disrupt their commute. This new system also includes a website where users can setup a profile and create personalized travel plans.
A Warning
The acting SHA Administrator is encouraging Maryland residents to take advantage of this beneficial system, but also gives a warning. Using a handheld cell phone and texting while driving are both banned in Maryland. Drivers who wish to check the road forecast are expected to do so before leaving or after stopping at a safe location. Distracted driving is very dangerous, even in slower moving traffic.
Distracted Driving Statistics
According to the SHA, 34 people were killed and another 11,578 were injured in Maryland distracted driving accidents in 2008. Of the total 24,769 crashes that year, 32 percent involved rear-end collisions, which, even at low speeds, can cause serious back and/or neck trauma.
A Driver’s Responsibility
Each and every person is required to obey all traffic laws and practice safe driving once they get behind the wheel. The state is trying to make travel less stressful for Maryland residents, but the new information system does not give drivers permission to be inattentive. As an experienced traffic accident attorney in Maryland, Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” has handled many types of auto accident cases, including intersection accidents, hazardous roadway accidents, and distracted driving accidents.
If you have been injured in a car crash as the result of another’s negligence, Mr. Heisler can help you pursue fair compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. Call today for a consultation at 877-228-4878. You may also follow him on his MD Injury Law Twitter account for valuable information and topics of interest.
Annapolis Police Department Does Their Part for Zero Maryland Traffic Deaths
By admin on August 1, 2011
Maryland has implemented a statewide initiative to greatly reduce the number of traffic fatalities to zero in August, historically the deadliest month for traffic accidents in Maryland. According to The Historic Annapolis Patch, the Annapolis Police Department (APD) will be fully participating in the statewide “Toward Zero Deaths” effort to significantly reduce fatal traffic accidents during August.
According to an APD news release, there were 500 traffic accident deaths in Maryland during 2010. To reach the goal of zero for August, the APD is sending driver’s a message to slow down, drive sober, and pay attention to both the road and other motorists.
As part of the Toward Zero Deaths effort, the APD will be increasing enforcement in high accident rate areas throughout the city, including West Street and Forest Drive. They will be stepping up seat belt enforcement as well as conducting sobriety checkpoints, as seat belt violations and driving while impaired are leading factors in traffic fatalities. There were 2,275 traffic deaths between 2005 and 2009, over half of which were caused by speeding, lack of seat belt use, or impairment, according to the State Highway Administration (SHA).
Rockville City Police, as well as other law enforcement agencies, will be joining the APD in stepping up enforcement, especially at night. There will be zero tolerance for driving impaired and seat belt violations.
Maryland law enforcement is on the right track, but unless motorists make a conscious decision to wear their seat belt, pay attention to the road, and never drink and drive, reaching zero deaths will be a difficult task. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one as the result of a fatal Maryland traffic accident, you may seek compensation by filing a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” is an experienced wrongful death attorney in Maryland and can help you understand your legal rights. Call Mr. Heisler for a consultation today at (877) 228-4878.
Intersection Crash in Arnold Kills 71-Year-Old Woman
By admin on July 11, 2011
An elderly woman died this week after the car in which she was a passenger was struck by another car that ran a red light. According to The Baltimore Sun, the fatal Maryland auto accident occurred at the intersection of Ritchie Highway and College Parkway in Arnold, MD. An investigation is still ongoing.
According to Anne Arundel County police, a 2002 Honda Accord was traveling north on Ritchie Highway when it ran the red light at the Ritchie Highway and College Parkway intersection. It hit the passenger side of a 2004 Audi A8L, in which the 71-year-old was a passenger. The Audi was headed south on Ritchie Highway and was hit while trying to make a left-hand turn onto College Parkway. The force of the impact caused the Audi to collide with another car, a 1998 Ford Contour, which was also making a left-hand turn. The elderly woman was taken to a hospital where she died of her injuries. The drivers of the Honda and Audi survived but were treated for injuries.
Driving safely through traffic intersections can be difficult because they involve multiple vehicles moving in multiple directions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 399,000 injury crashes that involved intersections with a traffic signal in 2009. In the same year, there were 2,411 fatal accidents that involved intersections with a traffic signal.
Following traffic laws and obeying traffic signals are essential to traveling safely on urban and even rural roads. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a Maryland car accident because another driver failed to obey traffic laws, “The Injury Lawyer,” Steven H. Heisler, can help. Mr. Heisler is an experienced Baltimore intersection accident attorney and can help you understand your legal rights and advise you on the best course of legal action for your specific situation. Call his office today at 877-228-4878.
The Reality of Distracted Driving Accidents in Maryland
By admin on May 25, 2011
Distracted driving, especially involving cell phones, is a leading cause of traffic accident injuries and fatalities, but it is also an easily preventable cause. Although much focus is given to the distraction caused by cell phones, other forms of distraction or inattention, such as eating, drinking, dealing with loose pets, grooming, or settling children are just as dangerous.
Over 5,000 people were killed nationwide in distracted driving accidents last year, despite the emergence of stricter laws concerning the use of cell phones and other electronic devices. Maryland is one of eight states that have banned handheld cell phones for all drivers. Banning cell phone use is only one step in preventing distracted driving car accidents in Maryland.
According to the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), there were 24,769 inattentive driver accidents in Maryland in 2008. These accidents claimed 34 lives and injured 11,578 people. Almost half of these Maryland car crashes were rear-end collisions. In order to decrease these numbers, drivers have to consciously decide not to compromise the safety of themselves, their passengers, or other motorists by becoming distracted. This is the only way to truly prevent distracted driving accidents, injuries, and fatalities in Maryland, and the nation.
Unfortunately, until everyone commits to not eating, drinking, using their cell phone, reading, or handling pets or children while driving, distracted driving accidents will continue to occur. There are legal ramifications that may help remind people of the dangers of distracted driving, however.
Distracted drivers who cause accident injuries and fatalities may be held liable for the damages they cause. Dedicated Baltimore auto accident lawyer, Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” helps injured Maryland car crash victims understand their legal rights and options so that they may make an informed decision regarding the legal action they wish to take. Please contact Mr. Heisler today at 877-228-4878 so that he may answer any questions you may have.
New Maryland Law Implements Harsher Penalties for Fatal Traffic Crashes
By admin on May 17, 2011
Maryland welcomes the warmer May weather with a new law that was passed in April and applies stricter penalties for motorists involved in Maryland vehicle accidents that result in the death of another, be it pedestrian, bicyclist, or other motorist. The bill (HB363) is termed “Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel-Criminal Negligence,” and will go into effect on October 1, 2011. The new law increases the penalties for criminally negligent Maryland motorists that cause or are otherwise involved in fatal Maryland auto accidents.
As stated in the bill:
- “A person may not cause the death of another as the result of the person’s driving, operating, or controlling a vehicle or vessel in a criminally negligent manner.”
- As defined by the bill, a criminally negligent manner, as it pertains to a fatal result, infers that “the person should be aware, but fails to perceive, that the person’s conduct creates a substantial and unjustifiable risk that such a result will occur; and the failure to perceive constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that would be exercised by a reasonable person.”
If a motorist is guilty of the above, they have committed a misdemeanor and are subject to imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
In order to prevent fatal vehicle accidents in Maryland, motorists must be alert and well aware of their surroundings and actions. Countless people lose their lives when a motorist does not recognize the risks of their actions. “The Injury Lawyer” Steven H. Heisler is an experienced Maryland auto accident attorney and has successfully helped many Maryland car accident victims receive the compensation they deserve from negligent parties. Please contact Mr. Heisler for a free confidential consultation today at 877-228-4878.
Maryland Work Zone Cameras an Effort to Reduce Accidents
By injuheis on May 2, 2011
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) recognizes the problem of Maryland work zone auto accidents and, in addition to its Work Zone Safety and Mobility safety program, has implemented its Safe Zones program. This automated speed enforcement program uses traffic cameras in work zones to cite motorists travelling at unsafe speeds. Work zones change the speed and direction of traffic and so it is important that motorists drive accordingly. Many motorists don’t, however, and endanger the safety of state employees, other motorists, and themselves.
The installed Maryland work zone cameras photograph drivers that are travelling at least 12 mph over the posted speed limit. Since the implementation of these cameras 17 months ago, they have amassed a total of 497,447 citations throughout the state. Each citation requires a fine of $40. The automatic issuing of citations is hoped to motivate drivers to decrease their speed in work zones, and thus prevent a Maryland work zone accident.
According to the SHA, an average of 584 fatal work zone accidents and 39,786 injury work zone accidents occur every year, causing an average of 636 fatalities and 63,253 injuries yearly. Many of these are rear-end auto accidents. The installation of speed enforcement cameras is expected to decrease these numbers in the years to come.
Even with decreased occurrences, Maryland work zone crashes are still a problem. When drivers do not follow the posted speed limit they endanger themselves and any motorists or pedestrians around them. If such a driver should cause an injury auto accident, they may be held liable for victims’ financial and/or emotional losses.
The knowledgeable Baltimore car crash lawyer, Steven Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” helps injured victims of Maryland auto accidents recover fair compensation from negligent parties. Call today for a free confidential consultation about your potential injury claim at 877-862-6288.