Maryland Personal Injury Blog

Maryland’s Campaign against Distracted Driving Wins Praise

By injuheis on July 7, 2010

According to WJLA, a new report shows that the fight against driving while distracted is working, but not everyone is engaging. Many drivers continue to text, place phone calls, and participate in other distracting behaviors instead of focusing attention on the road. As a result, local governments have passed stronger laws and education campaigns against distracted driving. In 2003, only 17 states collected distracted driving data if there was an accident. Today 43 states collect distracted driving data.

Maryland has made significant strides in its campaign to prevent distracted driving. It has a texting while driving ban. The governor recently signed into law a ban against using a cell phone without a hands free device. Drivers under 18 cannot use cell phones while driving, even with a hands free device. The Maryland Senate is also considering making it illegal to read a text message while driving. Maryland also has included distracted driving in its overall state safety program.

Tragically, in 2008, 34 residents were killed as a result of distracted driving in Maryland. Almost 6,000 people were killed in 2008 nationwide as a result of distracted driving. If you or someone you know was injured by a distracted driver, you have legal rights. The distracted driver may be liable for damages to your automobile, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

For an experienced auto accident attorney in Baltimore who is dedicated to helping automobile accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve, contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, at 877-228-4878 for your free consultation. As a Maryland injury attorney with years of experience handling car accident cases, Mr. Heisler has the legal knowledge you need to be successful with your case.

Posted in Auto Accidents |

Anne Arundel County Hit and Run Accident Kills Highway Worker

By injuheis on June 23, 2010

Tragically, a highway worker was killed earlier this month in Anne Arundel County. He was the first highway worker killed in Maryland since 2006.

Based on a Washington Post report, the employee was working in the left lane of a highway at 1 a.m. His truck, with a flashing light on top, was three lanes away. A vehicle struck him and left the scene. While the worker was lying in the road, a tractor trailer hit him. The driver did not see the injured man in time to stop.

Sadly, the worker was not following safety protocols at the time of his death. Investigators are uncertain why he was on the road at that time. He was required to have a spotter, which he did not have. In addition, safety rules require that any road work should take place within 100 feet in front of his work vehicle. He was, however, wearing reflective clothing. An ambulance coincidentally arrived at the scene within minutes after the accident but the individual was declared dead at the scene.

On average, there is one work zone fatality every 10 hours in the United States, and a work zone injury every 13 minutes. This fatal MD vehicle accident did not have to occur. In addition to the employee following proper safety rules, the driver who struck him should have reacted differently. The driver should have stopped, alerted 911, and taken steps to insure that additional vehicles did not strike the victim.

Have you or a loved one been seriously hurt in a Maryland automobile accident as the result of someone else’s negligence? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. You need a dedicated, experienced, caring auto accident lawyer in Baltimore. Contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” today at 877-228-4878 for a free consultation. Our attorneys will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.

Posted in Auto Accidents |

Maryland Car Crash Kills 3 Pennsylvania Residents

By injuheis on May 17, 2010

Three residents of Pennsylvania were killed and a fourth injured in a Maryland car crash that occurred eastbound on I-68 near exit 52 sometime between the night of May 4 and the morning of May 5. The 2008 Ford Mustang in which they were riding left the road, striking a median before crossing two lanes of traffic and hitting a hillside. According to a Baltimore Sun report, the car then went 100 yards over an embankment, ejecting three people from the vehicle.

A fourth passenger was found on the shoulder of the road after climbing up the embankment. She flagged down a State Highway Administration Worker for help. It is not clear how long she had been seeking help. She was lying down beside the road by the time help arrived. She is currently in stable condition. She was the only passenger in the automobile who was wearing a seatbelt.

The investigation into the fatal Maryland auto accident is ongoing. Police are not sure what caused the vehicle to strike the median.

Car accidents in Maryland can be extremely serious. If you have been injured in an auto accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident, contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, for a free evaluation of your case. Auto accident lawyers in Baltimore, like Mr. Heisler, can help automobile accident victims receive the compensation that they deserve. For a free consultation of your case, call 877-228-4878 today.

Posted in Auto Accidents |

Maryland Moves Closer to Cell Phone Ban

By injuheis on April 19, 2010

The Maryland Senate recently passed a ban on using cell phones while driving. The bill will be sent to the House for a vote. The bill will ban the use of cell phones while driving in most circumstances. However, the offense will be a “secondary offense”, which means a law enforcement officer cannot pull over a motorist unless the officer sees another infraction being committed.

Driving while distracted is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents in Maryland and throughout the United States. According to a Virginia Tech study, the number one source of driver inattention is the use of a wireless device. In addition, drivers that use cell phones are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. One study even showed that the use of a cell phone while driving lowered the driver’s reaction time as much as having a blood alcohol level of .08!

If you are involved in an automobile accident, and you suspect that accident was caused by the other driver’s use of a cell phone or other wireless device, you should document your reasons for those suspicions. Talk to the police officer at the scene. If possible, take pictures of any cell phone or wireless device that may have been used. If the other driver was at fault, that driver may be responsible for not only vehicle damages, but also medical bills and other compensatory damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, please do not hesitate to call Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” a free consultation. As an experienced Maryland car accident injury attorney, Mr. Heisler will work diligently to ensure that your rights are protected in your Maryland automobile accident case. Call 877-228- 4878 today to learn more about how Steven H. Heisler can help you obtain the compensation that you deserve.

Source:http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2010/03/cell_phone_ban_passes_in_a_squ.html;http://www.nationwide.com/newsroom/dwd-facts-figures.jsp

Posted in Auto Accidents |

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/fulltext?nxd_id=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/fulltext?nxd_id=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 | 1 Comment

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 |