Maryland Personal Injury Blog

Maryland Man Killed in Fatal Pedestrian Accident

By injuheis on August 25, 2009

A 67-year-old Maryland man was killed in a pedestrian accident on a residential street after he was hit by an out-of-control car, according to this news report. The man apparently parked his car and walked out to get a real estate pamphlet from a front yard. Around that time, an 18-year-old driving a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire lost control of his car while negotiating a curve, overcorrected and struck the pedestrian. The Pontiac rolled over and rested on his roof. The pedestrian died in the hospital of numerous injuries sustained during the collision. The teenager was treated at a hospital and released with non life-threatening injuries. Alcohol was not a factor in this car crash, officials said.

Pedestrian accidents or traffic collisions happen for a variety of reasons. Some involve distracted, speeding or careless drivers. Others involve drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In some cases, a dangerous roadway could play a role. It’s not clear what exactly caused the teenager to lose control and strike the pedestrian in this particular Maryland pedestrian accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious personal injury as a result of a negligent driver, you may be eligible to receive significant compensation for your injuries and loss. Where there is negligence or wrongdoing involved, families of deceased victims may seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. An experienced MD pedestrian accident attorney like Steven H. Heisler will be able to explain your legal rights and options in an auto accident case. Please call us today for a free consultation. We will work hard to make sure that you get the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve in your case.

Posted in Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death |

Baltimore Proposes Speeding Cameras Near School and Construction Zones

By injuheis on August 4, 2009

A proposal that would allow speed cameras to be installed around school and construction zones in Baltimore, Maryland, received an initial stamp of approval from the City Council recently. If the measure passes, the cameras could be online and in use by October, the Baltimore Sun reports in an account. This is apparently part of the city’s effort to address the problem of speeding around schools and construction zones. The use of speed cameras was first proposed in 2007 as part of a traffic control plan. However the city needed approval from the General Assembly before these cameras could be used.

In May, Maryland legislators passed a law allowing the use of speed cameras within half a mile of school zones and road construction sites. If caught speeding, a motorist could receive a $40 ticket in the mail based on vehicle registration and license plate number. State law requires that signs be posted in areas where these speed cameras are in use.

Hopefully, these speed cameras will do to speeding motorists what red light cameras do to red light runners. Research and studies have found that at intersections with red light cameras, motorists are far less likely to run a red light, which often is the cause some car accidents in Maryland. Similarly, we hope that these speed cameras deter motorists from speeding especially in schools and construction sites where the probability of vehicle versus pedestrian collisions is much higher.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured as a result of a speeding or negligent motorist, you would be well-advised to consult an experienced Maryland auto accident attorney who will fight for your rights. Maryland personal injury lawyer Steven H. Heisler has the knowledge, skill and experience it takes to get you the compensation your rightfully deserve in your auto accident case. Please call him today for a free consultation.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Maryland Laws, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury |

Maryland Pedestrian Accident Kills Two

By injuheis on May 19, 2009

A teen and a 7-year-old boy were killed in a Maryland pedestrian accident when they were struck by an automobile on the night of April 19, 2009, according to an Associated Press news report. Maryland State Police officials said 19-year-old Larenta McFarland of Cheverly and 7-year-old Richard Young of Largo were hit by a sport utility vehicle in Largo on Central Avenue near Campus Way. The two were among five people crossing Central Avenue.

McFarland was pronounced dead at the scene. Richard Young died a few hours later at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington. Officials are still trying to determine whether the injured victims were in a crosswalk at the time of the pedestrian accident in Maryland. Authorities have not yet pressed charges against the driver of the SUV pending an investigation, the news report states.

Maryland law requires motorists to stop and slow down at crosswalks where pedestrians are crossing the street. In this case, it appears that the driver of the SUV did not see five people who were crossing the street at that location. If the pedestrians were in a crosswalk, crossing the street legally, the driver of the SUV could be held civilly and criminally responsible for the deaths of McFarland and Richard.

If you have been seriously injured by a negligent or reckless driver, please consult with experienced Maryland car accident attorney, Steven H. Heisler, for a free consultation. Steven H. Heisler and his team have years of experience representing auto accident victims and securing them the compensation they rightfully deserve. Call injury attorney Steven H. Heisler to find out how he can help you with your Maryland auto accident case.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents |

Maryland Bike Safety Warning for Spring Time Bicycling

By injuheis on April 23, 2009

With the spring and summer seasons fast approaching, pedestrians will be trading in their bus passes and vehicles for bicycles. Bicycle riding is more prevalent than ever these days and can be quite dangerous when the riding laws are not obeyed.

The Maryland Department of Transportation would like to refresh the memory of Maryland bike enthusiasts on all safety precautions and rules when riding. Some of these safety rules and warnings are:

• Bicyclists are not permitted to ride on the sidewalks to ensure the safety of pedestrians
• All cyclists should take the upmost precautions when riding in the streets with automobiles to help prevent car accidents in Maryland
• Cyclists should remember to ride their bikes along with traffic and obey all street lights and signs
• Even though the Maryland bicycle laws state that all cyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet when riding, it is wise for cyclists of all ages to wear a helmet to prevent injuries in the event of an accident

If you are or have been hurt in a bike accident or a pedestrian accident in Maryland where your rights were violated, a knowledgeable  injury attorney such as Steven H. Heisler can provide you with the legal advice that you need. Mr. Heisler has the experience and resources to help you get the monetary compensation you deserve for your injuries or loss. For a free consultation with skilled Maryland personal injury lawyer, Steven H. Heisler, call him today at 877-228-4878.

Posted in Bicycle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury |

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 |