Posted on August 28, 2023 in Truck Accidents

Maryland car accident victims should refrain from posting images of themselves on social media if their injuries are not quite as serious as they claim. That was the advice a personal injury attorney gave during an insurance industry conference in California. The attorney told attendees about a married couple who posted pictures of themselves having fun in a back yard swimming pool. The images were damaging to the couple because they had claimed in a lawsuit that they both suffered serious spinal cord injuries in a car accident.

SOCK PUPPET ACCOUNTS

Attorneys and insurance companies have traditionally hired private investigators to observe motor vehicle accident victims who they suspect may be exaggerating the severity of their injuries, but they are now more likely to search for the evidence they seek on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. To prevent their targets from becoming suspicious, attorneys and insurance companies may set up “sock puppet” accounts rather than logging in with their own credentials.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 14, 2023 in Truck Accidents

Truck drivers may find it difficult to stay alert on the road. Numerous factors could make a driver feel fatigued when they travel on Maryland roads. Tiredness may prove dangerous when operating a tractor-trailer as the risks of a severe accident increase.

FATIGUE AND TRUCK DRIVING

A deadly accident might result if a semitruck driver passes out at the wheel. Such a scenario could occur because of extreme fatigue, intoxication and other factors. However, a driver does not need to become unconscious to cause a collision. A tired truck driver may experience perception problems that make braking in time difficult.

Fatigue may reduce reaction time, making avoiding an accident difficult. Tired drivers could become more prone to distractions, and distracted driving is a common cause of many avoidable accidents.

State and federal laws exist to reduce fatigued driving by requiring commercial truck drivers to take mandatory breaks. Skipping these breaks could be considered negligence. Still, even taking all required breaks might not prevent a truck driver from experiencing excessive tiredness.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 11, 2023 in Truck Accidents

There are a number of reasons why motor vehicle accidents occur in Maryland. For example, you may be at a higher risk of a crash simply because you are traveling on a congested road or because weather conditions aren’t ideal. However, you may also be in a crash because another person, vehicle or object was in your car’s blind spot.

OVERVIEW OF A BLIND SPOT

Essentially, a blind spot is any area that you can’t see because your vehicle is blocking your view. For example, it can be especially difficult to see cars that are right beside yours as you can’t see them out of your mirrors. The larger your car or truck is, the larger your blind spots are going to be. Furthermore, it can be harder to take evasive action if your vehicle is too large to move in a timely manner.

TECHNOLOGY ISN’T ALWAYS HELPFUL

While blind spot monitors can make you aware of things in your path, you can’t trust them completely. Instead, you should still look to where you want to go to ensure that the path is clear before making a lane change or a turn. Relying on technology is generally not a defense to negligence claims that arise after a motor vehicle accident.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 01, 2023 in Truck Accidents

n Maryland, motorcycle riders are passionate about taking to the road on their bikes. However, that can come with a price. Notably, they are not accorded the same protection people have when they are inside a vehicle and are vulnerable to serious injuries and death in a crash.

MOTORCYCLISTS FACE SPECIFIC EJECTION-RELATED INJURIES

There are common injuries riders can have when they are thrown from the motorcycle. Because riders’ legs have no protection, their lower extremities can be damaged. For example, a broken leg could be severe and require surgical procedures to ensure it heals correctly so person will regain full use of it. They might also need to go through an arduous rehabilitation program.

With the upper body, riders can suffer broken arms, torn ligaments and internal injuries. This too can inhibit them even after they have recovered with the need for therapy and the possibility that they will not be able to perform daily tasks as functionally as they did before.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 19, 2023 in Truck Accidents

According to the Maryland.gov website, an average of 72 motorcycle riders and passengers are killed every year in motorcycle accidents throughout the state. The website also reports more than 1,400 riders and passengers are injured each year. These statistics show that riding a motorcycle is potentially more dangerous than driving a car.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

Motorcycles provide less protection than most other vehicles. When you’re on a motorcycle, your body is more exposed than if you were in a car or truck. There’s no seatbelt, doors or steel structure to protect you. Also, having two wheels instead of four makes the vehicle less stable.

The rate at which motorcycle accidents occur is cause for concern. This is because there are fewer motorcyclists on the road, but motorcycles account for a significant number of accidents.

In 2020, there were 82,528 injuries caused by motorcycle accidents in the United States. And according to the National Safety Council, fatalities for motorcycle riders and passengers increased by 8% from 2020 to 2021.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 05, 2023 in Truck Accidents

Speeding is the cause of death in many accidents that occur in Maryland. This is a hazard that even the most careful drivers can sometimes find themselves guilty of. It is true that accidents can occur at any time of day. They can happen under the most unexpected circumstances. However, many of them happen at a far different speed than people realize.

WHAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS RATE OF SPEED

Motor vehicle accidents can certainly occur at any speed. But it may surprise most people to learn that some of the most common crashes are recorded at a rate of less than 40 mph. In fact, these crashes tend to cause the highest number of injuries. Many of these may result in severe or permanent injury or, in some cases, even death.

Several recent studies have shown that crashes at low speeds can result in more injuries than was previously suspected. Many of these happen in rear-end collisions, some of which can occur between 10 to 15 mph. Even at these speeds, the sheer force of the impact can cause damage to your muscles and ligaments.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 19, 2023 in Truck Accidents

Maryland car crashes can result in severe injuries, especially when bone fractures occur. Femur fractures are particularly debilitating for victims, and being the strongest bone in the human body, breaks can mean significant pain, disability and a lengthy recovery process.

CAUSES

Femur fractures in motor vehicle accidents often occur due to high-energy collisions. These fractures can result from direct impact on the thigh or from the force of the collision transmitting through the body, causing the femur to break. Side-impact collisions, head-on collisions and high-speed accidents are often associated with femur fractures.

COMPLICATIONS

Femur fractures can cause various complications due to the severity of the injury. Damage to blood vessels and nerves surrounding the fracture site can occur, leading to complications such as excessive bleeding, nerve injury or blood clots. Furthermore, the fracture may be open (with bone piercing through the skin) or closed (with no visible wound).

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 13, 2023 in Truck Accidents

A recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should have a sobering effect on bicycle riders. The agency reports that the total number of deaths from collisions with bicycles is at a record high. Nine hundred sixty-six bicycle riders were killed in accidents in 2021. This marks a rise in fatalities not seen in nearly 50 years.

WHY ARE CYCLIST FATALITIES ON THE RISE?

Bicycle accidents have risen by an astonishingly high level in the past few years. Much of this may be due to the slackening of safe practices by car, truck and SUV drivers. However, much of it has to do with road design. Many highways and local roads across the country have no official bicycle lanes.

Many accidents can occur even when a road has an official lane for cyclists. This is because cyclists themselves may not be obeying routine safety measures. For example, they may not be wearing properly reflective gear. This is a danger, especially at night when such gear can help drivers to avoid hitting them.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 05, 2023 in Truck Accidents

In Maryland, car insurance cannot be used to cover motorcycles. Motorcycle insurance is similar to car insurance but is a different product. According to the Maryland Insurance Administration, owners are required to have liability insurance to register the motorcycle and obtain tags. The Transportation Article of the Maryland Code defines a motorcycle as a vehicle with a seat for the rider, traveling on no more than three wheels at speeds exceeding 35 miles per hour.

UNDERSTANDING MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE

Motorcycle insurance is designed to provide liability coverage if the owner’s found to be at fault for an injury or property damages. The insurance is also designed to provide coverage for the damage or loss of the motorcycle. Owners can also purchase additional coverage for customizations, equipment or road assistance. The state requires liability insurance, while lenders used to finance the motorcycle are likely to require collision or comprehensive coverage.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 19, 2023 in Truck Accidents

Millions of motorists in Maryland may be affected by a recall announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Documents published in May 2023 show the NHTSA and manufacturer ARC Automotive locked in a dispute over airbag inflators. The NHTSA began investigating the airbag inflators in July 2015. The investigation was upgraded in August 2016. The NHTSA is demanding the recall of 67 million airbag inflators with a safety defect that poses an unreasonable risk of injury or death.

THE ARC AIRBAG RECALL

ARC Automotive maintains that it has not identified any defect that would require a recall of this size. According to the demand letter sent to ARC by the NHTSA, the airbag inflators create an unreasonable risk of injury or death because they project metal fragments into vehicle occupants rather than properly inflating the airbag. The ARC airbag inflators are used by a dozen vehicle manufacturers in several dozen different models, including BMW, Kia and General Motors, among others.

Continue Reading ››