Posted on December 23, 2022 in Truck Accidents

An automobile accident may result in body damage that costs thousands of dollars to repair. Many collision victims feel relief when they discover an insurance claim may cover a substantial amount of the damage. However, some car crashes in Maryland result in so much damage that the vehicle is declared “totaled.” Repairing a totaled vehicle might not be an option.

TOTALED CARS

A totaled car suffers damages that exceed the vehicle’s worth. So, if a car’s current resale value is $2,000 and the damage is $3,000, repairing the vehicle might not make much sense. However, an accident victim may file a claim with an insurance company for the car’s value. That means an insurance settlement could cover the cost of the car. Often, the insurance company will take the totaled vehicle away, taking the burden of disposing of the vehicle off the owner’s hands.

The victim may file a claim against a negligent party’s auto liability coverage. If a negligent driver doesn’t carry insurance, a victim might file a claim with their insurance company, provided they carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 12, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Snow, ice, wind and poor visibility all produce questionable driving conditions during Maryland winters. Although the period between Memorial Day and Labor is the most dangerous time of the year to drive, winter produces its own unique challenges. Nevertheless, drivers can take precautions when they must be on the road in winter.

WINTER DRIVING HAZARDS TO AVOID

The number one hazard that causes winter motor vehicle accidents is ice. Whether it comes from melted snow or sleet, or water on the road that has solidified, ice is extremely dangerous because it often remains invisible on the road and causes vehicles to spin out of control. Other factors causing winter accidents include:

• Poor visibility from fog or ice and snow buildup on the windshield
• Low tire tread and pressure
• Battery failure
• Sub-freezing temperatures
• Road salt that damages your vehicle’s undercarriage

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 09, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Many Maryland residents choose to ride motorcycles instead of larger passenger vehicles. While they get a great sense of freedom from riding, there are serious risks, including crashes. These are some facts and statistics on motorcycle accidents.

INCREASE IN FATALITIES FROM MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

In spite of only 3% of all registered vehicles being motorcycles, there was an increase in crashes resulting in fatalities. Between 2019 and 2020, deaths stemming from motorcycle accidents increased by 11% and accounted for both operators and passengers.

In recent years, most motorcycle fatalities took place on urban roads during the daytime and in good weather conditions. Most of these accidents involved two vehicles and occurred while motorcyclists were wearing helmets.

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT INJURIES

The rate of injuries not resulting in death among motorcycle riders decreased by 2%. At the same time, during the period of 2019 to 2020, motorcycle riders suffered injuries at an increased rate of 10%. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), injuries sustained by motorcyclists decreased by 21% compared with the rate from 2016.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 02, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents cause some of the most severe injuries on Maryland roads due to the size of the vehicles involved. If you survived a truck accident and sustained major injuries, you may decide to pursue a lawsuit. To have the best case possible, you will need to gather evidence.

RECORDS FROM THE VEHICLE

In many truck accidents, the best evidence comes from the truck itself. The court may accept evidence from the following:

• Black boxes
• On-board computers or recording devices
• GPS devices
• Satellite-tracking systems

TRUCK MAINTENANCE RECORDS

The law mandates that all commercial trucks maintain strict records of their maintenance. If a commercial truck hits you due to a mechanical failure, the maintenance records or lack thereof may be able to assist in your lawsuit.

CRASH SCENE EVIDENCE

Some of the most crucial evidence comes from the scene of the motor vehicle accident. Both forensic evidence from the crash and statements from everyone involved may help you during your lawsuit.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 02, 2022 in Truck Accidents

No matter how careful you are behind the wheel, you cannot control the other drivers on the road. In some cases, you become involved in a motor vehicle accident because another motorist engaged in reckless driving.

RECKLESS DRIVING DEFINITION

Each state defines reckless driving differently. For the state of Maryland, the definition of reckless driving includes any driving of a motor vehicle that displays a willful disregard for the safety of people or property.

COMMON EXAMPLES OF RECKLESS DRIVING

Many motor vehicle accidents occur because of very common reckless driving incidents. Some of the most frequent examples include:

• Failing to signal lane changes
• Traffic weaving
• Tailgating
• Driving on the road’s shoulder
• Merging too quickly
• Failure to yield

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 28, 2022 in Truck Accidents

A top cause of injury for children under six years old in Maryland is window blind cords. It may seem surprising, but window bling cords have been known as a hazard to young children for decades. Injuries can be mild or can cause death in some cases.

HOW WINDOW BLINDS POSE DANGER RISKS

There are a few different ways in which window blinds pose a risk of injury to children. It is rarely the window blinds themselves, but the cords of the blinds that cause the most damage.

MILD CORD INJURIES

Mild personal injury results most often when a child is hit by a cord. This can happen if a taut cord is released too quickly or snaps back from an encumbrance. These types of injuries are often mild but still can cause cuts and burns to the hands, face and arms.

SEVERE CORD INJURIES

Severe personal injury can occur when a child becomes entangled in a window blind cord. Entanglement is the most dangerous way a child can be injured by cords. Often, these injuries involve the cord becoming wrapped around the child’s neck. As you can imagine, this can cause minor injuries but can also result in serious injuries including death from suffocation.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 18, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Even though cars and trucks are safer than ever before, thousands of people in Maryland and across the U.S. are seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents each year. Many of these victims suffer facial trauma.

CAR ACCIDENT FACIAL INJURIES

According to a study published in the journal Annals of Advances in Automotive Medicine, car accidents are one of the top causes of severe facial injuries worldwide. While seat belts, air bags and other auto safety features greatly reduce the risk of crash-related facial trauma, they can’t prevent all head injuries.

Some of the most common facial injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes include:

• Facial fractures, such as a broken jaw, shattered cheek bones or cracked teeth
• Facial soft tissue injuries, such as torn or lacerated skin

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 14, 2022 in Truck Accidents

A car accident in Maryland may render your car unable to drive, result in significant injuries or make it harder to go about your daily routine without pain or financial worry. So let’s take a closer look at what to do after a crash on a Maryland road or highway.

STAY WHERE YOU ARE

State law says that you must remain at the scene of an accident and render aid. Otherwise, you may be issued a citation for hit and run. So begin by calling for police, fire or other emergency service personnel to come to the wreck’s site and provide assistance. However, it’s important to note that you should generally refrain from giving medical aid. Doing so may expose you to a lawsuit if your actions caused harm to another individual unless you are a licensed health care professional covered by the Good Samaritan law.

MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN

After a motor vehicle accident, you may want to take steps to prevent secondary collisions from taking place. For example, if you have any safety cones, warning lights or similar objects, it may be worth placing them around your vehicle. In addition, safety devices can alert others that cars or people are on the road and that they need to proceed with caution.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 29, 2022 in Truck Accidents

No matter how careful you might drive your motorcycle, there may come a day in which a careless driver crashes into your bike. These accidents may result in significant trauma. Following certain steps after a Maryland motorcycle accident may greatly improve your physical, emotional and legal outcomes.

GET TO SAFETY, BUT DO NOT LEAVE THE SCENE

Leaving the scene of an accident can result in your being incarcerated, and it counts as a felony on your record. You should never leave the scene unless you are taken away by emergency personnel. However, you also do not want to remain right in the middle of the accident scene, because that can cause greater danger. Stay close to the scene until the police arrive, but remove yourself from any oncoming traffic, and get off of the road.

LEAVE THE BIKE ALONE

For many bikers, their motorcycle is their baby. Wanting to move the bike following an accident may feel natural, but you should not touch the bike at all. Leaving the bike alone following motorcycle accidents is necessary for these reasons:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 15, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Auto accidents can create confusion and apprehension like few other events in life. Many times there are seriously injured passengers as well as fatalities, and often there is much danger in the aftermath that can result from fuel leakage and other issues. This means that those who are still mobile should react quickly in checking vehicles and contacting emergency authorities. And just as important is not leaving the scene. However, there are also some other actions to avoid following the fact that especially apply in Maryland regarding accident adjudication of injury and damage claims.

AVOID INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRIVERS

Aside from accidents where no one is injured and vehicles can be driven away, it is important to limit any conversation with an opposing driver regarding the accident. Simple minor damage fender benders only require exchanging insurance information. Anything else that is said could be used against a driver with respect to fault. This is vital in Maryland motor vehicle accidents due to the pure contributory negligence law.

Continue Reading ››