Maryland Bus Accident Lawyer: Megabus Crashes into Car and Kills One Person

          Yesterday morning, two people were in a car that was driving on I-695 and merging onto I-295 north. At that time, they lost control of their car and slid into other lanes of oncoming traffic.  A Megabus that was carrying 18 passengers on its way to New York City crashed into the vehicle.  The driver of the car was taken to shock trauma with serious injuries and the passenger became trapped in the vehicle.  Tragically, she later died at the scene due to her extensive injuries.

            Preliminary investigations do not appear to show any negligence on the part of the Megabus driver, but this accident does show the horrific consequences of accidents involving buses.  Just like large trucks and tractor trailers, buses are very large and powerful and cannot stop suddenly to avoid an accident.  In addition, a majority of buses do not have seatbelts for passengers to wear, therefore, in the event of a rollover accident, passengers have no way to protect or secure themselves.

Police are still investigating this accident to determine how and why the vehicle lost control and skidded all the way into the fast lane.  Fortunately, none of the 18 passengers onboard the bus were injured in this accident.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a bus accident that is caused by the fault or negligence of another person and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office location in Glen Burnie or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Bus-Accidents.shtml

Bel Air Car Accident Lawyers, I95 Motor Vehicle Fatalities

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Recently, Harford County has seen a startling spike in motor vehicle accident fatalities on I-95 between Route 24 and Route 152.  At the height of the holiday season, and with gas prices at their lowest levels in years, more Marylanders are on the road than ever.   The improving economy and surge in online gift buying has also caused an expansion of the volume of trucks sharing the roads.    

On December 9, 2015, a three vehicle accident on I-95 north resulted in the tragic death of a 21 year old Baltimore County woman.  The initial impact occurred between her pickup truck and a tractor trailer.  After striking the jersey wall, the pickup truck rebounded into another woman’s vehicle.  The driver of that vehicle was rescued in critical condition after being extricated from the wreckage.   All northbound and southbound lanes were closed for the medevac helicopter to land on I-95 south, causing traffic backups nine miles long.

Only two days later, on December 11, 2015, another fatal crash occurred in nearly the same location.  A Honda Accord that had led police on a chase from Eastern Avenue in Baltimore City onto I-95 northbound lost control and crossed the grassy median, causing a head on collision with a Kia Sorrento heading southbound.  Both vehicles were carrying two passengers.  One passenger in each vehicle was killed in the crash, amounting to two fatalities.  Four people were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, one by medevac  helicopter.   Again, both northbound and southbound lanes on I-95 were closed for the helicopter to land on the highway. 

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an automobile accident, truck, bus or motorcycle accident, and would like a free consultation or if you would like more information on car accidents please feel free to contact our office at 410-995-1515.

Columbia Car Accident Attorney: Employee Spotlight December 2015

               Katherine Henriquez, our newest receptionist, has recently joined the Portner & Shure family.  Katherine was born in Los Angeles, California, but she grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina.  She is fluent in Spanish and assists our Spanish Department immensely.  Katherine’s husband is in the Army and was previously stationed in Hawaii.  Two months ago, they moved to Maryland because he had been reassigned to Andrews Air Force Base.  Katherine has a 2 year old daughter, Sophia, whom she loves spending time with. In her free time, she loves cheering on the San Francisco 49ers and reading books. 

Greenbelt Auto Accident Attorney: Litigation News December 2015

                Recently, Portner & Shure attorney, Kevin Ruby and paralegal, Amy Patton, settled a Virginia auto accident case for $112,000 just before trial was set to begin.  This accident occurred on Duke Street in Alexandria, Virginia in the midst of stop and go traffic.  The Defendant admitted to not paying attention and rear-ended our client.  Since the Defendant driver was not paying attention while driving in heavy traffic, he hit our client’s vehicle with great force because he did not apply the brakes.  The insurance company involved in the case refused to make any settlement offers initially because they were arguing that a majority of our client’s injuries were pre-existing.  Injuries to our client resulting from the accident included injuries to her head, neck, hip and knee. We filed suit in this case, which likely prompted the insurance company to begin settlement negotiations in order to avoid going to trial.  Eventually, the insurance company made a very favorable offer of $112,000 that our client was more than happy to accept.

Frederick Auto Accident Lawyer: What Clients Are Saying December 2015

“I'd like to thank Portner & Shure, and specifically my paralegal, Christiana Rowland, for the fantastic work done to help me with my auto accident. From handling the total loss of my vehicle to obtaining a great settlement on my behalf, Mrs. Rowland's communication and explanation of the claims process was extraordinary. I would (and have) recommended this firm to anyone in my family.”

This case was handled by our Paralegal, Christiana Rowland, who works out of our Frederick, MD Office.

Bel Air Truck Accident Lawyer: Deadly Tractor Trailer Crash on I-95

           Wednesday night, a horrific accident occurred on I-95 near Bel Air in Harford County, Maryland.  A 21 year old Towson University nursing student tragically lost her life in the accident.  The young driver was changing lanes in her Honda when a tractor trailer rear-ended her.  The Honda then began to spin and lose control, and eventually ended up hitting a wall where a pickup truck crashed into her.  

            

           This accident goes to show the dangers involved when driving near tractor trailers, especially on the highway.  State police say that the 21 year old made an “erratic” lane change that may have contributed to the truck rear ending her.  However, investigations into the exact cause of the accident continue.  No one else was injured in the crash.

            

           As we often write about, rear-end collisions are some of the most dangerous and most common types of accidents.  When the vehicle that is rear ending another vehicle is a tractor trailer, the resulting injuries to the victim car tend to be very severe.  Due to the size and power of tractor trailers, it is difficult for truck drivers to bring their rigs to a quick stop.  Since we do not know the exact cause of this accident, we do not want to speculate who is to blame, but if the accident victim did make a sudden lane change in front of a tractor trailer, it was likely difficult for the truck driver to stop in time.  All drivers on the roads and highways should always be extra cautious when driving near, next to, or in front of tractor trailers because there is a greater risk for a serious accident.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a truck accident caused by the fault or negligence of another person and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Bel Air or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Truck-Accidents/

Deadly Silver Spring, MD Accident: Tractor Trailer Crushes Woman in SUV

           Early Monday morning, a woman was killed in a horrific accident on Cherry Hill Road in Silver Spring, Maryland.  A woman and another passenger were in an SUV which collided with a USPS tractor trailer that flipped over on top of their vehicle.  The passenger in the SUV was rescued from the SUV and taken to the hospital in serious condition.  Sadly, the driver of the SUV did not survive the crash.  The truck driver only suffered minor injuries.  Police continue to investigate the accident to determine the cause and which party was at fault.

            

           We see this all the time with tractor trailer-involved accidents.  The size, power, and force of a large truck are a danger on the roadway for anyone in a typical car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle.  Deadly accidents involving tractor trailers occur far too often.  The truck drivers are not always at fault, however.  Sometimes, other drivers do not drive cautiously around tractor trailers and are the ones to cause an accident.  Drivers cannot assume that the truck driver can see them, therefore, it is best to be very cautious when trying to drive close to a tractor trailer.  Other times, the truck drivers are negligent in causing an accident because they are using their cell phone while driving, speeding, or driving drowsy.  Just remember to be careful when driving near tractor trailers—they have larger blind spots, make wide turns, and cannot stop as suddenly as cars and other vehicles.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a tractor trailer accident caused by the negligence of the truck driver or another driver, please call us today at (301) 854-9000 to set up an appointment at our Silver Spring office or one of our other office locations located throughout Maryland for a free case evaluation or visit us online: http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Truck-Accidents/  

Horrific Multiple-Car Crash Injures Several People in Baltimore, Maryland

Friday night, five vehicles in total were involved in a massive collision at the intersection of Keyworth and Park Heights Avenues.  Two people from the crash were ejected from their vehicles and four others were injured.  The two who were ejected are in critical condition.  It is unknown if the severity of the accident caused them to be ejected, or if it was a lack of seatbelt use.  The four others who were injured only suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

            

            Based on witness statements, the cause of the crash appears to be as speeding vehicle that ran a red light and hit another vehicle, which then ran over a pedestrian after being forced over the center line.  This second vehicle then hit another vehicle, which then led to a fifth vehicle flipping over and trapping the people inside.  People nearby who witnessed the crash tried to rescue occupants in the vehicle, but they were not able to help.  First responders and other emergency personnel eventually arrived and helped pull these people to safety.

            

            This accident is just another example showing how dangerous it is to speed when driving.  The consequences can be life-threatening, especially when you are speeding and running red lights at a major intersection.  Seatbelt use is another important issue that could also have played a role in the severity of some of the injuries in this crash.  Seatbelts save lives; it is that simple.  When you are wearing your seatbelt when in a vehicle, and you are involved in an accident, you are more likely than not going to be protected from fatal injuries.  It does not make sense to risk your life by choosing not to wear your seatbelt.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an accident caused by the fault or negligence of another person and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Baltimore or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml

Columbia, Maryland Car Accident Lawyer: Employee Spotlight November 2015

              Shonta Johnson, our newest receptionist and legal assistant, has now joined the growing Portner & Shure family.  Shonta has lived in Maryland her whole life.  She was born in Baltimore and raised in Columbia.  Shonta graduated from Hammond High School in 2010, and is now pursuing her education with a goal of attending law school in order to become an attorney.  Shonta’s role at the firm has expanded greatly in her short time here because she is eager to learn different aspects of the law.  In her free time, Shonta loves to sing, choreograph dances, read, travel, and cheer on the Baltimore Ravens.  

Portner & Shure, P.A. Opens New Office in Frederick, Maryland

           Portner & Shure now has a brand new fully operational and fully-staffed office in Frederick, Maryland.  This allows our clients in Frederick and other surrounding counties to easily access our attorneys and paralegals in an office that is conveniently located for them.

            

           Frederick has been the fastest growing city in Maryland, with the population jumping nearly 25% since 2000.  Another important distinction is the huge jump in the Hispanic community population over the same period.  The number of Spanish speaking people in Frederick has quadrupled, and now comprises 7% of the total population in Frederick County, Maryland.  Portner & Shure’s Spanish speaking paralegals will be able to assist anyone who speaks Spanish and has been injured in an automobile accident or needs help defending criminal charges such as DUI, assault, and theft.  Portner & Shure attorneys have been working with clients in the Hispanic community for over 20 years in Maryland and Virginia, and want to expand our presence in Frederick.

            

          We continue to point out the three most important things to remember in order to maximize your recovery in your accident injury case in Frederick, Maryland.  First, you must set your defense when dealing with the insurance companies.  While it may seem like the insurance company is on your side and working for you, they are only worried about two things: settling your claim as quickly as possible and paying as little money as possible for your claim.  The best thing to do is not speak to the insurance company.  Second, you must go on offense and you cannot just sit back and let things happen on their own.  You must seek treatment when your are injured in an accident because in order to battle the billion dollar insurance companies, you need medical documents to be able to show the extent of your injuries.  Third, it is necessary to have a top-of-the-line case management system.  You need a firm that communicates with you on a regular basis to keep you updated on everything going on.  You need a firm that has numerous offices that are easily accessible.  And you need a law firm with a staff that is reachable all the time in order to answer any questions you may have. 

Young Boy Seriously Injured in Hit and Run Accident in Baltimore, Maryland

           Early Saturday evening, 13 year old Dannard Claiborne was crossing Hillsdale Road when a Chrysler 300 ran him over and kept driving.  Dannard was on his way to a vigil being held in honor of his great aunt.  One of his family members had stopped traffic to allow everyone to safely cross the road.  Traffic was stopped for a time, but one car, the Chrysler 300, started revving its engine and plowed right over Dannard without ever stopping.  Dannard suffered serious injuries in the accident, but doctors believe he will make full recovery.

            

           License plate information or any identifying characteristics of the driver are unknown at this time.  However, witnesses describe the car as being either silver or gold.  The vehicle was last seen heading north on Hillsdale Road.  Baltimore Police are asking anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of this vehicle or its driver to call them at 410-396-2606.

            

           Hit and run accidents are devastating no matter who the victim is.  How somebody can run a young boy over and keep driving is unimaginable.  While the driver of the Chrysler vehicle can be charged with a hit and run for hitting poor Dennard and driving off, it is not as clear as to whether Dannard is able to collect any compensation from the driver for the injuries suffered.  Maryland is a contributory negligence state, which means that if somebody is injured, but the cause of their injuries is due in part to some negligent action they took themselves, they cannot recover any compensation.  Even someone who is 1% negligent cannot recover any compensation if they are injured in an accident that is 99% caused by another party.  We do not know any of the circumstances surrounding this case, so we can only speculate at this time.

If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland pedestrian accident and would like to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (410) 995-1515 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Baltimore or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

Pedestrian Crossing Against Signal and Hit by Car in Crofton, MD

            On Wednesday night, a pedestrian was struck as she tried to cross Crane Highway through gaps in traffic.  She was with a group of friends when she attempted to cross the highway.  A car had just merged onto the southbound portion of the highway when it struck the girl.  As a result of the impact, the pedestrian was thrown forward and landed in the middle of the road.  She suffered life-threatening head injuries and remains in serious condition after being transported to Shock Trauma.  The driver of the car was not injured, and police determined there was no fault on the part of the driver.  The teenage girl tried to cross the highway without yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic, which is required when someone is crossing a road outside of any crosswalk.  This is commonly known as jaywalking.

            

           Pedestrian accidents occur on a daily basis throughout Maryland and the rest of the country.  The most important thing to keep in mind if you or someone you know is injured in a pedestrian accident is whether you or the person you know was lawfully crossing the road.  Lawfully crossing the road means that the pedestrian was inside of a marked crosswalk and there is a crossing signal illuminated.  If not, and you or someone you know is crossing outside of a crosswalk or crossing the street when the signal is telling you not to cross, then you can be found to be contributorily negligent, which means your actions contributed to the accident and the resulting injuries.  Maryland is a contributory negligence state, which means that if you are even just 1% negligent in causing the accident, you cannot recover any compensation for injuries suffered. 

            

           There are so many pedestrian accident cases where a pedestrian is hit by a car, but the pedestrian was partly at fault because he was texting on his cell phone, crossing against the signal, or crossing the street where there is no marked crosswalk.  In this circumstances, the pedestrian cannot recover anything.  Nighttime is the worst for pedestrian accidents because the darkness makes it extremely difficult for drivers to spot pedestrians.  This accident happened at night, and the pedestrian tried crossing the street even though she was not in a crosswalk and there were oncoming cars travelling at a high speed.

If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland pedestrian accident and would like to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Annapolis or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

Accident Involving School Bus in Frederick, Maryland Injures Three

            Yesterday, a school bus and another vehicle crashed in Frederick, Maryland at Route 355 and New Technology Way.  Three people were injured as a result of the accident.  Fortunately, none of the injured included children because the bus was empty at the time of the accident.  The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.

            

            This is yet another accident involving a school bus, which is a phenomenon that continues to increase in frequency.  Currently, there is much debate going on concerning seatbelts on school buses.  Many parents and officials believe that school buses should have seatbelts because they transport children of all ages who can easily be injured if the bus is involved in an accident.  Without seatbelts on school buses, when a bus is involved in an accident, there is absolutely nothing to keep the children from being flung all over the bus.  Just recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the first time is recommending school buses install three-point seatbelts.  In prior years, officials at the NHTSA had a firm stance that seatbelts were not necessary on school buses because they were safe without them.  There still is no federal law requiring seatbelts on school buses, but this change in the stance of the NHTSA on seatbelts in school buses is important to acknowledge.  It is certainly a step in the right direction to better protect our children on school buses. 

            

           Right now, it is up to individual states and school district to decide whether to install seatbelts on buses.  While the cost is high to add seatbelts to all school buses, it is small in comparison to the loss of innocent children’s’ lives.  It will be interesting to see how states respond to this change on the idea of seatbelts on school buses.  Maryland officials have indicated they do not have plans to require seatbelts on school buses any time soon.  As more and more accidents involving school buses occur across the state, and more and more children are injured or killed in these accidents, maybe Maryland officials will change their stance on seatbelts as well.

            

          If you have a child that has been injured or killed in a school bus accident due to the negligence or fault of another person and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Frederick or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Bus-Accidents.shtml

Montgomery County Police Increasing Patrols to Catch Marylanders Texting and Driving

         A Montgomery County police officer dressed up as a homeless man to try and catch drivers off guard.  The officer was holding a sign that read, “I am not homeless.  I am a Montgomery County police officer looking for cell phone texting violations.  There has been a dramatic increase in distracted-driving-related deaths in Maryland of late.  Police officers are trying to take steps to crack down on this major issue.

           

          A majority of the distracted driving related deaths can be attributed to cell phone use, especially texting while driving.  The “homeless” officer and eight other officers issued 56 tickets county-wide on Tuesday.  Of these, 31 tickets were for texting and driving, as well as 9 warnings being issued.

            

           Maryland State Highway Administration officials have made it very clear that their goal is to have zero deaths on Maryland’s highways.  One step toward achieving that goal is for police to crack down on one of the major causes of fatal accidents: distracted driving (i.e. talking on cell phones and texting while driving).

            

            If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an accident caused by another driver being distracted by their cell phone and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Rockville or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml

19 year olds Driving Longer Tractor Trailers Closer to Reality

            Everyday drivers have to worry about the normal dangers on the road: distracted drivers, speeders, tailgaters, drunk drivers, and sleepy truck drivers.  But in the near future, drivers might have to worry about teenage drivers behind the wheel of tractor trailers on interstate highways.

            

            The trucking industry has been lobbying on Capitol Hill to get legislation passed that would allow longer trucks (33 feet long instead of 28 feet) and lower the minimum age of commercial truck drivers who drive across state lines to between 19 and a half and  21 years of age.  And, just this past Thursday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously passed this bill.  We will have to see if the Senate passes this as well.

Tractor trailers and other large trucks are already dangerous on the road with current rules and regulations in place.  Current problems with truck drivers include falling asleep behind the wheel, speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving.  Research has shown that on average, large trucks are involved in about 10 fatal crashes everyday nationwide.  The number of fatal truck accidents has steadily increased each of the last 6 years.  In these horrific accidents, it is not usually the truck driver who dies, but instead the occupant/s in the smaller vehicle. 

Lowering the minimum driving age for commercial truck driving across state lines would certainly lead to a substantial increase in deadly accidents on highways across the country.  Drivers between the ages of 18 and 20 are involved in twice as many fatal car accidents than drivers 21 and over.  The risks involved with driving a car do not even compare to the risks and difficulty level of driving an 18-wheeler tractor trailer.  Maryland state law already allows 18 year old drivers to obtain commercial drivers’ licenses, however, they are only permitted to drive commercial vehicles within the state.  Their commercial driver’s license does not permit them to drive commercial vehicles across state lines due to a federal ban.  Numerous studies have proven year after year that young drivers under the age of 21 are more likely to speed and engage in risky driving behavior, such as driving when tired.

If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a truck accident and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Frederick or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Truck-Accidents/

What Clients Are Saying October 2015

“I scheduled a consultation with Portner & Shure at their Columbia, MD location. We were quickly taken care of by Norma, who listened and documented what occurred during our auto accident. After hearing our story and where we were in the process, she consulted with an attorney colleague and they both advised us that it was simply not in our best interest to have them handle the case - we would make more money by settling it ourselves. I admired their transparency and they advised us how to best negotiate with the Auto Insurer. Johnathan Portner, the Managing Partner, even came in and sat down with us to explain his view on the matter. The man probably bills out at $800+ dollars an hour, but he was willing to sit down and talk to us all day! If anything ever happens, god forbid, this is where I will seek out representation - without a doubt.”

This case was handled by our Spanish Paralegal, Norma Guevara.

Glen Burnie, Maryland Accident Injury Lawyer: Recent Case Result October 2015

             Recently, Portner & Shure settled an auto accident case from November 2014 for $100,000 for our client who suffered devastating injuries in a head-on crash by a drunk driver in Maryland.  Our client was in the car along with other members of her family, and their vehicle was trying to make a left turn, when all of a sudden, a drunk driver crossed over the center line and plowed into them.  The drunk driver was arrested as a result.  There is no liability dispute in this case. 

            

             Our client suffered a fractured left upper arm and right ankle.  Our client also required an open reduction and internal fixation of her right ankle and her left humerus, which left her completely immobile and unable to walk.  The negotiation process in this case lasted well over one year, and was finally able to settle this month.  Christine Airey worked tirelessly negotiating with the insurance carriers to obtain a great settlement for this client.

Deadly Head-On Accident in Anne Arundel County, Maryland Attributed to Speeding

           Earlier this week, a woman was killed in a head-on accident at Burns Crossing Road and Annapolis Road in Anne Arundel County.  Police have determined that speed was the cause of the accident.  An SUV with a man and two children in it was speeding around a curve on Burns Crossing Road and crossed over the center double yellow lines.  As the SUV made its way around the curve, it struck an oncoming car head-on.  There was a woman inside that car, and she tragically lost her life in the devastating crash.  The man and the children in the SUV were flown to nearby hospitals with life-threatening injuries. 

As we often write about, head-on collisions are the most dangerous types of accidents because the resulting injuries are always life-threatening.  When high speed is a factor in a head-on collision, the outcomes almost always include fatalities because the resulting force when two cars travelling at a high speed collide into one another is so extreme.  These types of fatal car accidents happen far too often throughout Maryland.  Maryland’s Department of Transportation continues to have a goal of zero deaths on Maryland’s roadways and is working tirelessly to improve the roads and make them safer for everyone.   Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident is devastating for any family.  No amount of money will ever replace losing that person.  In a wrongful death case, the law allows for surviving estates to collect a financial recovery when a negligent party is held liable for the cause of the death.  Compensation for damages can include: loss of services, loss of future income, mental anguish, medical expenses, funeral expenses, and punitive damages.  In this accident, it appears that the negligent party was also the one who did not survive the accident.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an accident caused by the fault or negligence of another person and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Annapolis or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml

Deadly Accident on I-95 in Catonsville, Maryland

               Just a few weeks ago, a terrible accident occurred on I-95 near Catonsville, Maryland.  A man was driving a pick-up truck that had become disabled and pulled onto the shoulder on southbound I-95.  In addition to the driver, there were three other people in the truck.  The driver was standing behind the truck to try and figure out what was wrong.  In the meantime, another vehicle had drifted across all lanes of southbound I-95, crashed into the concrete wall, and continued driving several hundred feet along the shoulder until crashing into the disabled truck and the truck’s driver.  Unfortunately, the truck driver was killed, and the three passengers were injured.  Additionally, the driver of the other vehicle was injured and transported to Shock Trauma.  The cause of the accident is still unknown.  Police are still trying to figure out what caused the driver of the car to veer across all lanes and crash into the wall and then into the truck.

            

              Since police have not determined a cause of the accident, everything is only speculation at this point.  One possibility is that the driver of the car fell asleep behind the wheel, which caused him to lose control of the car.  Another possibility is that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, and his impaired judgment led to the crash.  There are many possibilities that could have caused this crash.  In terms of the victim of the crash, it appears that he pulled his vehicle completely onto the shoulder and was not standing in a lane of travel.  Any negligence on his part does not appear to have contributed to this accident, and thus contributory negligence would not apply.  If the truck driver had been standing in a lane of travel and then was hit, he would not be able to recover compensation for his injuries because he contributed to the accident.  As a reminder, it is always dangerous when on the shoulder of a highway.  Anyone who pulls onto the shoulder of a highway should always be very cautious, and if possible, wear bright-colored clothing so that other drivers can see you.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed by a negligent driver and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml

Deadly Head-On Accident in Glen Burnie, Maryland

           Early Wednesday evening, a Volkswagen Passat and a Toyota 4Runner crashed head on into one another.  Sadly, the driver of the 4Runner did not survive the crash after his SUV overturned on Furnace Brand Road.  The driver and three children passengers in the other vehicle only suffered minor injuries.

            

           After examining the accident scene, police believe that the SUV was driving east on Furnace Branch Road when he drifted over the center line into oncoming traffic.  Based on that information, police have announced that the official preliminary cause of the crash appears to be the SUV driver’s failure to stay within his lane of travel.  Police did not find any evidence of speeding or alcohol contributing to the accident, and everyone in the two vehicles was wearing a seatbelt. 

Fatal car accidents happen far too often throughout Maryland.  The state’s Department of Transportation continues to have a goal of zero deaths on Maryland’s roadways and is working tirelessly to improve the roads and make them safer for everyone.   Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident is devastating for any family.  No amount of money will ever replace losing that person.  In a wrongful death case, the law allows for surviving estates to collect a financial recovery when a negligent party is held liable for the cause of the death.  Compensation for damages can include: loss of services, loss of future income, mental anguish, medical expenses, funeral expenses, and punitive damages.  In this accident, it appears that the negligent party was also the one who did not survive the accident.

           

            If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an accident caused by the fault or negligence of another person and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Glen Burnie or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml

Maryland Auto Accident Lawyer: Recent Case Result September 2015

           Recently, Portner & Shure settled an auto accident case from November 2013 for $122,500 for our client who was severely injured in a crash in Carroll County, Maryland.  Our client was a passenger in a car that was making a left turn and was hit by a speeding car.  The insurance company for the driver of the car which our client was in had an expert who stated that if the defendant was not speeding, the car our client was in would have been able to complete the left turn without an accident. 

            

           There was over $36,000 in medical costs for our client, who suffered a displaced fracture in his femur, was taken to Shock Trauma, and still has some residual pain from the accident.  The negotiation process in this case lasted well over one year, and was finally able to settle this month.  Lora Hatton worked tirelessly negotiating with the insurance carriers to obtain a great settlement for our client.

Greenbelt, Maryland Car Accident Attorney: Litigation News September 2015

               On September 10, 2015, Portner & Shure attorney, Kevin Ruby, helped his client win a $21,000 verdict for a multi-car accident that occurred in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  Our client was rear-ended, and as a result of her injuries, she accumulated medical bills over $13,000.  The insurance carrier involved in negotiating a settlement prior to trial was State Farm.  Pre-trial, the top settlement offer made by State Farm was $13,000.  The Court found the Defendant liable and our client received a great result in trial, nearly doubling State Farm’s top offer.  Our client was extremely happy with the result in her case.

Ocean City Bike Week: Motorcycle Safety Accident Awareness

            Yesterday, Ocean City Bike Week 2015 kicked off, meaning thousands of motorcyclists were on the roads making their way to Ocean City, Maryland.  To celebrate the start of this year’s festivities, a parade of bikers drove down Coastal Highway from 27^th Street to the inlet.  Some of the attendees this year drove their motorcycles all the way from California and Arizona.  Bike Week events will last through the end of the weekend.  Fortunately, weather for the duration of the event is expected to be perfect, which means driving conditions should be ideal for the motorcyclists.

            

            With thousands of bikers on the road in Ocean City the next few days, we want to remind everyone about safety risks with motorcycles when involved in an accident.  Motorcycles are always at a higher risk of getting into a serious accident that results in severe injuries because of the lack of protection that the bikes offer.  In addition, other vehicles on the road, especially large trucks forget to take extra precautions when a motorcycle is driving in front of or next to them.  Cars, trucks, and buses on the road must double their following distance of a motorcycle to assure that there is enough space to stop suddenly without hitting the bike.  While a rear-end collision between two vehicles (i.e. cars, trucks, buses) rarely results in serious or fatal injuries, the same type of accident almost always results in extremely serious or even fatal injuries for a motorcyclist. 

The biggest difference between cars and motorcycles is in terms of safety mechanisms to prevent injury in an accident.  Automobiles have several safety features that prevent serious injury when accidents occur, such as seatbelts, airbags, and a windshield.  There are no seatbelts to restrain motorcyclists, there are no airbags to limit impact in a crash, and there is no windshield or any other similar device to prevent the rider from flipping over the handlebars of the motorcycle.  Motorcyclists must wear helmets and other protective gear and clothing to limit injury as much as possible if involved in a crash.

We hope that all the motorcyclists in Ocean City for Bike Week 2015 enjoy their time and do not fall victim to a serious accident injury.  However, if you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a Maryland motorcycle accident that is caused by the negligence or fault of another driver, please contact us to schedule an appointment at our Ocean City location or one of our other office locations throughout Maryland for a free case evaluation.  Call our office today at (301) 854-9000 or visit us online to learn more about Maryland motorcycle accidents: http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Motorcycle-Accidents.shtml

Fatal Rear-End Collision in Howard County, Maryland

          Tuesday morning, a 72 year old man from Marriottsville, Maryland was involved in a crash with another vehicle around 8:15am during the morning rush hour.  The accident occurred on Route 144 at Homeland Way when the driver of a van began slowing down because of traffic.  Then, the 72 year old man rear-ended the van and unfortunately, he did not survive the crash.

            

          After conducting a preliminary investigation of the accident, police determined that speed and alcohol were not contributing factors to the accident.  A majority of rear-end collisions occur because a driver is not paying attention (i.e. changing the radio station, texting, talking on the phone, falling asleep) to the road while they are driving.  Other times, a rear-end car accident is caused by a sudden stop in traffic, and due to tailgating, there is not enough space to allow the car to stop before hitting the car in front.  Police will have to continue investigating that exact cause of this fatal rear-end crash.   

 One of the most common types of accidents is a rear-end collision.  These types of accidents happen every day on Maryland’s roadways, but many of them are not too serious and actually occur at low driving speeds.  However, sometimes a rear-end collision can result in major property damage and serious injuries or death.  Many rear-end accidents occur during rush hour when there is stop and go traffic or sudden stops and drivers take their eyes off the road for one second.  That one second reduces a driver’s reaction time to a sudden stop in front of them and an accident occurs.  Fortunately for victims of rear-end crashes, fault is usually quite obvious and easy to prove.  In these cases, your experienced personal injury attorney can focus his efforts solely on obtaining just compensation that the victim deserves. 

If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a car accident and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Columbia or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml

Baltimore Trying to Bring Back Bike-Share Program

            Several years ago, Baltimore City tried having a bike-sharing program, but it quickly fizzled out and disappeared.  Now, there are plans in the work to bring back a bike-share program to the city.  Other major cities nearby, including Washington, D.C. have bike-share programs that have grown significantly in popularity.  For example, in June of this year, close to 315,000 trips were taken on the bike-share bicycles in DC, which is more than double the number in June 2011.

            

             These bike-sharing systems are seen as a fun and healthy way to get around in a city, as well as an easy way to explore new areas.  A person can pick up a bike in one area and can return it in another area.  Assuming the program does start again in Baltimore, initially there would be at least 250 bikes and 25 stations throughout the city.

            

              If this program takes off, it would mean more bicyclists on Baltimore’s roads.  Cities are always dangerous driving environments for drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists.  With more bicyclists on city streets, the risk of accidents increases significantly.  Drivers often cannot see a bicyclist that is riding next to them, and since bicyclists have no way to protect themselves from a car hitting them, serious injury results.  While a bike-share program would greatly benefit the city and its residents, the number of car, truck, and bus accidents involving a bicyclist will likely increase.  Anyone who rides a bike must wear a helmet, and other protective gear, such as arm pads and knee pads, should be worn as well.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a Maryland bicycle accident that is caused by the negligence or fault of another driver, please contact us to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Baltimore and throughout Maryland for a free case evaluation.  Call our office today at (301) 854-9000 or visit us online to learn more about Maryland motorcycle accidents: http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Motorcycle-Accidents.shtml

Gaithersburg Woman Struck and Killed by a Car as She Crossed the Street

Early Monday morning, a Gaithersburg woman, Muivembet Gelaw, was crossing the street at the intersection of South Frederick Avenue and South Westland Drive when she was hit by a car driven by Rodolfo Guillen.  Ms. Gelaw was walking to a bus stop with her daughter to go to church.  Unlike many drivers who hit pedestrians and keep driving, this driver remained at the scene.  Sadly, Ms. Gelaw did not survive the accident.

            

          A majority of pedestrian-involved accidents occur when people are crossing a street without a crosswalk.  However, the location of this accident is a major intersection with crosswalks and traffic-control signals for pedestrians.  Currently, police do not know if Ms. Gelaw was crossing with the signal or against the signal, but they are investigating to find out that information.  Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this accident to come forward because many details remain unknown at this time.

Unfortunately, thousands of pedestrians are killed each year in accidents and actually the numbers have been increasing nationwide in recent years.  2010 data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) placed Maryland as the seventh most dangerous state for pedestrians with 1.75 fatalities per 100,000 residents.  However, the most recent statistics do not have Maryland ranked in the top ten for worst states for pedestrians.  According to the NHTSA, nearly 3 out of 4 pedestrian deaths occur in urban environments, at intersections, during the nighttime.

In a Maryland pedestrian accident case, it must be determined whether the pedestrian was lawfully crossing the street at the time of the crash.  In other words, was the pedestrian crossing the street against the signal, crossing outside the crosswalk, or texting while crossing, or was the pedestrian crossing with the “walk” signal and inside the crosswalk.  Because Maryland is a contributory negligence state, if the victim pedestrian is negligent in any way, they cannot recover in a civil lawsuit.

           If you or a family member has been injured or killed by a driver as a pedestrian and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Rockville or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/