Construction Zones Cause a Significant Amount of Accidents--Here's Why

Construction zones are often seen throughout the Maryland area. If you have driven on I-95 or I-695 you likely have seen these construction zones. Although construction zones are a sign of good things to come, including safer roadways, wider lanes, and smooth pavement, these work areas also have negative consequences.

With construction zones come new traffic patterns and lane closures. That means that many drivers will be unfamiliar with any lane shifts or changes in speed limits. When you combine new traffic patterns, lane closures, and reduced speed limits, accidents often result. Some drivers will slam on their brakes as they approach a work zone, for fear of speed camera ticket, but this sudden stop often causes a chain reaction of sudden stops, and "BANG," someone is rear-ended. Other drivers approach work zones a bit differently, and instead, drive aggressively, weaving in and out of solid lane markings. This too causes many auto accidents. Finally, construction zones add to the already heavily congested rush hour traffic, and the stop-and-go nature of this traffic, combined with new traffic patterns, often results in rear-end accidents.

Drivers should always remember to approach work zones with caution, but also, drivers should not panic and make drastic moves. Construction zones can be a nightmare for a drivers, and that nightmare can be made worse with an accident.

If you've been injured in an accident in a construction zone in Maryland, call the experienced attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

Memorial Day Weekend Car Accidents on the Eastern Shore--Why a Local Law Firm is Important

As we approach the Memorial Day holiday weekend, drivers that are headed to the beaches on the Eastern Shore of Maryland should remember to pay extra attention on the roads as traffic congestion is sure to be a problem. Distractions in the car, such as cell phones, should never be used, especially when driving in heavy holiday weekend traffic.

Those traveling to the Eastern Shore for the holiday weekend are more likely to be driving than taking any other mode of transportation. For that reason, traffic congestion will be a problem, as it is every year. As many of us know, the drive to the beaches includes long stretches of single lane roads in rural areas. Some of the worst accidents have occurred on these roads, especially head-on collisions. When an accident occurs and the occupants are injured, you may not know what to do because you may feel like you are in the middle nowhere. You should always call the police after an accident, especially when there are injuries. The next step will involve emergency medical treatment, as well as contacting a law firm.

There are numerous law firms to choose from for an accident case in Maryland, but there are many advantages to choosing a local firm that is in the area on the Eastern Shore where the accident happened. The local knowledge of the lawyers, including information about judges, opposing counsel, and the roads can give you a big advantage when it comes to negotiating a settlement or trying your case in court. A firm that says that they can represent someone on the Eastern Shore, but yet does not have an office or any connections to that area is doing a disservice to their client. In order to maximize compensation, your attorney will need every advantage they can get.

If you suffer injuries in an Eastern Shore accident this Memorial Day Weekend, call the local Eastern Shore attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

Peak Season at the Beach is Here, Pedestrians and Drivers Beware

With July 4th quickly approaching, drivers and pedestrians should be reminded to take extra precautions as the holiday weekend approaches. Traffic will substantially increase at the beach in the upcoming weekends as summer officially kicks off.

Pedestrian-involved accidents along Coastal Highway in Ocean City have long been a problem. Police have done a lot over the years to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the busy highway. If you are trying to cross the road, you should always remember to wait to cross until you have the signal, always stay in the designated crosswalk, and look both ways because you can never assume a driver is paying attention and sees you crossing the road. Drivers along Coastal Highway can be reckless sometimes, especially at night when drunk drivers hit the roads.

Stay safe this 4th of July and all summer long down at the beach. If you or a loved one is injured in a pedestrian accident, call the experienced local attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

What Clients Are Saying May 2017

“I was referred to Portner & Shure by a close friend of mine. From my very first phone call, I was always treated with sincere care and concern for my well-being. The burden of dealing with hospital bills, alternate transportation, and insurance company red tape was addressed 100% by Christine. Her responsiveness was off the charts as far as customer service and should serve as a model for any other professional in her line of work. I highly recommend Portner & Shure (Columbia), specifically Christine for anyone who is looking for an end result that exceeds their expectation.”

This case was handled by our Paralegal, Christine Airey, who works out of our Columbia, MD Office.

Litigation News May 2017

This month in litigation news at Portner & Shure, we have an accident case where our client was rear-ended at a red light and the defendant driver’s insurance carrier denied liability, forcing us to file suit in order to obtain the compensation our client was entitled. In this accident, our client suffered injuries to his back, hips, and shoulders. He required chiropractic treatment for his injuries. After incurring $4,000.00 in medical expenses and with liability denied by the insurance company, our litigation team filed suit and this case was headed to trial. The trial Judge found the defendant liable and awarded our client $8,600.00 plus court costs. Our client was extremely satisfied with this result, especially considering that the insurance company initially denied liability and was not offering anything to settle. This case is yet another example of an accident where property damage is minimal, and for that reason only, the insurance company will deny liability without considering actual injuries suffered by the victim. 

Choosing a Law Firm with Litigation Experience is Very Important

When you are injured in an accident in Towson, it is important to hire a law firm to represent you and fight for the compensation you deserve. When searching for a law firm that handles accident cases, it is important to hire a firm with litigation experience. You may think that a car accident case is very straightforward and will easily settle, but that is not always the case. Yes, it is true that a majority of accident cases do settle without ever having to go to court. However, there are still many cases that cannot settle and it is necessary to go to court. What happens if the law firm you hire does not go to court or has no experience in the courtroom?

Make sure you hire a law firm with an extensive litigation department and immense resources to be able to battle the insurance company all the way to court in order to get the compensation you deserve.

Portner & Shure attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience in the courtroom litigating accident cases. If your case does not settle, we never hesitate to file suit in court. It is important that you hire a firm with the ability to handle your case no matter what happens--settle or litigate in court.

If you've been injured in an accident in the Towson area, choose your law firm wisely. Portner & Shure attorneys are available now for a free consultation. Call us today: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.