Beware of Motorcyclists on the Road in Maryland

Motorcycle safety is often a forgotten focus of other drivers on the road. Now that we are fully in summer, more and more motorcyclists will be hitting the road. As drivers, we often see messages posted on the electronic highway boards reminding us to share the road with motorcyclists. Highways are often not a safe place for motorcyclists because most car and truck drivers do not know the laws when operating a vehicle near a motorcycle. The biggest mistake drivers make is not giving motorcyclists enough space. As a result, accidents occur quite frequently, and the injuries are severe. In fact, every year in Maryland, 70 motorcyclists are killed in accidents and another 1,400 suffer serious injuries in crashes.

Drivers across the state should beware and pay extra attention when driving near a motorcycle on the highway. In accidents involving motorcyclists and cars, it is more likely that the car driver is at fault than the motorcyclist. Vehicle operators often violate the motorcycle’s right of way and often fail to pay proper attention.

The injuries that result from an accident involving a motorcycle are often very serious. Riders lack the same protection that car drivers have when involved in an accident. Motorcyclists are limited to just their head protection when involved in a collision. Riders are sometimes ejected over their handlebars and flung forward or they are trapped under their bike as it skids across the highway.

Motorcyclists are no different from car or truck drivers, and they should not be treated any differently. When a motorcyclist is injured in an accident, an experienced local motorcycle accident attorney can often prove that the accident was caused by the larger vehicle failing to pay proper attention. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident on Maryland’s highways, call the attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation. 

Injured in an Auto Accident? Don't Miss Your Chance to File a Claim

Every state has a time limit or statute of limitations that prevents someone from being able to file a claim after a certain period of time has passed. In Maryland, there is a 3 year statute of limitations for auto accident claims, and the clock starts ticking from the date of the accident. There is also a 1 year time limit for being able to file a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim. PIP claims are important because that money can be used to pay for some, if not all, of your medical bills. That means that, when a settlement is reached or a verdict in court is awarded, that money can be given to you (after attorneys' fees are distributed). In other words, your settlement money will not have to be used to pay back medical bills because PIP already paid them.

Sometimes we have people who will call our office and tell us they were injured in an auto accident, they have been treating their injuries, and now they are ready to file a claim to collect compensation. Then, they will tell us that their accident happened 5 years ago. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done because they are well past the 3 year statute of limitations period in Maryland to be able to file a claim.

We always recommend to anyone calling our office for car accident injury consultations that it is very important to hire an attorney soon after an accident has occurred. We always want our clients to have plenty of time to file the necessary claims that can help maximize their compensation.

If you've been injured in an auto accident in Maryland, seek medical attention for your injuries and hire an attorney to represent you. Don't miss out on your chance to be compensated for injures suffered in a car accident. Call us today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

Your Recklessness is Another Family's Worst Nightmare

After many drivers witnessed a Chevy Impala speeding excessively down MD 198, police were called to the scene of a head-on collision around 10 AM Tuesday morning in Laurel.  The accountable driver blew through a red light causing a fatal accident as he skidded across the dividing line and collided with a Toyota Camry. Unfortunately the accident killed both of the drivers, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver at fault was flown to shock trauma where he died upon arrival. It is still unknown if he was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol, but it is known that he should not have been speeding in the slightest bit on account of his suspended license.

              

             Drivers, it is important to consider not only the safety of yourself, but to think of other drivers on the road as well. In the state of Maryland statistics show that car accidents kill approximately 580 people every year. In addition to that number, there are about 36,680 who are injured annually in result of an accident. Always remember to watch your speed; driving 20 MPH over the posted speed limit is reckless driving. If you are going faster than 20 MPH over, the police officer does have the option to take your license and charge you with intent to kill. A reckless driving offense may leave you with a misdemeanor, as well as a fine of over $500, and caries 6 points. Never speed so fast you are finding it difficult to maintain control over your vehicle.

  If you have a suspended license, you should not be driving at all unless you have been granted permission to drive within certain hours of the day. In this case it is crucial that you follow all traffic signs and signals to prevent revocation of your license. If you are caught driving and you have a class “H” suspension, this could add 3 points to your license, up to 60 days in jail, and a $500 fine. If you are caught driving with a class “C” suspension you could face up to a year in jail, 12 points added to your license, in addition to a $1000 fine.

                If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland motor vehicle accident and would like to speak with an experienced attorney free of charge, 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/Personal-Injury/

Two Pedestrians Struck by Car at Maryland Bus Stop

          Over the weekend, two people who were waiting at a “Ride On” bus stop in Kensington, Montgomery County, Maryland, were struck by a Toyota Prius that drove directly into the bus stop.  The accident occurred Saturday morning on Connecticut Avenue near Howard Avenue.  A witness at a nearby gas station said he saw three people at the bus stop, and two of them managed to get out of harm’s way, but the third pedestrian was hit and pinned under the car.  That person who was stuck under the car was an 18-year-old woman who fire fighters were able to rescue.  Witnesses described the whole scene as “pretty graphic.”  The 18-year-old woman suffered two broken legs, and doctors say she is expected to survive.  The other pedestrian that was struck refused treatment at the scene.

           

            The driver of the Prius was a 61-year-old man from Silver Spring.  Police originally thought this accident was the result of a DUI, but later determined that was not the case.  Instead, officials believe some medical emergency, such as a seizure, likely caused the crash.  The driver was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.  Police officers have since said that the driver will be ticketed for the crash.

            Sadly, this is the second accident in Montgomery County in a two-week period involving pedestrians being hit by cars at a bus stop.  On February 18, “an out-of-control car” struck and killed Vanessa Dixon in Silver Spring as she was waiting at the Montgomery County “Ride On” bus stop.  The driver in this accident, a 22-year-old man, was arrested for suspicion of DUI.

            Although the accident this past weekend was not alcohol related, the fact that two accidents have occurred at bus stops in Montgomery County in a two-week period raises concerns about pedestrian safety.  Bus stops are set up very close to the road without any protection for pedestrians waiting for buses if a car does drive off the road and onto the sidewalk.  New safety procedures might need to be considered in order to better protect pedestrians waiting at bus stops.

            If you or a family member have been injured or killed in an accident at a bus stop or similar situation and would like to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

New Construction Project at University of Maryland, College Park Poses Risk for Personal Injury and Need for Attorney

University of Maryland Transforming Cole Field House into $155 Million Indoor Football Facility and Academic Research Complex

Two weeks ago, the University of Maryland, College Park Board of Regents’ Finance Committee unanimously approved a proposal to turn the Cole Field House Student Activities Building into an indoor football facility and academic research complex.  Next up, the proposal will be voted on by the full Board of Regents next month.  University of Maryland is the only Big Ten school without an indoor football facility.  The proposed facility would include excavating the bowl seating of Cole Field House to create a 100-yard indoor football field.  In addition, there would be two football practice fields west of the new facility, as well as a “state-of-the-art Center for Sports Medicine, Health, and Human Performance.”

Cole Field House’s history goes back to 1955 when it housed its first Maryland college basketball game where the Terps defeated Virginia.  The arena still holds the record for being the site of the most upsets of number one-ranked men’s basketball teams with seven.  Cole Field House also hosted NCAA tournament games and concerts.  Maryland played its last basketball game in Cole under Hall of Fame Coach Gary Williams in March 2002 with a win over Virginia.  That same year, the Maryland basketball team went undefeated at Cole Field House and went on to win the National Championship.  Currently, the building is used for homecoming events, classes, and offices.  It is important that the future plans to transform the arena will maintain the history and tradition that made Cole Field House such a special building. 

Mr. Shure was a running back on Maryland’s football team from 1985 to 1987, and he certainly supports this planned renovation.  He was a three-time member of the ACC All-Academic Team.  Today, Mr. Shure implements football strategies in his legal philosophy by never cutting corners and pushing aggressively on each automobile accident and medical malpractice claim.  As a result, Mr. Shure has helped settle and negotiate millions of dollars in client recoveries every year.

With a major construction project of this nature, in the busiest part of Maryland’s campus, there is a higher risk of car and scooter accidents.  If you or a family member has been injured by a driver while walking or riding a bicycle through a crosswalk, contact Portner & Shure for a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on drivers hitting pedestrians at (410) 995-1515 or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/