Employee Spotlight January 2018

Please join us in welcoming one of our newest Attorneys, Mr. Guy Saint Pol Maydieu. Guy is a Maryland native having grown up in Montgomery County and graduating from Thomas S. Wootton High School in 2002.  He received his Bachelors of Science Degree at Old Dominion University in 2007.  Following his graduation from Old Dominion University, he served in the United States Army.  While on active duty, he deployed overseas from 2010 to 2011.  Guy left the United States Army in 2012.  He then entered the University of Baltimore School of Law in the Fall of 2012.

While in law school, Guy was a member of the Brand Names Moot Court Team.  He also worked as a Law Clerk for the Office of the Public Defender.  In his final year of law school, Guy worked as a Legal Assistant for a Private Criminal Defense Attorney in Baltimore City.  He received his Juris Doctorate, with Honors, in the Spring of 2015.

Since graduating from law school, Guy has been in private practice.  His practice areas include personal injury and criminal defense.  In his spare time, Guy enjoys watching movies and television shows, reading, and running.

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. 

Look Out for Speed Cameras in Western Maryland in Construction Zones

Maryland State Highway Administration officials have set up speed cameras in work zones along I-81 between the Maryland and West Virginia borders. Cameras are in effect starting this week and anyone who receives a citation during the first 21 days will only get a warning before official tickets are handed out. Beginning on June 20, drivers cited for speeding will receive a $40 citation. The posted work zone speed limit is 55mph. The cameras allow for drivers to go up to 12mph over the limit before handing out tickets.

Major construction is beginning on the interstate as part of a widening process between the bridges over the Potomac River and MD-63 and I-68 interchange. Drivers should always pay extra attention when driving through construction zones on highways because there may be new traffic patterns or workers on the side of the road. Accidents are a common occurrence in work zones, but they can also be prevented if drivers remain vigilant and proceed through them with caution.

Officials state that these speed cameras will be in effect through 2020, the expected completion date for the construction project.

If you've been injured in a construction zone accident in Maryland, call the experienced attorneys at Portner & Shure 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.

Driving too Fast for the Road Conditions can get you into Trouble

On days like today where it's wet and damp, drivers need to be extra cautious on the road. While posted speed limits on highways may say 65mph, that does not mean that drivers are expected to drive that fast when road conditions are dangerous. Far too many accidents occur on roads and highways when it is raining. The leading causing of many of these accidents: speed. Countless drivers fail to adapt their driving behavior to the conditions outside, and as a result, accidents happen.

When it is raining, roads are wet and that means it is more difficult for drivers to be able to stop suddenly. When road conditions are wet, drivers should not drive the maximum speed limit, should increase the distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them, and should be extra cautious around curves and sharp bends in the road. Drivers should also never forget to turn on their car lights when it is raining, not just because it is the law, but it reduces the risk of an accident because your vehicle can be visible to other drivers on the road.

Avoid becoming an accident victim and drive carefully, especially when road conditions are poor. if you have been injured in an accident due the negligence of another driver, call the attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

Fatal Pedestrian Accidents are Rising Dangerously

A new study has been released, which shows that the number of fatal pedestrian accidents has risen dramatically over the last two years. The numbers released in the study are very surprising considering all the advances made in vehicle safety. Since 2014, the number of fatal pedestrian accidents has risen 22%. In 2015, pedestrian fatalities numbered 5,376 and in 2016, it was projected that there were 5,997 pedestrian fatalities occurred.

What's behind this recent spike in pedestrian-involved fatal accidents? Distracted drivers are a major cause of the dramatic increase in fatal pedestrian accidents. Cars may have become safer with more and more features installed to prevent accidents, but they cannot provide much help if the driver is not even paying attention to the road ahead. Distracted driving is a major cause of countless accidents on the road. Drivers using their cell phone to text, talk to someone, get directions, or even take pictures are all resulting in accidents, especially pedestrians. These accidents are not just occurring in big cities, but also happening more in rural areas. Pedestrians cannot just assume that because they have the walking signal that a driver will automatically give them the right of way because that driver may not even be paying attention.

Next time you cross the street, look both ways and beware of distracted drivers. You may see them, but drivers may not see you because their head is buried looking down at their cell phone. Stay safe as you cross the street, and always remember to cross with the signal and stay inside the crosswalk.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, call the attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

Litigation News March 2017

On March 6, 2015, our client was involved in an accident that occurred in an I-95 Rest stop parking lot. On the night of the accident, the highway was becoming snow covered, so our client decided to pull into the Rest Stop to wait out the weather. While his vehicle was parked in the lot, the Defendant collided with the rear of our client’s vehicle, which resulted in damage and injuries. The liability insurance adjuster refused to make any good faith offers, with their highest offer coming in at $7,400.00. We filed suit in order to obtain a better result for our client. The Court awarded our client $28,000.00, which was significantly higher than any offer made by the liability adjuster. Our client was happy with the result in his case.

The Right to a Jury Trial in a Maryland Accident Case has Changed

Until now if you were involved in an accident and claimed damages of $10,000 or less, you and the insurance carrier were entitled to a judge trial and not a jury trial. Jury trials cost a great deal more. Doctors who charge thousands to appear need to be called. Years ago there was no dollar limit on jury trial requests. As a result, insurance company lawyers would request jury trials in small cases as a means to discourage attorneys from taking them. It was a strategic move to reduce personal injury claims. For example, if an automobile accident case that occurred in Columbia in Howard County was worth $5,000 and the doctor charged two thousand to appear, than the economics of a Howard County jury trial didn't make sense. It discouraged many attorneys from taking smaller claims.

As a result, plaintiff's lawyers fought hard to get legislation passed requiring at least a demand for $10,000 in damages before either side had a right to a jury trial. The change has enabled countless injured people to pursue automobile accident claims when their injuries were soft tissue and the damages they claimed were under $10,000. With the passage of time and higher medical costs many small claims can not be concluded for $10,000.

Rather than have these claims decided in the circuit court before a jury, the plaintiff's bar has been successful in getting the damage limit for a jury trial request raised to $15,000. These smaller claims now can be done quicker in the district court and with less cost. In the district court if your attorney files the proper papers, evidence of your medical bills and treatment is admissible without calling the physician at trial.

Motorcycle Accident Expert, Harry Hurt,Dies at 81

On December 2, 2009, Harry Hurt one of the world's foremost authorities on motorcycle crashes and cause, passed away. Hurt was the principal investigator of The Hurt Report, an in depth investigation of 900 motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles from 1976 to 1977. His groundbreaking research credited with saving countless lives, was published in 1981.

In 1975, The National Highway Traffic Safety Center, asked Hurt to develop an accident investigation methodology that would determine the causes of motorcycle crashes and injuries. The study concluded that speed was not a factor in most crashes; that helmets were very effective in preventing brain injuries and deaths; and that two-thirds of motorcycle crashes involved cars and two-thirds of those accidents occurred when a car driver failed to see the motorcycle and violated the cyclist's right-of-way.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident or you would like more information on motorcycle accidents, please contact Portner & Shure. 

Rollover Automobile Accident

The Supreme Court just let stand an $82.6 million dollar award to a woman who was paralyzed after her Ford Explorer rolled over. Ford challenged the portion of the award that was for punitive damages, $55 million. Ford argued that is should not be punished because its design of the vehicle met Federal Safety Standards. The Supreme Court agreed with a California State Appeals Court which had earlier rejected Ford's contention. If you or someone you know was injured in a rollover automobile accident contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation.