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. 

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.

What Clients Are Saying April 2017

“I have never written a review for a person or business before today; however, this review is 100% warranted and so here we go. I have had the pleasure and honor bestowed upon me to have met and work with Ms. Rebecca Dean. To simply say that Ms. Rebecca Dean is AMAZING would be an understatement and a disservice to her. Ms. Rebecca Dean is the epitome of what a true professional is. Ms. Rebecca Dean's patience and time she takes to explain every step along the way and to respond to any questions is ADMIRABLE and her work ethic and perseverance to always perform to the highest standard and do what is in the best interest of the client is INSPIRATIONAL. Ms. Rebecca Dean is a true asset to not only Portner & Shure but to their clientele as well. If you are fortunate enough to be assigned to Ms. Rebecca Dean, just know one thing: you ARE in good hands!!”

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

Employee Spotlight December 2016

We want to congratulate Norma Guevara, a paralegal in our Spanish Department, who was just married. She has been with Portner & Shure for 9 years and we are all so happy for her and her husband. Norma already has two kids and recently adopted a third child. All three of them are happy for their mom and very excited about the marriage. Norma and her husband, Pedro, celebrated their honeymoon on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Congratulations Norma and Pedro!

Litigation News December 2016

On June 24, 2016, our client was involved in a rear-end car accident in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Just this month, Portner & Shure attorney, Kevin Ruby, and our litigation department helped settle this case prior to trial. Initially, Geico denied liability as they typically do in a low-impact rear-end accident. We filed suit to argue this matter in court. With trial just a few weeks away, Geico made an offer to settle the case. After negotiations, a settlement was reached for $7,850.00. Our client was very happy with this result. 

Litigation News August 2016

This month, our attorneys were successful against Geico yet again in an auto accident case where liability was denied and no settlement offer was made.  In this accident case, our client had a green light and was proceeding straight when the defendant made a left turn directly in front of our client, cutting her off and resulting in the crash.  Our client suffered numerous injuries, including to her back, foot, shoulder, and eye.  Medical expenses totaled more than $7,000, yet Geico refused to accept liability or make our client an offer to settle the case and avoid litigation.  Our attorneys were forced to file suit because of Geico’s refusal to negotiate a settlement.  Our client received a verdict of $8,448 plus court costs.  

Maryland Truck Accident Lawyer: Fatal Tractor Trailer Accident in Westminster

            Last Friday, a tractor trailer collided with a car on Route 27 in Westminster.  Both vehicles quickly caught fire and the driver of the car could not make it out in time.  The truck hit the car in the intersection of Route 27 and Kate Wagner/Chapel Road. 

            

            Preliminary investigations do not reveal any alcohol involvement or defective maintenance of the tractor trailer as possible causes of the accident.  Although the truck initiated the collision, it still has not been determined who was at fault or the accident.

Truck-involved accidents will almost always result in serious injuries or death.  Due to the size and power of tractor trailers, it is difficult for truck drivers to bring their rigs to a quick stop.  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.

            

            Remember, the actions you take immediately after an auto accident will affect your personal injury recovery.  Most crash victims do not understand that an auto accident entails complicated issues, including:

   

   ·         What should never be discussed with the Adjuster;

   ·         The two critical guidelines to follow when seeking medical treatment;

   ·         The method to “get more” for your property damage and an immediate rental car;

   ·         The one document always needed for your lost wage recovery, and other critical accident related         proof;

   ·         The three essentials for building and evaluating the case for pain and suffering compensation.

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 Westminster or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Truck-Accidents/

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

Maryland’s Cap on Damages Challenged by Maryland Family

           In 2008, Manuel Espina was shot by a Prince George’s County police officer and his family sued the county because the officer was a local government employee.  Maryland has a law from the 1980s that limits the amount of money people can receive when suing a local government employee to $200,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 for claims connected to a single incident.  The Espina family is asking Maryland’s highest court to strike down the law because their damage award of $11.5 million was cut down to $400,000.

            Other localities in Maryland, not surprisingly, have taken the side of Prince George’s County, arguing that “ruling in favor of the family could force local governments to pay out millions more when officers are sued for civil rights violations.”  The family’s attorneys and many civil rights groups believe that having a cap on damages will never deter local governments from combatting police brutality.  Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the Public Justice Center, and the Caucus of African American Leaders all filed briefs supporting the Espina family.  They believe “that larger penalties are necessary to ensure justice in police brutality cases” and “the cap doesn’t deter officers from repeated misconduct—especially if they escape criminal charges over the accusations.”  The police officer involved here was not prosecuted in the killing and a police trial board acquitted him of administrative charges.

            In Baltimore, the cap has saved taxpayers millions of dollars because since 2011, there have been 102 civil suits alleging police brutality and other misconduct, and yet $5.7 million has still been paid out.  Baltimore City, for example, has argued that “the cap is needed to protect budgets and predict exposure for insurance purposes.”    So while local governments are worrying about their budgets, families of victims of police brutality or other misconduct are limited to a few hundred thousand dollars in damages for their loss, even when juries return multi-million dollar damage awards.  The cap has been challenged and upheld numerous times.  It will certainly be interesting to see if the Maryland Court of Appeals holds its ground and upholds the cap, or if this case is ripe for overturning it.