Deadly Accident on I-695 in Baltimore County

           An Arnold woman was driving with one other passenger on the outerloop of I-695 last night when her Hyundai Elantra left the roadway on the right shoulder near the Baltimore National Pike exit just past I-70.  The driver crashed in to a parked State Highway CHART vehicle that was on the side of the highway helping a driver who had run out of gas.  Sadly, the passenger in the Hyundai died as a result of the crash and the driver was seriously injured.  Luckily, no other cars or people were injured in the accident.  Police officers closed the outerloop for several hours last night while they investigated the cause of the accident.  Weather was not a factor in the crash, but police continue to investigate why the Hyundai ran off the road.

            This accident is just another reminder of the dangers that can occur on the side of the road on highways.  Drivers can easily lose control of their vehicles and run off the road.  When that happens, anyone who is pulled over on the side of the road is in danger of being hit.  If you remain in your vehicle, you are protected much better than if you are standing outside of your vehicle.  Cars on a highway like I-695 are driving at speeds up to 80mph, and if any one of those drivers loses control of their vehicle, a person on the side of the road could easily be killed.  Many people think they are safe and out of harm’s way because they are on the side of the road, but these people would be wrong.  In fact, people on the side of the road are in more danger than drivers still on the highway, especially if they are outside their vehicle changing a tire or performing some other car maintenance.  Remember, if you are on the side of the road, use your hazard lights, pull as far away from the road as possible, and if you must be outside of your vehicle, wear bright-colored clothing that drivers can see.

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

Riverdale, Maryland Police Looking to Catch Distracted Drivers

           Drivers in Riverdale, Langley Park, and Fort Washington should be on the lookout for increased police patrols in the coming weeks.  April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and as a result, Maryland police officers are trying to catch drivers who are using their cell phones while driving.  Officers will not hesitate to pull drivers over if they look like they are not paying full attention to the road while behind the wheel. 

            For the past week, police have been targeting drivers near the toll facilities in the state.  The Maryland Transportation Authority considers distracted driving as “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.”  This includes using a handheld cell phone to make a phone call, text, or use any other application.

            If police catch you for a first offense, the fine is $83.  However, if you are caught for a third time, the fine is $160.  Additionally, if a crash occurs, points may be added to your driver’s license.  The strictest penalty is imposed when a distracted driver causes a serious or fatal accident ($5,000 fine and up to one year in prison).  According to Maryland’s MVA, “Distracted driving is involved in 58 percent of total crashes and half of all fatal crashes statewide.”  Studies also show that a driver is three times more likely to be involved in a crash wen reaching for a phone and looking for a number.  Texting while driving doubles the likelihood of being in an accident.

            Your phone calls and text messages can wait, but your life and the lives of others cannot.  Far too many people are killed in accidents every year caused by distracted drivers using cell phones and not paying attention to the road. 

If you or someone you love has been injured in a distracted driving car, truck, or bus accident or has died as a result of their injury suffered in a Maryland crash, and would like more information, please call us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation at our Silver Spring office or one of our other Maryland offices, or visit us online at: http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml