State Trooper Ends Chase In Harford County, Maryland

On February 8, 2011, Federal Marshals issued a lookout for a silver Ford Taurus with Virginia tags in the Harford County area.  The operator of the vehicle, Brandon L. Pegram, 23, of Virginia was believed to be armed with a handgun and shotgun.  According to police officials, Pegram held his family hostage and threatened to harm any law enforcement officers who attempted to capture him. 

The vehicle was spotted by deputies at approximately 2:47 p.m. on Route 40 at Gateway Drive in Edgewood, Maryland.  The deputies attempted to initiate a stop when the vehicle fled the scene and traveled on Route 40 towards Baltimore County.  State Troopers from the Bel Air Barracks as well as Baltimore County officers joined in the pursuit.

Pegram attempted to ram civilian motorists and run down two deputies.  When he attempted to strike one of them a second time, causing the deputy to dive out of the way, a State Police Sergeant used his patrol vehicle to impact Pegram's vehicle.  The Trooper used a pit maneuver to force the suspect's vehicle to the side of the interstate and up against the guardrail.   The Trooper impacted Pegram's driver side door to prevent him from escaping on foot.

After resisting arrest Pegram was taken into custody with minor injuries.  He is facing charges of robbery, felony assault, kidnapping, first and second degree assault, vehicle theft, reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property, and numerous traffic violations. 

Fortunately, innocent motorists were not injured in this accident.  Not to say, that the State Trooper who was forced to ram his patrol car into the suspect's vehicle did not sustain injuries.  In the event he did sustain injuries he would be entitled to make a claim for workers compensation as he was in the course of his employment when this accident occurred.  Workers compensation benefits an individual for an accidental injury at work.

In the event the suspect had endangered the lives of the other motorists or caused them bodily injuries they would have claims for personal injuries. Unfortunately, their claims would be known as uninsured motorist claims as they would not be able to make a claim against the owner of the vehicle the suspect was driving, as the vehicle was stolen.  Instead, the injured parties would be entitled to make a claim under their own automobile insurance for uninsured benefits.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in a work-related accident, car accident or you need more information on work-related accidents or car accidents, please visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshureaccidentlawyers.com or contact one of our Maryland accident attorneys for a free consultation. 

Pedestrian Killed Crossing Route 40 in Harford County

The Aberdeen Police crash team is investigating an accident that occurred Friday, April 2, 2010.  Michael R. Patton, 49, of Aberdeen was struck and killed by a man from Edgewood operating a 2002 International truck in the eastbound lanes of Pulaski Highway near Carol Avenue, in Harford County.  The identity of the man operating the truck has not yet been released and a spokesperson for the police department indicated they are not sure if charges will be filed.

The accident occurred in a fairly dark location of the roadway.  The crash team when investigating these types of accident has to look at environmental issues, lighting and those types of things that could make it safer for pedestrians.   Pedestrians should also use crosswalks, whenever possible and look both ways before crossing a highway.  

Regardless, of whether it was pedestrian error or the driver's fault that the accident occurred, the pedestrian is entitled to benefits from that driver's policy.  Specifically, his family would be entitled to Personal Injury Protection benefits to cover funeral expenses up to the limit of coverage available under that driver's policy.  In the event the pedestrian also owned a motor vehicle and carried Personal Injury Protection benefits in excess of the driver who struck him, than his family could also look to his policy to cover additional expenses. The family of the deceased may also bring a wrongful death claim.  

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian accident or any other type of automobile accident or you need more information on automobile accidents and Personal Injury Protection benefits, please contact Portner & Shure and speak with one of our Maryland accident lawyers for a free consultation.

Two Serious Bus Accidents in Harford County, Maryland

Monday, January 18, 2010, a school bus was stopped at a red light on Route 40 in Edgewood, Maryland when a man drove his vehicle under the school bus. The man, 72 year old Theodros Dimitrios Xenakis of Forest Hill, Maryland had to be cut out of his vehicle and was flown to Maryland Shock Trauma in serious condition.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010, a second serious bus accident occurred at 2:00 p.m. when a Ford Expedition collided with a Harford County school bus near Harford Technical High School. The driver of the Ford Expedition also had to be cut out of his vehicle and was taken to Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore City for his injuries.

Thankfully in both accidents no children were injured. In the United States there are more than 450,000 school buses that transport our children to and from school. The safety of children is a daily concern for parents, teachers, daycare providers and anyone taking children into their care. Bus drivers assume the responsibility for children everyday ensuring their safe return to and from school.

If a child is injured in a school bus accident it can change their life as well as the lives of their parents in an instant. Parents should be aware that companies that provide public transportation vehicles can be held liable for the safety of their vehicles. It is important that you consult with an experienced bus accident injury lawyer if you or someone you know is injured in this type of accident. Portner & Shure has handled countless bus accident cases, including one where we sued Peter Pan Bus Company for the driver's negligence. The driver was overworked and in fact fell asleep at the wheel while driving on Interstate 95 in Harford County. The recovery against the bus company was $ 550,000.00.

If your child or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident, you should contact an experienced attorney. The attorneys at Portner & Shure have many years of experience representing bus accident victims in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Motor Vehicle Triple Fatality in Harford County

A Harford County jury indicted a Darlington man for three counts of vehicular manslaughter and DUI/DWI . The indictment of Travis Gray was the result of a fatal car accident that occurred on November 14, 2009, on Route 543 in Harford County, Maryland. It was determined by the Maryland State Police Crash Team that Mr. Gray was operating his vehicle northbound on Route 543 when he crossed over the double lines and hit a 1998 Ford Truck head-on. All occupants of the Ford Truck were killed and were residents of Street, Maryland.

While an indictment was not handed down until December 15, 2009, is due to the extensive investigation of the Maryland State Police Crash Team. They are required to do a thorough investigation and inspection of the vehicles from the brakes to the headlights as well as analyze the road to determine speeds and directions of the vehicles involved. It is important that these steps are done accurately to ensure the conviction of the guilty driver.

Statistically, almost every half hour a car accident occurs as the result of a drunk driver. Often too many times this accident could have been prevented. The key to stopping this is intervention, tougher laws, and harsher sentences. Its too late once the drunk driver gets behind the wheel of his vehicle. What can you do to prevent another death or accident as the result of drunk driving? It can be as simple as taking the person's keys, or finding them an alternate ride. Everyone should be aware that penalties including increased jail time are now used by the Harford County Courts and courts throughout Maryland as a deterrent.

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