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 Accident Shuts Down Route 270

On January 15, 2010, the morning commute of drivers on Route 270 in Frederick County came to a complete halt. At approximately 8:00 a.m., Mr. Robert Riley began to slow his vehicle due to the heavy traffic on Route 270 near Buckeystown Pike. Mr. Riley was driving his truck when he was struck in the rear. The operator of the vehicle that struck Mr. Riley was flown to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Mr. Riley was transported by ambulance to Frederick Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

This accident is an example of the various injuries that can be caused by such a serious collision. Traffic accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor sprains to more serious injuries such as internal bleeding, broken bones or even traumatic brain injuries. Car accidents that occur at a higher rate of speed have a greater potential of leaving a person with permanent injuries.

As a general rule, the driver of a motor vehicle may not follow another vehicle closer then what is reasonable. The operator of the vehicle must maintain a reasonable speed for the driving and traffic conditions. There are specific laws surrounding what is considered to be "reasonable" based on the circumstances of the situation.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident where you were rearended, or if you would like more information on car accidents, please contact Porter & Shure.