Maryland Auto Accident Lawyer

Visit us at:  www.portnerandshure.com

or call to speak with one of our experienced Maryland auto accident attorneys at (301) 854-9000 for a free consultation.

Insure.com conducted a survey of 2,000 drivers in which Washington, D.C. recently placed second for rudest drivers in the United States.  In addition, Maryland was named as the state that hates Washington, D.C. drivers the most.

Furthermore, the DriverSide study ranked Washington, D.C. as number one in speeding tickets per capita.  Several D.C. residents claim that many drivers fail to signal when changing lanes and there is always someone driving behind you wanting to run you off the road.

These recent poll results raise concerns about Maryland drivers because there is a higher risk of becoming an accident victim.  Due to Maryland's close proximity to Washington, D.C., Maryland drivers have an increased risk of being a victim of reckless driving.  It is important for Maryland drivers to know what to do if they are a victim of an automobile accident.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an automobile accident, truck, bus or motorcycle accident, and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on car accidents please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 or visit us on the web at www.portnerandshure.com

　

 

 

Annapolis, Maryland Auto Accident Attorney

Visit us at:  www.portnerandshure.com

or call to speak with one of our experienced Annapolis, Maryland auto accident attorneys at (410) 995-1515 for a free consultation.

3 Things You Need to Know After an Accident

When you are involved in an auto accident, the steps you take after that accident can be essential to the outcome of your case. In order to protect your claim, follow these three tips:

1)     Don't Speak: It is important to understand that when then insurance company calls to speak with you, they are working against your claim. This means that the information that you give them is information that can be used against you. As a layman, you may not realize what kind of information is harmful or helpful to your case. Because of this, it is essential that you find the help of an experienced Annapolis, Maryland auto accident attorney who can advise you. Furthermore, a car accident lawyer can speak to the insurance company for you so that you will not make the mistake of revealing too much information. Not speaking to the insurance company is especially important for those who do not speak English fluently or speak English as a second language. The insurance company may take advantage of the language barrier to obtain information they can use against you.

2)     Focus on Treatment: When you are treating for your injuries, you must listen to the advice of your doctor. Do not attempt self-diagnosis or stop treatment before your doctor advises you that you no longer need further treatment. Some clients make the mistake of ending their treatment process early and later discover that they are not fully recovered. By this time, it may be too late for those clients to make a claim for the treatment they subsequently receive. Don't make this mistake and risk your claim - listen to the advice of your doctor.

3)     Don't Rush: The settlement process takes time. Our experienced Annapolis, Maryland car accident attorneys are skilled in the delicate art of negotiation. Oftentimes, this includes waiting out the insurance company to make them nervous. Because of this, it is important for clients to be patient and allow the attorney to obtain the most for your claim. 

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an automobile accident, truck, bus or motorcycle accident, and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on car accidents please feel free to contact our office at (410) 995-1515 or visit us on the web at www.portnerandshure.com

　

Silver Spring, Maryland Auto Accident Attorney|Who is responsible for my auto accident?

After an auto accident, many of our clients are scared and confused by the overwhelming legal process. Clients come to us with worries of their case that arise from every angle. We always tell our clients that the most important step is recovery and treatment. Any stress or anxiousness with regard to their case can only hinder their ability to recover. The attorneys at Portner & Shure make sure that clients focus on their treatment while we, the professionals, take care to pursue every avenue for compensation.

 

While most attorneys rarely look beyond the obvious opponent, the other party to the accident, the attorneys at Portner & Shure take a closer look at accidents to ensure that every party is held responsible for the accident. Besides the other driver, we look to parties such as the automobile manufacturer who may have produced or assembled a faulty vehicle, the parts manufacturer who may have produced a faulty part used in the vehicle, and the government who may have failed to maintain or may have constructed a poorly designed road.

 

Recently, General Motors recalled 8.5 million vehicles due to ignition switch problems. These recalls came too late after 13 drivers and passengers had died due to these issues. Now, the CEO of the manufacturing company that produced the ignition switches claims that he holds no responsibility for the deaths. It is easy for auto accident attorneys to provide a cursory look and choose the easiest way to process your case in an assembly-line manner, but the attorneys at Portner & Shure take the extra step to closely examine all avenues of compensation so that you, the client, can recover from your injuries. 

Do Speed and Red Light Cameras Increase Accidents?

I don't drive to Towson often and when I do I usually use I-83 (sounds like a commercial for the most uninteresting man in the world). I heard about the speed camera in place around Liberty Road but I had not experienced it first hand until yesterday. Seeing it in action has inspired me. Let me start by stating that, as a Maryland criminal defense attorney, I have a general disdain for red light cameras and speed cameras. I think that they are unsafe and lower the standard of proof needed by the state to convict a defendant for a traffic violation. The speed camera at Liberty Road further supports my opinion. On its best day the I-695 corridor at Liberty Road is an area where traffic slows. More often than not, that section of road is a bottleneck causing epic rush hour traffic jams. Now there is construction going on at the exit for Liberty Road (slower speed in a construction zone is probably the rational for placing a mobile speed camera there). So we have a stretch of road notorious for traffic jams. Now add construction and a speed camera. This combination creates rush hour traffic jams in the middle of the day. The pace of traffic suddenly slows by 20mph because drivers don't want to get a ticket. The sudden decrease in speed and congestion creates dangerous driving conditions. Portner & Shure handles auto accident cases throughout Baltimore County and recently we have been contacted by numerous clients injured in rear end collisions at this very location.

What is the real motivation behind the mobile speed cameras and red light cameras? Is it safety? Does it decrease accidents caused by drinking and driving. Money? I think that there would be less accidents and congestion at the Liberty Road exit if the mobile speed camera was removed. The speed camera's flashing lights surprise people. I would not be surprised at all if the flashing lights from a speed camera caused apprehension in drivers and resulted in accidents. Ironically, that is exactly what one would expect to happen with young drivers. Percentage wise, younger drivers are involved in more serious accidents than experienced drivers. Red light cameras can have the same effect. Imagine if a driver was traveling on a road with a 35mph speed limit at an intersection he or she knows has a red light camera. What happens if, as this driver approaches the intersection, the light suddenly turns yellow? In most instances the driver would proceed through the yellow light and doing so would be both safe and lawful. However, the apprehension associated with getting a red light ticket may cause the driver to come to a sudden stop. This reaction is unsafe to other drivers and could lead to an automobile accident. I am not the only one with this opinion. Many people are opponents of speed cameras and red light cameras. Unfortunately, the State of Maryland needs revenue and the cameras provide it.