Baltimore, Maryland Car Accident Attorney | The Baltimore City Police Department's No-Pursuit Policy

12-year-old Shanizya Taft was killed in a car crash on Tuesday night in east Baltimore on East Preston Street near Aisquith Street. The driver, a murder suspect in the shooting and killing of a 15-year-old boy on Memorial Day on S. Mount Street, ran a red light and slammed into a white minivan carrying Shanizya Taft, her 4-year-old sister, and mother. Shanizya's mother and 4-year-old sister were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The mother was still in the hospital late Wednesday, while the 4-year-old had been released.

Plain clothes officers pursued the driver after spotting him nearby, but police contend there was no chase. "Our officers were initially behind this vehicle. They did initially try to stop it," said Lt. Eric Kowalczyk, Baltimore City Police. "After a short period of time, they lost sight of the vehicle. And then it was one of our patrol officers who came across the accident a short time after that."

The Baltimore Police Department's policy prohibits officers from chasing suspects in vehicles except under "exigent circumstances," such as when officers believe that failing to pursue could lead to injury or death. Before police can engage in a high-speed pursuit, agency policy says, officials must consider whether the hazards to pedestrians and other drivers are outweighed by the importance of catching the suspect. Officers are supposed to communicate with supervisors before they begin a pursuit, remain in contact, and use their lights and siren.

One reason for this is to prevent police officers from becoming involved in a traffic crash--whether with the suspect or innocent bystanders. Geoffrey Alpert, a University of South Carolina professor of criminology, was quoted in USA Today saying that approximately 35% - 40% of police chases end in traffic crashes. Alpert also stated that while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that police pursuits result in about 360 deaths a year, that number is likely 3 to 4 times higher.

In 2011, the mother of a man who died in a Baltimore motorcycle accident that occurred during a high-speed police chase filed a $40 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Baltimore and the police officer involved.

In September of 2013, Baltimore police conducted a criminal investigation into whether officers followed orders to end their pursuit of a sedan before it was involved in a fatal crash that killed three people.

Spanish Speaking Criminal Defendants or Accident Victims in Maryland

Spanish speaking criminal defendants and accident victims should be aware that different rules seem to apply to them while they are in the legal system in many jurisdictions throughout Maryland. In counties like Howard County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County, in our experience, there is no difference in outcome because you speak Spanish in an accident case or a drunk driving case. However, if you go to some courthouses on the Eastern Shore and expect accident compensation, or a fair sentence, in our experience Spanish speaking clients results will vary, will be inconsistent, and may receive less money and a greater sentence.

As a result, we urge our Spanish speaking criminal clients to not accept plea deals in certain counties. Our results in certain criminal cases, in these counties with Spanish speaking defendants, are considerably better at sentencing, even when we have tried cases and lost, then when we have defendants plea guilty.

In accident cases a good Spanish interpreter, who has a nice presence seems to also make a difference. It is obvious that since the damages are being expressed through a Spanish interpreter, the way in which the interpreter appears and expresses herself makes a difference. Our firm is very familiar with certain court certified Spanish speaking interpreters who make a great presentation and help obtain excellent results for our Spanish speaking automobile accident clients throughout Maryland.

 

If you or a family member speaks Spanish and has been injured or killed in an automobile accident, truck, bus or motorcycle accident or have been charged with a crime and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on car accidents and criminal defense, please feel free to contact our office or visit us on the web at http://www.yosoytuabogado.com.

Accident in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C., Can You See an Acupuncturist?

Many of our Korean and Chinese speaking automobile accident clients prefer a doctor who speaks their native language. Many of these same personal injury clients prefer an acupuncture doctor over a chiropractor or an orthopaedist. The questions presented are what is appropriate medical care, and what is appropriate care in an accident case in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia.

Assuming the injury was not a bulging or herniated disc, our personal injury clients have treated with acupuncturists and have at the same time obtained great physical results from them, as well as great monetary results from insurance companies. Obtaining medical treatment from acupuncturists is a common occurrence in the Chinese community throughout Rockville, Silver Spring, and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The world health organization recognizes acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine to treat automobile accident injuries, including neck, back, shoulder, and knee injuries. Acupuncture itself is more than three thousand years old and works through the distribution of meridians. The meridians are passages through which blood is circulated. Needling the acupuncture points unblocks obstructions at the meridians and re-established blood flow and corrects imbalances. It is believed that needling stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain. In turn, the chemicals alter the pain experience or trigger the release of other chemicals which influence the bodies own internal regulating system. The improved biochemical balance results in stimulation of the bodies natural healing abilities.

Acupuncture treatment in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., in all automobile accident cases should be prescribed by a medical doctor. Statutes in these jurisdictions are unclear as to whether a liability insurance carrier must pay for this treatment otherwise. Courts will allow the treatment for automobile accident injuries, but with no objection by the insurance carrier, if there is a prescription. Further, PIP and Med-Pay carriers will pay for Acupuncture without any hesitation in cases where its recommended by a medical doctor.

Acupuncturists can not prescribe medication. Often this care is done in conjunction with a medical doctor who can prescribe pain medication and muscle relaxers. Seeing a medical doctor as well as an acupuncturist is often a great combination.

Our personal injury law firm has tried in court and settled thousands of cases where automobile accident victims have used Chinese speaking Acupuncturists. In each case we have found that is the bills and treatment were reasonable and necessary, well documented and prescribed, than the treatment was paid for along with pain and suffering damages.

If you have been involved in an automobile 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 or visit us on the web at www.portnerandshure.com