Speed and Reckless Driving Contribute to Many Single Vehicles Accidents

Single vehicle accidents are becoming more common. These accidents are commonly the result of negligent driving and have a great potential of becoming deadly. Speed and reckless driving are among the top causes of such car collisions.

For example, on January 12, 2010, a 19-year-old Delaware woman lost control of her vehicle and struck a telephone poll before the vehicle overturned on Back Mountain Road in Frederick County, Maryland. Although the driver was trapped in the vehicle for a period of time she only sustained minor injuries. She is being charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain control of a vehicle.

Charges such as reckless driving have significant impact on your driving record. Repeated charges can result in the suspension or loss of your driving privileges in addition to hefty fines and penalties. It may also become difficult to get car insurance if you have charges such as these on your driving record.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to someone's failure to maintain control of their vehicle or you would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation.

Serious Single Vehicle Accident Kills Three in Prince George's County

In April 2009, there was a horrible accident that occurred in Laurel, Maryland, which claimed the lives of three people and injured a fourth. The single vehicle accident occurred near Muirkirk Road in Prince George's County, Maryland. The driver of the vehicle lost control of the vehicle struck a utility pole and fire hydrant.

In the event that a driver of a vehicle may be at fault for the accident, that fact does not prevent a passenger from pursuing a claim when bodily injuries are involved, or in this case a tragic death. A passenger, or the family of a passenger, may pursue a claim against the driver's insurance policy. Death benefit coverage can be paid in the event a death should occur as the result of an accident. This benefit generally ranges from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00. In addition to death benefits, it is possible to also pursue personal injury protection benefits, which could aid a family in medical expenses and/or funeral costs. It is important to review the terms of your policy to verify whether or not your policy has such a benefit.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been killed or injured in a motor vehicle accident or you would like more information on car accidents please contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation.

Car Accident Involving Police Vehicle in Howard County

On January 20, 2010, an unmarked police vehicle was traveling eastbound along Route 108 in Columbia, Maryland. When the officer was making a left hand turn on Bendix Road he was hit by another vehicle traveling westbound on Route 108 in Howard County. The drivers of both vehicles were taken to Howard County General for injuries.

Although emergency vehicles have their own set of rules to which they adhere while driving, it is unclear in this situation as to what capacity the unmarked police cruiser was being used. The law clearly states that emergency vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, or fire trucks cannot be held to the same standard of care as other drivers. Designated emergency vehicles that are responding to an emergency have special privileges. For instance, they are permitted to exceed the speed limit (so long as they do not endanger other drivers), pass a red light or stop sign, and disregard traffic control devices. However, it is important to keep in mind that these privileges only exist if the responding vehicle is using its audible and visual signals except in the even event that the police vehicle is not equipped with such signals..

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident that involves the use of an emergency vehicle or would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure.

Single Vehicle Accident Claims Life of Frederick County Man

The Frederick News Post reported a single vehicle car accident on January 9, 2010, which resulted in the death of a Walkersville man. Donovan C. Phillips of Walkersville was driving his 2005 Kia Optima on Maryland Route 26 just east of Monocacy Boulevard when Mr. Phillips had a medical emergency and lost control of his vehicle. He crossed a median into the eastbound lanes before hitting a fire hydrant and finally coming to rest on the shoulder of Route 26. Mr. Phillips was pronounced dead upon his arrival at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Many auto insurance policies that carry personal injury protection also carry a specific death benefit coverage that can be paid in the event that a death should occur as the result of an accident. This benefit generally ranges from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00. It is important to review the terms of your policy to verify whether or not your policy has such a benefit. With respect to liability, if you are injured by a person who has a medical emergency several things may need to be proven. First, did this person have reason to believe that their medical condition could put themselves or others at risk. For example, if a person has a seizure and it causes an accident, did that person know of the seizure disorder prior to the collision.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to the medical condition of another person, or if you would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure.