Motorcycle Accident Leads to Serious Injuries

Motorcycle accidents are common and often result in serious injuries. Motorcycle drivers need be extremely cautious when operating their bikes since the potential of serious or fatal personal injuries are much more likely if an automobile accident does occur. Although most motorcycle accidents are commonly the result of negligent driving, human error is also a likely contributing factor.

Earlier this month, a Hagerstown motorcyclist was seriously injured as the result of a collision between his bike and a Volkswagen Jetta while on US Route 40 in Frederick County, Maryland. The motorcyclist said that the driver of the Jetta pulled out in front of him. When the Jetta pulled out, the motorcyclist struck the driver side door causing his bike to overturn. The operator of the motorcycle was transported to R Adams Crowley Trauma Center in Baltimore after suffering head and leg injuries.

The accident is still under investigation. An accident re-constructionist can be called to the scene to help determine the cause of the accident. If skid measurements were taken by an expert, the speed at impact could have been determined. Proper measurements, done timely, with eye witness testimony, could help investigators to determine if the driver of Jetta failed to yield to the right of way.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident and would like a free legal consultation, or if you would like more information on automobile accidents, please contact Portner & Shure. Our Maryland and Virginia accident attorneys are available to speak with you.

Intersection of Hayward Road and US 15 Hot Location for Car Accidents

A large number of accidents in Frederick County, Maryland are attributed to the cross traffic at Hayward Road and US 15. The Maryland State Highway Administration has made this area a top priority in Frederick. They have recently installed signs, new pavement markings, as well as a fresh rumble strips along the road in an effort to deter speeding and to help with awareness of the potential cross traffic. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office is also expected to increase speed enforcement on the Hayward Road.

Although these changes will most likely not have an immediate effect on the traffic in that area but the State Highway Administration is hoping that the combination of engineering tactics and law enforcement will help to encourage drivers to be more cautious.

Drivers who speed or fail to yield to the right of way can cause some of the most severe automobile collisions. Not only to car accidents cause damage to property and bodily injuries, traffic citations can be issued for these offenses and carry hefty fines. Insurance carriers can increase your insurance rates and repeat offenders could lose their driving privileges.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in an automobile accident wherein speed was involved or if you would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure. Our Maryland accident lawyers are available to provide a free legal consultation.

Tractor Trailer Driver Loses Control of Vehicle

Operators of commercial vehicles are required by law to carry a license specific to the size of the tractor trailer that is being driven. For example, a "Class A" license is required for operators of a vehicle with a weight in excess of 25,000 pounds. An operator of these larger vehicles has an obligation to use the appropriate standard of care when maneuvering such a vehicle. All drivers must be careful when sharing the road with these vehicles as the shear weight and size could make even the slightest of accidents deadly.

An example of how important it is to have experienced drivers behind the wheel of these large vehicles came in the form of an accident that occurred earlier this week on Interstate 70 in Frederick County, Maryland. A tractor trailer driver lost control of his vehicle when he struck another tractor trailer before crossing the road and striking the guardrail located in the median of the highway. Although no injuries were reported, the accident did cause clean up crews from the Maryland Department of Environment and Frederick County Hazmat units to clean up a fuel leak. This clean up required the lanes of Interstate 70 to be limited to one lane for a period of three hours.

If you, a family member, or someone you know was involved in a truck accident with a tractor trailer or if you would like more information on motor vehicle accidents, please contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation.

Car Accident Linked to Cell Phone Use

It has been confirmed that talking on a cellular phone while driving can be a major distraction. Teenagers and less experienced drivers are at an even greater risk for causing an accident. The law in Maryland is that drivers younger than 18 with a provisional drivers license or learner's permit are prohibited from using any cell phone while driving. Texting was previously banned in Maryland for all drivers.

Recently a 17-year-old driver caused a serious car accident while talking on his cell phone. The teenager was merging onto Interstate 70 in Frederick County, Maryland when he allegedly rear-ended another vehicle. The responding officer noted that the teenager did not realize that there was highway construction in the area that had caused the traffic to slow down. The driver of the rear-ended vehicle was flown to Washington County Hospital while the teen only sustained minor injuries. The juvenile was charged with negligent driving.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in an automobile accident or if you would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation.

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.

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.

 

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.

Poor Road Conditions and Automobile Accidents

Poor weather conditions can result in single or multi-vehicle accidents. The most recent snow storm is a perfect example of how weather can impair a person's ability to drive. Poor weather and, as a result, road conditions contribute to thousands of accidents in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. areas every year.

Over the past few weeks, automobile accidents in Frederick County, Maryland has been on the rise. On December 31, 2009, a sports utility vehicle slid into a Frederick County Fire and Rescue vehicle that was traveling in the opposite direction near Point of Rocks. The fire truck was responding to a single vehicle accident on Route 464. The passengers of the SUV and fire truck had to be taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital for medical attention. The icy road conditions were reported as being the cause of this accident. Unfortunately, when road conditions case an accident negligence maybe impossible to prove.

Regardless of the type of vehicle that a person may operate, car accidents can happen to anyone at anytime. Traffic accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor bruising and sprains to more serious injuries such as internal bleeding, fractures or even traumatic brain injuries. Head-on collisions and other motor vehicle accidents that occur at a higher rate of speed have the potential of leaving a person with permanent injuries.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to poor road conditions, or you would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure.