Police Vehicle Collides with Van: Rights of Emergency Vehicles

On April 30, 2010, at approximately 1:30 p.m. a Maryland State Trooper was involved in an automobile accident on US 15 in Frederick County, Maryland. The trooper was responding to a motorcycle collision that also occurred on US 15 wherein the motorcyclist was injured. The trooper was driving south in his patrol car with his emergency lights and sirens activated when he approached the intersection of Mountville Road. The driver of a Honda Odyssey entered the intersection as the patrol car approached. Although the trooper took evasive action in an effort to avoid colliding with the van, the patrol car struck the van. The trooper and his passenger were taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital. The van driver was not injured.

Emergency vehicles have their own set of rules to which they adhere while driving. 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. None of the above apply if the police are not operating in an emergency capacity.

Moreover, accidents involving the failure to yield to the right of way, and stopping for appropriate traffic markers, are more common then most realize. When a person fails to yield to the right of way or crosses a lane of travel, they often cause a collision that is ultimately their fault. It is imperative to know and understand the rules of the road.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in a car accident with an emergency vehicle or if you would like more information on automobile accidents, please contact Portner & Shure. Our Maryland accident lawyers can provide a free legal consultation.

Low Speed Police Chase in Frederick County

On April 27, 2010, at approximately 2:45 p.m. a 22-year-old Keedysville woman was charged with fleeing and eluding and driving while impaired by drugs. The Frederick County Police Department saw a car slowly weaving on North East Street. Local traffic was steering around the vehicle in an effort to avoid colliding with the vehicle. After a short pursuit, the police officer apprehended the woman when he noted that she had an odor of PCP on her breathe. After further investigation, the driver was placed under arrest.

It goes without saying that situations involving alcohol or drugs have a greater potential of turning fatal. Driving while impaired is a very serious offense. Not only is a driver putting them at risk but they are putting innocent individuals in danger. Although this incident came to closure with no property or bodily injuries reported, this is not always the case. Most alcohol and drug related offense's end in automobile collision, personal injuries, property damage, or even fatalities.

The driver can be required to submit to a blood test to determine the quantity of PCP in her body. This test must be done within 4 hours of the arrest.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in an automobile related accident or if you are seeking a criminal defense attorney, feel free to contact us for a free legal consultation. You can contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation. Our Maryland and Virginia accident lawyers are available to speak with you.

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.