Fatal Accident on ICC Near Gaithersburg, First Since 2011

          Last week, a Montgomery County dump truck hauling gravel skidded out of control across the eastbound lanes of the Intercounty Connector (ICC Route 200) and overturned along the median.  A second vehicle was also involved in the crash, but the driver only suffered minor injuries.  Unfortunately, the truck driver lost his life in the crash after being pinned underneath the truck.  He had been a county employee with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation for over 15 years.  The horrific accident scene shows gravel spilled all over the westbound lanes of the ICC and the truck completely smashed and crushed into the median guardrail.  The cause of the accident is unknown at this time and police continue to investigate why and how the truck lost control.

            Maryland Transportation Authority officials say this is the first fatal accident on the ICC since November 2011 when the highway first opened.  The lack of deadly accidents can probably be attributed to the fact that it is a toll road and very few vehicles use the road.  Therefore, with very little traffic, the risk of accidents is much lower than on major highways and roadways.

            Trucks are always at a higher risk of having accidents that result in catastrophic damage and injuries because of their power and large size.  Large trucks, including dump trucks like the one involved in this accident, have extreme difficulty stopping suddenly and have large blind spots which make it tough for truck drivers to see other vehicles around them.  One possible cause of this accident is that the second vehicle was driving next to the dump truck in the truck driver’s blind spot, and the truck driver all of sudden sees the car next to him and starts to lose control of the truck as he tries to steer away from the car he thinks he is about to hit.  Another major cause of truck-involved accidents is distracted driving (i.e. texting while driving, talking on a cell phone while driving, playing with the radio while driving, or adjusting the navigation system while driving). 

            Remember, if you are injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you should always remain calm and seek medical treatment as soon as possible for your injuries.  In addition, you should never admit liability, even if you are the one who caused the accident.

            If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an accident caused by the fault or negligence of another person and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Rockville or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

Seatbelt Safety: Deadly Teen Accident in Howard County

          With prom and graduation season in full swing, the worst has happened for a Howard County family: losing their 18 year old son.  Garrett Bonin of Howard High School was about to wrap up his senior year with prom one night away and graduation just weeks away.  Sadly, Garrett did not survive from a car crash Friday night as his car overturned on Old Frederick Road while driving home from a friend’s house.  Police say speed was a factor in the accident, as well as the lack of using a seatbelt.  Normally, Police in these types of single-car accidents expect alcohol to be a factor, but that was not the case here.

            There is never a good time to lose a child in an accident, but it is even more devastating when it happens so close to major life events: high school prom and high school graduation.  This tragedy might have been avoided if a seatbelt was being worn.  Drivers are constantly reminded about wearing seatbelts in the car and the life-saving benefits of using them.  Not only is it required by law, but it should be second-nature to get in the car and put your seatbelt on.  Again, we want to remind teenage drivers, as well as all other drivers on the road to use your seatbelt in the car.  There have been several accidents over the last few weeks where drivers or passengers in the car have been killed in a crash because they were not wearing their seatbelt.  Tragedies such as this one can easily be avoided with something as simple as wearing a seatbelt.  No family should have to go through losing a son, daughter, brother, or sister so close to a milestone in life just because a seatbelt was not being worn.

            For Garrett’s family and friends, this is such a devastating loss.  Garrett’s sister, Elise, plans to accept his diploma at graduation in his honor.

            Please, let’s avoid another deadly teen accident where a seatbelt is not used.  Parents, remind your teen drivers to use a seatbelt in the car.  Seatbelts can save lives.  Data from Maryland shows that around 91% of all drivers wear a seatbelt.  Compare that to only 78% in Virginia.  These statistics should be much closer to 100% because seatbelts have been proven to reduce the risk of serious injury in an accident by half.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car, truck, or bus accident or has died as a result of their injury suffered in a Maryland crash due to the negligence or fault of another driver, please call us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation in our Columbia office or one of our other offices located throughout Maryland, or visit us online to learn more about car accidents at: http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml