Anne Arundel County Accident Injures 3 and Driver Dies

A family was resting on a bench from a bicycle ride on Sunday, August 8, 2010, when a car crashed into them near Russett Green West and Ridgemoor Drive in Laurel, Maryland in Anne Arundel County. The couple was sitting on the bench with their two twin boys when a car struck a light pole and then continued on to strike the bench where they were sitting.

The operator of the vehicle, 63 year old, Ms. Ramota Oluyemisi Koletowo was rushed to the hospital where she later died.  The 36 year old man was flown to Shock Trauma and his 38 year old wife was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital and their 4 year old son was rushed to Johns Hopkins Pediatric with head injuries.  Their second child was not injured. Police are still investigating the crash to determine whether it was fatigue or a medical emergency that contributed to the fatal car accident as Ms. Koletowo was on her way home from working an overnight shift.



The family injured in this accident is entitled to certain benefits from the driver's insurance company, that will cover some of their medical expenses and/or lost wage claim, resulting from  this accident.  These benefits are known as Personal Injury Protection benefits.  They would also be entitled to make a claim for bodily injuries in addition to pain and suffering against the deceased driver.   However, it would need to be determined if the driver was experiencing a medical emergency and whether the driver had prior knowledge of this medical condition that could put them or others at risk.  It is important in these types of accident, that you obtain the help of an experienced  Maryland personal injury lawyer who has handled "sudden emergency defenses."        

If you, a family member or someone you know has been involved in a car accident or you need more information on car accidents or sudden emergency defenses, please contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation with one of our Maryland  personal injury lawyers.

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.

Driver Intentionally Hits Four People With Car

In early March, the driver of a vehicle intentionally hit four people in Chillum, Maryland with his vehicle. Two of the victims sustained injuries after being struck on University Parkway. The Prince George's County Police are unsure of the reason behind this assault but indicated that this appeared to be a domestic matter. Although the driver was taken into custody after the assault, the details of the charges pending against him were not made available.

An intentional tort is defined as "a tort in which the actor is expressly or impliedly judged to have possessed intent or purpose to injure." This situation is a perfect example of an intentional tort. If the driver willingly got behind the wheel of a car and struck a crowd of people in an effort to hurt or injure anyone then his actions can be classified as an intentional tort.

Assuming the automobile insurance carrier covers this intentional act, the injured individuals in this situation could pursue a claim for bodily injuries against the driver of the vehicle.. The drivers' insurance carrier could be responsible for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering or even mental distress. Problems may still occur with the amount of automobile coverage available since at least two people were hurt. In cases were multiple people are injured a Maryland automobile accident attorney must quickly determine all possible personal injury coverages.

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

Single Vehicle Car Accident Claims Another Life

Single vehicle accidents resulting in personal injuries are often caused by speed or reckless automobile driving. However, weather conditions can also play an important role in these traffic accidents. The recent rain storms have caused flooding in some areas and left roadways very slippery.

A recent single vehicle accident claimed the life of a 21-year-old woman. She was driving her Lexus on Snowden River Parkway in Columbia, Maryland when she swerved to avoid a collision with another vehicle. As a result of her swerving, she struck a tree and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

An accident re-constructionist could be called to the scene to help determine the cause of the accident. If skid measurements were taken by an expert, the speed at the time of the cars impact could have been determined. Proper measurements, done timely, with eye witness testimony, could assist in determining if the driver in this accident either lost control of her vehicle, or was cut off by another driver, or if her vehicle was not working properly.

In some cases, even if the other driver leaves the scene, fault could be attributed to that driver if a proper investigation is conducted. Our personal injury lawyers have been involved in several lawsuits that hinged on a thorough accident reconstruction.

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

Hit and Run Accident Involving a Police Officer

Government officials are not immune from auto collisions. Recently in Baltimore County a police officer was struck by a dark colored Honda that attempted to make a U-Turn on Eastern Boulevard in Baltimore County, Maryland. The driver of the Honda struck the passenger side of the officer's patrol car and did not stop. The police officer was injured and taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital in Baltimore City where he was treated and released.

When you are involved in an automobile collision, you have an obligation to stop. Failure to do so could result criminal charges being brought against you. In the event that you are struck by a vehicle that does not have insurance, a claim can still be pursued under the uninsured motorist coverage.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured as the result of an automobile accident with a government official or if you would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation.