Prior Accidents - How Will They Affect My Maryland Car Accident Case?

• If you've been in prior accidents, it may have an effect on your case, but not always as much, or in the way that you would imagine.
• For example, if you're involved in a case where the other driver claims you are at fault - the fact that you may have caused an accident in the past has absolutely no bearing on fault in your current case.  
• However, if you have sustained injuries in prior accidents, this is likely to be relevant to your current personal injury case.
• If you've ever made a personal injury claim before, most likely, the insurance company for the other driver involved in your accident will be aware of this.
• A prior injury doesn't have to be an insurmountable challenge in your case if its handled the right way.  
• The most important thing for you to do is to be up front with your doctors about any prior injuries, even if you made a full recovery before getting injured again.
• If your doctors are aware of your medical history, their opinions about causation of your current injury will be strengthened.  
• If your doctor does not know about a prior injury, the insurance company may deny the claim, basing it on the fact that your doctor was not aware of your history.
• If you've had a prior injury and you recovered and completed treatment before your current case, it shouldn't present too much of a problem for you.
• It's somewhat more complicated when you are still suffering from an injury, and then you get in another accident.
• While these cases are a little more difficult, you can still make a claim for the exacerbation of your injury and the additional medical treatment you had to get which you would not have needed otherwise.
• Again, being forthcoming with your doctor is key.  
• If you are currently treating with a doctor and sustain a new injury, you should tell that doctor right away so it can be accurately reflected in the medical reports.
• This will be the best way to protect your case.

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

Maryland Car Accident Lawyer: Route 175 Gets Approval to Widen Lanes to Improve Traffic and Safety Concerns

            Governor Hogan just announced that he has approved funding for a new transportation project.  The section of highway Route 175 near Fort Meade has always been a high-traffic area and frequently has significant bottlenecking problems.  The section of 175 between Route 295 and Mapes Road will increase from two lanes to six lanes. 

The Governor acknowledged that this section of highway has been plaguing Anne Arundel County for a long time.  As Fort Meade continues to grow, the thousands of employees who rely on 175 to get to work every day deserve better infrastructure.  With so many additional lanes, safety on 175 will greatly improve for drivers, and likely result in fewer accidents.  However, during the time of construction, it will be a tricky travel environment for drivers with construction zones.  Work on this project is not scheduled to begin until Fall 2018.

Other sections of 175 are also expected to see expansion in the coming years to improve the traffic flow and continue to make it safer for drivers.

Always remember, when driving in construction zones to remain vigilant.  Although construction workers on the side of highways appear safe standing behind concrete barriers, sometimes it is only cones that stand between the worker and speeding vehicles.  Numerous road work signs alert drivers to be cautious and slow down when driving through construction zones.  Oftentimes, speed cameras are set up in work zones to catch drivers disobeying the speed limit, however, some drivers disregard the warnings and continue to drive fast and recklessly through these work zones.  Construction workers on the side of the highways should be able to feel safe while they do their job, and should never have to worry about watching out for cars crashing into them.  But unfortunately these types of tragic accidents happen every day. 

Construction zones and work zones on highways usually bring new traffic patterns, including numerous lane shifts and closures.  Drivers must be even more cautious and aware of where they are going in order to avoid accidents involving other vehicles or construction workers. 

   ·         Stay alert and look out for construction workers

   ·         Drive slow and obey the speed limit

   ·         Pay attention to road signs and message boards

   ·         Avoid distractions (i.e. cell phones)

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