The Virginia State Senate recently passed a bill Senate Bill 157 which would set penalities for drivers who take their hands off the wheel to hold a cellular phone, if the bill becomes effective. For more information on this article or if you would like more information on car accidents please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com
Rockville Park employee, William Lee Mason of Riverdale dies at the age of 62 in a two vehicle crash. Mr. Mason was a passenger in a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by another city employee, William Arthur Thomas Sr. Mr. Thomas was operating his vehicle east on West Montgomery Avenue and as he turned his vehicle into the Best Western hotel entrance, he was struck on the passenger side by a 1995 Ford Explorer traveling west on West Montgomery Avenue.
The driver of the 1995 Ford Explorer, Carl Joseph Russell of Gaithersburg and Mr. Thomas the driver of the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado were both transported to Suburban Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Mr. Mason was pronounced dead at the scene.
It was unclear as to whether snow or ice contributed to this accident that took the life of William Lee Mason. What is clear is that any impact over 30 mph must be taken seriously, since studies show that impacts over that speed are often life threatening. Most people are under the impression that impacts at speeds of approximately 30 to 40 mph are not serious.
If you, a family member or someone you know has been involved in a car accident or you like more information on car accidents, please visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com
A tractor trailer kills a D.C man and seriously injured his wife in an accident on I-95 north of Mountain Road in Harford County on Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Leonard Clark and his wife, Kimberly Clark were operating separate vehicles, a Dodge Charger and Dodge Durango when they collided with each other. The couple then exited their respective vehicles and were standing in the roadway when a tractor trailer driver attempted to stop, but jack-knifed and struck both of them. Mr. Clark was pronounced dead at the scene and his wife was transported to Maryland Shock Trauma in critical condition.
I-95 was closed for several hours while Maryland State Police conducted their investigation, which is still ongoing. No charges have been made as the Maryland State Police reports it's too early in the investigation.
Tractor trailer accidents are considered to be one of the most catastrophic accidents due to their weight and size. Typically anyone that is struck by a tractor trailer is at risk for sustaining serious bodily injuries or dying. Additionally, accidents commonly involve cars or pedestrians who are on the side of the road. My advice is to not discuss anything on the immediate side of the road, get as far away from the highway as possible.
If you, a family member or someone you know has been involved in a tractor trailer accident or if you need more information on these types of accidents, please visit us on the web at www.portnerandshure.com and review our tractor trailer section
Recently the focus in Maryland has been directed to the cold weather conditions and the amounts of snow that the region has experienced this winter. However, in the past few weeks the area has been also experiencing severe winds. Naturally weather plays a very important role in our driving conditions.
Last week, a tractor trailer was blown over as the result of such heavy winds causing US Route 15 in Frederick County, Maryland to be shut down for a two-hour period. No major injuries were reported as a result of the overturned trailer.
As with snow and heavy rain, a driver still maintains an obligation to drive at a reasonable and prudent speed with is consistent with the current weather conditions. In other words, if a driver is traveling at the posted speed limit, he or she can still be found negligent of exceeding a safe speed if the weather conditions are hazardous.
This issues was all over the news during the recent snow storms. Jack knifed tractor trailers crashed on Interstate 95 and left traffic snarled for hours. The question we are left with, is when the weather is clearly too dangerous for most cars to drive in, should tractor trailers be allowed on the road? In other words, shoulder there be a certain snow accumulation, or wind speed, used to determine that trucks should then be prohibited from operating. Tax payers and folks stuck for hours behind jack-knifed trailers may benefit more than the truckers who are in a rush to get a delivery done.
If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in motor vehicle accident due to inclement weather or if you would like more information on car accidents, please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com
On Wednesday morning a man was struck and killed in Tyson's Corner, Virginia. The police are looking for anyone with information surrounding this accident and the silver Toyota Camry that was seen striking the man. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the police at 703-691-2131.
For more information on this accident or if you would like more information on pedestrian claims or automobile accidents, please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com
On March 3, 2010, 92-year-old Madeline Downing was a rear passenger in a Buick Park Avenue that was being operated by her friend, Francis Callahan. In the vehicle with Downing and Callahan were two friends. They were traveling on Route 29 in Howard County, Maryland when Ms. Callahan failed to stop for a red light and collided with a Honda Civic. As a result of the collision, Downing was transported to Maryland Shock Trauma where she passed away. Callahan was taken to Howard County General where he was treated and released. The two other passengers in the vehicle were also transported to Howard County General and one additional passenger is listed as being in critical condition.
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 they often cause a collision that is ultimately their fault. It is imperative to know and understand the rules of the road.
In the event that you are a passenger in a vehicle that is at fault for a collision, it is important to understand what rights may exist. Passengers in vehicles that are involved in car accidents may be entitled to Personal Injury Protection benefits. In the unfortunate case that a death should occur as the result of a collision, additional Death Benefits may apply. In this case, the driver could also face criminal charges for negligence, reckless driving, or even wrongful death. At this time the police are still investigating the accident.
If you, a family member, or someone you know was involved in a motor vehicle accident wherein a person did not yeild to the right of way or if you would like more information of car accidents, please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com
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 car accident with a tractor trailer or if you would like more information on motor vehicle accidents, please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com
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 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 visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com
There is concern among Harford County residents whether a traffic light may have contributed to an accident on January 4, 2010, at the intersection of Perry Avenue and Willoughby Beach Road in Edgewood. One resident who lives on Willoughby Beach Road stated that the traffic light controlling that intersection had been flashing yellow before Christmas. The normal light sequence prior to this was the light cycled from solid green to yellow to solid red. At approximately 9:18 a.m. on January 4, 2010, a 2004 Nissan Sentra being operated by Jihan Alia Tiffany Hughes, slowly exited the school parking lot on Perry Avenue. When Ms. Hughes entered the intersection she struck Adam William Tammaro, who was operating his 1990 Chevy Camaro east on Willoughby Beach Road causing his vehicle to careen into a third vehicle. The third vehicle was stopped westbound on Willoughby Beach Road waiting to turn left onto Perry Avenue. Ms. Hughes indicated she stopped as she entered the intersection as the light was flashing red and she could not see around the State Highway vehicle that was working on the light. Mr. Tammaro was transported to Upper Chesapeake Hospital in Bel Air with complaints of back pain.
The State Highway Administration received a call around 8:00 a.m. that morning and had someone at the location within an hour to work on the lights. The State Highway Administration worker indicated a replacement part was needed to fix the malfunctioning lights. He stated that when a traffic light malfunctions it automatically switches to flashing yellow.
Malfunctioning traffic lights have contributed to hundreds of accidents. Governmental entities have a duty to the public to periodically inspect traffic control signals and make the necessary repairs immediately upon being notified of the malfunction. Governmental agencies may be held liable for the road conditions, including that of malfunctioning lights; however, there are sovereign immunity issues that have to be considered. That is why it is important to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Motorists need to use caution at intersections controlled by flashing red and yellow lights and abide by the motor vehicle laws. Maryland Transportation Code Section 21-204 http://www.statelawyers.com/Statutes/Index.cfm/StateID:20/ID:56913 sets forth the actions required by the driver.
If you, a family member or someone you know has been injured in a car accident or you would like more information on car accidents, please visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com.
For more information on sovereign immunity or if you would like more information on car accidents or work related injuries please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com
