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You may often hear insurance carriers refer to the "Boulevard Rule" when they investigate an automobile accident. However, what you may not know is what the Boulevard Rule really is.

The Maryland Boulevard Rule was adapted by a Maryland Court of Appeals in 1939 to expedite the flow of traffic on a favored highway thus allowing drivers on said highways to travel without stopping for each intersection. All drivers approaching a main street or highway have a duty or obligation to yield to the traffic on the major roadway. If the driver of a vehicle fails to yield to this rule then they were negligent as a matter of law. A claim for damaged property or bodily injuries could have been filed again the negligent party's insurance carrier.

Over the years the rule has evolved. In 1977, the Court of Appeals reduced the harshness of the application of the rule. It was found that the driver on the favored highway was negligent and his negligence was the proximate cause of the collision. Proximate Cause is a legal term that means "an intervening cause which produces injury and without which the accident could not have happened, if the injury is one which might have reasonably anticipated or foreseen as a natural consequence of the wrongful act." In the light of the legal case of Covington v. Gernet, 280 Md.322, 373, A.2d 624 (1977), the Department of Motor Vehicles revised this rule and included the definition of "right of way" as "the right of one vehicle ...to proceed in a lawful manner on a highway of preference to another vehicle"

What all this means is that the Maryland Boulevard Rule no longer applies when favored drivers are driving in an unlawful manner on a main street or highway. If a favored driver is speeding, fails to yield to traffic control devices, or fails to stop, it is possible the favored driver may be found to be at fault for the accident.

The Maryland Accident Lawyers in our office are familiar with this rule and how it applies to everyday travel. In the event that a motor vehicle collision should occur, contact our office for a free legal consultation. If you would like more information on personal injury claims, feel free to visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com

In February Baltimore County began sending out warnings to area motorists who were caught on camera while traveling 12 miles per hour over the speed limit. Cameras were placed in two school zones to help deter speeding and to help promote safety. However, effective this week, speed tickets will be given out to those who are caught on camera speeding. Fines of $40 will be issued but no points will be assessed.

The Baltimore County Police Department said that later in the year they will install another 13 locations. Those locations are determined by county officials. Under the current state law, violators must receive notice for a minimum of the first 30 days that the cameras are operational.

Hopefully, these cameras will make drivers more aware of the speeds at which they are traveling. If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in an automobile accident wherein someone was speeding or if you would like a free legal consultation, please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com

The state Senate voted 27 - 20 to increase the minimum amount of auto insurance coverage allowed by the state of Maryland. The state minimum was set at $20,000 and $40,000 and had been set without an increase since 1972. The current bill would increase this minimum to $50,000. The bill is currently on the desk of Governor Martin O'Malley to sign.

This bill faced widespread opposition by insurance carriers, the American Insurance Administration. The American Insurance Administration reported that two million car insurance policies in the state of Maryland carried only a minimum liability policy at the end of last year. The administration opposed the bill because it would cause an increase in insurance premiums of between 5 percent and 15 percent. They argued, an increase in premiums could also cause a drastic increase in uninsured motorist drivers. In other words, if people are unable to afford the insurance coverage they may be forced to not carry insurance at all.

The bill is meant to protect those involved in serious automobile accidents. Currently, if you are involved in a serious or fatal motor vehicle collision with an individual who has a minimal insurance policy, the most that you would be able to collect for your medical expenses, loss of income or pain and suffering is $20,000. With the increase of health costs, $20,000 doesn't go very far. In most of these cases, the injured party has medical expenses that exceed the amount of the policy. This bill would increase the minimal policy and assist those severely injured as the result of an automobile accident.

The bill was necessary and has been needed for sometime. Countless serious automobile accidents occur every year wherein the at fault driver has minimal insurance coverage. At least in the future more money will be available to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in a motor vehicle or truck accident, or if you would like more information on car accidents please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com   and contact our Maryland accident lawyers for a free legal consultation.

On March 24, 2010, the Senate voted and approved a bill that will require all Maryland drivers to use a handsfree device if they will to use their cell phone while driving. Drivers will only be permitted to use their hands to turn on and off their phone and will not be allowed to hold their phones during a conversation. Violators could receive a citation of $40.00. The bill has not become law as of yet, but based on recent reports it appears that it will pass. The intent of course is to reduce a known distraction that causes automobile accidents.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured as the result of an automobile accident or if you would like more information on car accidents, please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com

Last week the Maryland's House of Delegate voted to prohibit reading text messages while driving. Those that violate this proposed ban would be guilty of a misdemeanor and could face fines up to $500.00. Although last year lawmakers voted to prohibit the writing and sending of text messages while driving, the new law would also prevent drivers from reading text messages as well.

Local area's have already begun to tighten up on driving while using hand sets. As a matter of safety, cell phone usage in a motor vehicle should be limited. Conversing while driving takes attention away from the road and the potential hazards that exist. Hands Free devices could very well become a requirement in Maryland and the surrounding states. Currently using a hands free device is a requirement in the District of Columbia.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been involved in a car accident or if you would like more information on motor vehicle collisions, please visit us on the web at http://portnerandshure.com