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Our attorneys represent the victims of motor vehicle accidents involving recreational vehicles, called RVs. Those clients may have been injured while RV passengers, in other vehicles in collisions with RVs, on motorcycles or bicycles struck by RVs or hit by RVs as pedestrians. We also represent the survivors of people who were killed in such accidents in wrongful death suits. RVs come in a variety of forms like motor homes, towed trailers, truck campers and others. Driving responsibilities enhanced In a broad sense, anyone who drives negligently, recklessly or illegally is liable to those hurt as a result. However, when the vehicle is so much larger than a normal car, safe driving rises to a higher level of skill. For example, passing other vehicles will take more time and space, slowing and stopping will take longer because of the extra weight, certain overhead obstructions will be too low for the vehicle to clear, and lines of visibility and use of mirrors will differ from those in regular automobiles. RV drivers are still expected to use reasonable skill in all operations. Geico provides helpful information about safe RV maintenance and driving practices. Seek legal counsel Anyone hurt in an RV crash should seek legal advice as soon as possible so the attorney can begin a thorough investigation. In addition to the logistics of the collision, other issues will need to be considered like: Was the RV overloaded? Was the RV properly maintained? Were any previous repairs properly performed? Was the RV or its equipment subject to recall? Was any component of the vehicle defective? Was the vehicle owned or rented? Were tires adequate for the size and weight of the vehicle; were they worn; and were they appropriately filled? Were there unsecured items within the RV that struck people inside? Was driving adjusted for dangerous weather or dark conditions? Legal counsel will also communicate with and conduct negotiations with all the involved insurance companies. Injuries potentially catastrophic Of course, injuries when such a heavy vehicle is involved can be tragic like bone fractures, amputations, head and brain injuries, crushing injuries, spinal cord injuries and even death. These injuries must be carefully and expertly assessed so that appropriate damages can be requested. For example, a victim may require long-term care or therapy. Pain, suffering and emotional trauma must also be thoroughly considered.

Parents of teenagers in Maryland may breathe a bit easier since Carinsurance.com released information stating that Maryland is the safest state for teens drivers. Teen drivers have a high risk of being involved in car crashes. Teens — just like adults — drive distracted, under the influence or while fatigued. These are common reasons for crashes involving teenagers. There is another reason why they are often involved in motor vehicle accidents, including inexperience.The Carinsurance.com study looked at at Maryland’s car crash statistics, along with practice time, the graduated license program and law enforcement. That is what helped Maryland come out on top as the safety state for teen drivers. According to a spokesperson with the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration, “We won’t be satisfied until we have zero young driver fatalities, and that’s truly our goal in Maryland.” Teens must follow the rules for the “Rookie Driver” program developed by the MVA. The program awards teens driving eligibility in different stages. They must complete requirements for a learner’s permit and training. Then they must take a skills test. The whole process is said to be stricter than those found in other parts of the U.S. More than 500 people were killed on the state’s roads last year. Twenty-one of those fatalities were teenagers. If your teenage son or daughter has been injured in an accident that wasn’t his or her fault, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress and more. An experienced attorney can help you learn more about your legal options. Source: CBS Baltimore, “ Maryland Named Safest State In The U.S. For Teen Drivers,” Amy Yensi, May 08, 2017

Crashes caused by recklessness are some of the most tragic, particularly for families who lose a loved one. If you’ve lost someone because of a drunk driver’s negligence or because another driver felt speeding was appropriate, you do have rights as a member of the victim’s family. On top of a civil case, the driver who killed your loved one may be sentenced, like in this case. A federal officer and part-time Uber driver has been sentenced in a case in which he struck another vehicle and left a woman dead. According to the story, the man had been driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .10 percent when he struck a Ford Taurus with his Ford Fusion traveling at around 84 mph. He was traveling in a 40 mph speed zone. When the accident occurred, it was because the 35-year-old drove his vehicle across double yellow lines; the other driver was unable to avoid him. The crash was severe enough that it took the life of the 50-year-old woman, a mother of one. Shortly after the wreck, a 911 call came in from a different driver who witnessed the event. That driver said that the black vehicle, the 35-year-old man’s car, was speeding and that the driver was being reckless. He had run a red light right before the accident. The 50-year-old woman passed away after the collision, leaving her daughter, now 12, and husband behind. In lieu of the events, the 35-year-old man has been sentenced for the crash, and he will spend five years in prison. He has another five years of probation to complete following his sentence as well. Source: NBC Washington, “ Federal Officer and Part-Time Uber Driver Sentenced to 5 Years for Fatal Drunken Driving Crash,” Jackie Bensen and Ellie Hartleb, Aug. 03, 2016

A recent single-car accident in Sharptown, Maryland, took the life of a 17-year-old girl and left three others injured. The crash occurred on Sharptown Road about 10 p.m., when the vehicle carrying the four teenagers left the roadway and struck a tree. The three that were injured, all teenage boys between the ages of 14 and 17, were hospitalized at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. The girl, was pronounced dead at the same hospital, which is located in Salisbury. According to police, alcohol does not have appeared to have had a role in the crash, although the Maryland State Police are still investigating the incident. A lieutenant with the state police said, “We aren’t releasing the driver’s name because we’re waiting for the state’s attorney to decide whether they’re pressing charges.” The lieutenant did not say what charges are under consideration. The 17-year-old girl attended James M. Bennett High School in Wicomico County. The school posted on Facebook, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the loss of one of our students. The student was involved in a car accident that took her life Monday night. The student was an amazing student who will be greatly missed! Please keep family in your thoughts and prayers.” The death of someone so young is tragic. The effects of her death on her family, friends and the community will be felt for a long time. Even if no criminal charges are filed, the victims and their families may choose to proceed with personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against the driver. An attorney experienced in personal injury can provide advice and guidance to those who wish to seek compensation. Source: Delmarvanow.com, “ Teen killed in Sharptown crash identified,” Reed Shelton, Aug. 03, 2016

Anybody who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle could become fatigued at some point. If this happens, it’s important for the person to get off the road as soon as possible. Furthermore, drivers should not return to the road until they are well rested. Some people have a greater risk of fatigued driving than others. According to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, these people are most commonly involved in sleep related accidents: — Adults between the age of 18 and 29. — Men are more likely to operate a motor vehicle while they are drowsy. — Adults who have children are more likely to drive drowsy than those who don’t have children. — Shift workers are more likely to drive drowsy when compared to those who work a standard daytime schedule. Sleep deprivation greatly increases the chance of a sleep related accident. When a person is too fatigued to drive, there is a chance that he or she could fall asleep behind the wheel. Even if this doesn’t happen, the person may not be in condition to make timely and accurate decisions. Even if you are alert, you don’t know if other drivers feel the same way. It only takes a single fatigued driver to cause a serious accident that injures or kills another person. If you are involved in an accident with a drowsy driver, make sure you receive medical treatment before you do anything else. At some point down the road, you can learn more about the cause of the accident and your rights as a victim. Source: National Sleep Foundation, “ Facts and Stats,” accessed July 15, 2016

A three-vehicle motor vehicle accident in Edgewater, Maryland, killed a husband and wife, while leaving another person with serious injuries. According to news reports, police responded to the accident at Solomons Island Road near Swallow Lane at approximately 4:26 p.m. Witnesses noted that a Toyota Camry was traveling northbound when it crossed over the centerline and collided head-on with a Honda Civic traveling southbound. A Ford Crown Victoria, which was following behind the Civic, then crashed into both vehicles, causing the Civic to rollover. The 21-year-old driver of the Civic was declared dead at the scene. The passenger in the vehicle, the driver’s 20-year-old wife, was transported to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for treatment, where she later passed away. The county police noted that the driver of the Camry was also taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where she was treated for serious injuries. The driver of the Crown Victoria was also injured, but the man refused treatment. At this time, police believe that the accident was caused when the driver of the Camry crossed the centerline. It is not believed that speeding or alcohol played a part in the accident. Charges are under review and Traffic Safety is continuing to investigate the accident. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you are driving, there is always the chance that another person could make a simple mistake on the road that causes a serious accident. As a driver, the best thing you can do is obey the rules of the road, while also paying close attention to everybody around you. Source: Capital Gazette, “ Husband and wife dead in Valentine’s Day crash, 1 other injured,” Meredith Newman, Feb. 15, 2016

Maryland’s crash statistics can better help you understand the problems on the roads in your area. If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident or been hit by a dangerous driver, these statistics may be able to help you put together a strong case for a civil lawsuit. Here are some of the most commonly asked for statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How much do fatal crashes cost on average each year in Maryland? Every year, the number of crashes in the state varies, but the average costs from 2013 are estimated to be $690 million. How many fatal injuries were a result of crashes in Maryland? In 2013, over 530 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. These crashes, in most cases, could have been avoided with regulations including graduated licensing programs and others. Are crashes caused by dangerous driving habits? Interestingly, many crashes are avoidable if drivers simply pay attention. The incidents are most commonly caused by driver errors, which can be eliminated if drivers pay attention to the road and avoid driving when tired. Traffic collisions resulting in deaths cost Maryland $6 million in medical costs and around $684 million in lost work. In total, all the crashes in the United States resulted in a shocking $44 billion in medical and work loss costs. These crashes are among the top 10 causes of deaths for those between the ages of one and 54, showing just how vital it is for drivers to be better informed about driving safely and keeping safe while on the roads. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “ Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths: Costly but Preventable,” accessed Feb. 18, 2016

It was a sad Christmas for one Landover, MD, family who said their final goodbyes to their 20-year-old beloved family member who died in a recent collision with a driver suspected of driving while impaired. The funeral, held just two days before Christmas, was packed with almost 1,000 mourners who attended to pay their last respects to the Morgan State University business student. Friends and relatives shared happy memories of times with the young man, saying, “A legacy of laughs. Anytime I’m with he always laughs and jokes,” and from his younger brother, “That’s my big brother. When I talk about him I’m going to smile, cause . . . I think about . . . the happy times. We just did great things together.” The wreck occurred as the young man drove on Route 202. An oncoming car driven by a 31-year-old man crossed over the center line and crashed head-on into his vehicle. Initially, the man was charged with reckless driving and Driving Under the Influence; however, pending a full investigation, prosecutors dropped those charges. At a future point, they expect charges to be re-filed. The man who was responsible for the accident has a past history of both driving and attempting to drive under the influence, among other priors. Whenever a promising young life is snuffed out needlessly due to the negligent actions of another, it is indeed a tragedy. Regardless of how the eventual criminal proceedings unfold, families of those killed by allegedly drunken or drugged drivers have the right to seek legal remedies through the Maryland civil court system. Source: WUSA, “Hundreds say goodbye to 20-year-old killed in crash,” Nikki Burdine and WUSA Staff, Dec. 23, 2015

According to prosecutors, a judge has convicted a man for his part in a hit and run accident that killed another man and injured a woman. The 73-year-old-man was found guilty of “operating a vehicle without due care” in the accident that killed a 38-year-old man who was changing a flat tire on the side of the road. The incident occurred on Feb. 1 when the victim pulled his Hyundai to the side of the road, put on his hazard lights, and began to change the tire. According to police, this was at approximately 9 p.m. Shortly after pulling over and beginning work on the tire, the man was struck by a van. The man driving the van said that he ran into something when changing lanes, but was unsure of what. After investigators found parts of his vehicle at the scene, the van was seized from a local auto body repair shop. Even before the conviction, the man had already decided to plead guilty to “failing to stop after driving a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in death.” While sentencing is not scheduled until January 2016, the man faces a maximum of one year in prison. This type of accident is common, as drivers don’t often pay attention to what is happening on the shoulder of the road. Making the problem worse is the fact that some people neglect to stop a person injured in such an accident. Anybody who is a victim in a hit and run accident should receive immediate medical attention, as this can improve their chance of long term survival. Source: The Washington Post, “ Hyattsville man convicted in hit-and-run crash that killed man changing tire,” Lynh Bui, Sep. 30, 2015

When you’re at home, you probably think you’re safe from car accidents and other kinds of road accidents. Interestingly, if a vehicle collides with your home, or a light or electricity pole, it’s still possible that you can be affected by the crash. When that happens, your injuries will need to be seen to, and you may have a right to compensation. In a situation in Maryland, a woman in her own home was injured when a truck suddenly struck her apartment building and collided with her. The driver had been inside a 1998 Chevrolet S10 and was trying to back out of a covered parking space. He kept striking a support beam and eventually ended up hitting the apartment’s sliding glass doors. That’s when the 40-year-old woman inside was struck. The Howard County police at the scene reported that the woman had to be taken to the hospital after the crash took place at around 9:30 a.m. She was reportedly in stable condition. The driver of the truck, a 40-year-old man from Silver Spring, was arrested at the scene. He was charged with negligent driving, the failure to control a vehicle in order to avoid a collision, and for driving without a valid license. The man had fled the scene initially, but he was going for help, the report indicated. Police didn’t report if they took a breathalyzer test or performed other investigations into the cause of the crash, but the fire department was able to report stabilizing the building to prevent further injuries as a result of the unstable walls. Source: The Washington Post, “ Woman injured after truck crashes into Elkridge apartment building,” Yolanda Martinez, July 26, 2015

As one of our Baltimore readers, you know that pedestrian accidents happen throughout the area from time to time. There are things people can do, both pedestrians and drivers, to minimize the chance of being involved in a pedestrian accident. Even if all parties are doing their best to avoid trouble, there is no way of guaranteeing that an accident will never occur. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, there are three groups of people who have a higher risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident: — Older individuals. In 2012, pedestrians over the age of 65 accounted for 9 percent of pedestrian injuries and 20 percent of deaths. — The NCIPC says the following about children: “In 2012, more than one in every five children between the ages of 5 and 15 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.” — Pedestrians and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. Of all the accidents that led to pedestrian death, alcohol involvement was reported in nearly half. Along with the above, a faster vehicle speed increases the risk of a person being hit and injured. A pedestrian accident can happen at any time, regardless of location. The statistics above show that some people have a greater risk of being involved in such an accident. If you or a loved one is injured in a pedestrian accident, receiving medical attention is priority number one. From there, it may be time to learn more about local laws as well as your legal rights. Source: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), “ Injury Prevention & Control: Motor Vehicle Safety” Dec. 29, 2014

The roadways of Maryland, both the highways and city roads, can be extremely dangerous. This holds true for people in passenger vehicles, as well as truck drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians. A recent motor vehicle accident in Oxon Hill has left five people dead. Prince George’s County police have been able to successfully identify the five people who died in the two-vehicle accident near the intersection of Livingston Terrace and Livingston Road. According to police, an Acura was stopped at a red light went it was hit from behind by a Mercedes Benz. Police added that four people in the Acura, the car that was hit from behind, were killed. They included a 35-year-old, 32-year-old, 13-year-old and 1-year old. Also, a 21-year-old male passenger in the Mercedes was killed. Despite the fact that police have identified all of the people killed in the motor vehicle accident, it remains under investigation as they attempt to learn more about the cause and other related details. This story shows that a mistake on the road by one driver can have serious consequences on others. A rear-end collision such as this one can be very dangerous, as can be seen by how many people were killed. In some cases, nobody is injured in a car accident. In other situations, innocent people are injured or killed without ever seeing danger coming their way. If a person is injured in a motor vehicle accident or a loved one is killed, the victim or his or her family may want to consult with an attorney who is experienced in this area of the law. Source: CBS Baltimore, “ Police Identify 5 Killed In Maryland Crash” Oct. 13, 2014