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Maryland, just the same as other states throughout the country, keeps records on the number of car accidents that occur every year. Furthermore, the state keeps tabs on how many people are killed and injured in such accidents. Many Maryland residents are unaware that car accidents are so serious, with these crashes being the number one killer of people between the ages of 4 and 34. According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, traffic accidents kill more people in the state than homicides. If that statistic is not alarming enough, here is another to consider: more than 90 percent of accidents are preventable, as they are caused by driver error. From the years 2003 to 2007, the number of crashes in Maryland declined; however, it remained a large problem in an overall sense. In 2003, there were 109,130 total crashes. This number dipped to 100,943 in 2007. There were 651 people killed in these accidents in 2003, with 615 deaths in 2007. From an injury perspective, 58,188 people were injured in 2003 with 51,729 in 2007. Even though crash statistics in the state are improving, with so many accidents caused by driver negligence, there is no way to put a complete end to this problem. The more cautious drivers become the fewer accidents there will be. With driver error contributing to more than 90 percent of crashes, it is important for all people to pay attention to the road. In the event that a negligent driver causes an accident, the victim often has the opportunity to file a lawsuit as a means of collecting compensation for injuries and other damages. Source: Maryland Department of Transportation, “Maryland Crash Statistics” Aug. 19, 2014

Some car accidents are the result of a negligent driver, while others occur when a vehicle is defective in some way, shape, or form. This year has been a bad one for the automotive industry, with many automakers issuing recalls related to defective parts. Nissan is joining the crowd, recently announcing the recall of many 2014 Leaf electric vehicles. This recall is related to a potentially defective front structural member assembly. The recall report notes that the front structural member assembly on affected cars may not have all the right welds, which could impact its structural integrity in the event of an accident. As a result, the chance of injury is much greater. According to Nissan, the vehicles potentially affected by the recall were manufactured between February 28, 2014, and March 12, 2014. At this time, the company is recalling 211 vehicles with plans to notify owners as well as dealers. Any car affected by the recall will be repaired by a Nissan dealer, with no cost to the owner. This is not the first bit of bad news for the Nissan Leaf, as earlier in the year the company recalled approximately 29,000 vehicles with defective airbag sensor software. At this time, no car accidents have been reported as being related to this part, however, this could change in the future. When somebody purchases a car, regardless of the make or model, they expect it to be 100 percent safe. In the case of the Nissan Leaf, a defective part could lead to a greater risk of injury in an accident. Source: Green Car Reports, “ 2014 Nissan Leaf Recall: If Welds Missing, Car Will Be Replaced” Antony Ingram, May. 19, 2014

In today’s busy world, a distracted driver or someone who is texting and driving can cause an accident in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately minor and major car accidents happen everyday, and sometimes people suffer serious injuries. A Maryland woman was flown by Medevac helicopter to Baltimore’s Maryland Shock Trauma Center after a car accident on Feb. 12. The accident occurred in nearby Joppatowne at the corner of Joppa Farm Road and Route 40. According to the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, the accident occurred a little bit before 2 p.m. The two-car accident left the 57-year-old woman trapped in her vehicle, and the Jaws of Life had to be used to extract her. According to reports, responders managed to get the woman out of the vehicle at 2:13 p.m. She was then sent on the helicopter to the trauma center, but her condition was not immediately available. Maryland State Police are still investigating the accident to determine what happened, and the westbound lanes of Route 40 were closed for a short time. According to reports, the driver of the other vehicle did not sustain any injuries. In cases like this, the investigation of the events leading up to and during the crash is vital. If a negligent driver is found to be at fault, the injured party may be able to receive compensation for medical expenses sustained in the wreck or lost wages from missed work. Talking through the situation and legal possibilities with someone who understands how the court system works can be a first step forward for injured victims. Source: The Baltimore Sun, “ Woman, 57, injured in Joppatowne car acciden t” No author given, Feb. 12, 2014

Ever since the automobile was invented, there have been calls to make cars safer. Motor vehicles today truly are technological wonders that would have been inconceivable a century ago — but folks today still aren’t immune from car accidents. Advancements in car safety features have led to seat belts, air bags and other improvements; awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving — and laws with more teeth to punish drunk drivers — have cut down on innocent people being injured or killed in Maryland and all over the country. And yet, accidents still happen. All the focus on safer cars and safer drivers can only do so much; car accidents are still a regular occurrence in this country. It may be that the best way — perhaps the only way — to prevent them altogether. And emerging technology is aiming to do just that. One way to accomplish that is to rely less on the human element — drivers — and put more reliance on the vehicles themselves to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. The federal Transportation Department recently announced that it plans to require new vehicles sold in the U.S. to include what’s being called V2V technology — that’s “vehicle to vehicle.” Basically, cars on the road would be able to communicate with one another, calculating where they are going and how fast they’re traveling. In this way, cars can alert drivers to potentially dangerous situations. Estimates are that this could decrease the number of accidents by up to 80 percent — a staggering number — and prevent 20,000 road accident deaths every year. Until we reach that point, of course, Baltimore residents will continue to be involved in car accidents — and suffer injuries as a result. Finding the right legal representation can be crucial for people who need to recover compensation from at-fault parties. Source: ABC News, “New Cars to Be Required to ‘Talk to Each Other’,” David Kerley and Alexander Mallin, Feb. 3, 2014

Anyone who commutes on a regular basis on Maryland’s roads accepts some level of risk. We all know in the back of our minds that car accidents are an inevitable part of modern life, but we tend not to think about that risk from day to day. So when a serious accident happens, it’s both upsetting and shocking — especially when someone is injured or killed due to the careless actions of another driver. The recent death of a 7-year-old girl in a car accident in Charles County, Maryland, is no exception. The accident, which involved a total of three vehicles, happened the afternoon of June 24 when a man driving an SUV north on Route 210 crossed the median and into southbound traffic. The vehicle first ran into the side of another SUV before colliding with a sedan. The young girl was a passenger in that sedan, and after suffering fatal injuries she was pronounced dead at the crash scene. The woman driving the car suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Police suspect the SUV driver accused of causing the crash was drunk at the time. The 73-year-old Fort Washington, Maryland, man will likely face criminal charges of driving while intoxicated, but he might also find himself the defendant in a civil lawsuit if the girl’s family chooses to file one. A successful wrongful death lawsuit effectively demonstrates that someone who caused a fatal accident exhibited negligence and should pay damages to the people affected by the death. In many cases a wrongful death lawsuit demands compensation for lost wages, such as when the primary wage earner in a household is killed. But the death of a child is also a significant loss. In addition to compensation for medical, funeral and burial costs, a family may receive an award of damages for their emotional pain and suffering. This girl’s family may have understood the risks associated with her traveling in a car, but it would have been nearly impossible to anticipate her death in such a sudden accident. Source: The Baltimore Sun, “ 7-year-old girl killed in 3-car, alcohol-related crash,” Kevin Rector, June 24, 2012

Late spring is an exciting time of year, especially for those who are still in school. Kids of all ages begin counting down the days left in the year before summer vacation, graduation preparation is well under way, and many high school students spend every penny they have on getting ready for the prom. With so much activity going on, there’s a tendency for young people to get impatient, live fast and feel invincible. Sometimes, unfortunately, this can lead to taking risks that result in accidents. A tragic example is the death of two teens in Hagerstown, Maryland, earlier this month. The couple, both 17 years old, had just left their high school prom in the boy’s sports car and were headed back to the girl’s home so she could change before they met up with friends. But the boy lost control of his car at a curve in the road and it crashed into a tree, killing both of them. Police haven’t released many details on the crash, but speed seems to have played a significant role. Both students were standout athletes — she was an All-State volleyball player and the No. 1 singles tennis player, and he was an All-State baseball player who had just signed on to play for Salisbury University. Both were also honor roll students. The fact that they had such promising futures makes their deaths all the more tragic to their families and friends, one of whom summed it up this way: “I think just like any other teen after prom, he was excited and accidents happen.” Accidents do happen, but they aren’t inevitable. Distracted driving, careless driving and simply going too fast are fairly common among teen drivers, but if you’re riding in a car with someone engaging in one of these habits, there’s no reason not to speak up. With so much yet to live for and experience, it’s better to get where you’re going a little later than not get there at all. Source: NBC Washington, “ Teens Remembered After Prom Night Crash,” Chris Gordon, May 8, 2012

A new study suggests that drivers are repeatedly breaking a traffic law that leads to 2 million car accidents a year. Traffic police tend to overlook it and drivers forget or ignore it. But a new engineering study says the “epidemic” failure to use turn signals is a major American road problem. The Society of Automobile Engineers found alarming data in what the report’s author says is the first study of its kind. Drivers are not using or improperly using turn signals, in some cases almost half the time. Drivers engaged in a traffic lane change are the worst offenders. Forty-eight percent of lane changers either skip flipping on a turn signal or forget to switch it off. About 25 percent do not use a signal when making a turn. The engineers added up the number of faulty drivers and estimated that there are 2 billion turn signal violations every day. The study also found that drivers who ignored the “extremely effective” indicators were responsible for more than twice as many crashes each year as distracted drivers. The engineering report recommends an electronic solution to the problem. A so-called “Smart Turn Signal” would perform the duties a driver is supposed to do. The smarter-than-the-driver signal would shut off a turn signal that was left on too long. A “Smart Turn Signal” would be more proactive and less expensive that the mechanical device that flips off a turn signal after a driver makes a hard turn. The electronically intelligent signal could time out and shut off after a successful lane change or switch off after sensing when a vehicle has moved into the proper position. Another function of the “Smart Turn Signal” would detect whether a motor vehicle operator was repeatedly lax about using signals. A neglectful driver would receive a flash warning as a reminder that he was not using the signals sufficiently. Absent this technology, drivers should be diligent about operating turn signals manually to avoid furthering the increase of a dangerous habit that can cause accidents that injure other motorists. Source: Bottom Line on MSNBC, “Turn signal neglect a real danger, study shows,” Paul A. Eisenstein, May 1, 2012

Recent statistics indicate the number of fatal car accidents in the U.S. is at a historic low, with only 1.1 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles recorded in 2010. Still, that amounts to 32,885 people who died that year, and the low rate is of little comfort to those whose family members were among the dead. Even more troubling, those who study the statistics say, is the fact that aggressive driving and speeding were responsible for approximately a third of the fatalities, or 10,530 deaths in 2010. And yet more measures to aggressively curb speeding may be unheeded. Only two of the 50 states enacted any enhanced penalties for speeding in the last seven years, and one of those states limited the increased fines to drivers of commercial vehicles. Progress has been made on other fronts, however, such as a 23 percent decrease in the number of those killed in car accidents since 2000 while not wearing safety belts. Additionally, in the same time period, there has been a 3 percent reduction in the number of car accidents in which use of alcohol was found to have played a role. The thousands of people who continue to die each year in such accidents, however, are more than just statistics. They are somebody’s parent, spouse, child, sibling, grandparent, neighbor or friend. If drivers and traffic safety officials would only try to remember that and perhaps take speeding and aggressive driving more seriously, traffic accident deaths could be still further reduced. Then fewer people would face the trauma of burying a loved one whose life was suddenly cut short by an untimely auto accident. Source: The Car Connection, “ Speeding, Aggressive Driving Still Cause 1/3 Of Fatal Accidents,” Richard Read, March 9, 2012

Some Maryland drivers may believe that there are varying degrees of seriousness when it comes to traffic infractions. For example, failing to signal when changing lanes is often viewed as less serious than running a red light, but running a red light might be considered less of a problem than driving drunk. Are these mere perceptions by motorists, or is there a real hierarchy when it comes to moving violations? The answer may lie in the consequences of these violations. Take for example the car accident that happened last weekend in Fallston, Maryland. According to Maryland State Police, a woman driving an SUV was traveling south on Route 152 when she ran a red light at an intersection. Her vehicle collided with the front driver’s side of a Chevy Trailblazer that had the right of way. The crash caused the Trailblazer to spin around and collide with a pickup truck. At some point during the collision the 17-year-old driver of the Trailblazer was ejected in the crash. She was flown to a hospital and listed in serious condition. The driver of the SUV that caused the accident was also rushed to a hospital. The driver of the pickup truck wasn’t injured, but his vehicle sustained some damage. Many drivers fail to stop at a red light, whether it happens due to a distraction or because they speed up before reaching the intersection when the light is yellow, and they don’t make it through before it changes to red. Running a red light may seem insignificant to drivers in a hurry, but when cars collide as a result, serious injuries or even fatalities often follow. It’s then up to the driver who ran the red light to pay for the consequences. Source: The Baltimore Sun, “ Two injured in Fallston crash Sunday evening,” April 3, 2012

Imagine driving along the highway and suddenly noticing little bits of green sailing through the air. Upon closer inspection, you realize that those bits of green are wads of cash, sailing out of an armored truck and into the air for drivers to grab. That’s exactly what happened this week on Interstate 270 in Maryland. While many drivers considered it their lucky day, the literal cash windfall could have resulted in more than one serious car accident. With so many pedestrians running around frantically, their eyes on the cash in the air and on the road, it’s a wonder no one was hit by the cars speeding by. The money went flying after the unlatched back door of an armored truck allowed two plastic bags filled with cash and coins to fly out of the vehicle. One witness said she saw about 30 cars pulled over on the side of the road, their drivers running around picking up cash as other vehicles continued to fly by. It’s not the first time precious cargo has been dropped on a highway, but it’s very rare for so many drivers to get out of their cars at once and start running all over the road. What’s not unusual is for drivers to be seriously injured or killed after their vehicles have stalled. When they step out to pop the hood or change a tire, they put themselves at great risk of being hit by another vehicle. These accidents happen frequently, in Maryland and all over the country. It’s the reason highway patrol troopers advise motorists stuck on the highway to stay in their vehicles until help arrives. Even if a passing car hits yours, you’ll be protected, unlike if you were hit while standing in the road. In that case, no amount of flying money will make up for it. Source: The Spokesman-Review, “ Crash sends cash fluttering across Md. highway,” March 23, 2012

With spring planting season nearly upon us, Maryland’s farmers are heading back to their fields. And their large machinery is going with them. That means the state’s drivers will start to see tractors and other large equipment on the roads surrounding farms. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is putting out a reminder to motorists that they should be patient and cautious while sharing the road with farmers using the roads to avoid a serious accident. Farmers often have to drive oversized equipment from one field to another. One Maryland farmer says he tries to be respectful of other drivers when he has to use the road, but that many don’t return the favor. Instead, they act as though they have blinders on and don’t see the equipment, speeding past it dangerously close. “They don’t even realize this is something that can take your life,” he said. Another farmer says he tries to use a warning truck in front or behind his farm equipment when it’s on the road. But even in those cases, there have been some close calls. Many farmers have been hit and injured by other vehicles. It’s not surprising, considering that farmers are less protected when riding atop a tractor or similar machinery. Passing farm equipment safely and cautiously also helps prevent collisions with other cars. When farm machinery takes up an entire lane, many cars must cross the center line of the road to pass. Doing so on a hill or in a no-passing zone creates the risk of colliding head-on with another vehicle. The MDA also says drivers shouldn’t assume it’s safe to pass farm equipment just because it pulls to the right. Very often this is necessary to make a wide left turn. Watch for the driver’s hand signals and keep an eye out on the left side of the road for gates, driveways or roads where a farm vehicle might turn. And when in doubt, do not pass. They may be an inconvenience to other drivers, but the vehicles farmers use to get their work done are no less important than an office worker’s laptop or phone. A little extra caution can go a long way toward preventing a deadly crash. Source: Carroll County Times, “MDA warns motorists to be cautious, patient with farm equipment on roads,” Carrie Ann Knauer, March 14, 2012

Call it a simple fact of modern life: car accidents happen. You’ve probably heard people talk about all the supposedly dangerous activities that, from a statistical point of view, are safer than traveling in a car: There are more car accidents than plane crashes. You’re more likely to be injured in an auto collision than while bungee-jumping. This may be true, but these facts don’t make the pain of a car accident any easier to take, especially when the traffic crash involves circumstances you can’t control, such as the other driver’s behavior. A baby was seriously injured in a car accident on Friday in Ocean City, Maryland. According to police, a speeding pickup truck rear-ended a car that was stopped at a red light. The car was carrying an 18-month old child in the back seat and one adult, the driver. The baby was airlifted to a hospital and remains in critical condition. Both drivers also went to a hospital, where the driver of the truck was treated and released. Police said they searched the truck and found an unspecified amount of PCP. They also gave a field sobriety test to the driver, who allegedly tested positive for being under the influence of the drug. He’s been charged with possession and driving under the influence and is currently being held in jail on bond. It’s not clear what injuries the baby suffered or whether she’s expected to fully recover. Children her age are not fully developed and are more susceptible to permanent damage. They can also take longer to heal. But whether she recovers quickly or is left with injuries that will require long-term care, her family is likely go after the other driver for compensation, especially if he’s found guilty of the charges against him. Source: WBOC.com, “ Update: Man Charged in O.C. Car Crash That Injured Infant,” Kye Parsons, Dec. 19, 2011