Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Blog

You may have a dehumidifier in your house and you may be putting your family at a serious risk for a defective product injury in Maryland. During the warmer months and during rainy season, these products are a hot commodity in many homes in the Northeast. According to a recent release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co. has recalled its Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers. The company is recalling nearly 100,000 of these devices as they've been proven to pose serious burn and fire hazards to users. Accidents have already caused over $1 million in damages.

Washington D.C. defective products attorneys warn residents that autumn and winter are the most dangerous time of the year for fire hazards in the home. Such hazards are often caused by defective products, including space heaters, holiday lights, and children's toys and clothing.

In the case of the dehumidifier, the connector can potentially short circuit, causing burns or fires. Consumers can check the database of recalls at the Consumer Product Safety Commission -- hundreds of adult and child products are recalled each year by the federal government. All too often, consumers are provided with faulty products that can result in serious injury or death. As we head into the winter season, we urge everyone to keep an eye on safety information regarding space heaters and other indoor appliances.

The dehumidifiers were first put on the CPSC's recall list back in December of 2009. This recall was the result of more than 10 incidents, which included 4 serious fires. Since the first recall, the company has received sixteen accident reports regarding smoke, arcing and other fire-associated complaints with these particular dehumidifiers.

Home damage costs caused by the reports of the malfunctioning dehumidifiers:

-Gibsonia, Pa.: $500,000.

-New Brighton, Minn.: $200,000.

-Hudson, Mass.: $183,000.

-Valparaiso, Ind.: $192,000.

-Salem, Ohio: $139,000.

-Brielle, N.J.: $129,000.

-Philadelphia, Pa.: $ 95,000.

Only about two percent of those who have purchase the estimated 100,000 dehumidifiers have responded to the recall thus far. The company has offered free repairs to those who have purchased the unit.

If you own the Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifier, you are urged to stop using it, to unplug it and to call LG Electronics for the repair. (877-220-0479)

The dehumidifiers that are being recalled were sold at Walmart, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Orgill Inc, Do It Best and a number of other large retailers throughout the country from January of 2007 to June of 2008. The items ranged from $140 to $150 each.

Every year, household electrical fires kill more than 300 and injure more than 1,000 people. A majority of these fires are caused by incorrectly installed wiring, defective products, extension cords and overloaded circuits.

To help keep your house safe from a fire:

-Check your electrical appliances and wiring often.

-Immediately replace any old, worn or damaged appliance cords.

-Keep these types of appliances away from wet counters and wet floors. Keep a close eye on these products in the kitchen and bathroom.

-Keep all loose materials, including curtains and clothes, at least 3 feet away from all space-heaters.

-Only use three-prong plugs in three-slot outlets. Do not try to force them into a two-slot plug.

-Keep all children away from electrical appliances.

-Consider child-proofing your outlets.

-If you see a spark or a flicker, immediately unplug and stop using the appliance.

-Never overuse extension cords or wall sockets.

Continue reading "Defective Product Injuries in Maryland, D.C., a Risk through Autumn, Winter" »

The 4th of July holiday weekend is quickly approaching and residents throughout the state look forward to some time off work, to visiting friends and family and to seeing those twinkling lights in the sky. What most people may not thing about when planning their 4th of July weekend is their increased risk of injury in Maryland or wherever else they may be celebrating.

Our Washington D.C. injury attorneys would like residents and vacationers to enjoy the holiday weekend, but to enjoy it safely. There are a number of ways that injury can occur over the long weekend. Car accidents are likely to increase because of the increase in nationwide travel; boating accidents will occur as many will hit the water, drownings and other accidents will happen as many residents will be poolside barbecuing and of course, injuries are bound to happen when lighting off fireworks. We can all help to reduce the risk of injury by practicing safe, precautionary habits and by properly preparing our holiday plans.

Many people will be hitting the water this holiday weekend to celebrate Independence Day and a beautiful summer weekend. It is important to remember that accidents and injury can occur when we least expect them. According to the Boating Safety Resource Center, the Coast Guard reported more than 4,600 boating accidents that took the lives of more than 670 people and resulted in more than 3,150 injuries last year. The accidents cost more than $35 million dollars because of damage of property and injuries.

The use of alcohol is the number one contributor to fatal boating accidents. The involvement of alcohol contributed to nearly 20 percent of all boating deaths. This is extremely important because many boaters will be out on the water drinking over the weekend. Boaters may not realize how the alcohol is affecting them because of varying conditions, including wind, sun, waves and time. Your risk of being involved in a boating accident greatly increases during holiday weekends and even more when alcohol is involved.

The 4th of July also calls for increased safety measures at the pool. There's nothing quite like jumping into a swimming pool to cool off on a hot summer day, especially when it's a holiday weekend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were nearly 3,500 fatal swimming pool drownings in the United States in 2007. One in five people who die from downing are children that are 14 or younger. If you're lucky enough to be saved from drowning, you're not completely out of the water, so to speak. Nonfatal drownings can oftentimes cause serious brain damage and can even result in long-term disabilities. This can include memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning.

Pool safety tips:

• Always use the buddy system. Never go swimming alone.


• Always supervise young children in the pool.


• Learn to swim. Make sure that you and your children complete some sort of formal swimming lesson. This will help to reduce risks of drowning.


• Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). When you know how to perform CPR, you can oftentimes save someone's life before paramedics even arrive.


• Refrain from using air-filled or foam toys. These should not be used in place of life jackets as they are not designed to keep swimmers safe.


• Don't drink and swim, especially while supervising children.

Lastly, we have fireworks. Fireworks can be awfully entertaining, but they can also be awfully dangerous. According to the CDC, roughly 7,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries from fireworks in the United States in 2008 alone. More than half of these injuries were sustained by children.

More than two-thirds of all firework-related injuries that happened occurred between June 20th and July 20th that year. It was children under the age of 20 that accounted for 58 percent of all of the injuries from fireworks. Males are more likely to sustain injuries than females.

"Fireworks are dangerous, and very unpredictable. Especially in the hands of minors and amateurs," says Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers.

Firework safety tips:

• Only use fireworks outside.
• Be sure to abide by local laws.
• Always keep water handy, either in a bucket or from a hose.
• Only use fireworks as they're intended. Do not try to combine them or alter them.
• Never relight a dud. If you run across a dud firework, let it sit for at least 20 minutes and then let it soak in a bucket of water.
• Spectators should watch from a safe distance.
• Shooters should always wear safety glasses.
• Do not drink and light off fireworks. Always have a designated shooter.
• Don't let anyone under the age of 12 handle sparklers or any type of firework.
• Don't attempt to make homemade fireworks or to light illegal explosives.

Fireworks can cause third-degree burns, blindness, permanent scarring and can cause life-threatening home and motor-vehicle fires.

We ask that everyone celebrate safely during this 4th of July weekend. With the proper safety precautions everyone can help one another to stay safe and avoid a costly injury.

Continue reading "Maryland Accident Attorneys Wish You and Safe and Fun 4th of July Weekend" »

It's officially summer time, and motorists from around the country are hitting the road as families and teens venture out on their summer vacations. With more drivers on road, the risk of being involved in a car accident in Washington D.C. and elsewhere throughout the country also rises.

It is especially important during the hot summer months for motorists to check the condition and inflation of their vehicle's tires. Old or deflated tires can put you at risk for a serious or fatal tire-related car accident.

Our Maryland car accident attorneys would like residents to take a look at the recent consumer advisory released by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The advisory urges all motorists to check the condition of their vehicle's tires. Drivers should look for signs of tread wear or damage and make sure their tires are properly inflated.

This advisory has been released to coincide with National Tire Safety Week.

"As the weather warms up, it's especially important for drivers to ensure their tires are properly inflated," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "For your safety and the safety of others on the road, inspect your tires regularly and maintain the proper inflation."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 3,400 people died because of these tire-related accidents. These are often preventable crashes if the proper precautionary steps are taken before hitting the road.

"While it's true improperly maintained tires can contribute to a crash at any time of year, it is particularly critical for motorists to check tires during hot weather, when families and luggage often overload vehicles for long vacation trips," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland warned. "Underinflated tires spinning on hot asphalt for extended periods of time can be a recipe for disaster."

It is important to keep your tires properly inflated so you're not throwing your money out the window, either. Properly inflated tires can help you get the most gas mileage out of your vehicle. This may be especially important to many motorists as we continue to experience high gas prices. Hypothetically speaking, if you have a vehicle that gets about 30 miles per gallon and your tire pressure is at 1 PSI (pound per square inch), you could be losing nearly three miles per gallon.

Take the few small steps to help keep you, your family and other motorists safe on our roadways during the summer travel season.

Continue reading "Warning: Check Tires to Prevent Car Accident in Maryland" »

According to Maryland State Police, two motorcyclists were killed on the Beltway at the River Road exit earlier this week.

The Maryland motorcycle accident happened just before 3 a.m. The motorcyclists appeared to have missed their exit and then lost control of their vehicle, according to state troopers. They also believe the motorcycle was speeding as it slammed into a guard rail.

Our Washington D.C. motorcycle accident attorneys understand that motorcyclists face a number of dangers on our roadways. We also understand that these motorists are much more vulnerable to serious injury -- and death -- than those in passenger vehicles. For this reason, motorcycles are asked to practice cautious driving habits behind the wheel and are urged to always drive defensively.

The accident occurred at the bottom of the ramp from the Inner Loop of the Beltway to River Road, according to NBC Washington.

After the accident, the ramp was closed until almost 7 a.m. The congestion caused a number of delays in the area.

The young motorists, who were 26 and 27, were thrown from the motorcycle in two different directions. They were both pronounced dead on scene.

Investigators are looking to determine if alcohol played a role in this accident.

It's no breaking news that these smaller, two-wheeled vehicles are less stable and much less visible in traffic than other motor vehicles. This is true of even the safest and most responsible motorcyclists.

The risk of injury and death for a motorcyclist involved in an accident is so much greater than that of a passenger-vehicle occupant. The U.S. government has placed the odds at 37 to 1 for a motorcyclist to be involved in a deadly accident when compared to a passenger vehicle for every mile that each travels.

Another accident, this time involving a scooter, landed a Hagerstown man in the Baltimore shock trauma center. The man lost control of his scooter and went down at the intersection of Sharpsburg Pike and Lyles Drive, according to Herald-Mail.

This accident happened at about 6 p.m. The 48-year-old driver was riding his scooter on the shoulder of Sharpsburg Pike near the Food Lion store south of Hagerstown, state police reported. When a vehicle traveling in front of the scooter made a right turn, the scooter started to wobble and crashed. The driver was reportedly not wearing his helmet and suffered a head injury.

The driver of the scooter was airlifted to the shock trauma center. The latest reports indicate he is in critical condition.

Motorists are asked to keep an extra eye out for both scooters and motorcycles this summer. These motorists will be hitting our roadways in full force during the summer months as the weather provides perfect conditions for riders.

Continue reading "Two Dead, One Seriously Injured in Maryland Motorcycle and Scooter Accidents" »

A new edition of a study on pedestrian accidents has recently been released by Transportation for America. This data looks at the reported pedestrian injuries and fatalities from motor-vehicle-related pedestrian accidents in Washington D.C. and elsewhere through the country between 2000 and 2009. Now, Dangerous by Design 2011 will examine and study the information in search of ways to reduce these incidents that have grown to be an all too common occurrence in our area.

The report indicated that in the 10-year study period roughly 47,000 pedestrians have died, and another 688,000 pedestrians have suffered injuries, in the United State from pedestrian accidents. The data also comes equipped with a number of features that allow residents to view how common these accidents were in their communities. It also provides state specific factsheets.

Our Maryland personal injury attorneys understand that pedestrians face high risk of being involved in a motor-vehicle-related accident on our city streets. Our state ranks 15th in the country for the most dangerous streets in America and for having the most occurrences of these serious accidents. In the studied time period, 2000 to 2009, Maryland experienced more than 1,000 pedestrian fatalities that cost the state nearly $5 billion.

As we recently discussed on our Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Blog, new car technology aims to reduce the risk of these accidents. This new technology would override driver control if the travel path of a vehicle comes dangerously close to a pedestrian. This technology is expected to be made available on new car makes and models soon as it is still in the developmental stages.

"The best way to protect pedestrians is to separate them as much as possible from vehicle traffic," says David Zuby, the Institute's chief research officer, "But the paths of walkers and drivers inevitably are going to intersect at some point, and the new warning systems, as well as vehicle design changes required in Europe, have the potential to make those meetings less deadly."

Another way to help reduce these potentially fatal accidents is to design roadways to be more friendly to pedestrians instead of focusing on the swift and efficient flow of traffic. This is where a majority of these accidents happen, along these "arterial" roadways.

Ironically, our federal tax dollars that have been allotted for pedestrian safety have been considered for elimination by Congress. Highways-only lobby insist that these types of pedestrian safe roads are merely a luxury.

The funds, targeted for elimination, make up less than 1.5 percent of the entire federal transportation outlay. It should be noted that nearly 70 percent of these fatalities occurred on the federally funded roads. Congress sees the features of these roads as a state government responsibility but yet places strict rules and regulations on their designs.

If you would like to contact Congress and urge them to revive projects to increase pedestrian safety, you are urged to visit the Smart Growth America website and enter your zip code to locate the recipient appropriate for your location.

Continue reading "Newly Released Data Ranks Maryland in Top 20 for Pedestrian Accidents" »

Instead of going to the zoo for a field trip, 17 children and chaperones were taken to area hospitals after an SUV collided with their tour bus, according to The Baltimore Sun.

We recently posted on our Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Blog that tour bus companies need to put passenger safety before profits.

What started out as a day of fun for a group of Kent County kindergarten students, teachers and parents could have ended in tragedy when an SUV hit their tour bus heading to the National Zoo in Washington. Law enforcement has charged the SUV driver with negligent driving, reckless driving and other charges when an investigation showed he pulled out in front of the bus. The 86-year-old tour bus driver, trying to avoid the crash, swerved, forcing the bus off the side of the road. Police said the bus then hit a telephone pole and rolled over onto its side in a field. Nearly all of the passengers were able to get off the bus through the broken windshield. Almost half of the passengers on the bus and the driver of the SUV were taken to local hospitals. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

Companies have an obligation to hire safe drivers, and a driver's age can have an effect on his or her driving habits.

MSNBC recently reported on a study in the journal Neuropsychology that associated aging with critical driving mistakes in healthy people with good driving records. The oldest study participants were between ages 85 and 89; they made four times as many serious errors in a driving test than the youngest participants that were between ages 70 and 74. The study reported that nearly 20 percent of the elderly drivers made mistakes that required the driving instructor inside the car to hit the brakes or grab the wheel. The study involved 266 volunteers who drove at least once a week, had no signs of dementia and lived independently. They went out on a 12-mile ride with an occupational therapist and a driving instructor. The therapist documented errors like tailgating, veering, speeding, sudden braking and not checking blind spots. The three mistakes most commonly made were failing to check blind spots, veering across lanes of traffic and not using turn signals.

A recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Bus Crash Causation Study showed that human error caused 90 percent of bus crashes. Human error on the part of the bus drivers included inattention, haste, distractions and misjudgments.

Consumers interested in finding the safest local passenger carrier companies in their area can view ratings on the FMCSA website by clicking on the link. Before you book your next trip, check the site to find a reliable company that will keep you free from danger in a Maryland bus accident.

Continue reading "Tour Bus Accidents in Maryland Common in Spring and Summer" »

Although many Americans currently debate the role of our government, many continue to urge lawmakers to take more action to decrease risks of car accidents in Maryland and elsewhere in the United States. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety surveyed Americans and found the majority are pushing for more rules and regulations regarding driving standards. This survey was released just as the United Nations kicked off their "Decade of Action on Road Safety" campaign.

"Despite shrinking federal and state transportation budgets and a public debate over the most appropriate role of government, it's clear that a majority of Americans want government officials to do more - not less - about highway safety," said AAA President and CEO Bob Darbelnet. "From passing and enforcing laws about teen drivers and distracted driving to programs that improve the safety of our roadways and add safety equipment to vehicles, there are many steps government can take reduce crashes, injuries, and deaths in the U.S."

Washington D.C. car accident lawyers understand that many drivers engage in poor driving habits, such as distracted driving, drunk driving and disobeying various traffic laws. Heightened government enforcement may be one of the most effective ways to help battle these potentially fatal behaviors.

The "Decade of Action on Road Safety" campaign is a global campaign aimed at stabilizing and reducing highway deaths and injuries worldwide by 2020. It is estimated that roughly 3,500 people are killed each day around the world because or motor-vehicle accidents. The organizations further estimates that roughly 1.3 million people die each year, and another 50 million suffer serious injury, because of car crashes each year.

According to police reports, approximately 10,111,000 vehicles in the United States were involved in car crashes in 2008, more than 90 percent of them were reported to have been passenger vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 55,500 of those vehicles were involved in fatal accidents resulting in a loss of more than 25,000 passenger-vehicle occupants and 2.35 million injuries. Maryland suffered nearly 400 of these traffic-crash deaths in that same year, nearly 240 of them involved passenger-vehicle occupants.

The United Nations believes that millions of traffic deaths can potentially be prevented. Their Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 is a worldwide opportunity to communities to enforce safer driving habits to help make it safer for everyone.

The complete Action Plan of the "Decade of Action on Road Safety" is provided by Mr Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General.

Continue reading "Global Effort's Local Aim: Fewer Car Accidents in Maryland, Washington D.C. " »

Scooters and other small vehicle accidents don't discriminate as they've taken the lives or seriously injured riders of all ages this past month in Maryland.

A 23-year old man and a 91-year-old man were involved in these most recent and serious accidents. The men were involved in ATV andscooter accidents in Maryland.

Our Maryland personal injury lawyers urge motorists to be extra cautious this spring as scooter and ATV riders are outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather.

The first of the incidents involved a 23-year-old Mount Airy man. He remains in the hospital at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He suffered serious injuries when his ATV crashed near the 14000 block of Black Ankle Road just before 9 p.m. Police report that the operator was driving the ATV on Black Ankle Road when he failed to follow a curve in the road. The four-wheeler left the road and threw off the driver, according to Frederick News Post.

He was airlifted by a Maryland State Police helicopter to the hospital in critical condition.

The second accident happened in Carroll County when a 92-year-old man was riding his scooter when he was hit by an oncoming vehicle on Hammonds Lane, according to Hometown Annapolis. Anne Arundel County police report that the 92-year-old scooter driver was heading southbound toward Upland Road when he was struck by a pickup truck. He was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma and was later pronounced dead. Officials do not believe that speed played a role in the accident and the incident is still under investigation.

Northern Sites offers these tips to help keep scooter riders safe on our roadways:

-Operate under the same rules of the road as motor vehicles do.

-Stop at every stop sign. Look left, right and left again before proceeding forward.

-Stop at the end of all driveways. Again, look left, right and left again before entering onto a street.

-Use proper hand signals to alert drivers of you intended maneuvers.

-Obey all traffic signs and signals.

The ATV Safety Institute offers these tips to drivers to help keep them safe on our roads:

-Ride an ATV that's appropriate for your size and age.

-Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

-Ride only on designated areas, and at a safe speed.

-Always supervise riders under the age 16.

It is most important, above all, for both ATV and scooter drivers to keep an eye out for motor-vehicles as they're most likely to cause serious or fatal injuries in the event of an accident.

Continue reading "ATV and Scooter Accidents a Spring Danger in Maryland" »

Engineers are currently looking into ways to make vehicles safer for pedestrians. As crash protection has been made available for people riding in passenger vehicles to protect themselves from accidents with other vehicle, the next step could only logically be to make vehicles safer fort obstacles around them, including pedestrians.

This new technology is being executed through the development of a feature that could potentially allow a vehicle spot a pedestrian entering its path -- it would then automatically brake if the driver fails to do so, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This new technology has the potential to significantly decrease the risk of pedestrian accidents in Maryland and elsewhere in the country.

"The best way to protect pedestrians is to separate them as much as possible from vehicle traffic," says David Zuby, the Institute's chief research officer, "But the paths of walkers and drivers inevitably are going to intersect at some point, and the new warning systems, as well as vehicle design changes required in Europe, have the potential to make those meetings less deadly."

Our Maryland personal injury lawyers understand the importance of pedestrian safety, especially in city areas as densely populated as ours. We agree that this new technology can help to bring us one step close to significantly reducing the number of pedestrian fatalities.

Some may find it surprising, but the most common car-pedestrian accident scenario involved a person crossing the road and a vehicle going straight. In most of these cases there is nothing blocking the driver's view of the pedestrian. To make matters worse, there is most often no braking reported in these accidents.

The Institute estimates that more than 1 million accidents, including nearly 900 fatal accidents, could potentially be prevented or mitigated each year if vehicles in the United States were equipped with this collision warning system. Researchers also believe that pedestrian detection systems could help to prevent nearly 40,000 crashes, including nearly 3,000 fatal accidents.

A recently entry on our Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Blog illustrated the importance of street lights as a way to preserve the safety of our city pedestrians. Any assistance that we can provide to our pedestrians is worthwhile if it helps to save lives. We reported that fatal crashes at intersections with traffic lights have decreased by 17 percent in the last 5 years. Crashes blamed on red-light runners have also declined by more than 25 percent from 2005 to 2009.

This new pedestrian warning system is aimed at preventing, or decreasing the risks of, pedestrian accidents. This technology would specifically target front-end collisions, as the new system would be referred to as forward collision warning. Similar systems alert the driver if the vehicle is about to collide with another vehicle ahead of it, oftentimes hitting the brakes automatically for the driver. A pedestrian collision warning system would do virtually the same thing by detecting not only other vehicles in its proximity but pedestrians in the immediate area as well.

Continue reading "New Technology May Help to Decrease Risks of Pedestrian Accidents in Maryland and Washington, D.C. " »

As hundreds of tour buses travel though the Washington D.C. area each week, it is important for busing companies to focus on keeping passengers safe. Unfortunately, the evidence suggests they all too often put profits before passenger safety.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is teaming up with local, state and federal government agencies to help to ensure that busing companies are meeting proper safety standards. This comes after a number of fatal bus accidents in the U.S., including the recent New York City bus accident that left 14 passengers dead.

Washington D.C. personal injury lawyers understand that with the popularity of bus tours in the area, rates can be rather competitive between companies. While going with the cheapest rate may seem like the best idea, passengers are urged to look closer into the company they choose to travel with. Low-fare bus companies have been linked to the recent outbreak in bus accidents. Older buses, less maintenance and tired drivers are too often the norm.

"Working side-by-side with our state and local law enforcement partners, we can ensure that every passenger bus company and driver operates as safely as possible," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "These strike force activities are one of the many effective tools we use year-round to raise the safety bar for commercial buses and drivers on our nation's roadways."

In fact, the government can't "ensure" anything. The fact that a recent federal crackdown resulted in about 1 in 10 buses being taken off the road should give every passenger pause. And it should tell you all you need to know about the state of the government's enforcement efforts.

Of the more than 3,000 buses that were inspected, nearly 300 buses and drivers were pulled from the roadways for not meeting proper safety standards.

After a string of fatal bus accidents, the Obama Administration decided to make improvements to motorcoach safety by instituting a new Motorcoach Safety Action Plan. In other efforts to reduce the risks of fatal bus accidents, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed rules that would require all buses come with seat belts and an electronic on-board recorder to take the place of easily falsified paper records that keep tabs on driver hours. The government has also adopted a regulation banning commercial drivers from texting or using other handheld devices while driving.

Continue reading "Big Bus Companies Fail Inspection Tests -- Highlighting Risks for a Washington D.C. Bus Accident" »

The Governor of Maryland holds public safety as one of his top priorities, according to Choose Safety for Life - Maryland's Safety Campaigns. State officials are joining together to make Maryland's roadways safer and reduce risks of Washington D.C. car accidents through education, enforcement and legislation. The U.S. Department of Transportation referred to distracted driving as "an epidemic" as motorists who use hand-held devices behind the wheel are four times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Maryland car accident lawyers are actively following House Bill 222 which will make the use of hand-held cell phones a primary offense in Maryland. The state Senate Judiciary Committee recently returned House Bill 222 with an unfavorable vote. Officials aren't stopping there, as they plan to reintroduce the bill at a later date.

"They missed an opportunity to reduce the number of injuries and accidents caused by distracted drivers," said Talbot County Sheriff Dallas Pope, who serves on the Maryland Sheriffs Legislative Committee, which supported HB 222. "Accidents occur in a split second, which may not give officers time to wait for a driver to violate a primary offense."

Of the eight states that make using a hand-held cell phone illegal while driving, only Maryland's law is a secondary offense --meaning law enforcement must have some other reason for initiating a traffic stop, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Research from Distraction.gov reveals these facts about distracted driving:

-Nearly 5,500 people were killed and 448,000 were injured in the United States in 2009 from motor vehicle accidents involving a distracted driver.

-Drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 reportedly have the greatest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal accidents

-Using a hand-held device while driving gives you the same reaction abilities as those of a legally drunk driver.

There are three different categories of distracted driving: visual, cognitive and manual. These categories can involve any of the following:

-Engaging with passengers in your vehicle.

-Eating or drinking.

-Using your cell phone or other hand held devices.

-Reading road maps or operation GPS systems.

-Grooming

-Changing your CD, radio station or using your MP3 player.

"Unfortunately, another year will pass with the chance of more lives being lost before we can address this once again," Pope said, as he will continue to pursue the change until it becomes law.

Continue reading "Officials Push for the Ban of Hand Held Devices to Reduce Risks of Maryland Distracted Driving Accidents" »

A State Highway Administration worker was killed in 2007 and another is currently dealing with serious injuries from a Maryland car accident at a local road construction site. Officials point to speeding drivers as the cause as local, state and federal advocates push work zone safety and awareness.

Safety week began last Monday in Laurel with various speeches and a ceremony. The event was hosted by Maryland's Secretary of Transportation Beverly Swaim-Staley and Federal Highway Administration Administrator Victor Mendez. The future site of the Intercounty Connector's I-95 interchange, an active work zone where SHA employees are still constructing the eastern edge of the road, was where the ceremony was held, according to Savage-Guilford Patch.

Maryland personal injury lawyers urge you to join the "Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone." campaign to raise awareness of the potential dangers caused by inattentive driving in our construction and maintenance road work zones this spring and summer.

According to The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, the United States saw more than 33,000 injuries and nearly 700 fatalities in road work zone areas in 2009. In that same year, Maryland reported 10 deaths and roughly 1,400 injuries in our construction and maintenance zones. It is estimated that nearly 85 percent of these work zone accidents injuries and deaths occur to drivers and vehicle passengers.

Campaigns, events and memorials will be taking place throughout the country to raise awareness.

"Additionally the State Highway Administration will run an educational and safety marketing campaign to urge people to drive more safely in work zones," said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen.

The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse offers you these tips on how to stay safe when traveling through our work zones:

-Put away all distractions. Keep your cell phone in the glove compartment or in the back seat to reduce the temptation to use it.

-Abide by road signs. Speed limits and lanes tend to change in these areas to accommodate our workers. Be alert and follow all instructional signs.

-Obey flaggers. These flaggers are trained professionals who are there to help you get through our work zones safely and as quickly as possible.

-Be sure to keep a safe distance from all objects on the road. This includes other motorists, road workers and their equipment.

-Plan ahead. If you know your trip is going to take you through a work zone, allow yourself plenty of extra time to get through the zone or take a different route to avoid it completely.

"We are making steady strides in reducing the number of crashes that injure and kill," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley. "We've come a long way, but we have a long way to go."

Continue reading "Maryland Car Accidents in Work Zones a Spring Focus" »

According to an ARLNow article titled "Officer Struck While Investigating Deadly Accident on Key Bridge", a police officer was hit by a car while he was tending to another vehicle accident on the Key Bridge in Washington, D.C.

The officer is expected to recover, but this is a strong reminder of two things.

First, people shouldn't drive drunk. The driver who hit the police officer had, apparently, been drinking and has been charged with driving under the influence. It seems that the accident that the officer was responding to was also caused by a driver who has been charged with driving under the influence.

Second, this accident underscores the importance of a new "Move Over" law in Maryland. In an effort to prevent automobile accidents, Maryland now requires drivers to give an extra lane of space to police, and other emergency personnel, when driving past them.

The District of Columbia is one of the few jurisdictions in the country that doesn't have a move over law to prevent automobile accidents involving police offices and other first-responders.