Posted on November 29, 2021 in Truck Accidents

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that 1,700 people are killed each year due to rear-end collisions. Maryland has some of the busiest roadways in the nation and a significant number of rear-end accidents resulting in personal injury and death. Most laws favor the front car driver, with few exceptions.

WHEN IS REAR-ENDING SOMEONE NOT YOUR FAULT?

When someone is rear-ended, there is likely to be a personal injury. The injury can be a minor whiplash or a severe trauma such as loss of limb or life. In any case, the medical costs to care for the injured party(s) can be expensive. Since the “Assured Clear Distance Ahead” Rule is the law nationwide with some variations, it is thought to be the fault of the rear-ender in most rear-end accidents.

An example is being rear-ended so forcefully that no braking action could prevent you from rear-ending the vehicle in front of you. That is a challenging argument to prove but, dash cams are adding more credibility to the contention. The ACDA rule says that every driver is responsible for maintaining a safe distance from the driver in front of them. The front driver could stop suddenly for no apparent reason to the driver behind them, but the ACDA rule would likely find the rear driver at fault.

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 Posted on November 10, 2021 in Truck Accidents

If you have considered filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Maryland on behalf of a loved one who passed away due to another person’s negligence, you have a limited amount of time in which to do so. The time frame for filing is called the statute of limitations, and if you attempt to file beyond the expiration date, your lawsuit will probably be thrown out of court.

WHAT IS A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS?

A statute of limitations is essentially the length of time in which you can legally file a lawsuit after a harmful act. For wrongful death, the statute of limitations is three years from the date on which the death occurred. Generally, the state of Maryland has a three-year statute of limitations for most civil lawsuits. However, there are different rules for certain non-fatal negligence claims. One such case applies to medical malpractice. The statute of limitations in Maryland in this regard is the earlier to occur of five years after the date of the incident that led to the harm or three years after the victim discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the injury.

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 Posted on October 19, 2021 in Truck Accidents

For attorney Morgan Whitlock, personal injury isn’t just a job. It’s a passion.

The founding lawyer of Whitlock Law, LLC, in Silver Spring, Maryland, has gained national attention for her dedication to making a difference. She was recently featured in a Forbes article showcasing her determination and persistence in the personal injury field.

The article highlights how attorney Whitlock consistently goes above and beyond to address the needs of her clients. For example, she routinely goes to bat to get clients the full medical care and coverage they need, even helping them find competent medical providers in specialty fields. She sees herself as not just their legal adviser but their advocate as well — an ally with them in their fight for justice.

HOLDING INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE

A consistent theme in attorney Whitlock’s practice is addressing the failure of insurance companies to treat policyholders fairly. Insurers often don’t come through for injury victims at the very times they’re needed the most. Without a strong attorney to intervene on their behalf, clients are left to struggle with delays, underpayments and even wrongful denials. Those are difficult blows to endure during what is often already one of the worst periods in a client’s life after a serious accident, injury or loss.

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 Posted on October 19, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Motorcyclists in Maryland are at a higher risk of getting severe injuries on the road. This is because, unlike cars, motorcycles don’t have reinforced steel surrounding the rider or seat belts to protect them during a collision. All you have is minimal protective gear, so it’s important to improve your riding skills. Here is how you can improve your safety on the road through visibility.

KNOW THE BASICS

To legally drive a motorcycle in Maryland, you must obtain a motorcycle license separate from a standard driver’s license. Completing the Maryland Basic Rider Course, or BRC will help you not only achieve this goal, but provide you with motorcycle basic safety how-to’s.

DRIVE SOBER

Alcohol is a contributing factor in 40% of fatal motorcycle accidents. A .08 blood alcohol level is the “legal limit” for driving while impaired, even the smallest amount of alcohol can impair your ability to drive, slowing reaction times and impairing judgment. Making the choice to drive sober is not only the safe choice, it is the law.

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 Posted on October 05, 2021 in Truck Accidents

A wrongful death settlement is a good start to compensate a person for the untimely, unnecessary death of a loved one. If death could’ve been avoided, it’s important to seek justice for the survivors of the deceased. First, there are certain facts about seeking a wrongful death settlement in Maryland that must be known.

NO TAXES

This type of settlement is not taxable and can be used to compensate for medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, and other expenses related to another person’s death. However, certain medical expenses and punitive damages need to be taxed and reported on a tax return.

ELIGIBILITY VARIES

Maryland laws indicate the type of individuals who can sue for wrongful death. A spouse or estate executor can file for wrongful death benefits but not a distant relative or friend of the deceased. In most states, immediate family members, including parents, spouses, children, and domestic partners are eligible to file. In some states, siblings and grandfathers can file along with business partners who suffered financial losses due to wrongful death.

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 Posted on September 24, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Good tire maintenance is necessary for a safe ride. Tires not only support the weight of the car, but they also provide traction, braking force and shock absorption. When tires are old or underinflated, the driver can lose control of the vehicle and get into a severe accident. Because of this, you must constantly check the pressure, thread and balancing of your tires.

TIRE-RELATED ACCIDENTS AND COSTS

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 600 people died in 2019 in tire-related car crashes. Driving with worn or underinflated tires increases the chances of a driver getting into a car crash. Besides, a lack of tire maintenance can make the tires last less and reduce the vehicle’s fuel economy, which would cause you to spend more on fuel or new tires.

3 THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE DRIVING

Lack of tire maintenance can lead to a flat tire, blowout or tread coming off a tire. All of those situations can result in a severe accident, which is why you must ensure your tires are in good condition before each use. You can give maintenance to your tires by checking:

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 Posted on September 23, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Facial injuries are some of the most serious injuries stemming from auto accidents in Maryland. Even when doctors can repair the damage with surgery, there can be a lifelong impact on going forward for the victims. An altered appearance can be emotionally troublesome even when the superficial injury has been fixed. And not only can facial injuries do psychological damage beyond the facial disfigurement, but some facial injuries can also result in respiratory issues when the injuries also include a broken nose, jaw, or teeth that will require even more surgical repair.

POTENTIAL UNDERLYING MEDICAL ISSUES

Many facial injuries from motor vehicle accidents result in the need for surgical repair beneath the surface. Skin grafting and other superficial wound treatments are secondary at first evaluation by medical professionals. One of the common injuries is cartilage damage to the internal nose area that is fully repairable in many cases. Those who are suffering from broken jaws and teeth can be treated through surgery and dental work as needed.

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 Posted on September 10, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Car crashes involve a vehicle colliding with another car, an object, a person or even an animal. Those concerned about safety on Maryland roads might wish to review the types of car crashes that may happen along with the potential resulting injuries. Drivers should adjust their behavior to cut down on the chances of harm.

ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES ON THE ROAD

Someone driving down a residential street could make a mistake and sideswipe a vehicle. The accident may result in damage to both vehicles but no physical injuries to the occupants. A “fender-bender” rear-end accident could cause bumper damage to the car and a forehead gash injury to the victim. Such an accident displays two elements of a collision: a vehicle collision followed by a human impact.

The first two collisions are apparent, but the third might be less visible: Internal collisions involve damage to the internal organs, bones or anything not visible. Internal injuries could range from minor whiplash to severe concussions or life-threatening lung punctures. Anyone who suffers in an auto accident might not realize an internal collision occurred. By the time symptoms arise, the person’s condition could worsen, possibly fatally.

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 Posted on August 27, 2021 in Truck Accidents

It’s common to find many commercial trucks transporting goods throughout Maryland. Unfortunately, some of these vehicles may be overloaded with too many items. If this happens, it can lead to a lot of overcrowded trucks endangering the lives of other drivers and the people driving these trucks. With that in mind, here’s more information about what makes overcrowded trucks so dangerous.

AFFECTING SOMEONE’S DRIVING ABILITY

One of the main dangers of overloaded trucks is that they’re harder to drive than trucks that are properly loaded. If a truck has too many items weighing down its rear, it’s difficult to properly steer it. Overloaded trucks can also cause drivers to misjudge braking distances. A lack of even weight distribution in a truck can also increase the risk of it tipping over.

DAMAGING COMPANY VEHICLES

Even if an overloaded vehicle doesn’t cause any truck accidents, there are other problems these types of trucks cause. When trucks are overloaded, this situation can cause a lot of maintenance issues in the future. If trucks are carrying excessive amounts of weight, it can place a lot of strain on the vehicle’s tires, suspension and other parts. Over time, paying for these repairs can become quite expensive for any business.

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 Posted on August 16, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Auto accident injuries range from mild to severe, which include minor scrapes, broken bones, and sprains. Some drivers in Silver Springs, Maryland will notice the symptoms immediately following the accident. However, certain injuries may make a driver think they didn’t get hurt.

CAUSES OF DELAYED SYMPTOMS

Adrenaline is a hormone that usually masks the symptoms as a way to keep the body from feeling stress after a traumatic event. Adrenaline causes several body responses, such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and more strength. Endorphins are other hormones released after accidents that help the body stay calm and reliever pain.

The injured party won’t notice any symptoms the hormones wear off, but they still may not associate the symptoms with the accident. Stats show many people don’t report motor vehicle accidents until two or three days later, claiming no injury.

DELAYED INJURIES AND SYMPTOMS

Neck pain and back pain are common delayed injuries after motor vehicle accidents that may cause several injuries. Whiplash is a neck injury that causes the head to jerk harshly back and forth, which mostly occurs from rear-end accidents. Neck pain and back pain could also be a sign of a herniated disc or spinal cord injury.

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