Posted on February 24, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Ridesharing platforms such as Uber and Lyft are a new and large presence in Maryland, Virginia and across the nation, especially in large cities. Questions about rideshare safety, and their role in motor vehicle accidents, have grown with this industry.

Ridesharing is a safer option than driving while impaired or with a drunk or inexperienced driver. The United States had 1.17 traffic deaths per 100 million miles traveled in 2017. By comparison, Uber had roughly half the national average with a reported 0.57 fatalities per 100 million traveled.

Uber drivers, according to the company’s safety report for 2017 and 2018, were still involved in 97 fatal accidents that led to 107 deaths. Traveling by bus is the safest transportation mode with only .01 deadly accident per 100 million miles.

Rideshare companies impose safety standards on their drivers. According to Uber’s report, it disqualified over one million drivers and 76% of these prospective drivers were rejected because of their driving histories.

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 Posted on February 21, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Everyone who has driven on the interstate highways crisscrossing Montgomery County knows that the biggest, most dangerous vehicles rolling on those roads are the mammoth 18-wheelers. Tractor-trailers are slow to bring to a stop and difficult to maneuver – especially in critical situations that can arise without warning.

The sheer size of commercial trucks requires truckers to be constantly alert and cautious. When truck drivers are distracted, fatigued, speeding, impaired or impatient, the result can be violent truck crashes, serious injuries and fatalities.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced a new study of the causes of large truck crashes, research the federal agency says that will provide data for regulators, lawmakers and law enforcement to use to make our roads safer for everyone.

The new study will be the first of its kind in more than 15 years. The previous truck crash study was conducted from 2001 to 2003, before iPhones, in-cab fleet management systems, Google Maps and other technological innovations that come with a mix of positive and negative attributes.

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 Posted on February 07, 2020 in Truck Accidents

If you find yourself anxious when driving around semi-trucks, you’re not alone. These massive rigs pose a serious threat to everyday motorists, especially when they aren’t safely driven. Yet, the sad reality is that truckers often take to the road when they are distracted, drunk, or tired, which can significantly decrease their driving abilities.

Federal regulators have attempted to curtail dangerous trucking in a number of ways. One of the most prevalent is the implementation of hours of service regulations. These rules limit the number of hours a trucker can operate his or her rig without taking a federally mandated rest. For example, a trucker is only allowed to driver for 11 hours after taking off 10 consecutive hours. Additionally, a trucker cannot drive beyond the 14^th hour following that 10-hour rest period.

But the regulations pertaining to hours of service don’t stop there. A trucker can only drive if there have been less than eight hours since his or her last rest period of at least 30 minutes in the trucks sleeper section. Lastly, a trucker is disallowed from driving for more than 60 hours in a period of seven consecutive days or 70 hours in eight consecutive days.

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 Posted on February 04, 2020 in Truck Accidents

A spinal cord injury represents one of the most devastating and life-changing injuries you can suffer in a motor vehicle accident. Unfortunately, auto and motorcycle accidents account for nearly 50% of all traumatic SCIs that occur each year in the U.S.

Signs that you suffered an SCI in your car or bike crash include the following:

• You feel extreme pain and/or pressure in your neck or back.
• You notice that your neck or back has become twisted or lies in an unnatural position.
• You cannot feel your hands, fingers, feet and/or toes.
• You cannot move your legs and/or arms.
• You may have difficulties breathing.

Lasting paralysis

By definition, paralysis means the loss of voluntary movement and sensation in some part(s) of your body. When you suffer an SCI, you become partially or totally paralyzed below your point of injury. If your car or bike crash results in what health care professionals call a complete SCI, you will no longer be able to move or feel the affected parts of your body. Conversely, if you suffer an incomplete SCI, you likely will retain limited feeling and the ability to move your affected body parts.

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 Posted on January 31, 2020 in Truck Accidents

When a driver approaches an intersection and the traffic light turns yellow, there are two choices the motorist can make. Accelerate and possibly make it through before the light turns red or quickly hit the brakes in order to stop before the intersection. Because of light enforcement cameras, more and more drivers are compelled to stop with fear that they could get ticketed for traveling through the intersection when the light turns red. The same concept, if approved, could occur for those using their phone while driving on Maryland roadways.

CELL PHONE ENFORCEMENT CAMERAS

While many motorists have not considered this use of technology to curb this form of distracted driving, it is a proposed legislation in the state of Maryland. The vice president of the Montgomery County Council has urged state lawmakers to take action to reduce accident caused by cell phone use by drivers by implementing cell phone enforcement cameras.

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 Posted on January 31, 2020 in Truck Accidents

A cute cuddly puppy often ignites many positive thoughts and emotions. Whether it is in a movie, social media or in person, an individual is likely to associate a dog as being a trusting, loyal companion because society has come to terms that dog is man’s best friend. While most domesticated canines are friendly and well cared for, others may present concerns and even dangers to those that interact with it. It is a shocking event to be bit by a dog, and bite victims should be aware of the laws that protect them in these matters.

DOG BITE LAWS

Maryland law states that a dog owner is liable for damages stemming from personal injury or death by the dog. It further states that when there is evidence that the dog caused the alleged harm, this creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner of the dog either knew or should have known that their dog had vicious or dangerous propensities.

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 Posted on January 30, 2020 in Truck Accidents

The luxury of on-line shopping means that the items that were purchased last night could arrive at your home the next day. Behind this almost instant gratification is the high demand of commercial truck drivers to get these goods from the warehouse to your doorstep. This not only leads to an increase in large trucks and other commercial vehicles on the roadways but also presents concerns when it comes to overworked and fatigued truck drivers.

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT BEING TIRED

Truck driver burnout is a very real concern in Maryland and other states across the nation. This is not just about a truck driver being tired. It is a culmination of factors, such as being overworked, fatigued, bored and unhappy. It is something that a good night’s sleep cannot alleviate, and it is something that can present major risks to travelers on the roadways.

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 Posted on January 30, 2020 in Truck Accidents

When a loved one requires routine surgery or suddenly needs emergent care, much trust goes into the skills and knowledge of the medical providers treating his or her family member. Thus, when a family member is lost during such a procedure, it can come as a huge shock. While an individual processes the emotions with this loss, he or she may question how this could occur and if a medical error is to blame.

WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

If a medical professional caused the death of a loved one, this means that the care provided by this medical professional fell below the accepted standard of professional care. This could look like a diagnostic error, surgical error or medication error.

The losses caused by such an event can be extensive, and family member could recover a wide range of damages in a wrongful death action. This can include pain and suffering prior to death, medical bills, loss of consortium by the decedent’s spouse and family, loss of past and future wages, loss of earning capacity and, if the event was caused by egregious or outrageous conduct, punitive damages could also be recoverable.

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 Posted on January 30, 2020 in Truck Accidents

It may have been a long week. Or maybe there is something to celebrate. Perhaps, you just want to go out for a drink to simply unwind. No matter the reason for consuming alcohol at a public establishment, the reality is that many have to drive to and from these locations. This creates a heightened risk not only for the motorist but for those traveling on the roadway as well.

D.C. AREA SEES INCREASE IN FATAL DRUNK DRIVING CRASHES

Based on current data for the D.C. area, 2017 saw an increase in fatalities from alcohol-involved crashes. This rate rose nearly 46 percent from the previous year. In 2017, 86 individuals died in a drunk driving crash while 2016 saw 59 fatalities. It was also noted that from 2015 to 2016, there was a decrease in fatal alcohol related crashes, decreasing by around 24 percent, which makes this sudden increase a concern.

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 Posted on January 02, 2020 in Truck Accidents

As a cyclist, you do your best to safely navigate the busy streets in the suburbs around the Washington, D.C., area. You always wear a helmet, signal your turn and stay cautious during your ride. Unfortunately, when you share the road with heavier cars and trucks, you may still find yourself involved in an accident.

Being in an accident while biking can be a jarring experience. You may suffer severe injuries that require medical treatment and a long recovery. Collecting the proper information after the accident can help you with your insurance claim. Here are a few tips for what to do:

• Call 911 – If you have severe injuries, you need to have emergency responders treat you right away. You will also need to speak with a police officer to make a report. Try to stay calm and report the accident exactly as you remember it.
• Get insurance information – Don’t try to negotiate any terms with the driver. Just get his or her insurance information and license plate number. Write down the numbers on a piece of paper or take pictures with your phone.

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