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When you hear the term “witness” in connection with a car accident case in Maryland, you think about the people that were present at the incident and have first-hand knowledge about what they saw. It’s true that the testimony of these eye witnesses plays a crucial role as you pursue the responsible driver for compensation for your losses. However, there is another type of witness that may be instrumental in your case: Expert witnesses. Under the Maryland Rules of Evidence, expert testimony may be admitted at trial where the court determines that it will assist the jury in understanding evidence presented. How to use experts at trial will ultimately depend on the strategy of your car accident attorney, but it may be helpful to understand the different ways these specialists may be involved.

Maryland Transportation Authority officials shut down a section of Interstate 95, the East Coast’s main shipping thoroughfare, after heavy winds caused a truck accident on the Tydings Memorial Bridge in northeast Maryland. Baltimore’s ABC affiliate WMAR News Channel 2 reported on the March 2, 2018 incident and posted video showing two semi truck trailers being overturned by the excessive gusts. High winds are a contributing factor in many Maryland auto accidents involving trucks, but blustery conditions can also make fault a complex issue if you are injured in a crash.

Maryland State Police responding to an auto accident in rural Queen Anne’s County, MD say that speed may have been a factor in the crash, which sent a woman to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. According to a March 5, 2018 article from ABC affiliate News Channel 47, first responders were forced to forcibly remove the victim from the vehicle, at which point she was airlifted to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. The investigation continues on the factors that caused the victim’s SUV to veer off the road and collide with a tree near the shoulder of the highway. A preliminary review of the extensive damage to the vehicle indicates that excessive speed was a contributing factor, though officials are exploring other theories.

While they may not be as common as broken bones, head trauma, and whiplash, eye injuries from Baltimore County, Maryland auto accidents can be devastating for the victims. As humans, we rely on our sense of sight to help us engage in the most fundamental activities; an injury that reduces or takes it away is truly life-changing. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 2.4 million eye injuries occur in the US every year, and roughly 9,500 of them are the result of a car crash. There are many different types of eye injuries that can occur due to the impact of an auto collision, but a few of the more common scenarios include:

On February 14, 2018, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved usage of a ground-breaking blood test that can diagnose concussion in patients who have suffered head injuries. According to NBC News, the primary advantage of the test is that the victim obtains a faster, more accurate diagnosis without the need of exposure to radiation. The test will be most useful in cases in which there is some doubt as to whether the individual has suffered a concussion, such as after a car accident when the victim does not show obvious signs.

One man is dead and another was injured in a serious accident involving a box truck that occurred in Beltsville, Maryland, about 25 miles southwest of Baltimore. According to ABC affiliate WJLA News Channel 7, Prince George’s County police responded to a call of a crash between a passenger vehicle and a truck just before 11:00 a.m. on February 6, 2018. When they arrived at the scene, first responders discovered an adult male in critical condition after crashing his car into the commercial box truck. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later died of his injuries. The driver of the box truck was also hurt, but the injuries were not reported as life-threatening. Investigators continue to investigate the details of the collision, as Maryland auto accidents involving box trucks present several unique hazards.

When you think of being hurt in a car accident, the first injuries that come to mind may be broken bones, head and brain trauma, whiplash, and other types of bodily harm. Burns may not top the list, but they are quite common; unfortunately, they can be among the most painful, traumatic, and life-changing as well. Plus, the scarring and disfigurement may be long-term or permanent, leading victims to experience increased levels of emotional distress. If you or a loved one sustained burns in a Baltimore County, MD auto accident, here are some of the basics you need to know about these injuries.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported on teen car accident factors, and the statistics are chilling:

Maryland State Police and local authorities continue to investigate a multi-car accident that occurred in Frederick, MD on September 29, 2017. According to ABC 7 News WJLA, early reports show that the crash took place on a stretch of Interstate 270 near Route 85, in the southern outskirts of the city limits. Officials did not make a statement regarding injuries due to a lack of specific details; however, police did mention that several ambulances were at the scene and providing treatment to victims.

It’s a common occurrence - you’re involved in an auto accident and a few days later you get a call from the other driver’s insurance company. If the insurance adjuster knows it wasn’t your fault, they want to talk to you quickly.

It’s both overwhelming and devastating when you’re injured in a Baltimore County car accident, so the most important task – after seeking proper medical treatment – is to retain experienced counsel to assist in pursuing your rights to compensation. It’s a mistake to go it alone when dealing with pushy insurance companies and even more rash to represent your own interests in court. A skilled car accident attorney can assist you with obtaining the highest amount of financial recovery under the law, but you’ll need to first find the right fit. Here are some factors to consider when hiring a lawyer to take on your personal injury case in Maryland.

One man was killed and another injured when a construction site scaffolding collapsed beneath their feet, sending them the ground 25 feet below. ABC affiliate WJLA Channel 7 News reported that the incident occurred at the Sugarloaf Elementary School in Frederick County, Maryland on December 11, 2017. The worker who died was pronounced dead at the scene, while the injury victim was transported to Frederick Memorial Hospital for treatment of his broken leg. Officials continue their investigation into how the scaffolding accident occurred, as one key aspect of the investigation will center on whether there were any violations of regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The story raises some complex issues about how Maryland workers’ compensation rules apply when there is a potential failure to comply with OSHA rules.

Two people were transported to local hospitals after being tossed from their car in an accident on I-270, according to a December 8, 2017 report from CBS affiliate WUSA News Channel 9. A spokesperson from the Montgomery County Fire Department stated that the incident occurred just after 10:00 p.m. near the Falls Road ramp, just outside of Rockville, Maryland. The victims were traveling southbound on I-270 when they were involved in some sort of collision, which remains under investigation. After the initial impact, they were ejected from their vehicle and landed in the northbound lanes of the highway.

Being ejected during a car collision can lead to extremely severe injuries, and these incidents are far more likely to result in death as compared to other types of crashes. A Maryland auto accident attorney can help if you have suffered injuries, as you may be entitled to compensation where you were not at fault.

Maryland State Police continue to investigate and are seeking witnesses to a single-vehicle crash in Hagerstown, which killed one passenger and injured four others on November 30, 2017. The accident involved a passenger van from The Arc of Washington County, an organization that promotes independence for individuals with developmental disabilities. According to a report from ABC Channel 2 News WMAR out of Baltimore, the van was heading east when it veered off the roadway and traveled about 200 feet before striking a tree. Officials stated that it is unclear why the driver left the road, and there was no indication of braking or other maneuvers to avoid a collision. Passenger vans present characteristics that make them more likely to be involved in serious auto accidents and cause serious injuries to victims.

On November 7, 2017, a man driving a pickup fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into the rear of a semi truck near Flintstone, Maryland in a rural area of Allegany County. According to CBS affiliate WUSA Channel 9 News, he suffered only minor injuries, even after first responders were forced to cut him out of his vehicle using the jaws of life. Many news outlets would not even report on an accident involving such negligible injures, but this incident is noteworthy: It highlights an increase in the number of underride auto accidents in Maryland, which are among the most devastating types of crashes involving large trucks.

An underride collision occurs when a passenger vehicle slides underneath a tractor trailer being hauled by a semi truck. Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are common and, in many cases, the individuals are decapitated by the impact. Despite regulations on required safety equipment for semis, underride accidents remain a serious threat to Maryland motorists.

What started off as a minor fender-bender turned tragic when one of the passengers involved in the car accident was killed after the incident. According to Prince George’s County Police, the initial collision occurred between a passenger vehicle and an SUV in District Heights, Maryland on the evening of November 19, 2017. Online news source Patch.com reported that the drivers of both vehicles pulled over and a passenger from the SUV got out. For unexplained reasons, the woman moved to stand behind the car, at which point the driver backed over her. The story serves as a sobering reminder of how to stay safe after a crash, and other actions you should take when involved in a Maryland auto accident.

A serious car accident in St. Mary’s County is still under investigation, with accident reconstruction specialists stating that speed appears to be a factor in the crash. Southern Maryland News Net reported that at around 6:30 p.m. on November 9, 2017, police responded to a report about a severe motor vehicle incident near Lexington Park, Maryland. According to authorities, a Dodge truck was traveling southbound on a state road when it struck the rear of Honda Pilot moving in the same direction. The impact forced the Honda over the center line and off the road, where it collided with several trees. Both drivers were transported by helicopter for medical treatment, and other passengers were taken by ambulance to area hospitals.

If you have sustained injuries in a Maryland car accident where speed is a contributing factor, note that there are a few ways to determine how fast a vehicle was traveling, even after the fact.

Two people sustained injuries in a Glen Burnie, MD auto accident after their vehicle collided with a Maryland Transit Administration light rail train on October 13, 2017. WJLA ABC 7 News reported that the woman driving the car was transported to University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center with life-threatening injuries; her passenger, a 12-year-old boy, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore, Maryland. While the results of an official investigation have not been revealed, the scene of the incident at a railway crossing indicates that the motorist may have been attempting to beat the train to the intersection. Auto accidents at railway crossings are extremely dangerous due to the size difference between a car and a train, but there may be liability issues that prevent a victim from recovering compensation for injuries.

Winter is on the way for residents around Baltimore County, Maryland, which means it is a good time for a reminder on driving safely when hazardous weather hits. According to the US Department of Transportation, diminished road surface friction and limited vehicle maneuverability are among the top contributing factors that result in increased crash risk in snowy conditions. Plus, road speeds fall by as much as 40% in heavy snow, primarily due to accumulation and visibility issues; the situation can cause serious problems for motorists unprepared for the slower traffic that lies ahead. Whether you are commuting locally, running errands, or taking long-distance trips, keep these winter driving safety tips in mind to reduce the chances of a dangerous auto accident.

As a parent, you do everything you can to keep your child safe. You already know the importance of safety restraints in passenger vehicles and trucks, and a frightening statistic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proves this point: One-third of children under 13 who were killed in auto accidents nationwide were not wearing a seat belt or secured in a car seat at the time of the collision. While you can ensure that kids buckle up when they are riding in a vehicle with you, it is not possible to be with them every minute. Crashes still happen, and it is common to feel powerless and overwhelmed when your child becomes a victim of a Maryland car accident. Fortunately, it is possible to recover compensation for injuries and related losses, but these cases are unlike incidents where an adult seeks to file a claim. Here are some important details parents need to know.