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With summer in full swing, many Baltimore County residents will be heading to vacation destinations to spend some time in the sun. HomeAway, a site that connects travelers and homeowners for accommodations sharing, recently reported on the Top 10 Maryland Vacation Spots that will attract many visitors from near and far. Those who will be driving to such area hot spots as Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, and Ocean City will no doubt experience high levels of traffic and congestion, which tends to increase the number of car accidents in Maryland. Here is what you can do to stay safe while on the road.

By now, you’ve surely seen the headlines about Tiger Woods’ recent arrest on suspicion of drunk driving. You’ve probably also read the news reports, such as in Baltimore’s CBS affiliate WJZ News 13, stating that the superstar athlete submitted to breathalyzer tests. Not once, but twice, the results came back as negative for the presence of alcohol. However, Mr. Woods did admit to using multiple prescription medications, including painkillers. While further details may not be available until his arraignment on July 5, 2017, it’s possible that the famous golfer will be charged with drugged driving. In Maryland, the offense is termed driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). These matters have a lot in common with drunk driving cases under state law, but they’re also distinct offenses that you’d be wise to entrust to an experienced DUI/DWI lawyer.

In a Baltimore County, Maryland car accident case, negligence is a term attributed to the conduct of the responsible party that presents a risk of harm to another person. Victims can sue the negligent individual for damages related to their injuries, including costs of medical treatment, pain and suffering, and lost wages. However, under state law, a victim may not be able to recover compensation if he or she bears some responsibility in the accident. If you’ve been injured in a car crash and may be partly to blame, talk to a Maryland car accident lawyer right away about the exceptions to the harsh rule of contributory negligence.

Many around the Baltimore area may recall the tragic bus crash in November 2016 that claimed the lives of five individuals and caused injuries to 11 other victims. On May 4, 2017, the Baltimore Sun reported that a lawsuit has been filed on behalf of all victims, seeking more than $10 million in damages. The theory of liability is that the driver of the school bus, which struck a Maryland Transit Administration bus, should have been disqualified from obtaining a license to operate a commercial vehicle. The plaintiffs contend that the man suffered from numerous medical issues, including seizures, diabetes, and hypertension, that impact his ability to operate a bus. In fact, the driver had a history of previous traffic accidents and health-related problems.

A car accident is a traumatic and frightening experience for anyone. Whether it is simply a fender-bender or a serious crash, you will be shaken at the very least. And, when adrenaline is flowing, you are never in a position to say or do all the right things.

If you or a loved one suffers traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of a car accident, the impact is extensive and life-changing. Unlike broken bones and contusions that heal in a relatively short time, an injury to the brain is unique and can have long-lasting implications; some accident victims may never fully recover. The psychological effects of a TBI can be especially harmful, as bipolar conditions, memory loss, and other psychoses are common for victims. Treatment of these types of injuries come with sky-high medical costs and other losses compared to less severe injuries. Consult with a Baltimore County auto accident lawyer about your options for compensation if you’re the victim of a TBI.

Who is at fault if a car hits you and you hit the car in front of you? Listen to Michael explain the law in this excerpt.

If you’re injured in a car accident in Baltimore County, you may be hit with multiple losses that include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages from the responsible party, but the process for pursuing your claim depends on state law regarding “fault” and “no-fault” insurance coverage: Maryland is a fault state. While you should trust an experienced auto accident attorney to assist you in obtaining financial recovery for your losses, some general information on car insurance should be helpful.

If you’re pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving in Maryland, a police officer may request that you submit certain types of tests that indicate there may be alcohol or drugs in your system. These “field sobriety tests” are typically conducted at the scene, so that an officer can determine whether a further investigation is necessary. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has sanctioned three standardized tests that law enforcement across the US may use in the field, though some jurisdiction have implemented non-standardized physical exams. Due to the serious nature of a DUI or DWI charge in Maryland, it’s critical to discuss your case with an experienced attorney if you were arrested for drunk driving based upon these types of test results. 

The amount of damages caused by commercial motor vehicle accidents is staggering. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that in 2012 there were $87 Billion dollars worth of damages caused by commercial motor vehicle crashes. These numbers can be quite baffling, but when one understands that the Texas Department of Transportation’s investigation reveals that in 2015 there were 34,230 accidents that resulted due to collisions. Because accidents are influenced by a variety of factors, it can be difficult to assess exactly how much the damages from a commercial motor vehicle accident are worth. This article will examine exactly how much our firm charges to handle a tractor-trailer truck accident personal injury claim based on the various statistics available about these types of crashes.