Maryland Accident Law Blog
In Maryland last week, Baltimore police officer Channon Rankin sustained a concussion and a fractured leg when the police car that she was driving collided with another vehicle at Belvedere and Beaufort avenues in the Pimlico section in Northwest Baltimore. The driver of the other vehicle, Omar Mooring, sustained the same types of injuries. Ranking was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center for treatment, while Mooring was attended to at Sinai Hospital. Both cars were severely damaged.
According to Baltimore police, Officer Rankin had been rushing to a call at the time of the accident, and her car lights and police siren were activated.
Whether you were involved in a vehicle-related accident where someone was injured or if you witnessed an accident where someone was injured, here are some suggestions for what you can do.
· Stop at the scene.
· Call the police.
· See to the injured person in ways that will not cause them further injury or result in death.
· Do not move the vehicle unless absolutely necessary to save the injured person’s life.
· Remain at the scene until police arrive and have had time to question you.
· Write down:
a. Date / Time of Accident.
b. Location where the accident took place.
c. Weather Conditions.
d. Information: Names and driver’s license information of the people involved, particulars of the vehicle, insurance information.
e. Name of police officer(s) at the scene.
f. Damage to vehicle.
g. Particulars of other vehicles:
– Registration Number.
– Make of Vehicle.
– Insurance Company/Policy Information.
– Driver’s License.
h. Name of Investigating Officer.
i. Details of the accident.
Property Casualty Insurers of America offers the following tips for avoiding auto accidents:
1. Avoid drinking and driving.
2. Minimize distractions such as reading newspapers or talking on the cell phone when driving.
3. Properly maintain vehicles. Tune up cars according to maintenance schedule, and especially take note of tire conditions every month.
4. Do not encourage aggressive drivers. Let other aggressive driving behavior roll off your back, or call the police. Losing your temper could worsen the situation.
5. Leave a safe distance between your cars and others. For every 10 miles per hour of speed, leave at least one car length space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
6. Maintain a constant speed. Don’t continually slow down or speed up.
7. Adjust mirrors properly and check the side and rear view mirrors every 15 seconds.
8. Take defensive driving classes to improve your ability to drive and be better prepared for the unpredictable behavior of other motorists.
9. Proceed with great caution through intersections. Intersections are the center of most accidents. When entering an intersection, look left, then right, then left again to ensure the area is clear.
10. Be sufficiently aware of road conditions and be more visible. Keep your lights on at dusk and dawn and during rain, as is the law in most states. Understand basic vehicle dynamics, such as knowing how to recover from a skid.
If you or a loved on were injured in Maryland or Washington D.C. due to the negligence of another driver, and you would like to explore your options regarding filing a personal injury lawsuit, contact Lebowitz and Mzhen fore a free consultation.
City Officer Rushing To Call Collides With Car, Baltimore Sun, November 11, 2006
Easy Ways To Avoid Auto Accidents, Insurance.com
Related Web Resources:
What To Do After A Car Accident, Edmunds.com
Car Accident Injuries: Causes And Preventive Measures, Ezinearticles.com