Articles Posted in Car Accidents

Head-on car accidents take place when two vehicles moving in opposite directions crash directly into each other. Often, these accidents are deadly or result in significant injury and property damage. Although statistically less common than other types of vehicle accidents, they often account for a significant portion of deaths caused by car accidents because the vehicles are often going at high speeds and the impacts of these accidents result in devastating consequences.

According to a recent news report, a head-on crash between a pickup truck and a passenger van killed nine people last week. Officials reported that the truck collided with a 17 person passenger van carrying members of the men’s and women’s golf teams from a local university other head-on and caught on fire on a two-lane road. Two people who were in the pickup truck were killed, along with seven of the nine people in the passenger van. Among those who were killed, six of the victims in the passenger van were college students and one was their golf coach. Other students who were injured were flown to surrounding hospitals for treatment and were reportedly in critical condition. The accident remains under investigation.

What Are the Common Causes of Head-on Collisions?

Many head-on accidents frequently take place on two-lane roads, where there is only one lane going in each direction. This often means that if you are behind a slow vehicle, you must cross the center line—which may put you in the line of oncoming traffic—to pass the vehicle ahead of you. Unfortunately, many drivers end up in head-on accidents because they attempt to pass the vehicle ahead of them and instead fail to account for oncoming traffic and end up in a major collision. Although this is sometimes caused by reckless and speeding drivers, this also takes place because the driver could not see oncoming traffic or underestimated the speed at which oncoming traffic was moving. Poor road conditions and weather can also exacerbate these circumstances.

Sudden speed changes carry many risks for drivers and can result in a serious Maryland car accident. Sudden braking is a type of harsh driving that can put motorists at higher risk for a crash caused by overheating and wear and tear on tires. Most drivers can modify their behavior and reduce these dangerous events. However, the story is different for those operating driverless vehicles, such as Teslas. The driver may maintain little control over the circumstances leading to an accident in these cases.

Recently, federal auto-safety regulators began a preliminary investigation into sudden braking by advanced driver-assistance systems in Tesla vehicles. The investigation primarily focuses on 2021 and 2022 Tesla Model 3 sedans sold in the United States. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report documents over 350 consumer complaints over the previous nine months. Consumers reported that their Tesla’s suddenly braked when there were no road hazards. The claims explain that their vehicles “unexpectedly apply its brakes” while traveling at highway speeds. For many, the rapid deceleration occurred randomly, without warning, and repeatedly.

This latest concern only joins many other issues the car manufacturer has confronted over the past few years. Earlier this year, Tesla recalled over 50,000 vehicles equipped with the manufacturer’s “full self-driving software.” The recall was in response to reports that cars were rolling through intersections and stop signs without stopping. The company recalled the vehicles to disable this dangerous feature. Moreover, the company faces another investigation into its Autopilot system and a recall to correct a brake defect. Finally, the company agreed to disable a feature that allows front passengers and drivers to play video games while the car is in motion.

Red-light running is a frequent occurrence that can have deadly consequences on Maryland drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. In Maryland, red-light running refers to situations when a vehicle enters an intersection at any point after the signal changes. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, most recent statistics indicate that nearly 850 people died in a traffic accident invovling red-light running. Many cities and towns throughout the United States implement red-light cameras to deter negligent driving. While these reduce the rate of fatalities, serious accidents continue to occur.

For instance, Maryland news reports described a fatal crash in St. Leonard, MD. According to witness statements, physical evidence, and vehicular damage, it appears that a Jeep driver failed to stop at a left turn light and ran a red light. The Jeep driver attempted to pass a tow truck and turned when the signal was red. As the Jeep driver turned, a Ford pickup truck entered the intersection and slammed into the Jeep. The Jeep driver and a 13-year old passenger suffered serious injuries, and a 16-year-old passenger died from his injuries. The Ford driver and passenger did not request medical treatment.

Establishing liability after a red-light collision can pose challenges. Even in cases where the other driver receives a ticket or citation, the injury vicitm must still prove negligence. An attorney can assist claimants in gathering and presenting compelling evidence. Some common forms of evidence after a red-light accident include:

Immediately after a car accident, it may be hard to think clearly because of the adrenaline of the moment. It is crucial, however, to take several steps toward documenting the accident, if you are able, so that you can both aid in your personal stake in recovering following the collision, and also help with ongoing investigations by local authorities into your crash.

According to a recent news report, Maryland State Police are investigating a crash involving multiple vehicles. Troopers responded to a report of an accident with four vehicles, where a preliminary investigation showed that a Volvo tractor-trailer collided with the rear of a Dodge caravan, which pushed the Dodge off the road and into the jersey wall. The tractor-trailer then crashed into the rear of a Hyundai and sideswiped a Toyota. The driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where she later died from her injuries. The Hyundai driver was also transferred to a hospital for treatment. Maryland State Police and their Crash Team are still investigating the cause of the accident.

Determining what exactly happened in the course of a collision, especially one with multiple parties, is crucial. Whether it’s the parties involved in the accident or the insurance companies, knowing exactly what took place is important both for subsequent disputes and for maximizing your chances of receiving compensation.