Hit-and-Run Accident

Ocean City Hit and Run During Bike Week Leaves Teen Seriously Injured

June 4, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Hit and run accidents can leave families devastated, especially when the victim is a young pedestrian. A recent case in Ocean City shows how reckless driving during Maryland’s busy beach season can result in severe consequences. The crash involved a high-speed motorcycle that struck a 16-year-old in a marked crosswalk and left him critically injured. The driver fled the scene but was later found and arrested. After pleading under the Alford doctrine, he received a sentence that included prison time and probation.

Ocean City draws thousands of visitors every year, and traffic increases significantly during events like Bike Week. When drivers act irresponsibly, especially under the influence, the risks to others increase sharply. Families visiting or living in beach communities should know what legal rights they have when a hit and run occurs and what steps to take if someone they love is harmed.

Are Hit and Run Accidents Illegal in MD?

When someone causes a crash involving injury or death, Maryland law requires them to stop and stay at the scene. Drivers must give their name, offer help, and contact emergency responders. If they fail to do so, and someone is seriously hurt, prosecutors can bring felony charges. These laws exist to protect the public and ensure that individuals who are injured receive medical care without delay.

White v. James: How a Maryland Court Handled a Recent “Hit-and-Run Accident”

November 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent Maryland appellate court case, White v. James, highlights important legal issues that can arise in car accident cases, particularly concerning the admissibility of evidence. The appellate court was tasked with reviewing three central claims raised by Mr. White, the appellant, challenging the lower court’s handling of evidence and jury instructions. The case sheds light on how courts handle post-accident conduct, potential prejudices, and procedural preservation of objections, which are critical issues in personal injury litigation.

The Facts

The incident occurred in the early morning hours of August 25, 2019, on the Baltimore Washington Parkway. Mr. White’s vehicle collided with Ms. James’s car, causing her to lose control and veer into a ditch. After the collision, Mr. White briefly exited his vehicle before leaving the scene without offering assistance or identifying himself. Ms. James waited approximately 30 minutes before emergency responders arrived.

Driver Flees Scene in Maryland Accident, Leaves Motorized Biker Dead

October 14, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A hit-and-run accident can be scary and stressful, especially as you work to figure out which next steps to take. You may have questions about insurance claims and coverage, you may have questions about police involvement and what will happen next in their investigation, and you may have valid concerns about legal claims. These are not easy questions and can differ on a case-by-case basis. However, it can be important to know what some helpful next steps may be after being a victim of a hit-and-run accident.

A recent news report revealed that a fatal hit-and-run accident occurred in Elkridge, Maryland. This crash involved a motorized bike and two other vehicles early one Sunday morning. Around 3 a.m., police were called to Maryland Route 175 between Interstate 95 and Route 108. According to police, the original vehicle involved in the striking accident left the scene of the accident. The victim was ejected onto the roadway and subsequently struck by another vehicle. While the driver of the second vehicle stayed at the scene of the accident, the first driver who initially struck the biker failed to remain at the scene.

What Should You Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

After a hit-and-run accident, as a victim, it can be important to seek any immediate and emergency medical care, and ensure that all victims involved seek such treatment. It can also be important to document at the scene of the crash after ensuring everyone’s well-being and safety. This includes taking photos of the vehicle(s) involved and their damage, taking photos of injuries, taking photos of any debris, and getting contact information for any witnesses. Additionally, speaking with police officers who can take your statement for a report may also be helpful. Police may use information reported from eyewitnesses, traffic cameras, and other clues to help determine and locate the driver who fled. Don’t forget to take the important step of contacting your insurance to notify them of the accident. Sometimes drivers, unfortunately, flee after an accident because they are not insured, which goes against Maryland law. However, notifying your insurance will ensure that you take all the proper steps after such an accident and can help you figure out what your insurance might cover. Finally, connecting with an experienced attorney will be very helpful. An experienced attorney can walk you through potential legal action to recover damages from the perpetrator.

Establishing Liability after a Maryland or Washington, D.C. Car Accident

November 14, 2016 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Motorists are responsible to operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. When an accident results from a driver’s poor decisions or aggressive driving, that driver may be held liable for any injuries caused as a result of their conduct through a Maryland or Washington, D.C. personal injury lawsuit.

Prior to obtaining compensation following a car accident, an accident victim must prove certain elements of a personal injury case. These elements are duty, breach, causation, and damages. All motorists owe a duty of care to others with whom they share the road, so establishing the duty element is normally quite simple. However, establishing breach and causation can be more difficult. A breach analysis looks at whether the defendant violated the duty of care they owed to the plaintiff. This is normally done through evidence showing that the defendant driver was negligent, aggressive, or otherwise at fault for the accident. This is often where the bulk of the litigation takes place in a car accident lawsuit.

One Killed, Five Injured in Washington, D.C. Car Accident

Earlier this month, one woman was killed and five others injured in a four-car accident in northeastern Washington, D.C. According to a local news report, the accident occurred at around 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon.

Marine Struck and Killed in Thurmont by Hit-and-Run Driver

October 7, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month in Thurmont, Maryland, one man was hit and killed by a hit-and-run driver as the man was pulled off to the side of the road to assist another motorist whose car had broken down. According to one local news report, the man was a Marine who had served since 2013 and was recently promoted to the rank of corporal.

Evidently, the Marine had pulled over on the side of Route 15, near where it meets Auburn Road, at around 10:50 in the evening, to help a stranded motorist. While he was on the side of the road, not far from where his vehicle was parked, a truck towing a car veered off the highway and into the median, striking the Marine and his vehicle.

While the driver has yet to be located, and an investigation is still underway, police believe that the driver of the truck came to a stop about 100 yards from the scene of the accident. However, as good samaritans arrived to help the accident victim, the driver of the truck sped off. Police told reporters that they found track marks in the grass near the scene that they believe belonged to the truck, and they are confident that the vehicle is a dual axle truck that was towing a smaller vehicle.