Maryland Accident Law Blog
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), motor vehicle-related incidents are a leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for law enforcement officers in the United States. However, according to the CDC, such accidents are highly preventable. From 2011-2020, 454 officers died due to motor vehicle-related incidents, both struck by and crashes, which accounted for 33% of all line-of-duty deaths in those year excluding COVID-19 deaths. It is important to promote motor vehicle safety among officers so they can stay safe while working to make communities safer. According to the CDC, behavior-related hazards for officers include not wearing a seat belt, speeding through intersections, being distracted by electronics while driving, and experiencing tunnel vision from increased stress. It is vital for officers to make a conscious effort to reduce such behaviors, as it not only threatens their own lives but the lives of those around them as well. A recent news article discusses a car crash involving a Maryland State Trooper driving through an intersection.
According to the news article, the accident occurred when the trooper was traveling southbound on St. Charles Parkway on the evening of Thursday, September 14 shortly after 5:00 PM. The trooper was traveling with emergency equipment activated and came to a full stop at the intersection of Billingsley Road on St. Charles Parkway when a Toyota Corolla traveling eastbound on St. Charles Parkway struck the trooper’s unmarked Ford Explorer. Both the state trooper and the driver of the Toyota Corolla were transported to the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata for treatment of their injuries. According to investigators, impaired driving was not believed to be a factor in the crash. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Does Negligence on My Part Affect My Case?
Contributory Negligence is the legal concept preventing victims in an accident from receiving recovery for their personal injuries if their negligence contributed to the accident at all. Simply put, even if the negligence of the operator of another vehicle is largely responsible for the motor vehicle accident if the victim was even slightly negligent, it is possible they will not be able to recover any compensation. In Maryland, contributory negligence is interpreted broadly, allowing minor negligence by the victim in personal injury cases to defeat even very strong plaintiff claims.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Maryland Car Accident?
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in the Prince George’s, Baltimore, Charles, or Montgomery County region, let the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen help you recover the damages you deserve. Expenses and injuries from a motor vehicle accident can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced team of lawyers by your side can make all the difference. Our attorneys have successfully represented injury victims at every stage of the process, ensuring that they obtain the proper damages. With our team, you can have faith that your claim is being pursued properly. If you have questions about your case, call us today at 800-654-1949 and schedule a free and no-obligation initial consultation with a Maryland injury lawyer at our office.