In one of the largest verdicts in Arizona legal history, a family was awarded $ 40 million against a drunk driver. The defendant was a woman who had been drinking heavily at a local restuarant before getting behind the wheel of the car. The jury not only found the driver responsible, but it also found the restaurant liable for continuing to serve the driver alcohol as well as the City responsible for not making repairs to the roadway in a timely manner.This result would be unlikely in Maryland because of the statutory cap on damages. Moreover, Maryland does not recognize a claim against a bar for serving alcohol to someone subsequently involved in an accident except in very unusual circumstances. Maryland does not even allow punitive damages against a drink driver unless the plaintiff can prove almost an intentional act or malice towards the injured party. Because of the cap on pain and suffering damages in Maryland, it becomes important for the plaintiff to prove economic damages as well such as future medical care and future lost wages.   Drunk driver kills another driver

A Georgia jury has awarded $15 million to a family who was hit by a drunken driver and whose daughter suffered severe brain damage from the accident  Allegedly, a drunken driver ran a red light and crashed into the plaintiff's vehicle. One of the passengers was thrown into the back seat causing severe head injury and dislocating it from the spine. Under Maryland law there would be a limit on what is known as non economic loss such as pain and suffering. This is a good example why the law in Maryland can be so unfair to seriously injured plaintiffs. Maryland Auto Accident Lawyer

There are several reported Maryland cases regarding automobile accidents on ice or snow. They include Larkins v. Balt. Transit, 249 Md. 305; Billmeyer v. State f/u/o Whiteman, 192 Md. 419; Wolfe v. State f/u/o Brown, 173 Md. 103; and Trusty v. Wooden, 251 Md. 294. A person must use reasonable care when driving on ice or snow. This could include reducing speed and being aware of longer stopping distances. Car Accident on Ice or snow.

http://www.foranlaw.com/resources/maryland-auto-accident-lawyer/what-to-do-after-an-accident.htmlIn an accident involving a 2006 crash that killed two people and left a third victim with permanent brain damage, an Illinois county settled the three claims for $ 15.5 million. Apparently, a sheriff's deputy slammed into the automobile being operated by one of the injured parties. Although wrongful death claims vary from state to state, Maryland and the District of Columbia do recognize wrongful death and survival action claims. There are procedurally and substantive differences between the jurisdictions but essentially they are to compensate the estate for any burial expenses, and medical bills, any conscious pain and suffering and in Maryland any grief. Lost wage claims are perhaps more significant in the District of Columbia because Maryland limits those claims from the date of injury to the date of death. The District of Columbia allows lost wage claims for the amount reasonably expected to earn during the lifetime of the deceased. The District of Columbia does not, however, provide for grief claims. There are caps on what is called non economic damages in Maryland. There are no such caps in the District of Columbia. Non economic damages usually are referred to as pain and suffering damages

The New York Police Department recently agreed to settle a lawsuit for 4.6 million dollars as a result of a police office negligently running over the Plaintiff. The Plaintiff suffered head wounds and permanent brain damage as a result of the accident. The officer finally admitted to lying originally about how the accident happened. There are special rules that apply to police officers in Maryland while on official duty, especially if they are on what is known as an emergency run where they must have their lights flashing and siren on to warn motorists of their closeness to other drivers. It is important to get the eyewitness testimony of innocent bystanders to support the claim that the officer was not proceeding properly. 

This is a very common question that we are asked. The story starts out the same way. "Someone hit me, I wasn't at fault - now the insurance company for the at fault party is calling me. Should I accept their offer?" The answer is to speak to Maryland auto accident lawyer that is experienced and has a record of winning in trial for their clients. An experienced accident lawyer can look into the details and specifics and give you an answer based on your unique case. Insurance companies will typically make a low offer and use many techniques to try and get you to accept their low offer and waiving any future rights to the claim. We understand their tactics and know how to best fight against them. It simply isn't fair to you as a victim to accept a low offer. Insurance companies will typically contact you quickly after the accident and try to gain your trust. This friendly tactic is used so you will accept their offer. 

Know your rights before you accept any offer from the insurance companies. We offer free case evaluations so there is no risk involved. Learn more about auto accidents and Maryland law in our auto accidents help page. To receive a free consultation please click here.

In an effort to increase safety and awareness on serious auto accidents we have recently updated our auto accidents page. If you have been hurt or injured in an auto accident due to someone else's negligence you may have many questions and concerns. Our web site is available to help you and answer your questions. The information provided on our web site and blog is from our Maryland auto accident lawyers. Our firm works hard to protect your rights and keep you informed on important information.  

 
Learn about:

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) & Maryland Law
• Accident Reconstruction
• Types of Damages relating to Personal Injury Accidents
• Uninsured / Under insured motorists - What you need to know
• Statue of limitations - Maryland law puts a time limit how long you can wait to file a claim. Waiting too long could put your entire claim at risk.

In the upcoming weeks we'll go over more information on auto accidents and how to keep your family safe and protected. We will cover such topics as :
 
Are you properly insured?  
Maryland law requires all drivers to be properly insured. However what if someone is illegally driving then hits you? Do you have enough insurance coverage to protect yourself?  
 
Contributory Negligence
What is contributory negligence and how does it affect you? Maryland's laws are different than most states. This controversial law can put a lot of innocent people at risk of losing their claims.

Automobile accident fatalities continue to be reported in high numbers across the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 43,000 people killed in fatal car accidents each year in the United States. About 40% of these fatal crashes are alcohol related.
 
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, Maryland was one of 32 states that had a decrease in drunk driving fatalities. Drunk driving deaths in Maryland declined by 10, or a 5.3% decrease. Sadly, still almost 13,000 people were killed in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents where a Blood Alcohol Concentration of .08 or higher was recorded. More troubling is the report that there is a 7.5% increase in the number of motorcycle drivers killed in accidents where alcohol is involved. Many states did not follow this downward trend as drunk driving fatalities increased in Washington D.C., Virginia, and several other states. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 1-33 and those who are most affected are in the age ranges of 15-24 and over 75 years of age.
 
These decreases are due in part to stricter enforcement and changing public attitudes about drinking and driving. Sobriety checkpoints and public awareness should both be increased and continued to ensure that these numbers do not increase. Learn more about auto accidents and Maryland law on our website.

Our law firm keeps a close eye on Maryland's traffic laws. That's our job. As accident lawyers we deal with all types of traffic accident cases on a daily basis. In the past few years, if you have been following closely, you may be aware that some Maryland prosecutors are working to change the law. Right now, if you are a hit by a negligent driver you may be surprised to know that the at fault driver may only get a payable fine. That's right, even if the negligent driver caused a wrongful death as the result of the accident, they may only be cited for a traffic violation - not vehicular manslaughter. Prosecutors are currently working to change this law and require a vehicular manslaughter charge. Currently Maryland's vehicular manslaughter charges have three levels; starting with a three year, five year and up to a ten year sentence. The ten year sentence is typically used when the driver is considered extremely negligent and/or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, when attempting to charge a 10 year sentence for vehicular manslaughter being under the influence is typically not enough.  In  Maryland, the judge may want to see five factors that contributed to the accident. Such other factors would include excessive speed, the nature of injuries, and other factors. Maryland's prosecutors have been trying to get the law changed to be closer to Virginia's laws. Virginia has an additional type of vehicular manslaughter - negligent manslaughter. Maryland's prosecutors are pushing for a maximum of 25 years for vehicular manslaughter and if they can get the new legislation passed - some would like to see a maximum of 10 years for negligent manslaughter. What do you think? Are Maryland's current laws fair? If someone causes a death albeit negligently, is ten years a fair amount of time? While you think about that you should know that in Maryland vehicular manslaughter is not considered a violent crime.  Therefore, the defendant may only have to serve 25% of whatever sentenced is passed by the court. With good behavior and a clean record the defendant may only serve two and a half years in prison out of a 10 year sentence for causing a death.