MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER Just How Accurate are the Numbers?

Several recent posts have discussed car and automobile accident statistics published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA]. Some Maryland car accident lawyers familiar with the studies have noted some anomalies. For example, the study recites that in 2010, 32,885 people died in motor vehicle accidents. The study sets forth that of that total, 32,704 were occupants of cars, trucks, riding on motorcycles or bicycles, or were pedestrians. That means that 181 people killed in a car and automobile accident were not occupants of cars, trucks, riding on motorcycles or bicycles, or were pedestrians. Some Maryland car accident lawyers have wondered where these unfortunate individuals were when they were involved in the car or automobile accident.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER -Pedestrians

I explore in another volume the particular rules applicable to pedestrians vis-à-vis Baltimore automobile accidents. Maryland car accident lawyers know that car v. pedestrian collisions occur more than one might think. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], there are 82,000 car on pedestrian exchanges every year that involve personal injury. [some 225 per day]. Maryland car accident lawyers are likely also aware of the grizzly fatality numbers: 4200 pedestrians are killed each year.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER An uncomfortable topic

More than 30,000 people die each year in motor vehicle accidents, according to the NHTSA. That organization also tells us that figure included 493 Marylanders in 2010.

Amazingly, this yearly death total regularly topped 50,000 in the late 60s and early 70s. Maryland car accident lawyers are quite well aware that not all of these tragic events involved fault [e.g. the negligence of a driver in causing a Baltimore car accident]. However, some do. Although money is never a substitute for such a loss, the families and representative of a deceased typically employ a seasoned Maryland car accident lawyer to ensure a full recovery.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER What are all these statements I have to give?

Maryland car accident lawyers would probably be unanimous in telling you not to talk to anyone but them after a Baltimore car accident. At some point, your insurance company may want to take a statement from you. If you've retained a Maryland car accident lawyer to assist you, discuss the procedure and game plan, but you'll generally always need to cooperate with your insurance company. If you've filed a PIP or UM/UIM claim, your insurance company [or the insurance company you're claiming under] may want to take an examination under oath, or EUO, or what is sometimes called a recorded statement. There again, there is generally a duty to cooperate with your own insurer, and failing to do so may lead to the denial of benefits. If your Maryland car accident lawyer has filed suit on your behalf, the other side will take your deposition as part of that litigation.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER -The "independent" witness

Maryland car accident lawyers and lawyers who generally try their cases know that few witnesses are truly independent. Most witnesses either know the person they are testifying for, or work for them, or have a business, family and/or personal relationship. But not all witnesses have those potential biases. Certainly there are cases where someone simply witnesses something that happens to someone else, e.g. a Baltimore car accident. They don't know the participants, only see the event, i.e. an "independent witness". Maryland caraccident lawyers know the value. Many times judges and juries are confronted with two people telling equally unbelievable stories of the same event. Since neither story is worthy of belief, they may decide not to believe either. Since the plaintiff has the burden of proving their story is the correct one, that scenario results in a defense verdict. If the independent witness, however, corroborates the plaintiffs version, it may lend just enough credibility to that story that the jurors or judge accept it. If you're involved in a Baltimore car accident, and medically are able to do so, scour the area for people that may have seen what happened. Be sure to get a name, vantage point, and full contact information.

I was in a Maryland Car Accident: What are my obligations?

Maryland car accident lawyers frequently get calls from prospective clients who have just been involved in an automobile accident. Often, those individuals are interested in gauging their responsibilities under the law. The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident involving death or injury must stop, stay at the scene, and render aid as applicable. Both drivers must provide their name, address, registration number, show his or her DL if asked, and provide insurance information. The information must be provided to both other driver[s] involved, as well as to the police. Seasoned Maryland car accident lawyers know that drivers involved in an accident causing injury must report that fact, and file their insurance information with the MVA.

MARYLAND CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER "Dramshop"

A knowledgeable Maryland Car Accident Lawyer will tell you, a Dramshop Act is a law that imposes civil liability on the vendors of liquor where that liquor is dispensed to someone who is intoxicated, and that obviously intoxicated person then leaves the establishment, and injures another, often in a DUI related auto accident. As all experienced Maryland Car Accident Lawyers know, the cases in Maryland have always held that because the sale of the alcohol does not directly injure the third person, then there can be no liability on the seller- even if that sellers provides alcohol to a clearly excessively intoxicated person.  Except one. The Maryland Daily record recently reported that a Maryland Car Accident Lawyer has successfully convinced a trial court that a lawsuit seeking damages against a bar for selling liquor to an intoxicated driver that later killed a child, should be allowed to proceed. According to the paper [v. 122 No. 148] the ruling has been roundly criticized in academic circles. It appears likely that ruling would be overturned on appeal, or, as some Maryland Car Accident Lawyers hope, the case may give the appellate court an opportunity to change the common law of Maryland and impose civil liability on the vendors of liquor where that liquor is dispensed to someone who is obviously intoxicated, and later hurts some one.