Car Accident

The winter chill is in the air, and for Maryland residents this means the possibility of snow and icy roads in the coming months. Winters in Maryland can make driving conditions very difficult for motorists, which places extra demands on both your vehicle and driving skills, so being prepared for the unpredictable conditions can help keep you and your passengers safe this holiday season and beyond.

The following are tips to help you safely navigate icy roads:

• Make sure your vehicle is prepared. Getting your vehicle ready for winter is imperative, so make sure to get a maintenance check-up that includes having your belts, battery, hoses, oil, and wipers checked. Also, be sure to have your tires inspected.
• Before you start your car … clean all ice from the roof, windows, lights, and mirrors. To ensure you have good visibility, wait for the fog to clear from interior windows before you begin your trip.
• Put together a winter survival kit. In the unfortunate event you find yourself stranded, having a winter survival kit can help you be prepared. Some recommended items are: a first aid kit, ice scraper, blanket, flashlights, road flares, small tool kit, and non-perishable foods.
• For a longer road trip … plan ahead of time, and make sure to check weather conditions before heading out on the open road. Also, allow yourself extra travel time.
• Remember winter driver safety. Don’t follow the car or truck in front of you too closely as snow covered roads means it takes vehicles longer to stop. Adjust your driving for the weather conditions, so slow down if there’s low visibility or icy, slippery roads. Lastly, drive defensively since winter weather makes for unpredictable driving conditions.

Even if you take the necessary safety precautions before you are in the car and while behind the wheel it does not mean others drivers do, which ultimately endangers other motorists. If you have been involved in an auto accident that was caused by the negligence of another driver, the MD car accident attorneys of Alpert Schreyer, LLC can help. Please call (800) 489-1577 for a free consultation.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to enjoy time with friends and family. However, if your nearest and dearest are out of town, you may find yourself on the road with thousands of other drivers this Thanksgiving. Though this holiday is not the busiest time of year for travelers, it can be one of the more dangerous. According to the U.S. National Safety Commission, there are almost 400 fatalities and thousands of personal injuries that occur nationwide each year during Thanksgiving weekend. Distracted drivers, icy roads, inclement weather, and heavy traffic are among the factors that may contribute to turkey day automobile accidents.

The following are a list of tips offered from Einsurance.com to help keep you safe on the road during the holiday:

• Driver fatigue can be very dangerous and is a factor in numerous accidents, so get a good night’s rest before your trip. If you become sleepy while behind the wheel, pull over and take a short nap.
• Carefully plan your route to your destination and designate a navigator. While driving, it is unsafe to be entering information on a GPS or fumbling with a map.
• Avoid distracted driving. Put your cell phone on silent so you are not tempted to use it, or have a passenger answer the phone for you. Also, if you are traveling with children, bring snacks and different things to keep them occupied so you can concentrate on driving.
• Make sure your vehicle is in proper working condition by checking fluids and tire pressure in advance to avoid any problems on the road.
• Try and schedule regular stops for you and your passengers along the way. This can help the driver regain energy and feel refreshed, and also helps break up the trip for weary travelers.
• Most importantly, be mindful of normal safety rules, such as putting children in car seats and ensuring that everybody is wearing his or her seat belt.

Traveling during any holiday can be risky, and taking necessary safety precautions unfortunately can’t always prevent you from being in an accident caused by a negligent and careless driver. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident due to the fault of another driver, the Waldorf auto accident attorneys with Alpert Schreyer can help. Please call (800) 489-1577 for a complimentary consultation. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

A study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety determined that in a teen’s first month of driving by themselves after receiving their driver’s license, they are 50 percent more likely to crash than they are after a year.

As parents may no longer be in the passenger seat, the teen is more likely to succumb to common driver distractions, such as talking to other passengers, using a cell phone, or playing with the vehicle’s music player.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and teenage drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than the average driver, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With these alarming statistics, it is important to be aware of the common causes of accidents involving teens so you can help your child avoid them and be safe on the road.

In more than half of the accidents that occurred in a teen’s first month on the road, the study found that the 3 common mistakes made were lack of attention, failure to yield, and failing to slow down. The California Department of Motor Vehicles adds these other potential reasons for teen driving accidents:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs;
• Carrying passengers;
• Driving at night;
• Not wearing seat belts; and
• General lack of skill.

As parents, it is crucial to help your teen avoid a possibly serious auto accident by controlling driving privileges (establishing rules), providing supervised driving time in various driving conditions, and setting a good example for your young driver. Unfortunately, preparing your teen is not always enough, and another driver on the road who may be driving recklessly or acting carelessly can put your teenager in jeopardy. If your teenage son or daughter has been involved in a car accident due to the negligent actions of another driver, the skilled car accident attorneys in Maryland at the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can provide assistance. Call (800) 489-1577 for a complimentary consultation.

Many people make their dogs a part of their everyday activities. This often means taking the dog for a ride in the car. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has revealed that having a dog in the car can lead to dangerous driving conditions and cause crashes.

According to AAA data, 56 percent of dog owners drive with their pets. Of those, only 16 percent restrain their dogs while in the car. One dog owner expressed the importance of restraining a dog by using a car harness when traveling saying, “Either the dog could get really hurt or cause you or someone else to get really hurt.” There are a variety of pet car seats on the market that help keep your animal safe in the event of a crash, as well as keep them from getting in the way of a driver’s operation of the vehicle.

Many people wouldn’t drive while talking on the phone or texting but don’t realize that having a dog in the car can be just as distracting. The most common distraction that was reported in the AAA study was petting the dog while driving at 56 percent. Restraining the dog while braking came in second at 23 percent and 19 percent of people who drive with their dog said they have to keep the dog from jumping into the front seat. All of these distractions can lead to unsafe driving or a crash. AAA recommends using a pet restraint system that will keep your pet safe and keep the driver from being distracted.

If you are in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, that person is responsible for their actions and you may be entitled to compensation. Call the Maryland auto accident attorneys at Alpert Schreyer, LLC to discuss your options. Call 301-932-9997 or 800-301-7172 today.

In Anne Arundel County, approximately 100 school bus drivers from across the country participated in the annual School Bus International Safety Competition. At the day long competition, drivers competed in exercises that demonstrated their skills at parallel parking, backing out of alleys, crossing railroad tracks, and picking up students. The contest is in its 41st year and attracts drivers from 37 states, including four participants from Maryland. The drivers compete in three categories: small bus, conventional, and transit style. According to the executive director of the National School Transportation Association, a good bus driver needs a solid attention span and good driving skills. “A lot of it is judgment,” he said.

A driver from Pennsylvania came in first in the conventional category and has won the competition six times before. “It keeps you sharp on the driving skills and new laws,” said the winning competitor, “I don’t do it to win. I do it to have fun. Winning is a bonus.”

Since 2000, 1,386 people have died in school transportation-related crashes. Of those fatalities, eight percent were occupants of the school bus and 20 percent were non-occupants such as pedestrians or bicyclists. The majority, 72 percent, were occupants of the other vehicles involved in the crash.

While most school bus drivers are well trained and very cautious, accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, call the car accident lawyers in Baltimore at Alpert Schreyer. Our attorneys will carefully evaluate your case and help you receive the compensation you need and deserve. Call 301-932-9997 to get started with one of our experienced attorneys today.

A 40-year-old man is likely to be charged in a hit and run crash on I-495, according to the Gazette.net. While driving on the inner loop of the highway in Potomac, the man crashed into another vehicle which was sitting disabled in the roadway because of a mechanical problem. The driver of the broken down car was inside the vehicle when it was struck. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries although police did not have any information about his condition. After the 40-year-old man struck the inoperable vehicle, he fled the scene. A witness contacted police and followed the man onto I-270 and then into Rockville. Because of the Good Samaritan, city, county, and state police were on hand to take the man into custody.

Maryland law states that the drivers of each vehicle involved in a crash that results in bodily injury or death are required stay at the scene of the collision. A person who commits a hit and run where the other party has sustained serious bodily injury may face jail time and significant fines. If the other party involved in the crash dies and a driver flees the scene, that driver may be charged with a felony and is subject to years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.

If the driver responsible for the crash was acting negligently at the time of the incident, he or she may also be liable to compensate the injured party. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a Maryland car accident, the Maryland car accident attorneys at Alpert Schreyer will fight to get you compensation you may be entitled to. Call us today at 301-932-9997 for more information about your legal rights.

The number of railroad accidents in Maryland that involved a train and a motor vehicle held steady at 13 accidents each year in 2008, 2009, and 2010, after falling from 18 accidents in 2007 and 16 in 2006, according to data collected by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The types of vehicles involved in each accident also stayed basically the same, with passenger cars and pickup trucks being involved in most accidents, and vans, buses, and “other motor vehicles” being involved in fewer.

The number of fatal accidents also decreased significantly in 2010. While 2009 saw nine lives lost in Maryland car-train accidents, only two deaths occurred in 2010 as a result of these accidents. There were also fewer fatal accidents in 2010 than 2008, when four such accidents occurred, and in 2007, when five such accidents occurred.

Railroad accidents occurred most frequently in Baltimore County, with Prince George’s County and Harford County close behind. The counties with the fewest car-train accidents are Somerset and Worcester Counties, where such an accident has not occurred since 2007.

The FRA neither says why the number of car-train accidents has decreased in Maryland the past few years, nor how to ensure the continuation of this good trend. However, all drivers can help reduce their risk of suffering an accident by paying careful attention at railroad crossings and never attempting to “beat” a train across the tracks.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a train accident, the experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys at Alpert Schreyer can help. To learn more or to receive a free and confidential case evaluation, call 301-932-9997.

Many children in the U.S. walk to and from school every day; children also travel on foot to meet friends or to get to after-school and weekend activities. However, children are more likely than the average adult pedestrian to suffer injury in a pedestrian accident. Knowing what makes children more vulnerable to accidents can help drivers learn to prevent Maryland child pedestrian accidents.

First, children are often involved in accidents because they can be difficult for drivers to see. Since children are smaller than adults, they often disappear between parked cars or behind objects on city street corners, so that drivers don’t see them until it’s too late. Watch parked cars, neighborhoods, and intersections carefully for children.

Next, children are more likely to suffer a Maryland pedestrian accident injury because their developing minds may not yet understand or interpret traffic behavior the way an adult mind can. For instance, a child may step into the road in front of a car because he isn’t yet capable of judging speed and distance. The child may think he has room to cross when in fact he doesn’t. Stay alert for kids waiting on the edges of roads who may try to cross, and teach children only to cross at designated crosswalks.

Even one child injured in a pedestrian accident is too many. If your child has been injured while walking to school or another place, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys at Alpert Schreyer today. For a free and confidential consultation, call us at 301-932-9997.

Nobody wants to be in a car accident, especially one that results in injury. Unfortunately, even the most careful motorists cannot completely eliminate the risk of an accident. If you are involved in an accident in Maryland, keep these tips in mind to help protect yourself, your family, and your legal rights.

Move to a safe place. If possible, pull off the road or as far to the side as possible, and use your vehicle’s hazard lights, road flares, or emergency signs to warn other motorists of an accident. Do not, however, move anyone who has been seriously injured. Instead, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Jot down everything you remember about the accident. As soon as possible, write down whatever details you can recall regarding the Maryland car accident. What color were the traffic lights? Where are the stop signs? How did the cars collide, and where? If possible, take photos of the accident scene and get the contact information of the other driver and any witnesses. Take care not to place yourself in more danger to get this information.

Don’t admit fault or deny injury. The shock of an accident may make you want to insist the accident was your fault or that you weren’t hurt. However, neither one of these may be true. Instead of admitting or denying that you were responsible or were injured, stick to gathering facts and speak to an experienced Maryland accident attorney if you have questions about your rights or responsibilities after an accident.

The experienced Maryland car accident lawyers at Alpert Schreyer can help you figure out your legal rights and options after an accident. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call 301-932-9997 today.