Maryland is getting a reputation as a dangerous state to drive in, and recent headlines confirm that reputation. In addition to the news that Maryland ranks number one in the country as the state with the most car accidents, there have been plenty of other equally disturbing stories in the news report as accident totals continue to climb in Maryland.
Montgomery County Student Dies in Bus Stop Accident in April
A 7-year-old boy, his father, and his 18-month-old sibling were standing at the bus stop near the corner of King Charles Way and Grosvenor Lane just like any other morning when a 2002 Honda Accord left the road and struck the family. The boy, Muhammad Haekal Saifullah Elsyaf, suffered critical injuries, while his father sustained minor injuries and his sibling was uninjured. Sadly, Muhammad, a student at Ashburton Elementary School in Montgomery County, died at the hospital from his injuries. The driver of the Honda was unhurt and stayed at the scene to cooperate with the police.
Man on Dirt Bike Dies from Injuries After Being Struck by Car in Baltimore
A 31-year-old man was driving his dirt bike on East Biddle Street in Baltimore when he was apparently struck by a 2017 Ford Fusion and knocked off the bike, sustaining massive head injuries. He was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Baltimore Police Department Crash Team is investigating the fatal accident.
What Happens After Car Accidents Like These?
Unfortunately, fatal accidents like these leave grief and sadness in the lives of the victims’ loved ones and friends. Nothing can be done to ease that pain or fill those voids. At this point, the best that anyone can hope for is that actions are taken to ensure that no other families go through this type of trauma and tragedy. That includes holding negligent drivers responsible for their actions.
After tragic accidents like these, police will try to obtain any evidence they can to determine the cause of the incident. This may include:
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Procuring any phone video from bystanders
- Reviewing exterior camera footage that may be available from nearby homes, businesses, or traffic cameras
- Obtaining the driver’s cell phone records to determine whether they were on their phones at the time of impact
- Examining the crash scene for forensic evidence that might show the vehicle’s speed at the time of the crash and whether brakes were applied quickly enough
What Families Can Do After Losing a Loved One in a Crash
When people die due to negligence, there are two laws that apply: The Survival Act and the Wrongful Death Act. The Survival Act applies to claims involving loss of earning capacity as well as pain and suffering between the negligent event and moment of death. Wrongful Death allows compensation for grief when the negligent event occurs in Maryland and where applicable, loss of parental guidance and advice and generally the love, affection, and protection a parent usually provides to a child.
If the police investigations determine that any injuries sustained in the incident are the fault of a negligent driver, they can pursue a personal injury claim. If the accident resulted in death, as these tragedies did, families can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver. Doing so requires the services of an experienced car accident attorney.
The Lapidus Law Firm stands ready to help victims’ families in the aftermath of a tragic accident. Of course, nothing can replace a loved one. But we can help families recover some of the many expenses–such as funeral costs, hospital treatment, medical bills–through a fair and reasonable settlement. Call The Lapidus Law Firm today at (202) 785-5111 or (301) 852-7500 to set up a consultation, during which we’ll discuss your situation and determine how to best move forward.
Written by Larry Lapidus