According to the Maryland State Police, the two-car accident started when a 22-year-old female driver drove her car into the road's shoulder. She then swerved the car back toward the center and crossed the center line, where her car struck a vehicle driven by a 61-year-old woman. The accident sent both vehicles into a field next to the site of the crash. Both of the drivers were transported to a local hospital and at least one has been treated and released.
]]> The young driver now faces charges of negligent driving and failing to drive right of center.What caused this accident is not specifically known, but some frequent causes of negligent driving can include talking or texting on a cell phone, driving while intoxicated or overly tired drivers.
In incidents like these, those who are injured are often left with medical expenses to cover. Since the injury suffered depends on the severity of the accident, these costs can range from expensive long term expenses for serious injuries to smaller, but still significant, expenses for a single stop at a hospital emergency room. For many of these people, filing a legal claim for compensation is often a way to pay for the expenses incurred in an accident which was not their fault.
Source: The Star Democrat, "Drivers hurt in 309 crash," May 10, 2012
]]>Among the lessons that the program hopes to spread is advice such as taking time at intersections to ensure your own safety. Since driver negligence on the part of other drivers can often lead to people being unaware of motorcyclists who are sharing the road with them, it is also important for motorcyclists to maintain safe distances from other vehicles and to remain watchful of their surroundings at all times.
]]> With luck, the program will help cut down the average 1,900 motorcycle crashes that occur every year in Maryland. Most of those crashes will involve an fatality or some kind of injury -- 80 percent of them, in fact. Yet even with updated training program such as this, motorcycle riders will likely continue to be injured in accidents. Unfortunately, many of these accidents will be the result of the actions of other drivers.When it is the case that motorcyclists get into accidents with other moving vehicles, it's a well known fact that the motorcyclist is in greater danger of serious injury. As a result of being thrown off their vehicle, motorcyclists can suffer injuries to their back, neck or head. The extensive medical costs as well as the personal pain and suffering endured often leads to motorcyclists pursuing legal options when these types of accidents occur.
Source: The Herald-Mail, "Maryland Highway Safety Office rolls out Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Program," Dan Dearth, May 2, 2012
]]>Vallario hit that car and then collided with a telephone pole, suffering a broken nose and a head injury, which required stitches. He received treatment at a local hospital for his injuries, but has since been released. A driver involved in the incident was charged with several traffic violations.
]]> It is a thankful occurrence that the delegate and the other drivers involved did not suffer more severe injuries, as auto accidents can result in serious injury or death. Broken bones, spinal injuries, concussions and even brain injuries can result from serious car accidents. In the event that any of these injuries are sustained, the victims of car accidents oftentimes are compelled to file an accident claim and seek to receive compensation.One reason for seeking compensation is very clear: the financial burden of medical treatment often requires it. Short and long-term medical treatment is usually costly, particularly if the driver needs to seek emergency treatment. Even one brief visit to an emergency room can create a major financial strain, especially in today's economic climate.
Another common reason for damages in a personal injury lawsuit is that victims are regularly found entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering caused by another driver's recklessness or inattention. For drivers injured in car accidents due to the fault of another, taking legal action could help ease the burdens associated with the accident.
Source: Gazette.net, "Vallario released from hospital after Friday car crash in Brandywine," Erich Wagner and Meghan Russell, April 21, 2012
]]>This news is of particular significance considering the likelihood an infant is born with cerebral palsy is as much as one in every 300 children, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Cerebral palsy often occurs as the result of a birth injury in cases of medical malpractice. A bacterial infection in the womb and umbilical cord complications are also common causes of cerebral palsy.
]]> In cases where complications occur during childbirth, medical professionals are required to take immediate action to ensure that the infant is not harmed. If a doctor fails to take the adequate steps to ensure the newborn's wellbeing, they may be held liable for the consequences.The improper handling of childbirth may also be classified as medical malpractice. When medical professionals make mistakes, they may be held financially responsible for short and long term medical costs and the loss of the quality of life, amongst other possible consequences. This could potentially include needing to pay for long-term care for any child disabled by a medical injury.
Source: Fox News, "Cerebral palsy drug may offer hope for treatment," Rachael Rettner, April 19, 2012
]]>It may come as a surprise, but there are many days that come with an increased accident risk. For instance, the researchers also found that the elevated risk on tax day closely matches the likelihood of an accident on Super Bowl Sunday.
]]> There are multiple suggestions as to what could cause this grim statistic: stress, increased alcohol consumption, unusual driving routes or maybe even lack of sleep. Any of these may result in driver negligence and could potentially cause an accident.The ways to avoid getting in an accident on tax day are the same that drivers utilize on a daily basis: follow the laws of the road and take precautions to keep yourself safe. The stress associated with tax day could potentially cause reckless behavior in some drivers. So, if you are driving on tax day, take extra precautions and watch the behavior of other drivers carefully. Do your best to take note of any erratic driving and steer clear of the vehicle. However, taking precautions does not always prevent accidents from occurring.
When car crashes happen, they can cause serious injuries. For those involved in a crash caused by the negligence of another driver, taking legal action could lead to compensation for any potential medical costs or pain and suffering.
Source: Forbes, "Death and Taxes: Fatal Road Crashes Increase on Tax Day," Kelly Phillips Erb, April 11, 2012
]]>The impact threw the 17-year-old driver of the northbound car from her vehicle and she sustained serious injuries. She was transported to a local hospital by helicopter. The driver of the southbound car also sustained serious injuries. Luckily, both drivers involved in the accident survived the ordeal and are currently listed in stable condition. Maryland State Police are still investigating the accident.
]]> If anything can be learned from this accident, it is to follow the rules of the road and to take every precaution against accidents and injury as is possible. An obvious lesson, and a legal requirement, is to follow the law when operating a motor vehicle. These laws are crafted to keep drivers safe and following them can cut down on potentially life-threatening accidents.Obeying signs and signals, following the posted speed limits and taking safety precautions such as wearing a seat belt make driving a safer experience for everyone. However, accidents are not always the fault of the injured driver and are often caused by another driver's negligence.
For the two drivers involved in this accident, the repercussions are far from over. From a medical perspective, the injuries sustained may require expensive long-term healthcare services such as a lengthy hospital stay or rehabilitation. As those familiar with medical expenses are likely to know, the costs of these services are regularly beyond the capability for most individuals to pay without assistance. As a consequence of this financial necessity, legal action is often taken on behalf of the victims against the individuals responsible for the accident. These legal actions can lead to financial rewards covering medical costs and compensating for pain and suffering.
Source: ABC2 News, "Bad crash at Route 1 and Route 152 in Fallston," April 1, 2012
]]>According to current reports, the motor vehicle accident occurred when the tractor-trailer and the pickup truck crashed head-on. The driving school vehicle then struck the pickup truck on the front passenger side. Whether the driving school vehicle was being driven by a student or an instructor was not immediately known. An ambulance was dispatched to the accident site, although it was unclear whether the drivers sustained serious injuries.
]]> Given the potential severity of accidents involving trucks and smaller vehicles, the possibility that those involved in the accident noted above escaped serious injury is particularly notable. Accidents between trucks and smaller vehicles can often result in serious injury or even death of the driver in the smaller vehicle with little to no injury for the truck driver involved.Injuries sustained by the drivers of small vehicles involved in a truck accident can require extensive medical care. In incidents where this is the case, an investigation of the accident caused by a negligent driver is often accompanied by legal action on behalf of the victims seeking to be compensated for medical costs or pain and suffering.
With vehicle crashes involving tractor-trailes, a number of factors could play a role in the accident. For instance, the truck driver could be particularly fatigued, driving a vehicle with defective parts, or not following roadway laws. Another common cause of accidents involving trucks is tailgating as a result of traffic congestion.
Source: Delmarva Now, "3-vehicle wreck in Salisbury involves driver-training car," March 27, 2012
]]>In this case, several doctors and hospital staff are being sued by a couple who allege that the practitioners' choices resulted in complications during childbirth and the eventual development of cerebral palsy in the infant.
]]> It was exactly these types of complications that the doctors were confident would not occur when confronted by the couple before labor. The pregnant woman had concerns over the use of Misoprostol and Oxytocin, drugs sometimes used to induce labor. The doctors assured her that the childbirth would go smoothly, and informed her that it was common to use Misoprostal and Oxytocin to induce labor.During the childbirth, the drug was administered and the doctors began to monitor the child's heart rate. A short time later, the doctors noticed that the heart rate was slowing and attempted to vacuum extract the child. When that proved unsuccessful, a Caesarean section was performed. The child was successfully removed, but the infant's heart rate was severely reduced. The lawsuit alleges that those charged with the baby's care failed to properly monitor the fetal monitor and run certain tests that would have helped identify any issues. The suit further alleges that the care provided caused damage to the baby's central nervous system.
While many types of birth injuries or birth defects are naturally occurring, some of them are unfortunately caused by human error. When this happens, the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions can be extraordinary and long-lasting. In some instances, birth injuries can results in life-long medical complications.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe, "Medical malpractice suit filed against two physicians, hospital," Eric Swanson, March 10, 2012
]]>In protest of the bill, the National Conference of State Legislatures drafted a letter arguing that medical malpractice cases have historically been handled by state governments, encouraging Congress to steer clear of the matter. The letter goes on to argue that a one-size-fits all approach would not be appropriate because of unique laws, traditions and circumstances in the various states.
]]> Regardless of political stance, the bill certainly raises the question of what constitutes fair compensation for medical malpractice cases. One component remains unquestioned by either side: victims of medical malpractice deserve compensation for medical bills and loss of wages.Since the monetary consequences of a medical error can be costly and lifelong, receiving compensation for economic damages can be critical to maintaining financial stability. The same goes for the issue of lost wages: any permanent injury suffered as a result of medical malpractice could significantly hinder the earning potential of an individual, which may, without adequate compensation, cause life-long financial hassles.
The bill before Congress would specifically put a cap on the allowable award for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or the loss of quality of life. These are rewards generally granted as compensation for the emotional and physical hardship that a victim has suffered. Currently, these awards are granted on a case by case basis with regulations varying from state to state.
Source: The Hill, "State lawmakers blast House GOP's medical malpractice reform bill," Julian Pecquet, Mar. 14, 2012
]]>After research, doctors began to utilize ice therapy to help infants suffering from asphyxia-related birth injuries. Ice therapy harnesses hypothermia's effects on the body such as lowering metabolism, which reduces the need for energy. This allows the body to focus on coping with and overcoming the damages caused by asphyxia.
]]> Since birth injuries are relatively common, and can result from either natural causes or medical error, developing procedures to help protect the well-being of the infant is of utmost importance. Some of the more common birth injuries include bruising, bone fractures or swelling. However, some birth trauma can be life-threatening. For instance, the baby could become entangled in the umbilical cord, potentially depriving the newborn of oxygen. Sometimes babies can be born with slow heartbeats or even unconscious.When a newborn is injured during birth, the repercussions can last a lifetime. Long and short-term medical costs or the costs of coping with a disability can accompany serious birth injuries, and can constitute a serious financial burden. In the event that a newborn is injured as a consequence of medical malpractice, those responsible for the error could be held legally and financially responsible.
Source: Edmonton Journal, "A cooling therapy for birth trauma," Charlie Fidelman, Mar. 3, 2012
]]>This type of motor vehicle accident could occur in Maryland or anywhere else. Considering a large proportion of motorcycle crashes happen as a result of driver negligence and inattention, motorcyclists should be aware of the dangers that reckless or inattentive drivers pose and take action to avoid going unnoticed. Wearing brightly colored clothes, taking extra precautions at night and always leaving extra space between one's own motorcycle and other vehicles on the road are safe ways a motorcyclist can help reduce the danger posed by other drivers.
]]> Since motorcycle accidents are disproportionately more dangerous for the motorcyclist than for the driver of an automobile, it is especially important for motorcyclists to take every precaution against serious injury. By always wearing protective gear, motorcyclists can help keep themselves safe.If, however, a motorcyclist is in an auto accident caused by the behavior of another driver, knowing the law is important. If the crash resulted in serious injury to the motorcyclist, legal action could help cover medical costs and loss of wages. Compensation for pain and suffering is potentially available as well. If a family member has died as a result of a motorcycle accident, a wrongful death suit could be filed.
Source: SanDiego6, "Pala Motorcycle Accident Puts 2 in Hospital," Mike Wille, Mar. 3, 2012
]]>What caused the 22-year-old driver to cross into oncoming traffic is currently under investigation, but there are many theories. For example, distraction and intoxication are often the causes of car crashes. Driver negligence is not uncommon in car accidents; in fact, most car crashes result from the actions of a driver involved. It is reported that up to 95 percent of car crashes could be the result of driver behavior. Other factors such as technical problems or weather conditions usually play a secondary role in many of these accidents. If it appears that one driver is clearly at fault, injured drivers or the family of a driver who has passed away in an auto accident may be able to receive compensation.
]]> In this incident, since both drivers were killed as a result of the crash, compensation for any wrongdoing would likely come as a result of a wrongful death suit. This means the family of an individual wrongfully killed could be eligible for compensation, such as covering medical bills, funeral costs, loss of wages or emotional pain. In the event that a driver is seriously injured, compensation for many of the same issues such as medical bills or pain and suffering would also be available.Source: The Washington Post, "Two killed in head-on Md. crash," Feb. 22, 2012
]]>The numbers are basically the same for Maryland between the first half of 2011 compared with the first half of 2010 -- there was one more teen fatality in early 2011 than the same period in the year before. However, the trends nationwide show numbers going up among 16- and 17-year-olds.
]]> There are many potential reasons for this; one of them might be the availability of technology. According to a study, almost half of teens said they have been in a car with a driver who was texting on a cell phone while driving, and 43 percent said they have talked on a cell phone while they themselves were driving.Experts said that improved economic conditions may have led to more teenage drivers on the roads. Some authorities said that there needs to be more research on school start times to see if it would cut down on the number of teenage drivers who drive while fatigued.
Other solutions to help stem the tide of teenage highway fatalities include aiming more messages about distracted driving and the use of seat belts at teenage drivers. President Obama recently announced a $330 million initiative to combat distracted driving, but as anyone who has spent time around a teenager will tell you, they may need to be reminded more than once.
Source: The Washington Post, "Teen deaths in car crashes climb," Ashley Halsey III, Feb. 17, 2012
]]>A soldier from Hagerstown, Maryland, was killed in a motorcycle accident when a car attempted to pass a vehicle on the highway and struck the soldier's motorcycle instead. The motorcycle slid under one of the vehicles, which then caught on fire.
]]> Since motorcyclists are at an elevated risk of serious injury in an accident, it is important to know how to protect yourself. A motorcyclist's first line of defense is preventing accidents from happening in the first place. Since many motorcycle accidents happen because other drivers are unaware of the motorcyclist, taking steps to be seen and heard when driving your motorcycle are critical.Other steps motorcyclists can take to protect themselves include:
• Regularly check your motorcycle's maintenance
• Be mindful of your surroundings at all times
• Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and proper clothing
• Never position your motorcycle in a car or truck's blind spot
• Always keep a safe distance away from other vehicles
• Be particularly careful when turning at intersections
• Wear bright clothes, especially when driving at dusk or nighttime
If you are injured in an accident, there are several things you can do. You may be able to receive legal compensation for economic damages, pain and suffering, or more. The most crucial thing is to know your legal rights, as many motorcyclists' accidents occur through no fault of their own.
Source: The Record Herald, "Hagerstown soldier Christiaan Bush killed in motorcycle crash in Georgia," Rachel Bryson, Feb. 10, 2012
]]>Tractor-trailer accidents differ from the typical vehicle accidents that many of us are familiar. Most people do not operate such a large vehicle and are unfamiliar with the real danger they pose. Given the size of most trucks, combined with the size and weight of their cargo, truck accidents can often have severe and even deadly outcomes. The cars that most of us operate are built to safety standards that protect us from the unforeseen. However, when it comes to an accident involving a large truck and a car, those standards are often not enough to protect us. Many times these trucks are simply too large and powerful to prevent serious damage or injury.
]]> Like other accidents, truck accidents are frequently avoidable. Both truck drivers and others who share the road with them can many times avoid accidents by simply following safe driving practices. Nevertheless, people are killed or injured in truck accidents all too frequently.If you have been injured in an accident involving a truck, or if you have lost a loved one in an accident, you can consider contacting an experienced attorney who is familiar with the particulars of car and tractor-trailer accidents. Working with an experienced attorney can help you protect your rights and work toward compensation that you may deserve.
Source: The Record Herald, "Maryland State Police Crash Team to investigate fatal crash that killed Leroy Corbin," Feb. 1, 2012
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