A male driver was killed recently in a two-car accident around 8 a.m. near a busy intersection in Chesapeake Beach. A woman driver involved in the accident received only minor injuries.
According to the Calvert County Sheriff's Office, the 24-year-old Chesapeake Beach man driving a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse died when he apparently attempted to make a left turn from St. Andrews Drive onto Maryland Route 260 and continue east. He turned directly into a 2013 Jeep Wrangler driven by a 38-year-old Chesapeake Beach woman who was unable to stop in time. In the resulting side-impact collision, both vehicles ended up in a grassy median area some 15 feet from the point of impact.
Responders at the scene said the male driver was unresponsive. He had not been wearing his seatbelt before the collision. He and the female driver were taken to a local hospital; he was pronounced dead shortly after.
The accident remains under investigation by the Calvert County Sheriff's Office Crash Reconstruction Team. Whether any charges will be filed is not known, and police have not yet determined which driver was at fault. They are requesting help from any eyewitnesses.
Car crash injuries can affect a person and his or her family's finances because recovery means medical expenses and missed work days. In fatal accidents, the sudden loss of a family member is painful and often comes with financial problems resulting from medical and funeral costs and lost wages if the person killed was the family's primary earner.
Driver's negligence is an important factor in determining whether a victim should seek compensation. In a case like this, the family of the man who died may have a legal claim, depending upon the results of the accident investigation. The results of the investigation and testimony from witnesses and experts may be necessary to establish fault.