Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
April is distracted driving awareness month—meaning more than ever, drivers should keep their eyes on the road, focus on driving, and put their phones and devices away while on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2019. Unfortunately, no matter how proactive and alert we are on the road, sometimes others aren’t—and when accidents take place as a result of careless distracted driving and cause injuries, those who are responsible must be held accountable.
According to a recent news report, a local bus crash caused by distracted driving left six students and a bus driver injured. There were 24 students on board when the bus stopped at a railroad track, as required by law, and a utility van rear-ended the bus. The students and driver were transferred to a local hospital following the accident, while the remaining passengers were transported by a separate bus back to school. According to the local sheriff’s office, the driver of the van was cited for failure to use care while driving.
What Are a Driver's Duties While on the Road?
As a Maryland driver, the law requires you to exercise reasonable care while driving your vehicle, but also for you to consider every vehicle within a foreseeable “zone of danger” and to other drivers, pedestrians, and passengers. Drivers are expected to drive at a reasonable speed considering how much traffic is on the road and to adjust their driving based on weather conditions. For example, a driver could potentially be liable for an accident for failing to use due care while driving the speed limit during poor weather conditions.
Maryland drivers are also expected to be vigilant and proactive while on the road and to anticipate potential issues and dangers. Although some things simply cannot be avoided, drivers are expected to be reasonably alert and cognizant of their surroundings and possible road obstacles or pedestrians. If a driver fails to be appropriately vigilant and gets involved in an accident as a result, they could face a personal injury lawsuit. The driver from the bus crash, for example, was likely distracted while driving and failed to exercise the proper amount of vigilance and vehicle control necessary to not rear-end a bus stopped at a railroad track.
Do You Need a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney?
If you or someone you know has been recently injured in a Maryland bus accident, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen for immediate assistance. Our lawyers have decades of experience working with clients on all types of personal injury cases and will advocate tirelessly on your behalf to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. We approach each case with the understanding that this is one of the most important things in your life and promise to effectively pursue the relief you need and deserve to move on with your life after that accident. To learn more about the services we provide and to schedule a free initial consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949. You can also reach us through our online form.