Human tragedy on Maryland roadways is never as heart-rending as when a baby or young child is badly injured in a senseless traffic collision. As every parent dreads, injury to an innocent toddler or newborn can happen in an instant, especially on some of Maryland’s high-speed interstates and beltways. For mothers and fathers, grandparents and even driving-age siblings, the overseeing of young lives when operating a passenger car in heavy traffic is a serious and constant job.
As drivers ourselves, the professional legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, understands the fears of parents all around the state. To be sure, while passenger car-related accidents present a substantial risk for young passengers, a collision involving a large commercial motor vehicle (CMV) often exceeds the menace of more common car-to-car impacts. With large 18-wheeled tractor-trailers, heavily laden box-type delivery trucks, and charter motor coaches plying Maryland’s highways and surface streets, the potential for serious injury or death is always present.
Because of our years of experience in traffic-related personal injury litigation, we understand the regret and second guessing that mothers or fathers experience following a serious injury accident involving a small child. Being told by a hospital emergency room doctor that one’s child has sustained a permanent or long-term injury can cause the parents’ entire word to cave in all at once. And when, in the case of most traffic wrecks, the cause is negligence on the part of another driver, the senselessness of such an event can be maddening.
Here at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we know that random and unexpected roadway collisions can and do happen to good people. The youngsters traveling in a passenger car that has been struck by a commercial truck are the most innocent of victims; they are the ones who rely on the adults in their life to care for and protect them, even after a bad traffic accident. Few words, if any, can console a heartbroken family when faced with the injury of a baby or toddler. What we can offer is to help the family recover damages due them under Maryland’s legal statutes.
As experienced commercial trucking accident lawyers, our legal team knows that as the most important part of any family and the community, children need the most protection from life’s manifold hazards. Besides being the pride and joy of their parents and loving family, youngsters represent the hope of the future. When a young person is hurt or killed in a senseless trucking-related roadway wreck, the parents feel the pain and loss more than any other person. Our law firm is ready, willing and able to help families touched by this and other kinds of tragedies.
When it comes to commercial truck accidents, few if any passenger vehicles can hold up under a direct impact from something as massive as a 30-ton tractor-trailer. In fact, a typical family sedan or minivan has only a fraction of the weight of most large CMVs. Minivans have been the choice of families all across the country for decades, yet the structure of a typical minivan is no match against an 18-wheeler.
One of the more frequently seen passenger vehicles these days is the family minivan. These models, which have been around for decades, offer large passenger and cargo-carrying capacity. Unfortunately, when involved in a trucking-related crash, the roominess of a minivan does not translate into protection for the occupants, young or old. Because these are family vehicles, children themselves can often make up a large percentage of the unlucky victims in collisions between minivans and commercial motor vehicles.
From a safety standpoint, parents and grandparents should consider being as cautious as possible when transporting youngsters in their vehicles. Following even a few of the many safe driving tips for minivan owners could go a long way toward avoiding serious accidents on the beltway and maybe save lives along the way.
Consider Your Car/Truck/Minivan’s Blind SpotsSince minivans in particular are much more bulky than family sedans and economy cars, there are typical blind spots that must be double-checked when maneuvering on the street. Be sure to first familiarize yourself with the hidden dangers associated with each blind spot. Failure to recognize the danger inherent in vehicle blind spots can often result in serious accidents, especially when changing lanes on the beltway or merging onto the interstate.
Know Where Your Vehicle Controls AreBe sure to know where all the critical vehicle controls are, whether driving your own vehicle, and especially before operating someone else’s vehicle. The may be particularly important when transporting kids in a minivan, since some of the driver controls may be located in different places compared to a sedan or SUV. Taking a few minutes before hitting the road to familiarize yourself with each of the critical driver controls may help to reduce the chance of an accident.
Set the Driver’s Seat CorrectlyAs motorists ourselves, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen knows that being in complete control of one’s vehicle can go a long way toward avoiding a bad accident on a Maryland or District of Columbia roadway. Having a correctly adjusted and comfortable seat may not seem like a safety concern, but proper seating position can do many things, such as allow better forward view out the windshield; improve the driver’s ability to use the side-view and rearview mirrors; or simply to help avoid fatigue on long trips.
Avoid Distraction Inside and OutWhen operating any motor vehicle, staying focused on the road ahead is critical. While a great many injury-related trucking accidents occur when a CMV hits a passenger vehicle from behind, the consequences of having an underride-type collision by driving headlong into a stopped 18-wheeler can be deadly. Stay focused on the task at hand -- be aware of traffic conditions ahead AND behind. Furthermore, for adults driving children around, do not let any potential childish chaos in the backseat lead to a dangerous situation on the beltway.
At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand that parents and grandparents have a great responsibility toward their offspring. When a senseless traffic wreck sends a child to the emergency room, our concern for that young one can be overwhelming. Anger and regret are common emotions that affect many parents whose child has been seriously hurt in a preventable Maryland road accident. Our professional staff is dedicated to helping those families find a legal solution following an injury-related or fatal trucking collision.
If your child has been badly hurt in a commercial trucking crash where negligence is strongly indicated, we recommend that you speak to a qualified personal injury lawyer with experience in trucking-related claims. Our lawyers are ready to discuss your personal injury or wrongful death case so that you can be better informed regarding your rights under Maryland law. Please contact us toll-free at (800) 654-1949, or send an email to either Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen. We will arrange a free face-to-face consultation to discuss your case.