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One man was killed and another injured when a construction site scaffolding collapsed beneath their feet, sending them the ground 25 feet below. ABC affiliate WJLA Channel 7 News reported that the incident occurred at the Sugarloaf Elementary School in Frederick County, Maryland on December 11, 2017. The worker who died was pronounced dead at the scene, while the injury victim was transported to Frederick Memorial Hospital for treatment of his broken leg. Officials continue their investigation into how the scaffolding accident occurred, as one key aspect of the investigation will center on whether there were any violations of regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The story raises some complex issues about how Maryland workers’ compensation rules apply when there is a potential failure to comply with OSHA rules.

Two people were transported to local hospitals after being tossed from their car in an accident on I-270, according to a December 8, 2017 report from CBS affiliate WUSA News Channel 9. A spokesperson from the Montgomery County Fire Department stated that the incident occurred just after 10:00 p.m. near the Falls Road ramp, just outside of Rockville, Maryland. The victims were traveling southbound on I-270 when they were involved in some sort of collision, which remains under investigation. After the initial impact, they were ejected from their vehicle and landed in the northbound lanes of the highway.

Being ejected during a car collision can lead to extremely severe injuries, and these incidents are far more likely to result in death as compared to other types of crashes. A Maryland auto accident attorney can help if you have suffered injuries, as you may be entitled to compensation where you were not at fault.

Maryland State Police continue to investigate and are seeking witnesses to a single-vehicle crash in Hagerstown, which killed one passenger and injured four others on November 30, 2017. The accident involved a passenger van from The Arc of Washington County, an organization that promotes independence for individuals with developmental disabilities. According to a report from ABC Channel 2 News WMAR out of Baltimore, the van was heading east when it veered off the roadway and traveled about 200 feet before striking a tree. Officials stated that it is unclear why the driver left the road, and there was no indication of braking or other maneuvers to avoid a collision. Passenger vans present characteristics that make them more likely to be involved in serious auto accidents and cause serious injuries to victims.

On November 7, 2017, a man driving a pickup fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into the rear of a semi truck near Flintstone, Maryland in a rural area of Allegany County. According to CBS affiliate WUSA Channel 9 News, he suffered only minor injuries, even after first responders were forced to cut him out of his vehicle using the jaws of life. Many news outlets would not even report on an accident involving such negligible injures, but this incident is noteworthy: It highlights an increase in the number of underride auto accidents in Maryland, which are among the most devastating types of crashes involving large trucks.

An underride collision occurs when a passenger vehicle slides underneath a tractor trailer being hauled by a semi truck. Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are common and, in many cases, the individuals are decapitated by the impact. Despite regulations on required safety equipment for semis, underride accidents remain a serious threat to Maryland motorists.

What started off as a minor fender-bender turned tragic when one of the passengers involved in the car accident was killed after the incident. According to Prince George’s County Police, the initial collision occurred between a passenger vehicle and an SUV in District Heights, Maryland on the evening of November 19, 2017. Online news source Patch.com reported that the drivers of both vehicles pulled over and a passenger from the SUV got out. For unexplained reasons, the woman moved to stand behind the car, at which point the driver backed over her. The story serves as a sobering reminder of how to stay safe after a crash, and other actions you should take when involved in a Maryland auto accident.

A serious car accident in St. Mary’s County is still under investigation, with accident reconstruction specialists stating that speed appears to be a factor in the crash. Southern Maryland News Net reported that at around 6:30 p.m. on November 9, 2017, police responded to a report about a severe motor vehicle incident near Lexington Park, Maryland. According to authorities, a Dodge truck was traveling southbound on a state road when it struck the rear of Honda Pilot moving in the same direction. The impact forced the Honda over the center line and off the road, where it collided with several trees. Both drivers were transported by helicopter for medical treatment, and other passengers were taken by ambulance to area hospitals.

If you have sustained injuries in a Maryland car accident where speed is a contributing factor, note that there are a few ways to determine how fast a vehicle was traveling, even after the fact.

Two people sustained injuries in a Glen Burnie, MD auto accident after their vehicle collided with a Maryland Transit Administration light rail train on October 13, 2017. WJLA ABC 7 News reported that the woman driving the car was transported to University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center with life-threatening injuries; her passenger, a 12-year-old boy, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, Maryland. While the results of an official investigation have not been revealed, the scene of the incident at a railway crossing indicates that the motorist may have been attempting to beat the train to the intersection. Auto accidents at railway crossings are extremely dangerous due to the size difference between a car and a train, but there may be liability issues that prevent a victim from recovering compensation for injuries.

Winter is on the way for residents around Baltimore County, Maryland, which means it is a good time for a reminder on driving safely when hazardous weather hits. According to the US Department of Transportation, diminished road surface friction and limited vehicle maneuverability are among the top contributing factors that result in increased crash risk in snowy conditions. Plus, road speeds fall by as much as 40% in heavy snow, primarily due to accumulation and visibility issues; the situation can cause serious problems for motorists unprepared for the slower traffic that lies ahead. Whether you are commuting locally, running errands, or taking long-distance trips, keep these winter driving safety tips in mind to reduce the chances of a dangerous auto accident.

As a parent, you do everything you can to keep your child safe. You already know the importance of safety restraints in passenger vehicles and trucks, and a frightening statistic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proves this point: One-third of children under 13 who were killed in auto accidents nationwide were not wearing a seat belt or secured in a car seat at the time of the collision. While you can ensure that kids buckle up when they are riding in a vehicle with you, it is not possible to be with them every minute. Crashes still happen, and it is common to feel powerless and overwhelmed when your child becomes a victim of a Maryland car accident. Fortunately, it is possible to recover compensation for injuries and related losses, but these cases are unlike incidents where an adult seeks to file a claim. Here are some important details parents need to know.

When police arrived on the scene of a single vehicle crash late in the evening on October 18, 2017, it was already too late for the driver and his passenger. According to Fox 5 DC, a 30-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were both killed in the accident, which occurred in Potomac, Maryland, about 50 miles southwest of Baltimore. A preliminary investigation reveals that the passenger vehicle left the road for unknown reasons and then struck a tree just off Interstate 270. The impact brought down electric lines, which fell on top of the car and caused it to catch fire. It is a common assumption that crashes involving two or more vehicles are among the most dangerous, but this recent accident shows that single auto accidents in Maryland can be just as deadly.