Car Accidents

Washington DC Officials Focus on High-Risk Roads to Reduce Traffic Fatalities

March 12, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Washington, D.C. officials have announced a new initiative aimed at reducing the city’s persistently high rate of traffic crashes and fatalities. The Safety Corridor Initiative will focus enforcement efforts on two specific high-risk areas for the next 60 days: New York Avenue NE, from 4th Street to Bladensburg Road, and South Capitol Street, from Southern Avenue to MLK Boulevard. These corridors have been the site of 427 injuries and two fatalities since 2022, prompting officials to take action.

Despite years of efforts to improve roadway safety, the number of deadly crashes in D.C. continues to rise. The new plan is designed to address some of the worst problem areas, with city leaders hoping that increased police presence and public education will encourage safer driving behaviors.

A Growing Crisis on Washington DC Roads

D.C. has long struggled with rising traffic deaths, even as city leaders have pushed for safer streets. The city’s Vision Zero program, launched in 2014, aims to eliminate all traffic deaths by 2024. However, the number of fatalities has only increased. In 2023, the District recorded 52 deaths and 363 serious injuries from traffic crashes—the highest fatality count in 16 years.

Officials at the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) say that a small percentage of roads are responsible for most crashes. Research shows that just 5% of the city’s streets account for 50% of all collisions. The newly targeted corridors—New York Avenue NE and South Capitol Street—are among the most dangerous.

Winter Storms Increase Risks for Maryland Drivers

January 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Winter storms can create hazardous conditions for drivers in Maryland and Washington, D.C., with icy roads, poor visibility, and heavy snowfall contributing to dangerous situations. During a recent storm, Maryland State Police responded to over 100 crashes, underscoring how quickly road conditions can become unsafe. Snow and ice make it difficult for drivers to maintain control, while freezing temperatures increase the likelihood of accidents. Determining liability often becomes a key issue when collisions occur during severe weather, mainly if another driver’s negligence contributed to the crash.

Understanding your rights is critical if you are involved in a winter storm accident. While weather conditions play a role, other drivers must still operate their vehicles responsibly. Speeding, following too closely, or failing to adjust for icy roads can worsen an already dangerous situation. When negligence contributes to a crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Personal injury attorneys help victims hold negligent drivers accountable and secure recovery resources.

How Do Winter Storms Impact Driver Safety?

Snow and ice significantly reduce traction, making stopping or controlling a vehicle harder. Sudden changes in road conditions, such as black ice or untreated patches, catch drivers off guard, often leading to accidents. Limited visibility during snowstorms can also make it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles on the road. These challenges require extra caution, including reducing speed, increasing following distances, and using headlights.

Multi-Vehicle Crash Sends Five to Hospital in Montgomery County

November 23, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Multi-vehicle collisions are among the most dangerous traffic accidents on Maryland roads, often resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. The risk increases exponentially when more than two vehicles are involved, as the chain reaction creates a chaotic and hazardous situation. These types of accidents also introduce significant challenges in determining fault, as liability may be shared among several parties. Recently, a multi-vehicle crash in Montgomery County left five people hospitalized and caused significant disruption.

The crash occurred on a busy stretch of road, involving at least two vehicles and leading to emergency responders rescuing multiple individuals trapped in the wreckage. The incident resulted in severe injuries to several people, who were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. In the aftermath, traffic was brought to a standstill as lanes were closed in both directions to allow for rescue operations and accident investigation. Situations like these serve as sobering reminders of how quickly a normal day can turn into a life-altering event as a result of a single act of negligence.

Victims of multi-vehicle accidents often have the right to pursue relief through personal injury or wrongful death claims. Those injured in these crashes may be entitled to significant damages, including compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. However, pursuing such claims can be challenging, particularly in complex cases involving multiple parties. Municipal agencies, businesses, or other individuals involved in the crash may all bear some degree of responsibility. Identifying and proving fault in these cases requires a thorough investigation and expert legal representation to ensure justice is served.

Maryland Motorist Charged with Reckless Driving after Hitting Child in Washington, D.C., Crosswalk

October 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In dense urban areas such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C., the chances of a pedestrian being struck by a passenger car or commercial vehicle are likely greater than anywhere else in Maryland. Aside from some of the obvious locations where persons on foot can come into close proximity with motor vehicles — for instance urban crosswalks, bus stops and airport pick-up/drop-off zones — pedestrians can also be badly injured or even killed when simply walking through busy parking lots or in poorly illuminated parking garages.

As Baltimore, MD, personal injury attorneys, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, understands the range of threats that can be encountered when pedestrians and motor vehicles mix. Bicycle riders, shoppers, skateboarders, joggers, and even office workers rushing to their jobs can all be at risk to some degree when motor vehicle traffic is close by. And while adults make up a large portion of the foot traffic in Maryland’s urban areas, young children and teens are also at risk; sometimes even more so due to their often distracted behavior and relative lack of concern for the inherent risks of being a pedestrian in a busy cityscape.

Recent news reports brought home the dangers that kids can face when crossing city streets. A 12-year-old girl was sent to the hospital with a serious foot fracture following a pedestrian collision in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. According to police, Paisley Brodie was leaving school when she was hit by a Land Rover SUV operated by Earl Darryl Curtis, 58, from the District Heights, MD, area. At first, the driver received a ticket for colliding with a pedestrian on September 9th; that citation carries with it a maximum possible penalty of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.

Fatal Charlotte Hall Crash Highlights Dangers of Speeding and Drunk Driving

September 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent tragic accident in Charlotte Hall, Maryland, involving a 64-year-old driver has raised concerns about the devastating impact of reckless driving. The driver of a 2021 Nissan Armada lost control of the vehicle, leading to a fatal crash in which speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors. The single-car accident on Route 5 near Oak Station Drive resulted in the vehicle overturning and extensive damage to the car. Sadly, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. This incident highlights the legal consequences of dangerous driving and the steps victims or their families can take under Maryland law.

When accidents involve reckless driving, such as speeding or driving under the influence, those affected by these events often seek compensation through personal injury or wrongful death claims. These claims can provide financial relief and justice for families dealing with the aftermath of a tragedy.

Understanding Liability in Crashes Involving Speed and Alcohol in Maryland

Five Hospitalized After Northwest DC Car Crash

September 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A multi-vehicle crash in Northwest Washington, DC, recently left five people hospitalized, with one individual trapped inside a car that required rescue. The accident, which occurred in a busy part of the city, highlights the dangers of multi-vehicle crashes and the complexities involved in determining liability. Understanding the legal options available after such an accident is critical for anyone injured in a serious collision.

Victims of multi-car accidents often face physical injuries, financial burdens, and emotional distress. Seeking compensation through personal injury claims can provide the necessary support to cover medical bills and other losses. However, a successful claim requires a clear understanding of DC’s laws regarding multi-vehicle accidents.

Severe Northwest DC Crash Sends Five to the Hospital

Fiery Crash in D.C. After Police Chase Leaves Two Dead, One Injured

August 31, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Accidents involving police pursuits can result in tragic outcomes, and when these incidents occur in Washington, D.C., they raise significant legal questions. Under D.C. law, police officers have specific guidelines for engaging in vehicle pursuits, particularly when public safety is at risk. However, when a chase ends in injury or death, questions about liability, negligence, and the rights of those involved often arise. If you or a loved one has been affected by an accident involving a police pursuit, it is essential to understand your legal rights and options.

Deadly Police Chase Ends in Fiery Crash in Southeast D.C.

Two people died, and another was injured after a high-speed police chase ended in a fiery crash near Southeast D.C.’s border with Maryland. The incident started around 12:15 p.m. on a Tuesday when Anne Arundel County officers in Annapolis spotted a white BMW that fit the description of a vehicle linked to multiple armed robberies in the D.C. area, including a recent one in Prince George’s County.

Hit and Run Crash Near Dupont Circle

July 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent accident in Washington, D.C., has left many residents concerned and seeking answers. Earlier this month, a vehicle crashed into a multi-story office building just north of the Dupont Circle neighborhood. The crash, which occurred around 2 a.m. in the 1600 block of Connecticut Avenue, involved a black truck that overturned on the sidewalk outside the office building. When emergency crews arrived, they found significant damage to the first-floor office space but no structural integrity issues. The driver and any potential passengers were not found at the scene, and the cause of the crash remains unclear. This incident highlights the dangers and legal implications of hit-and-run accidents under D.C. law.

Understanding Hit and Run Accidents in Washington D.C.

Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without providing contact information or offering assistance to those injured. These accidents are particularly serious and can lead to severe legal consequences. In Washington, D.C., leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense, and drivers can face substantial fines, license suspension, and even imprisonment.

Tesla Under Federal Investigation Following Autopilot Crash in Washington

May 31, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Tesla recently recalled over 2 million cars in the U.S. following a two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) prompted by a series of crashes involving Tesla cars using the Autopilot feature. In response, Tesla released a software update in December for cars equipped with the system, adding more controls and alerts that would “encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility” while using Autosteer, a component of Autopilot. Despite this, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation said Tesla’s Autopilot system may still be inadequate. The agency identified at least 13 fatal crashes and 32 crashes resulting in injuries where Tesla drivers misused the system, according to a report released Thursday by the agency.

Federal auto safety regulators opened another investigation into Tesla’s recall of its Autopilot system last year, saying the company may not have done enough to keep drivers who use the technology focused on the road. The NHTSA announced on Friday, April 26, that they are opening an investigation into the safety of Tesla’s Autopilot feature, less than a week after a Tesla driver believed to be using it allegedly struck and killed a motorcyclist in Monroe, Washington. Jeffrey Nissen, 28, of Stanwood was on his way home from work on Highway 522 when the Tesla Model S struck his blue 2003 Yamaha R6, Nissen’s fiancée Janae Hutchinson said Thursday. Washington State Patrol spokesperson Chris Loftis said the agency is still investigating whether the Tesla driver was using Autopilot — a combination of cruise control and Autosteer intended to maintain the car’s set speed while keeping a safe distance from other vehicles and in its driving lane. The crash was among a rising number of collisions in Washington involving cars equipped with the technology, mostly Teslas.

Are Totally Driverless Cars Legal?

Autonomous driving, or the operation of vehicles with no human involvement, is currently only legal for testing in Washington state, and only three companies — NVIDIA Corporation, Waymo, and Zoox — have certified with the state’s licensing department to do so, said Loftis, a Washington State Patrol spokesperson. This is likely due to safety issues with totally autonomous vehicles.

Cause of Dangerous Reese, Maryland Head-On Car Collision Under Investigation

February 20, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Alcohol-impaired drivers are a major cause of car accidents throughout the country. Impaired drivers are extremely dangerous on the roads for a whole host of reasons. Drivers impaired by alcohol or other substances suffer from reduced levels of concentration and slower reaction times when processing their surroundings and actions. Additionally, drunk drivers suffer from poor hand-eye coordination and they are more likely to use poor judgment and experience memory loss while under the influence. These factors and other side effects of substance use greatly increase the likelihood of impaired drivers being involved in car accidents. Signs of impaired drivers on the road include but aren’t limited to, quicker than usual acceleration or deceleration, weaving across the road, erratic breaking, slow responses to traffic signals, or excessively slow driving (10 mph below the speed limit). When on the road, you should exercise extreme caution if you spot any of these signs from other drivers. In 2016, Maryland implemented stricter drunk driving laws throughout the state, including harsher penalties and an Ignition Interlock Program.

Does Maryland Have a High Rate of DUIs?

Unfortunately, Maryland sees a high share of alcohol-impaired drivers. Over the last five years, almost 800 people in Maryland have been killed in crashes involving impaired drivers and over 10,000 people per year die throughout the United States in alcohol-impaired crashes. Each year, tens of thousands of people are arrested throughout Maryland for drunk or impaired driving. Maryland currently deploys a specialized team of Maryland State troopers assigned to the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) to enforce impaired driving laws. Since 2013, State Troopers in SPIDRE have taken more than 4,000 impaired drivers off of Maryland roads. A recent news report detailed a fatal Maryland car crash.

According to the news report, the accident happened in the evening on Saturday, February 3, 2024, in Reese, Maryland. The head-on collision involved three vehicles and resulted in multiple injuries when the cars collided around 6:27 pm in the evening. The crash occurred on Route 104 at Emory Road, in front of Lady Baltimore Floors. Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Company crews responded quickly to the scene in the westbound lanes of the road. The investigation into the crash is ongoing and police have requested that anyone with additional information contact them to help with the case.