In 2017, distracted driving killed more than 3,000 people, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The problem has become increasingly common in Maryland and throughout the country over the past decade, posing a serious danger to Maryland drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Handheld devices have become commonplace, and research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that for some drivers, the use of advanced driver technology in vehicles made those drivers more likely to engage in distracted driving.
In Maryland, the use of a handheld phone while driving is prohibited. Yet, the use of handheld devices remains prevalent. Maryland law enforcement officers issued more than 34,000 citations for use of a cell phone and more than 1,800 for texting while driving in 2016. Montgomery County, Maryland has tried to take the law a step further by recently introducing a proposal to install cameras to catch distracted drivers and mail out tickets to them, as used for some red light cameras.
All Maryland drivers must generally exercise reasonable care under the circumstances presented. Distracted driving can form the basis for a case against a distracted driver, which would normally be founded in negligence. A plaintiff has to prove the following in a Maryland negligence claim: the defendant had a legal duty to the plaintiff; the defendant failed to meet the duty; the plaintiff suffered damages; and, the defendant’s failure to meet the duty caused the plaintiff’s damages.
Three People Killed in Eight-Vehicle Distracted Driving Crash
Three people were killed and more than a dozen were hospitalized after a driver crashed while setting down his coffee mug on a recent Sunday morning. A news source reported that a 34-year-old semi-truck driver told officials that he glanced down to set his coffee mug down and crashed into slowing traffic ahead of him. Eight vehicles were involved in the crash. Witnesses said that one vehicle was pinned up against the guardrail and that a fire ignited.
The crash took place around 11 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Two women and a one-year-old were killed in the crash. The local sheriff stated that distracted driving is a major cause in many car crashes, and that the sheriff’s office believed it was a contributing factor in the crash. The crash shut down the interstate for about four hours. The driver was subsequently charged with three counts of reckless homicide.
Contact a Maryland Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Maryland or the surrounding areas, contact a truck accident lawyer at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers. Suffering from an injury can be stressful and overwhelming. A legal claim can allow you to seek financial compensation and to hold the party responsible for their actions. With decades of combined experience, our lawyers understand the complex issues that come up in Maryland truck accident cases, and are prepared to tackle whatever issues arise. For a free, no-obligation consultation with a personal injury attorney, call us toll-free at 800-654-1949 or contact us online via our website.