Charges in Anne Arundel car accidents could support civil claim

There are many factors in operating a motor vehicle on Maryland roadways that could negatively impact safety. For example, congestion on a road could unexpectedly slow traffic. Due to the relative lack of predictability, drivers must remain vigilant to avoid serious car accidents. An accident in Anne Arundel, allegedly caused by a driver who failed to reduce his speed during traffic congestion, resulted in criminal charges recently.

The accident occurred in Aug. 2013. Police reports indicate that traffic in the area slowed due to congestion. The 36-year-old driver of a flatbed truck failed to slow down accordingly, causing it to strike a sedan carrying five people. The collision caused a chain-reaction accident that ultimately involved eight motor vehicles in total.

Three of the passengers in the sedan — ages 37, 14 and 4 — died as a result of the injuries they sustained in the accident. Two of the passengers, ages 37 and 15, were transported to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The truck driver has now been indicted as a result of the accident and faces charges of reckless driving and manslaughter. His next court date is set for June 2014.

It is difficult to fathom the emotional devastation that the family members of the deceased victims are experiencing after the sudden and unexpected death of their loved ones. In addition to their grief, they are likely dealing with the financial repercussions of the deadly accident. The surviving victims will likely face a mountain of medical bills, and they may require long-term care and rehabilitation while also dealing with lost wages. The families of the deceased will, at the very least, have to cope with funeral expenses. Victims of car accidents in Anne Arundel have options to help them cope with such expenses; many people who have been injured or lost a loved one due to another’s negligence have sought damages in a civil court setting to help them focus on their emotional recovery rather than their financial well-being.

Source: Capital Gazette, Driver in Route 3 triple-fatal wreck indicted, Ben Weathers, Feb. 28, 2014