Virginia Injury Lawyers Blog

You may still have legal options even if the driver who struck your loved one has not yet been identified. Maryland law allows families to pursue wrongful death claims after a fatal pedestrian crash, including those involving a hit-and-run. The recent fatal collision on Route 202 near Upper Marlboro illustrates the real impact these tragedies have, and how civil action can still move forward.

In this case, a man died while crossing the road just before sunrise. Investigators believe the vehicle that hit him was a 2012-2014 GMC Terrain or Chevrolet Equinox. Rather than stay at the scene, the driver left the victim behind. Authorities are working to identify the vehicle and its operator, but legal rights under Maryland civil law do not require a criminal case to be resolved first.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Fleeing Driver Crash

You do not need to wait for an arrest to file a wrongful death claim. Maryland allows surviving relatives to sue based on civil liability, which is distinct from any criminal charges that may or may not follow. If a fleeing driver caused the fatal crash, their absence does not block your ability to pursue compensation.

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Tourist season in Ocean City transforms the town into a hub of activity. Popular events, such as Bike Week, draw visitors from across the region, filling the streets with motorcycles, vehicles, and pedestrians. While these gatherings bring energy and economic benefits, they also raise serious safety concerns. Increased traffic, unfamiliar drivers, and crowded roadways create a perfect storm for accidents, particularly those involving pedestrians.

One incident during the 2024 Bike Week illustrated how quickly a celebration can turn tragic. A teenager crossing Philadelphia Avenue in a marked crosswalk was struck by a fast-moving motorcycle. The rider fled, and the teen was left with life-threatening injuries. Although the driver was later located and sentenced, the lasting impact of that night lingers far beyond the courtroom. For families affected by similar incidents, consulting with an attorney can be a crucial step toward understanding your options and holding the responsible party accountable. Events like this raise important questions about road safety during peak travel weekends and what victims can do when accidents happen.

Why Tourist Events Increase the Risk of Serious Crashes

Losing someone in a violent car crash is one of the most challenging moments a family can face. When that crash involves a head-on collision, the impact is often deadly. If your loved one died in a crash that may have involved driver error, you have the right to pursue legal action. That includes the right to file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation for both financial loss and emotional pain.

Maryland State Police are still investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 2:00 p.m. on Route 97 in Carroll County. According to early reports, a southbound vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a pickup truck head-on. The driver of the pickup was taken to Carroll Hospital and later died. The other driver was airlifted to a trauma center. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be reviewed by the State’s Attorney’s Office to determine whether charges will be filed.

Wrongful Death Claims in Maryland After a Car Crash

In Maryland, families may file a wrongful death claim when someone dies due to another person’s careless or reckless behavior. These claims can help recover damages for funeral costs, lost income, and the emotional loss that comes from losing a close relative. You don’t have to wait for criminal charges to be filed to start this process.

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Winter driving in the Maryland, Virginia, and DC area brings a unique set of risks—partly because of the weather itself, but also because of the fast-paced, high-pressure nature of life in this region. When snow and ice hit, roads become slippery, visibility drops, and stopping distances increase dramatically. But instead of slowing down and adjusting, too many drivers act like it’s just another day, rushing to work, cutting off other cars, or tailgating despite the dangerous conditions. That combination of bad weather and reckless decisions leads to entirely preventable accidents, and as this winter season wraps up, we’ve already seen the consequences play out on our roads.

Take what happened in Bailey’s Crossroads, where a single-vehicle crash into a power pole shut down Leesburg Pike. While no injuries were reported, it’s a clear example of how losing control on slick roads can cause major disruptions—and in worse cases, serious harm. Then there was the overturned car in Saint Mary’s County, one of 14 crashes that happened in less than three hours during the height of the storm. Three of those crashes resulted in injuries, proving how quickly things can go wrong when drivers fail to adjust their speed or driving habits for the conditions. Also, there was a salt truck that hit downed wires, closing a major stretch of 16th Street in Maryland during the morning commute. Even vehicles meant to help with road safety can become hazards when winter weather mixes with negligence or poor decision-making.

The law is clear: drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely, and that means slowing down, increasing following distance, and staying alert when roads are icy or snow-covered. Speed limits are set for ideal conditions—not for storms. If someone ignores that responsibility and causes an accident, they can and should be held accountable for the harm they’ve caused.

Winter driving conditions can pose significant dangers to residents, commuters, and tourists in the DC metro area, including Maryland and Virginia. Historic winter storms have highlighted the risks inherent in navigating icy roads and snowy highways in this region. Notably, the area has experienced severe winter events, such as paralyzing snowfalls that left roads treacherous and emergency services overwhelmed. These conditions can create a perfect storm of risk for motorists, particularly when combined with common factors like driver inexperience, poor visibility, and excessive speed.

Recent severe winter weather has led to numerous accidents across the region. In one instance, Maryland State Police reported responding to 123 crashes in a single day, with an additional 156 vehicles left stranded on the sides of icy roads. Many of these incidents involved vehicles sliding off highways or colliding with others in chain-reaction accidents. While it’s difficult to pinpoint every contributing factor, common causes include failure to account for slick road conditions, following too closely, and underestimating stopping distances on icy surfaces.

In these cases, injuries ranged from minor to severe, with many victims requiring hospitalization. Thankfully, due to modern safety measures like airbags and structural vehicle improvements, the outcomes weren’t worse. Still, the emotional and physical toll of such accidents is significant, and many individuals face weeks or months of recovery. The relief of surviving such an incident is often tempered by the daunting reality of mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma.

The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and travel. In the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region, it’s also one of the busiest times of the year on the roads. With major thoroughfares such as Interstate 495 (the Capital Beltway), I-270, I-95, and U.S. Route 50 carrying millions of travelers, the risk of accidents rises significantly. The region’s mix of local commuters, holiday visitors, and long-haul travelers creates a perfect storm for traffic congestion, frustration, and distraction. Add seasonal challenges like inclement weather, earlier sunsets, and the rush to meet holiday deadlines, and it’s no surprise that accidents spike during this time.

Recently, the tragic consequences of holiday traffic were felt in Maryland, just south of D.C., with two devastating accidents occurring within hours of each other. The first crash happened on Interstate 270 near Old Georgetown Road in Montgomery County. At approximately 4:15 a.m., a fiery collision between two vehicles resulted in one fatality and four hospitalizations. A vehicle burst into flames, tragically trapping one individual inside, who died at the scene. The southbound lanes of I-270 were closed for hours as emergency responders worked to assist the injured and investigate the accident. Hours earlier, a separate collision occurred in Prince George’s County at Old Fort Road and Indian Head Highway. This crash claimed the life of 23-year-old Marcus Willis and left four others injured. Emergency crews shut down the northbound lanes of the highway while attending to victims and clearing the scene.

While investigations into these accidents are ongoing, early evidence raises questions about liability. Factors such as speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, or failure to yield could play a role. For those injured in these tragic incidents, the law provides a path to seek compensation from at-fault drivers or their insurance companies. Victims may recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.