With the busy summer driving season just ahead, Baltimore drivers will need to be on the lookout for each other on the congested roadways. Of course, even when the roads are not busy at all, a single negligent driver can leave another person injured in an auto accident.

Recently, for example, a 65-year-old woman failed to stop at a stop sign, causing her to hit a Ford Escape. While the woman was injured herself, the driver of the Escape was pronounced dead at a hospital.

In cases like the above where a person is injured or killed as a result of a negligent driver, the injured party or family members of the deceased may wonder what they can do to obtain some relief. For some, it may appear that they can obtain compensation fairly soon after an accident if the liability is clear, such as where it is unquestionable that the accident occurred because a person ran a stop sign.

However, while individuals may be given settlement offers from an insurance company promising to pay for their damages, individuals should be cautious about these early offers. For one, the person may not have realized the full extent of their injury at an early stage. Some injuries take weeks or months after an accident to appear or worsen.

In addition, an early settlement offer may not take into account a person's pain and suffering, or other measures of damages that may be available. Accordingly, individuals should not settle a claim until they know they are fully compensated for all of their injuries. It is vital to consult with an experienced attorney who can help determine what a proper settlement would be, and when to accept another's offer.

When Maryland residents face the tough decision to place an elderly loved one in a nursing home, they expect the person will receive quality care. They certainly do not expect the person will suffer a nursing home injury at the hands of the nursing home staff.

For one Maryland family, this disturbing picture became a reality, after a 43-year-old caregiver in a nursing home physically assaulted an 84-year-old male resident. The caregiver was charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult, as well as a misdemeanor count of assault, based on the incident. These charges could place the caregiver in jail for up to 10 years.

Tragically, cases like the above are not isolated incidents. Personal injury claims are more likely when facilities have inadequately trained staff, staff with a violent history or inadequate staffing numbers. In these cases, not only may criminal charges be available, but a personal injury claim in civil court based on the injury.

In a civil case, nursing homes may be negligent if they negligently hired or supervised employees, or if they negligently maintained the premises. Like a medical malpractice action, a person in a negligence action against a nursing home must prove the home or employees of the home breached a duty of care to the person, which caused the person's injury.

For instance, in a case like the above, the nursing home itself might be sued if it negligently hired or supervised the violent caregiver. By holding the home accountable, the injured party can better recover for their injuries.

For Maryland residents, there is no good time to experience a loss of a loved one. It can seem even more painful when a tragedy happens unexpectedly, such as in a fatal accident on the roadway. In these situations, surviving family members may wonder what options they have for relief as they continue to grieve.

What's more, individuals may be unclear what relief is available in a wrongful death action. The answer often turns on the circumstances involving the deceased person, including their age, health, and earning capacity. While these factors may be apparent in a typical case involving a middle-aged adult, it can become more complicated when children are involved.

For instance, news recently broke that one Maryland resident was among those involved in a fatal bus accident on a collegiate trip. The bus was carrying members of a college lacrosse team when it went off the road and struck a tree. The Maryland resident was the coach of the team, and died in the crash, along with her unborn child. The driver also died, and several others were injured.

In cases like the above, it is difficult to speak of placing a value on someone's life. In cases involving an unborn child, the law is unclear as to whether surviving family members may maintain a cause of action for wrongful death. In some states, a child must be born alive before it can be the subject of a wrongful death action. In other words, an unborn child's death would not give rise to a claim, and even the parents would not be able to bring an action for emotional injury in some circumstances.

In other states, the laws may be different, and may permit some type of action to be brought based on the death of the unborn child. Accordingly, in these tragic instances, it is essential to work with a qualified attorney who can advise individuals on a particular state's laws and how to best proceed

Many Baltimore residents who have been in a car accident know of the hassle that can be involved. From documenting the accident to dealing with insurance claims, even simple accidents can turn into prolonged events.

However, the annoyances involved in paperwork and the like are trivial when someone is injured in an auto accident. In those instances, the health of the person becomes paramount.

A great example of this was provided by an unfortunate accident that recently occurred in a small Maryland community. A former Towson newspaper editor and lifelong Towson resident sustained serious injuries in the accident, which occurred when the man's vehicle collided with another vehicle. Since the accident, an outpouring of community support has been expressed for the man, who remains in critical condition.

To date, there has been no finding of fault in this serious car accident or any indication of what caused the accident. When a car accident occurs, however, a personal injury claim may be warranted if the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver. Typically, when an injured person brings a successful lawsuit to recover compensation for a car accident, the person may obtain damages based on a number of different factors. Often, a crucial aspect of such lawsuits is damages not only for medical expenses but for pain and suffering. Such damages are based on a person's past and future physical pain.

Thus, for the man above, who has been fighting in the hospital to regain his health, an award for pain and suffering may be appropriate. Ultimately, the award of damages will depend on the facts of each case.

Baltimore residents have heard the messages before about the importance of wearing a seat belt when they hit the road. Of course, for students riding the bus on the way to school, the issue of wearing a seat belt is a different matter, which can result in bus accident injuries.

For instance, a student, along with two drivers, were recently taken to a hospital after an accident involving a school bus and a car. The accident occurred after the driver of the car swiped the bus during an attempted turn. Fortunately, the student was not injured in the accident, and the drivers suffered only minor injuries.

It was reported that the driver of the bus was wearing a seat belt during the accident. It was not clear whether the others involved were wearing seat belts, however.

If a person was not wearing a seat belt in an accident, it can affect whether that person can recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit. In some states, the failure to wear a seat belt can negate or reduce damages. This is because injuries are typically aggravated when people are not wearing seat belts in an accident.

Accordingly, as with all other issues involving liability and damages, it is essential for those involved in an accident to consult an experienced attorney. The attorney can advise the person whether their failure to wear a seat belt in the accident will affect a potential lawsuit. The attorney can also help determine issues involving liability, and what damages may be recoverable.

Baltimore residents, and those all along the East Coast, are still busy clearing the way after Hurricane Sandy devastated the area. The storm affected millions of people and will be remembered as one of the most destructive natural disasters in recent memory.

For most, the damage from the hurricane was in the form of property damage and inconvenience. For instance, many along the East Coast lost power for a substantial period of time. Some were forced to go without gasoline or even food until power was restored. Others were less fortunate, however, including one man who died in a fatal workplace accident as a result of the storm.

The 50-year-old man worked as a contractor in Maryland and was assigned to clear trees that were downed by the massive storm. While he was clearing some trees in a residential neighborhood, a tree fell on top of him and crushed him.

Emergency workers could not arrive in time to save the man, who died as a result of the accident. Maryland's Occupational Safety and Health division will investigate the fatal accident further.

Typically, when an individual dies as a result of a workplace injury, compensation is provided to the worker's surviving family members. Specifically, death benefits may be available to a spouse until he or she remarries. Further, death benefits may be available to children until they reach 18-years-old. While caps may be placed on the amount of benefits, usually the benefits consist of a burial allowance and a portion of the person's wages.