As discussed previously in this blog, it can sometimes be difficult to determine who is at fault when injuries occur. This can be particularly true when dealing with car accident injuries, where the circumstances leading to the auto accident may not always be clear from the outset.

On the other hand, Maryland residents involved in certain car crashes may almost always be at fault under certain circumstances. For example, rear end collisions are nearly always the fault of the driver who hit the other vehicle from behind, as a basic rule of the road is to leave enough space between other vehicles on the road.

Another circumstance where liability is often clear is when a driver gets in an accident while making a left hand turn. In these situations, the vehicle going straight in the intersection almost always has the right of way.

There are, however, some situations where the driver making the turn might not be liable, such as if the driver going straight runs a red light, or if some unforeseen circumstances occur. In these situations, some fault might be apportioned to the other driver when determining who is to blame.

Recently, an accident involving a rear end crash and a left hand turn occurred in Maryland, leaving some of the drivers involved with serious injuries. The crash happened when a minivan was stopped while attempting to make a left turn. Another vehicle hit the minivan, and the minivan then spun onto oncoming traffic and was involved in another collision.

Individuals involved in accidents like the above should work with a qualified personal injury attorney. This is true even where fault is relatively clear from the outset, as personal injury claims still need to be properly maintained and negotiated.

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.

There is never a "right time" for Baltimore residents to be involved in a car accident. From the shock of the accident itself to dealing with insurance companies afterward, the situation is certainly not seen as a positive event for most.

Of course, the most important thing in any accident is the safety of those involved. Car accident injuries can vary widely depending on the circumstances of each particular accident. In turn, a personal injury lawsuit based on the car accident may vary widely in the amount of damages available for victims.

Take, for example, a recent motor vehicle accident occurring in Maryland. While details are still emerging regarding the crash, emergency crews were dispatched to the scene to rescue one or two individuals who were trapped in the wreckage. Fortunately, it appears the injuries in this case were minor.

This is not always the case, however. In particular, when individuals are trapped in the wreck, the injuries can escalate rapidly.

The entrapment might also be an example of a case where an award of damages is justified for pain and suffering. While state laws vary, a judge or jury may award damages if an individual consciously suffered pain while being trapped in a vehicle. Any award is likely contingent on the nature of the injury, its duration and its severity.

A person trapped in a vehicle may also require medical expenses, such as medical bills for visits to the doctor and emergency room treatment. If the plaintiff can show these medical expenses are related to the injuries sustained in the car accident, the plaintiff can recover damages for the expenses.

As painful as it can be for Baltimore residents to sustain a personal injury, it can be even more frustrating when the cause of the accident is unknown. For those injured in an auto accident, for example, the search for the cause can seem prolonged when immediate answers are not available.

This is the case in a multi-car crash that recently occurred in Maryland. The driver, a 56-year-old man, was driving a pickup truck when he failed to stop behind a SUV that was waiting at a stop light. The man's truck crashed into the SUV which, in turn, was pushed into another vehicle. The two vehicles struck by the man's truck were ultimately pushed out across the intersection, demonstrating the force at which the car accident occurred.

While the driver of the truck died in the accident, it was unclear whether he was distracted or what precisely caused the accident. Investigators appear to have ruled out drugs, alcohol or excessive speed as being contributing factors, but the fact that the man made no attempts to avoid the collision raises serious questions.

Fortunately, the other individuals involved in the auto accident had only minor injuries. This is somewhat surprising, given that whiplash injuries, otherwise known as cervical sprain, cervical strain or hyperextension injury, occur even in low-speed accidents.

Then again, whiplash injuries are not always immediately recognized, and sometimes the symptoms develop over the course of the next several days after an accident. Given the nature of the injury, victims of whiplash injuries may need to see medical specialists. Such medical attention is essential as whiplash injuries, while seemingly minor at the outset, can worsen into serious injuries over time. Fortunately, victims may gain relief for their medical care in the form of a personal injury lawsuit.

After a sudden unexpected event like a car crash, many Baltimore residents may be confused and not thinking clearly. This is particularly understandable for those who are injured in an auto accident. However, after health concerns are taken care of, individuals should take certain steps, which can be essential in a later personal injury suit.

As many would expect, preserving evidence remains a top priority after a car accident. To begin, individuals can obtain the names and contact information of the others involved. Another effective measure after a car accident is to take photographs and write down events. The documentation should continue when medical bills, hospital visits and lost wages come into play.

If law enforcement is involved after an accident, officers will conduct an accident investigation. Individuals are entitled to receive a copy of a police report that is prepared, which can provide a great deal of information about the circumstances of the accident.

For instance, police are currently investigating a car accident that recently occurred after a vehicle left the roadway and hit a house. The driver of the vehicle was taken to the hospital, as was a passenger who was also treated for his injuries. Charges are pending in the case as officers are still gathering information.

Like other police reports, the report concerning the above accident may contain a preliminary assessment of fault based on the officer's impressions. At the least, the report should contain essential information about the parties involved and any potential witnesses as well as their account of the accident. This information can be vital to a personal injury suit, even if the report itself is not admissible in civil court proceedings.

Of all the causes of personal injury, one stands above the rest, and it may not be a surprise to many Maryland residents. The majority of personal injury claims arise after a car accident, which occurs approximately every 10 seconds nationwide.

The range of injuries can vary widely in a car accident, as can the causes of the accident itself. For instance, a recent Maryland crash resulted in the death of one man and multiple injuries to others following an accident that is still under investigation.

The crash occurred when a driver crossed the centerline on a curve and collided with a bus carrying several passengers. Given the disparity in vehicles, the car was sent backwards more than 40 feet following the collision and ultimately caught fire. The car driver died as a result of the accident while his 14-year-old passenger was sent to the hospital along with nine of the bus passengers.

The accident investigation continues as police try to determine the cause of the crash. Some preliminary results have shown that the driver may have been speeding. Moreover, police indicated driver error likely contributed to the accident, although it was unknown whether the driver was drunk.

Generally, a number of factors will be examined to determine whether a driver was negligent. Speeding and drinking are two such factors along with unfavorable weather conditions, failing to signal while turning and disobeying traffic signs.

While the above causes may sound straightforward, an experienced attorney is often needed to help determine whether a driver complied with motor vehicle regulations and traffic laws.