A 67-year-old Oxon Hill man and his 81-year-old passenger were injured when their van collided with a Maryland State Police car. According to a WJLA news report, the car accident occurred on the Capital Beltway near Suitland Road in Prince George’s County. Officials say the trooper’s car was stopped as he conducted a traffic stop when the car was struck by the van. The trooper was not injured, but the driver of the van suffered life-threatening injuries and his passenger was airlifted to a nearby hospital. The authorities do believe that alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.
Alcohol is a common contributing factor in Maryland car accidents. Alcohol can affect an individual’s ability to drive by impairing his or her vision, reaction time, ability to focus and aptitude for performing several tasks at once. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 160 people were killed in alcohol-related car accidents in the year 2012. That means that about 32 percent of all Maryland traffic deaths that year involved alcohol. Furthermore, 978 people were injured in drunk driving accidents involving a blood alcohol contraction (BAC) of .01 or higher.
If you have been injured in an alcohol-related car accident in Maryland, it is important that you notify the authorities right away. Remain at the crash site, file a police report and gather contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the accident. It is also advisable to seek medical attention to document your injuries and increase your chances for a full recovery.
If you have been hurt in a Maryland car accident, please do not hesitate to research your rights and options. An experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer will be able to provide you with more information about pursuing your legal rights.