Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog

D.C. Driver with 135 Unpaid Tickets Faces Legal Action Under New Law

March 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A Maryland driver with an alarming history of traffic violations is now facing legal action in Washington, D.C., after racking up 135 unpaid tickets totaling more than $36,000 in fines. This case marks one of the first major enforcement efforts under the recently implemented State Enforcement of Traffic and Equipment Regulations (STEER) Act. This law holds non-resident drivers accountable for unpaid violations in the District. Officials say the driver’s repeated infractions, which include speeding and running red lights, put public safety at risk and reflect a broader problem of habitual offenders evading consequences.

Authorities filed a lawsuit against the driver to recover outstanding fines and enforce stricter penalties. With so many violations left unresolved, the District Attorney General’s Office sees this case as a necessary step to curb reckless driving. The driver’s actions, documented over a long period, highlight gaps in enforcement that previously allowed individuals with extensive infractions to continue operating vehicles without facing significant consequences.

The Danger of Repeat Traffic Offenders

Drivers with a history of repeated traffic offenses create a serious public safety issue. Speeding and ignoring traffic signals significantly increase the likelihood of accidents, placing pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists at risk. Reckless drivers pose an even more significant threat in a densely populated city like Washington, D.C., where many residents rely on walking and biking for transportation.

Washington DC Officials Focus on High-Risk Roads to Reduce Traffic Fatalities

March 12, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Washington, D.C. officials have announced a new initiative aimed at reducing the city’s persistently high rate of traffic crashes and fatalities. The Safety Corridor Initiative will focus enforcement efforts on two specific high-risk areas for the next 60 days: New York Avenue NE, from 4th Street to Bladensburg Road, and South Capitol Street, from Southern Avenue to MLK Boulevard. These corridors have been the site of 427 injuries and two fatalities since 2022, prompting officials to take action.

Despite years of efforts to improve roadway safety, the number of deadly crashes in D.C. continues to rise. The new plan is designed to address some of the worst problem areas, with city leaders hoping that increased police presence and public education will encourage safer driving behaviors.

A Growing Crisis on Washington DC Roads

D.C. has long struggled with rising traffic deaths, even as city leaders have pushed for safer streets. The city’s Vision Zero program, launched in 2014, aims to eliminate all traffic deaths by 2024. However, the number of fatalities has only increased. In 2023, the District recorded 52 deaths and 363 serious injuries from traffic crashes—the highest fatality count in 16 years.

Officials at the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) say that a small percentage of roads are responsible for most crashes. Research shows that just 5% of the city’s streets account for 50% of all collisions. The newly targeted corridors—New York Avenue NE and South Capitol Street—are among the most dangerous.

Legal Rights After the D.C. Plane Crash and Who May Be Responsible

February 28, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A devastating plane crash in Washington, D.C., has left victims and their families searching for answers. Airplane accidents are rare, but when they occur, they can cause severe injuries and fatalities both in the air and on the ground. In urban areas, falling debris or a full crash landing can harm pedestrians, drivers, and property owners.

Determining responsibility in aviation accidents is more complex than in other injury cases. Claims can involve airlines, manufacturers, and even government agencies. Each case depends on the cause of the crash, the circumstances leading up to it, and the laws that apply. Victims must understand their legal options to hold the at-fault parties accountable.

Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Plane Crash?

Winter Storms Increase Risks for Maryland Drivers

January 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Winter storms can create hazardous conditions for drivers in Maryland and Washington, D.C., with icy roads, poor visibility, and heavy snowfall contributing to dangerous situations. During a recent storm, Maryland State Police responded to over 100 crashes, underscoring how quickly road conditions can become unsafe. Snow and ice make it difficult for drivers to maintain control, while freezing temperatures increase the likelihood of accidents. Determining liability often becomes a key issue when collisions occur during severe weather, mainly if another driver’s negligence contributed to the crash.

Understanding your rights is critical if you are involved in a winter storm accident. While weather conditions play a role, other drivers must still operate their vehicles responsibly. Speeding, following too closely, or failing to adjust for icy roads can worsen an already dangerous situation. When negligence contributes to a crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Personal injury attorneys help victims hold negligent drivers accountable and secure recovery resources.

How Do Winter Storms Impact Driver Safety?

Snow and ice significantly reduce traction, making stopping or controlling a vehicle harder. Sudden changes in road conditions, such as black ice or untreated patches, catch drivers off guard, often leading to accidents. Limited visibility during snowstorms can also make it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles on the road. These challenges require extra caution, including reducing speed, increasing following distances, and using headlights.

Metrobus Accidents and Government Immunity Under D.C. Law

December 31, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent Metrobus crash in Southeast D.C. injured five people, raising important questions about how victims can seek compensation for their injuries in such cases. Public transportation incidents, including Metrobus accidents, often introduce unique legal challenges due to the concept of government immunity. Under D.C. law, government entities, such as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), have certain protections that can complicate personal injury claims.

If you’ve been injured in a Metrobus accident, understanding your rights and the legal framework for filing a claim is essential. While government immunity can limit lawsuits against public entities, exceptions exist, and many cases successfully hold public transportation providers accountable for their negligence.

What is Government Immunity and How Does It Apply?

In many situations, government immunity protects certain public entities from lawsuits, shielding them from liability. In Washington, D.C., WMATA operates as a regional agency created through a compact among Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., and it is granted sovereign immunity under specific circumstances. This means that in some cases, victims of Metrobus accidents cannot sue WMATA or its employees.

Multi-Vehicle Crash Sends Five to Hospital in Montgomery County

November 23, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Multi-vehicle collisions are among the most dangerous traffic accidents on Maryland roads, often resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. The risk increases exponentially when more than two vehicles are involved, as the chain reaction creates a chaotic and hazardous situation. These types of accidents also introduce significant challenges in determining fault, as liability may be shared among several parties. Recently, a multi-vehicle crash in Montgomery County left five people hospitalized and caused significant disruption.

The crash occurred on a busy stretch of road, involving at least two vehicles and leading to emergency responders rescuing multiple individuals trapped in the wreckage. The incident resulted in severe injuries to several people, who were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. In the aftermath, traffic was brought to a standstill as lanes were closed in both directions to allow for rescue operations and accident investigation. Situations like these serve as sobering reminders of how quickly a normal day can turn into a life-altering event as a result of a single act of negligence.

Victims of multi-vehicle accidents often have the right to pursue relief through personal injury or wrongful death claims. Those injured in these crashes may be entitled to significant damages, including compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. However, pursuing such claims can be challenging, particularly in complex cases involving multiple parties. Municipal agencies, businesses, or other individuals involved in the crash may all bear some degree of responsibility. Identifying and proving fault in these cases requires a thorough investigation and expert legal representation to ensure justice is served.

Maryland Motorist Charged with Reckless Driving after Hitting Child in Washington, D.C., Crosswalk

October 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In dense urban areas such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C., the chances of a pedestrian being struck by a passenger car or commercial vehicle are likely greater than anywhere else in Maryland. Aside from some of the obvious locations where persons on foot can come into close proximity with motor vehicles — for instance urban crosswalks, bus stops and airport pick-up/drop-off zones — pedestrians can also be badly injured or even killed when simply walking through busy parking lots or in poorly illuminated parking garages.

As Baltimore, MD, personal injury attorneys, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, understands the range of threats that can be encountered when pedestrians and motor vehicles mix. Bicycle riders, shoppers, skateboarders, joggers, and even office workers rushing to their jobs can all be at risk to some degree when motor vehicle traffic is close by. And while adults make up a large portion of the foot traffic in Maryland’s urban areas, young children and teens are also at risk; sometimes even more so due to their often distracted behavior and relative lack of concern for the inherent risks of being a pedestrian in a busy cityscape.

Recent news reports brought home the dangers that kids can face when crossing city streets. A 12-year-old girl was sent to the hospital with a serious foot fracture following a pedestrian collision in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. According to police, Paisley Brodie was leaving school when she was hit by a Land Rover SUV operated by Earl Darryl Curtis, 58, from the District Heights, MD, area. At first, the driver received a ticket for colliding with a pedestrian on September 9th; that citation carries with it a maximum possible penalty of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.

Four Injured in Southeast D.C. Multi-Vehicle Crash: Legal Steps for Victims

October 29, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A serious multi-vehicle accident in Southeast Washington, D.C., left four people injured, including two with critical injuries. Emergency responders arrived on Southern Avenue to rescue one person trapped in their vehicle. All four victims were taken to the hospital for medical treatment, two with critical injuries and two with serious injuries. This tragic event highlights the devastating consequences of vehicle collisions and the vital role legal action can play in securing compensation for those affected.

The aftermath of a serious car accident brings physical, emotional, and financial challenges to victims and their families. Medical bills, lost wages, and emotional stress can add up quickly. In Washington, D.C., victims of car accidents are entitled to pursue compensation through personal injury claims, holding the responsible parties accountable for the harm caused.

What Are the Common Causes of Multi Vehicle Accidents?

Multi-vehicle accidents, like the one in Southeast D.C., often involve multiple factors and complex investigations. Distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and hazardous road conditions are just a few possible causes of these collisions. Establishing liability in a multi-vehicle crash is essential for victims seeking compensation for their injuries.

Fatal Charlotte Hall Crash Highlights Dangers of Speeding and Drunk Driving

September 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A recent tragic accident in Charlotte Hall, Maryland, involving a 64-year-old driver has raised concerns about the devastating impact of reckless driving. The driver of a 2021 Nissan Armada lost control of the vehicle, leading to a fatal crash in which speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors. The single-car accident on Route 5 near Oak Station Drive resulted in the vehicle overturning and extensive damage to the car. Sadly, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. This incident highlights the legal consequences of dangerous driving and the steps victims or their families can take under Maryland law.

When accidents involve reckless driving, such as speeding or driving under the influence, those affected by these events often seek compensation through personal injury or wrongful death claims. These claims can provide financial relief and justice for families dealing with the aftermath of a tragedy.

Understanding Liability in Crashes Involving Speed and Alcohol in Maryland

Five Hospitalized After Northwest DC Car Crash

September 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A multi-vehicle crash in Northwest Washington, DC, recently left five people hospitalized, with one individual trapped inside a car that required rescue. The accident, which occurred in a busy part of the city, highlights the dangers of multi-vehicle crashes and the complexities involved in determining liability. Understanding the legal options available after such an accident is critical for anyone injured in a serious collision.

Victims of multi-car accidents often face physical injuries, financial burdens, and emotional distress. Seeking compensation through personal injury claims can provide the necessary support to cover medical bills and other losses. However, a successful claim requires a clear understanding of DC’s laws regarding multi-vehicle accidents.

Severe Northwest DC Crash Sends Five to the Hospital