Earlier this month in Hagerstown, Maryland, local businessman Leonard B. Robinson died in a fatal car accident. According to a local news report, Robinson was known to many as the “Route 29 Batman” because he drove a tricked-out Lamborghini that was made to look like the Batmobile. Prior to passing, he would dress up as the Dark Knight and visit sick children in area hospitals. He would bring them toys and books, and encourage them to be strong in the face of their illnesses.
Evidently, Robinson was on his way home from a car show when his vehicle broke down on Interstate 70, near Hagerstown, and he was forced to pull off the road. However, according to witness accounts, it seems as though the Lamborghini was not completely off the road, and it may have been partially in the eastbound passing lane. As fate would have it, a passing Toyota Corolla collided with the Batmobile, sending it into Robinson, who was standing a few feet in front of his vehicle. Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by emergency responders. Police are still in the middle of an investigation.
Robinson became well known after a police dash-cam video of him getting pulled over in the Batmobile surfaced a few years back. The exchange between the Dark Knight and the police was a unique one, with the officers clearly intrigued and confused by the man whom they pulled over for having an invalid license plate. Apparently, the plate on the Lamborghini only had a bat symbol on it.
When Tragedy Strikes, It Is Too Often Blind
By all accounts, Robinson was a positive influence for those whose lives he touched, and the community has suffered a great loss with his passing. However, his situation is not unique. Each year, hundreds of Marylanders and residents of the District of Columbia are involved in serious or fatal car accidents that have drastic effects on the victims themselves and also on their families.
While the cause of the fatal accident that claimed Robinson’s life has not yet been made certain, preliminary evidence suggests that he may have been at least partially at fault in the accident.
Driver Liability in Split Fault Accidents
In accidents where there are multiple parties at fault, both Maryland and Washington DC laws apply the doctrine of contributory negligence to determine who may be entitled to recover for their injuries. This very strict rule of law prohibits any accident victim who is found to be even the slightest bit at fault from seeking recovery from anyone else involved in the accident. This means that, to recover for an accident in Maryland or Washington DC, a driver must be completely free of all fault.
Therefore, the assistance of a dedicated attorney can prove invaluable to accident claims, especially when there is the potential for the defendant driver to allege that the plaintiff was also at fault.
Have You Been Injured in a Washington DC Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of serious Maryland or DC car or truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. However, keep in mind that the rule of contributory negligence may act to bar your recovery if the defendant can show that you were even the slightest bit at fault. To learn more, call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation with a dedicated Maryland and Washington DC personal injury attorney.
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New Study Finds Washington D.C. Most Lenient Jurisdiction for Drunk Drivers, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, July 9, 2015
Investigation Continues in Accident that Seriously Injured Comedian Tracy Morgan and Killed One Other, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, August 13, 2015