Fatal Accident in Maryland a Sad Reminder of Roadside Safety

News outlets have picked up the recent story of a horrific fatal accident in Maryland. According to reports, 38 year-old Rick Warrick was traveling northbound on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway with his fiancée and two children one evening when one of his tires went flat. He pulled over to the side of the road, and he and his fiancé got out to change it. It appears that another car failed to see the two, collided with them, and continued driving. While the hit-and-run is a tragedy, in and of itself, the story has made global headline news because of the way a 911 operator handled the call. As Mr. Warrick lay dying on the roadside, his 13 year-old daughter franticly urged responders to hurry to the scene, but was curtly told to "stop whining," by the operator. Additional Details of the Hit-and-Run At this time, no description of the fleeing vehicle has been made available to the public. However, the United States Park Police Criminal Investigations Branch is urging anyone who has information to come forward by calling their tip line at 202-610-8737. Mr. Warrick never made it to the hospital. His fiancée is expected to recover. She was taken to a local hospital and was treated for non-life threatening injuries. The Hit-and-Run Epidemic Thankfully, no fatal accidents in Charleston remain unsolved. However, the South Carolina Highway Patrol lists about a dozen unsolved cases statewide. The NHTSA has released the following statistics based on their most-recent report.

• Approximately one-in-five pedestrian deaths are caused by a hit-and-run.
• Drivers involved in hit-and-runs are most often male.
• The driver flees the scene in 20% of pedestrian accidents.
• At least 850 pedestrians die every year in the United States from hit-and-runs.

Staying Safe AAA offers the following tips for staying safe if your vehicle breaks down, or if you have a flat tire while traveling on the highway:

• Pull over to the right side of the highway, as far away from the road as possible.
• Alert other drivers of your presence by using hazard lights, raising the hood of the vehicle, and by placing flares or reflective markers around your vehicle.
• If you cannot safely pull your vehicle over to the side of the road, do not attempt to push it. Instead, alert other drivers of your vehicle using the above methods and take everyone to a safe location until help can come and move the vehicle for you.
• Do not wait inside a vehicle if there is any risk of it being hit from behind.

Charleston Fatal Accident Attorney

It is heart-wrenching to lose a loved one to a senseless collision, and it can have a life-long impact on the victim's family and friends. On top of emotional trauma, survivors are often faced with immense medical bills, damaged property, and funeral expenses. It can be even more difficult when the deceased was a head-of-household and the family must manage despite the loss of income as well. If you are in this situation, do not settle with an insurance company, even if it sounds like they are offering a fair amount. Their goal is to pay you the least amount possible, and there may be unexpected expenses ahead. Nothing can bring your loved one back, but we can help you determine what costs you may incur over time and help you receive a just settlement. Please contact us online or speak with one of our attorneys right away by calling1(800)610-2546.