DC Injury Lawyer Blog
A devastating hit-and-run at a child’s birthday party in Bladensburg left one woman dead and more than a dozen people injured, including several children. Reports indicate the car drove through a front-yard tent near Annapolis Road, with chaos unfolding as neighbors and first responders lifted the vehicle off trapped victims. Incidents like this create complicated legal questions for families who need immediate medical care, funeral support, and long-term financial stability. You deserve clear steps for protecting your rights after a large-scale crash.
Maryland Mass Casualty Injury Claims And How They Work
When many people are hurt at once, multiple insurance policies and defendants may be involved. You often see claims against the at-fault driver’s auto liability policy, but you should also consider additional sources. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can help when the at-fault limits are too low. Some homeowners’ or renters’ policies may provide limited medical payments coverage for guests on the property. In the most severe cases, families may pursue wrongful-death claims and survival actions through the estate. Coordinating these claims requires fast notice to all carriers and careful tracking of deadlines, because insurers move quickly to minimize exposure after headline-grabbing events.
Fault, Evidence, And Causation In A Hit And Run
Maryland law requires proof that someone’s negligence caused the injuries. In a crash like this, evidence can disappear within days. You protect your case by requesting the complete crash report, scene photos, and any available video from doorbells, nearby businesses, and traffic cameras. You also preserve 911 audio, event data recorder downloads, and toxicology results, if they exist. Witness lists matter. In a crowded scene, people scatter, so getting names and contact information early helps verify what happened. Your legal team uses these records to show fault, connect the injuries to the crash, and counter defenses that try to shift blame onto victims or the property owner.
Special Issues When Children Are Injured
Children face unique medical and legal concerns after violent impacts. Symptoms may evolve with growth, and rehabilitation can take years. You strengthen your claim by arranging pediatric follow-up, neurocognitive screening if there was head trauma, and written care plans that forecast future needs. Maryland’s statute of limitations rules give minors additional time, but you should not delay care or claim setup. Early documentation of pain, therapy, school interruptions, and activity limits helps justify damages for future treatment and educational support.
Wrongful Death Claims After A Fatal Pedestrian Or Party Crash
If you lost a family member, Maryland’s Wrongful Death Act allows the surviving spouse, parents, or children to seek compensation for mental anguish, loss of companionship, and lost financial support. A related survival claim through the estate can recover medical expenses and other losses incurred by the decedent before death. Promptly opening an estate allows your personal representative to collect records, authorize experts, and move claims forward. Your lawyer will coordinate with investigators, secure records from law enforcement, and make sure insurers preserve critical data.
Can a City or Agency Share Responsibility
Driver negligence remains the primary factor, but roadway conditions can sometimes contribute to the scale of harm. Poor lighting, confusing traffic patterns, missing signs, or a lack of barriers can increase danger at busy corridors. When public conditions are relevant, claims against a municipality or state agency may be considered. These require specific notices and are subject to statutory limits on damages. Raising the issue early allows your attorney to send a timely notice, hire engineering experts, and preserve scene measurements before changes occur.
Dealing With Insurance When Many Victims File Claims
After mass-injury events, the at-fault driver’s policy limits can be exhausted quickly. You protect your share by submitting a complete, well-documented demand that includes medical records, bills, wage-loss documentation, and expert opinions, as needed. Your legal team may coordinate with other counsel to negotiate structured distributions, access excess policies, or trigger uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If an insurer delays or denies payment without a reasonable basis, you may explore bad-faith avenues depending on the circumstances.
Practical Steps For Families In The First 10 Days
You can support both recovery and your claim with a focused checklist. Each step creates a record that insurers and courts rely on.
- Get immediate medical care and follow all treatment plans. Keep every bill and discharge instruction;
- Request the incident or crash number from the police and ask for the full report when available;
- Save photos and video of the scene, damaged property, and injuries. Ask nearby homes and businesses to preserve camera footage;
- Keep a list of witnesses, including phone numbers and brief notes on what they saw;
- Notify all potentially involved insurance carriers, including your own, about injury and property claims;
- Avoid recorded statements to the other side’s insurer until you speak with a lawyer; and
- Track missed work, caregiving time, and out-of-pocket costs in a simple spreadsheet.
These steps help your legal team build a complete demand package and shorten delays.
How a Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer Helps After a Mass Casualty Crash
Coordinating care, insurance, and evidence is intense, especially when children are involved. An experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer investigates fault, preserves proof, identifies every available insurance source, and prepares claims that account for future medical needs. Your lawyer also handles negotiations with multiple carriers and defendants, files suit when needed, and keeps you updated so you can focus on healing.
Free Case Review And Next Steps
You should not carry this alone. If you or your child was hurt in the Bladensburg hit-and-run or a similar mass-injury crash, get legal guidance now. Call The Schupak Law Firm for a free consultation at 240-833-3914. Our team helps families across Maryland pursue compensation, navigate complex insurance issues, and hold all responsible parties accountable.