Washington Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Regan Zambri & Long Law Firm : DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

Distracted driving kills nearly 5,500 people and injures 500,000 more each year. These aren't just statistics. Children, parents, neighbors, and friends are victims every day due to the distracted driver epidemic in this country and in your community.

“Faces of Distracted Driving” is a powerful new video series that raises awareness about the potentially tragic consequences of texting and cell phone use while driving by sharing the stories of family members who have lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes.  As part of their campaign to educate drivers of the seriousness of distracted driving, the Department of Transportation encourages anyone who would like to share experiences to email faces@distraction,gov.

In an earlier blog posting, I noted that the U.S. Department of Transportation had created an official government website Distraction.gov to "share knowledge and promote a greater understanding of the issue, and identify additional strategies to end distracted driving."  "Faces of Distracted Driving" is an effort to personalize experiences of distracted driving, with the hope that individuals seeing the videos will see something more than just some statistics.

Every year I give presentations to area schools and parents about distracted driving in an effort to teach young people the importance of driving carefully, and to empower them to be sure they do not allow others to drive while distracted, at least not while they are in the car.

If you or your child's school would like to know more about my presentation, please let me know. I of course do not charge a fee for it, as it is part of my volunteer community service program.

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About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The association recently named him "Trial Lawyer of the Year" (2011). He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners. His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

For those of you following my blog, you know that I give presentations at schools to faculty, parents and students about the dangers of distracted driving.  Historically, I have given those presentations at Middle and high schools.  Last week, I gave a presentation at an area elementary school.  You may be thinking, "Why give a presentation at a school that teaches such young children, kids who won't be driving for a very long time?"  I was wondering about the wisdom of such a presentation too.  What I found out, however, is that elementary schools are a perfect place to start talking about the distracted driving crisis.

One of the most significant problems fueling the crisis is parent/caregiver conduct. Young children witness their parents and caregivers driving while using a cell phone or even texting.  Kids start to see this conduct as acceptable and, even worse, safe.  By the time they reach driving age, they are indoctrinated with the thought that driving while using distracting devices is appropriate.  If my parents have done it for so long, it must be ok.  What's all the fuss about?

The fuss is about millions of people being severely injured and killed from distracted driving.  It's about the multitude of lives that can be devastatingly changed in a moment from someone's carelessness.  Perhaps I learned more than those I spoke to about unsafe driving practices last week.  I know this:  I need to speak to more elementary school parents in our community about their behavior, and about how to teach their kids--their young kids--about the deadly consequences of distracted driving.

Please drive safely, and put the phone down.  Better yet, shut it off.  It will turn back on when you get to your destination.  I promise.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

On April 5, I will be giving a presentation at an area middle school about the devastating consequences of distracted driving.  I represent victims of reckless driving every day.  Distracted driving has horrific consequences for all involved--the victim and the wrongdoer, their families, their friends,  their business colleagues, etc.

Every year I give presentations to area schools about distracted driving in an effort to teach young people the importance of driving carefully, and to empower them to be sure they do not allow others to drive while distracted, at least not while they are in the car.

If you or your child's school would like to know more about my presentation, please let me know. I do not charge a fee for it, as it is part of my volunteer community service program.

Wish me luck next week. 

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

I am thrilled to report that Maryland has changed its law governing cell phone use while driving.  Effective October 1, 2010, it is now illegal to use a cell phone while driving unless a hands free device is used.  Here's a list of salient portions of the legislation:

"MARYLAND CELL PHONE LAW FACT SHEET -EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2010
           
1.     What is Maryland's Cell Phone Law that takes effect on October 1, 2010?

Maryland Senate Bill 321 and House Bill 934 were signed into law by Governor O'Malley.  The new law will prohibit all Maryland drivers from using a cell phone without a hands free device while operating a motor vehicle in motion on a street or highway.  In addition, the new law would prohibit a school bus driver or a holder of a learner's permit, or provisional license who is 18 years of age or older, from driving a motor vehicle while using a handheld telephone.  A driver under 18 already is prohibited from using any cell phone.

2.     What exceptions are allowed?

Phone calls placed to 9-1-1, ambulance, hospital, fire, or law enforcement agencies are allowed, as are calls made by emergency and law enforcement personnel.  A driver is allowed to turn a handheld phone on or off and to initiate or terminate a call.

3.     Is the law a primary offense?

The new law is a secondary offense, meaning that a driver must first be detained for another offense, such as speeding or negligent driving, before he or she can be ticketed for a cell phone offense.  However, be advised that "negligent driving" is a primary offense in Maryland and can be used as a precursor to citing violators of the new cell phone law.

4.     What is the fine for the offense?

The fine for a first offense would be $40 and subsequent offenses would be $100.  Points will not be assessed to the first-time violator's driving record, except, three points are assessed if the violation contributed to a crash.  One point is assessed for a second or subsequent offense.

5.     Is this the same law as the texting law?

No, Maryland also bans texting while driving.  This law prohibits an individual from writing or sending a text message while operating a motor vehicle that is in motion or in the travel portion of the highway. If convicted of violating this law a person may be assessed a fine not exceeding $500. This law does not apply to texting 9-1-1 or using a global positioning system.

6.     Why is this law needed?

Studies indicate that cell phone conversations distract a driver and delays reaction time, which can cause and increase the severity of a vehicular crash.  The National Safety Council has estimated that cell phone use is responsible for 1.6 million crashes a year, nationally -- about 28 percent of all crashes.  Maryland now joins 7 other states (Calif., Conn., Del., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash.), D.C. and the Virgin Islands in banning handheld cell phone use while driving.  For more information, please visit www.ChooseSafetyForLife.com"

As you know from reading my previous blogs about distracted driving, I give lectures to middle and high schools every year about the adverse effects of distracted driving.  Hand-held cell phone use is as dangerous as drinking and driving.  Texting while driving is three times as dangerous as drunk driving.  Don't do it.  Please drive safely.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Law and Politics magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner

As you know from reading my blogs, I have been giving presentations for years to students throughout the Metro area about the dangers associated with driving while being distracted (through cell phone use, texting, drinking, loud music, rubber-necking, etc.).  The Department of Transportation has announced that it will hold its second National Distracted Driving Summit on September 21.  I applaud this effort.

The DOT stated on its website:

"From the powerful momentum of last year's distracted driving summit, we've seen some important efforts emerge in the fight against this deadly epidemic. But we're not about to rest now.

That's why we're hosting a second National Distracted Driving Summit on September 21 here in Washington, DC. By getting the best minds together, we think we can figure out effective ways to get people to put down their phones and pay attention to the road."

Distracted driving is an epidemic indeed.  We need stronger regulation, greater education, and cooperation by parents and communities to resolve the problem.  If we don't act fast, millions of people will be severely injured or killed.

Here are a few of my previous blogs about distracted driving that you may find interesting:

• Distracted Driving Kills, Seriously Injures
• More Than 1.6 Million Car Crashes Caused By Texting, Cell Use
• Cell Phone Use, Texting While Driving Causes Catastrophic Consequences
• Oprah Winfrey Speaks Out Against Distracted Driving
• Laura Bush's New Book: More Attention to Distracted Driving

Please drive safely.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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