Two people who were well-known in their respective communities died in what police described as a nighttime rear-end accident that happened on Easter Sunday.
The accident happened on U.S. Highway 301. According to those investigating the accident, one vehicle was stopped at a red light. The driver of the other vehicle slammed into the man’s stopped car. The man died at the scene of the accident.
The driver of the vehicle that struck the back of the man’s car was initially transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, but she also died from her injuries.
The man was a well-respected musician and songwriter who performed throughout Maryland. He had just given a performance earlier in the day and was traveling back to his home. The man also taught music at a private school.
The woman who hit him had taught school for over a generation. Since 2013, she had served as President of Washington, D.C.’s Teachers’ Union.
Rear-end accidents are not minor affairs
This tragic story sheds the light of truth on a common misconception that, when compared to other types of accidents, rear-end car crashes are relatively minor affairs. As this story shows, when on a highway, rear-enders can lead to severe and even fatal injuries.
No doubt that police will continue to investigate this accident. Those responsible for it, as well as their estates or insurance companies, may be liable to pay compensation to victims.
Even rear-end accidents that do not lead to fatalities can still leave victims with serious injuries, including broken bones, severe whiplash other soft tissue damage or even a debilitating spinal cord or traumatic brain injury.
Rear-end accidents are avoidable when people drive a proper speed, maintain a safe following distance and, especially, are attentive to the road ahead of them.
Those who cause these types of accidents can be held financially accountable for them.