Teen Killed in Single-Car Crash: Rights After a Fatal Wreck

A recent tragedy out of Philadelphia has struck a familiar and painful chord for families across our region, including here in Maryland. According to reports, a 16-year-old girl lost her life and five other teenagers were injured when the Nissan Maxima they were riding in reportedly lost control while exiting I-95 South at the Washington Avenue ramp and rounding a sharp curve onto Christopher Columbus Boulevard. State police are still investigating what caused the crash.

While this incident occurred in Pennsylvania, the legal questions it raises are the same ones Maryland families face every year after a devastating passenger-vehicle collision. As a personal injury attorney, I want to walk through what those families should know about liability, damages, and preserving their rights.

What Happened

Based on early reports, six teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 were riding together in a single sedan in the early morning hours. As the vehicle allegedly exited the interstate and negotiated a curving ramp onto a city boulevard, the driver reportedly lost control. One 16-year-old backseat passenger was pronounced dead at the hospital. The five surviving occupants suffered a range of injuries. Investigators have not publicly identified a definitive cause, and the matter remains under investigation.

For grieving families, the absence of clear answers is often the hardest part. That is also where a thorough civil investigation, separate from the police inquiry, can make a real difference.

Who May Be Liable

In a single-vehicle crash where passengers are hurt or killed, several parties could potentially bear legal responsibility depending on what the evidence ultimately shows:

• The driver of the vehicle. If the driver was speeding, distracted, impaired, fatigued, or otherwise operating the car negligently, they may be liable to the injured passengers and to the family of any passenger who did not survive.
• The owner of the vehicle. If the car was owned by someone other than the driver, that owner could potentially face claims under negligent entrustment theories, particularly if the driver was young, inexperienced, unlicensed, or known to be unsafe.
• A parent or guardian. Where a minor was permitted to drive a family vehicle, parents may in some cases share responsibility, depending on the facts and the jurisdiction’s laws.
• A vehicle or component manufacturer. If a defective tire, brake system, steering component, or airbag contributed to the crash or worsened the injuries, a product liability claim against the manufacturer could be appropriate.
• A government entity responsible for road design or maintenance. If a poorly banked curve, faulty signage, missing guardrail, or dangerous roadway condition was a substantial factor, a claim against the responsible public authority may be possible, though these claims involve strict notice deadlines.

No determination of fault has been made in this case. Every reference to potential liability is based on what investigators may find.

Legal Theories That May Apply

• Negligence. The foundation of most auto cases. A driver owes passengers a duty of reasonable care; breaching that duty in a way that causes harm can create liability.
• Wrongful death. When a person’s death is caused by another’s negligent or wrongful act, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim for their own losses.
• Survival action. Separate from wrongful death, this type of claim seeks damages the decedent could have recovered had they survived, such as pre-death pain and suffering and medical expenses.
• Negligent entrustment. A vehicle owner who hands the keys to someone they know or should know is unfit to drive safely may be independently liable.
• Product liability. If a defect in the vehicle caused or worsened the outcome, a claim may lie against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller.
• Premises or roadway liability. Where a dangerous road condition allegedly played a role, a claim against the entity responsible for the roadway may be available, subject to governmental immunity rules and short notice periods.

Damages Victims May Recover

Maryland law recognizes several categories of damages that may be recovered in a serious injury or wrongful death case:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment.
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity, particularly relevant when a young person’s future earnings are cut short.
• Pain and suffering and other non-economic losses. Maryland caps non-economic damages by statute, and the cap is different for wrongful death claims involving two or more beneficiaries. The applicable cap depends on the year the cause of action arose.
• Loss of consortium for a spouse, and, in wrongful death cases, damages for mental anguish, loss of companionship, guidance, and parental care available to eligible family members.
• Funeral and burial expenses in wrongful death matters.
• Punitive damages in rare cases where the conduct rises to the level of actual malice, though Maryland’s standard for punitive damages is notably strict.

Evidence That Strengthens a Case

Crashes like this one are often won or lost based on the quality of the early investigation. Key evidence typically includes:

• The full police crash reconstruction file, including scene photographs, measurements, and any body-cam or dash-cam footage.
• Event Data Recorder (“black box”) information from the vehicle, which may capture speed, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before impact.
• Cell phone records to evaluate whether the driver was texting or using the phone.
• Toxicology results for the driver.
• Surveillance video from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or ramp cameras.
• Independent accident reconstruction by a qualified expert.
• Medical records and, where applicable, autopsy findings.
• Maintenance and ownership records for the vehicle.
• Statements from surviving passengers and any independent witnesses.
• Roadway design records if the geometry of the ramp or curve is at issue.

Preserving this evidence quickly matters. Vehicles get salvaged, video is overwritten, and memories fade.

What to Do Next

If your family has been affected by a serious or fatal crash, a few conservative steps can protect your rights:

1. Preserve the vehicle. Ask that it not be released, repaired, or destroyed until an expert can inspect it.
2. Gather and secure documents. Keep copies of medical records, bills, and any communications from insurers.
3. Document injuries and their impact. A simple journal describing symptoms, treatment, and daily limitations can be powerful evidence later.
4. Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company — including your own — before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to minimize claims.
5. Watch the deadlines. Maryland generally provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases, but claims against governmental entities can require formal notice within as little as one year. Missing a deadline can end a case before it starts.
6. Consult a personal injury lawyer early. Even if you are unsure whether you have a claim, an early consultation preserves options.

If you or someone you love has been hurt or lost in a serious motor vehicle crash, The Law Office of Susan R Green, P.C. is here to help you understand your options and take the next step. Call us at (410)-494-7400 or visit https://www.hardball-law.com for a confidential conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a passenger sue the driver of the car they were riding in?

Yes. In Maryland, a passenger injured due to a driver’s alleged negligence generally has the right to bring a claim against that driver, regardless of any personal relationship. The claim is typically paid through the driver’s auto liability insurance, up to the policy limits. An attorney can help evaluate whether additional coverage sources may apply.

What if the at-fault driver was a minor?

A minor driver can still be held legally responsible for negligent driving. In some situations, the parents who signed for the license, owned the vehicle, or negligently entrusted the car may also face liability. Coverage usually flows through the family’s auto insurance policy.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death case in Maryland?

Maryland generally allows three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim, though shorter deadlines may apply against government defendants or in unusual circumstances. Because notice requirements against public entities can be very short, it is important to consult counsel promptly. Waiting can permanently bar an otherwise valid claim.

What if the crash is still being investigated by police?

You do not have to wait for the police investigation to conclude to speak with a civil attorney. In fact, early legal involvement helps preserve evidence like vehicle data and surveillance video that can disappear within weeks. A civil case is separate from any criminal or traffic proceeding.

Are damages capped in Maryland?

Maryland caps non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and the amount is adjusted annually. Wrongful death cases involving two or more eligible beneficiaries are subject to a higher cap. Economic damages such as medical bills and lost income are generally not subject to these caps.

What if my loved one was partially at fault?

Maryland follows the strict rule of contributory negligence, which can bar recovery if the injured person is found even slightly at fault. This makes a thorough factual investigation critical. An experienced attorney can help identify defenses and alternative theories that keep a case viable.

Can we recover funeral and burial costs?

Yes. In a Maryland wrongful death or survival action, reasonable funeral and burial expenses are generally recoverable as part of the damages. Keep all receipts and invoices, as they will be needed to document the claim.

Should I accept an early settlement offer from the insurance company?

Usually not without legal advice. Early offers rarely reflect the true long-term value of a serious injury or wrongful death claim, especially before the full scope of medical care and losses is known. Once you sign a release, you typically cannot go back for more, even if new injuries or expenses emerge.

Original reporting: 6abc.com.