Earlier this year, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland asked a bishop who was involved in a fatal hit-and-run bicycle accident to resign from her post. According to one local news report, the Committee told the bishop that they have “agreed unanimously that you are no longer able to function effectively in the position of Bishop Suffragan given recent events.” As a result, the Committee asked her to voluntarily resign from her position.
Back in December of last year, the bishop was involved in what some are calling a hit-and-run, alcohol-induced accident involving a software engineer at John’s Hopkins Hospital. Evidently, the bishop’s blood-alcohol content at the time of the accident was .22, or 22% — almost three times the legal limit in Maryland. On top of that, evidence suggests that she was also sending a text message at the time of the fatal accident.
After hitting the bicyclist, the bishop left the scene of the accident before returning a short time later. Some in the news media have called for the bishop to be charged for a hit-and-run accident, while others see her eventual return to the scene as acknowledging her role in the accident.
This was not the first time the bishop was found to have been involved in a drunk driving accident. In fact, back in 2010 she pleaded guilty to DUI and was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay a $300 fine.
Texting, Drinking, and Fleeing the Scene
The tragic accident discussed above involves several negligent acts that culminated in one man’s untimely death. Texting while driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol, and fleeing the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury or death are all independent reasons to find that a driver is negligent. Here, all three exist.
Under these circumstances, it would not be surprising to find out that not only is the bishop facing criminal charges for the death of the cyclist, but also civil charges brought by the man’s family or his estate.
Wrongful Death Cases Arising from Bicycle Accidents
In Maryland, innocent victims of bicycle accidents are entitled to recover for their injuries. If the accident victim passed away due to the accident, the victim’s family can file suit in the victim’s name, seeking similar damages. This is called a wrongful death suit.
Wrongful death lawsuits must be brought by a qualified party. Most often, this is an immediate family member, but in certain circumstances others may file wrongful death suits. In order to succeed at trial, the plaintiff must ultimately prove that the defendant’s negligent or reckless conduct caused the death of their loved one. An experienced Maryland accident attorney can assist you in bringing this type of lawsuit.
Have You Lost a Loved One in a Maryland Bicycle Accident?
If you have recently lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to monetary damages. Motorcyclists and bicyclists often have an uphill road when attempting to recover, since many in the media paint them as the negligent party. Call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation with a skilled and experienced bicycle injury attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Questionable Police Chase Results in Several Serious Injuries, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published December 4, 2014.
Motorcycle Accident on Inner Loop Injures One, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published January 21, 2014.