Malloy News Brief: Hyattsville Fatal Car Crash

A victim has been identified in a recent fatal vehicle collision which took place in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Forty-nine year old Laura Johnson, of Laurel, MD, has been named as the deceased passenger in a collision between two vehicles which took place in the vicinity of Hyattsville. Today’s Malloy News Brief will examine this Hyattsville fatal car crash and provide some commentary in the fields of passenger liability, car accidents, and, tragically, wrongful death.

Hyattsville Fatal Car Crash – 12/19/2025

Prince George’s County police responded to a two-vehicle incident near Annapolis Road and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway on December 19, 2025, at around 11:40 a.m. According to preliminary analysis conducted by the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit, a driver was heading west on Annapolis Road when their car collided with the victim’s eastbound car. Johnson, the driver, and a passenger were all taken to a hospital with what were initially thought to be non-life-threatening injuries. Johnson passed away at the hospital. The driver in question stayed at the scene. The circumstances leading up to the accident are still under investigation and anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at 301-731-4422.

Anyone with information may also contact Crime Solvers online.

If You’ve Been a Passenger in a Car Accident

You might be able to bring a personal injury claim against the individual who caused your car accident if it wasn’t your fault. Even if you weren’t operating a vehicle when the collision occurred, this still holds true. For instance, if you were a passenger in a car that was struck by another vehicle. You could make a claim against the other car’s driver.

This is the case for a few reasons. First of all, proving someone else was at blame for an accident is typically simpler than proving you weren’t. Second, the insurance policy of the liable party typically does not cover passengers or other non-drivers. This implies that they would be responsible for covering their own medical costs and damages.

A Note on Wrongful Death

In a wrongful death action, the deceased’s family must demonstrate carelessness to the same degree as the deceased would have if they had lived. In essence, the surviving family is permitted to present the case on behalf of their departed loved one. They must exhibit:

• The deceased victim was owed a duty of care by the defendant (the person accountable for the death).
• That duty of care was violated by the defendant.
• The victim’s death was directly and directly caused by that duty violation.
• The remaining family suffered material (usually financial) losses as a result of the victim’s passing.

In Maryland, a wrongfully deceased person’s parents, children, and spouse may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages for lost income as a result of the victim’s premature departure. Cousins or relatives by marriage may be able to launch a wrongful death claim if there are no relatives in these categories. These more distant relatives will need to prove that they were financially dependent on the deceased, nevertheless. For a claim to be successful, this is absolutely necessary.

How Malloy Law Can Help

If you have lost a loved one to a car accident, Malloy Law may be able to help you seek compensation. Our experienced personal injury attorney team will evaluate your unique circumstances free of charge and pursue your case with vigor, professionalism, and sensitivity. Don’t wait, contact Malloy Law Offices today.