According to the Maryland Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents caused 550 deaths in 2017 alone. This was the highest recorded number of fatalities in a decade. In addition, there were more than 100,000 injury accidents that year.
Fortunately for Maryland drivers, the rate of fatalities and injury accidents is lower than in other parts of the United States. Virginia, for example, there are 8.4 fatalities for every 100,000 in the population. In Maryland, however, there are only 7.4 fatalities for every 100,000 residents.
In Maryland, some counties are just more dangerous than others. In 2017, the counties with the highest recorded car accident fatalities in Maryland were:
- Prince Georges County – 99 fatal car accidents
- Baltimore County – 72 fatal car accidents
- Anne Arundel County – 44 fatal car accidents
- Baltimore City – 38 fatal car accidents
- Charles County – 35 fatal car accidents
If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, the experienced car accident attorneys at Patrick Malone & Associates can help. Call us today at 1-202-742-1500 or 1-888-625-6635 or fill out our confidential contact form for a FREE Consultation and review of your case.
Types of Car Accidents in Maryland
At Patrick Malone & Associates, our Maryland car accident attorneys have been staunch legal advocates for victims who have been injured in a wide variety of car accidents, including, but not limited to:
- Side impact accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Frontal or head-on crashes
- Rollover accidents
- DUI or impaired driver accidents
- Hit and run accidents
- Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers
- Car accidents due to defective parts or tires
- Distracted driving car accidents
- And more
Each of these accidents requires a specific type of investigation in order to achieve a successful outcome. An accident involving a hit and run driver will need a different type of investigation than an accident that involved defective car parts. At Patrick Malone & Associates, our Maryland car accident attorneys have the knowledge and experience needed to tackle each of these cases personally.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Maryland
According to the NHTSA, in 2017, the majority of fatal car accidents in Maryland were single-vehicle crashes (304), followed by accidents involving a roadway departure (262) and accidents that occurred at intersections (163).
Other common causes of car accidents included:
- Speeding – in 2017, speeding was responsible for 160 fatal accidents in Maryland. Throughout the United States, speeding is one of the most common causes of car accident injuries and fatalities. In fact, nearly one-third of all injury accidents are caused by drivers traveling at excessive speeds.
- Distracted Driving – using a cellphone while driving can actually increase your risk of getting into a serious car accident in Maryland by 3 times. While distracted driving has declined in recent years, it still contributes to 45% of all crashes in Maryland. Baltimore and Washington’s metropolitan areas accounted for nearly 85% of all crashes related to distracted driving.
- Drunk Driving – in Maryland, there were 307 accidents involving drunk drivers in 2017 alone. Of those accidents, 186 were fatal. While Maryland does have lower rates of drunk driving than other states, drunk drivers cause irreparable damage and harm on the roads.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
In the blink of an eye, your whole world can be turned upside down. After a devastating car accident, injured accident victims in Maryland often find themselves on a long journey to recovery. Some may even suffer a lifelong disability, pain and suffering, and permanent impairment.
Car accident injuries can range from minor broken bones to more serious and life-threatening brain injuries. Some of the most common car accident injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Fractures
- Facial injuries
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- And more
What to Do After a Car Accident in Maryland
If you’ve been injured in the state of Maryland, the steps you take immediately after your car crash can have a significant impact on your ability to collect compensation. In the moments after an accident, injured accident victims may make mistakes that could result in their claims being denied.
In order to protect your rights after a car accident, it is important to take the following steps:
- Call 911 – immediately after your crash, one of the best things you can do is to call 911. When you call 911, you immediately alert both the police and emergency medical teams to your accident location. While the police perform a preliminary investigation, medical teams will be on-hand to lend aid and treat your injuries.
- Seek medical attention – even if you believe that you are uninjured, a medical professional should examine you closely. Some injuries can take days to become apparent and can only be diagnosed with specialized testing. Injured accident victims who wait too long after a crash to seek medical help may find that insurance adjusters are skeptical of their injuries and reluctant to settle.
- Gather evidence – if you are uninjured, it is important to gather as much information and evidence as possible. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Name and contact number of the other driver
- Name and contact number of eyewitnesses
- Insurance information for all parties
- License plate information for all parties
- Pictures of the accident scene and wreckage
- Handwritten notes of accident details
- Be skeptical – insurance adjusters will be looking for any reason to reduce your claim after an accident. As such, be skeptical of talking with them. Never admit blame or fault. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be used to show you admitted fault. When talking with the police, stick to the facts of the accident and be polite. Never speculate on what you think happened in the accident.
- Never sign – don’t sign anything before speaking to an experienced and skilled car accident attorney. This includes medical release forms and accident settlements.
- Talk to Maryland car accident lawyer – your lawyer can help you through this difficult time. If you’ve suffered injuries or damages after an accident, a Maryland car accident lawyer can help you level the playing field. Personal injury lawyers often offer a free initial consultation so you can review all of your legal options.
Why Should I Hire a Maryland Car Accident Attorney?
Hiring a Maryland car accident attorney may be the best decision you ever make. Without an attorney on your side, insurance companies can dig their heels in and play hardball. They know that you need money now to pay for medical expenses and lost wages, and they use this to their advantage. Their main goal after a car accident is to pay you as little as possible. That’s why you need an experienced Maryland car accident lawyer fighting for you.
Your attorney can help you avoid missing critical deadlines while investigating your accident claim closely. If necessary, your attorney will employ accident reconstruction teams to build your case and help establish liability. Your legal team may also need to examine toxicology reports, police evidence, and forensic data to establish a clear chain of liability.
Once liability is established, your attorney will be able to negotiate with the insurance companies to obtain a settlement that takes into account all of your injuries, damages, and future expenses. This settlement should consider how the accident has affected your life both now and in the future, ensuring that you have the money you need to tackle long-term complications and special needs at any moment. If the insurance company does not offer a fair amount for your case, your attorney can file a lawsuit in court and seek a jury trial to decide how much is owed. Often that is the only way to get fair compensation.
Seeking Compensation After a Maryland Car Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Maryland, it is important to know where you can turn for help. After a car accident, you have a right to seek compensation from the “at-fault” driver for:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Long-term care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Car damages
- Pain and suffering
Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t have your best interests in mind after a car crash. Even before you understand the full extent of your injuries, insurance adjusters may be pressuring you to sign a quick and easy settlement. These settlements are just a fraction of what you may need to recover from your injuries.
As such, never sign anything without first speaking to an experienced and skilled Maryland car accident attorney. Your attorney can handle the insurance companies after an accident, so you can focus your energy on your recovery.
Car Accident FAQs
- What if I am injured in an accident with an uninsured driver? Uninsured drivers can cause horrific accidents. When they do, you won’t be able to collect compensation from their insurance policies – because they have none. Instead, you must turn to your own UM/UIM policy to collect compensation. An attorney can help you obtain the money you need – up to your policy limits.
- Lawyers are expensive, so how can I get help? Fortunately, many personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t owe them anything unless they can win or settle your case for you. When they do, they will be paid a percentage of the total settlement. This gives everyone the ability to seek justice, regardless of their financial situation.
- How long does it take to settle a case? Every case is different, and every accident is unique. When you first meet with your attorney, he or she should be able to give you a good idea of the time it will take to win or settle your case.
- The insurance company denied my claim, now what? Insurance companies routinely deny claims, even when they’re legitimate. If your claim has been denied, it is important to speak to an experienced Maryland car accident attorney immediately. Your attorney will be able to help you establish liability and build a solid case.
- How long do I have to file a lawsuit? After an accident in Maryland, you may not have as much time as you think. In Maryland, you only have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you will be prevented from filing a lawsuit.
Contact Our Experienced Maryland Car Accident Lawyers
At Patrick Malone & Associates, our Maryland car accident attorneys will fight zealously for you and your rights to full compensation. After a serious car accident in Maryland, you need a law firm on your side that you can trust. Contact our law firm by calling (202) 742-1500 or (888) 625-6635 or filling out our confidential contact form. We offer a free initial consultation for all injured accident victims and can help you choose the legal path that is best for you. Call today!
The car accident attorneys at Patrick Malone & Associates have successfully represented injured car accident victims in Baltimore, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville, and throughout the state of Maryland.
