Common Causes of Car Accidents in Baltimore

Most Common Causes of Baltimore Car Accidents

Baltimore has the most dangerous drivers in the country, according to a recent report by Allstate Insurance. The insurance conglomerate ranked drivers from 200 U.S. cities and found that Baltimore drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents than drivers in any other city. According to the report, the average Baltimore driver will be involved in an accident every 4.19 years, compared to the national average of 10.57 years.

The car accident lawyers at Cohen & Dwin, P.A. want you to stay safe on Baltimore’s streets. We have prepared this list of the most common causes of car accidents. We hope that you can avoid getting in any of them. However, if you are injured in a Baltimore car accident, our personal injury attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us if you need help with your claim or understanding your rights

Drunk Driving Accidents

The Maryland Department of Transportation reports that 6,857 accidents occurred in the state during a recent year that was due to alcohol or drug impairment. Drunk and drugged driving caused 2,103 injuries and 131 deaths during that year.

In its report “Sobering Facts: Drunk Driving in Maryland,” the Centers for Disease Control states that approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver and that, every year, millions of people get behind the wheel drunk. Additionally, 2.1 percent of Maryland adults admitted to driving while intoxicated within the past 30 days.

These startling statistics show that drunk driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents and continues to be a problem throughout the state and country. Drunk driving can cause car accidents in Baltimore because alcohol can impair a driver’s:

Judgment
Ability to notice hazards
Ability to maintain a vehicle in the correct lane
Vision
Concentration
Perception of how far away other vehicles or objects are
Ability to maintain proper speed and braking

Drug Use Accidents

Other substances like illegal drugs, prescription medications, and even over-the-counter medications can potentially impair a driver’s vision and motor function. Drivers who choose to take substances that can increase the risk of causing a serious accident can be held accountable for their negligent actions.

Aggressive Driving Accidents

There were 4,075 traffic accidents in Maryland that occurred during a recent year that the Maryland Department of Transportation attributed to an aggressive driver. These crashes resulted in 1,387 injuries and 37 fatalities.

Aggressive driving may include actions such as:

Weaving in and out of traffic
Changing lanes frequently without using a turn signal
Speeding
Sudden braking
Following too closely
Running red lights or stop signs
Blocking other vehicles from passing

Distracted Driving Car Accidents

With 56,690 crashes in a recent year attributed to distracted driving by the Maryland Department of Transportation, distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents in Maryland.

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) notes that cell phone use is a leading cause of distracted driving car accidents. The MVA points out that Maryland law prohibits all drivers from texting while driving, as well as using a handheld phone behind the wheel. Specific offenses that are prohibited in Maryland while driving include:

Writing a text or email
Sending a text or email
Using a handheld phone to talk
Reading a text or email

However, cell phones are not the only type of driving distraction. Anything that causes you to look away from the road, not hear traffic, move your hands from the steering wheel, or think about something other than driving is a distraction. Drivers who are not paying attention behind the wheel may not recognize a hazard until it’s too late. This can put others on the roadways at tremendous risk.

An experienced Baltimore car accident lawyer can investigate if distractions caused your accident. They can gather evidence that can support your claim, such as cell phone records, accident reports, and traffic citations to help you prove the other driver was distracted.

Speeding Accidents

Speeding is another major cause of car accidents in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. The Maryland Department of Transportation reports that 9,181 accidents involved a driver’s speed during a recent year.

Speeding is dangerous because it increases the amount of distance a vehicle needs to come to a complete stop once a driver recognizes a hazard, reducing the likelihood that a driver will be able to stop in time to avoid a collision. Additionally, speeding can make it more difficult for a driver to maintain control of their vehicle. If speeders do get into an accident, serious injuries or fatalities are more likely due to the force of the impact.

A person may be speeding when they drive:

Over the posted speed limit
Too fast for road conditions, such as congested traffic in Baltimore
Too fast for weather conditions, like fog, rain, ice, or snow

The posted speed limit is the maximum a person is supposed to drive under optimal conditions. An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate your claim and work to hold a speeding driver accountable for the consequences of their negligence.

Reckless Driving Car Accidents

Some people do not take the task of driving seriously. They forget that they are behind the wheel of thousands of pounds of metal and that their actions can lead to the serious injury or death of others on the roadway. These factors can lead to people driving recklessly.

Reckless driving is any driving activity that poses a serious risk to the safety of others on the roadway. Some examples of reckless driving include:

Speeding
Tailgating
Making unsafe lane changes
Failing to yield the right of way

Failing to use turn signals
Street racing
Running a stop sign or red light
Illegal passing

If you need assistance establishing the other driver was reckless and caused your accident, consult one of our knowledgeable Baltimore car accident attorneys.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Baltimore

If you were injured in a car accident in Baltimore, the law firm of Cohen & Dwin, P.A. wants to help. Our team has extensive experience helping accident victims who were injured in the most common causes of car accidents, including those discussed above. We can investigate your accident and gather evidence to support your claim for maximum compensation.