Waldorf Car Accident Attorneys

Maryland Auto Accident Statistics

Auto accidents are a leading cause of death and serious injury in the United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car crashes are the leading cause of death from unintentional injury for all age groups and the leading cause of death overall for Americans ages 3 to 34. It's also among the top five reasons that Americans age 15 and older visit an emergency room. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic accidents killed just over 41,000 people in 2007 and injured about 2.5 million.

The NHTSA's study shows that passenger cars and "light trucks" -- a category of vehicle covering pickups, SUVs and vans -- are involved in the vast majority of fatal crashes. Together, the two categories accounted for 79.4% of fatal crashes in 2007, and motorcycles added another 9.5%. Fatal accidents were most likely to happen while the vehicle was going straight, turning left or negotiating a turn; being stopped in a traffic lane increased the risk of an injury but not a death. A legally drunk driver (with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08% or higher) was involved in 32% of those fatal crashes. Just over a third of those killed in traffic accidents weren't using seatbelts or another form of safety restraints.

The good news is that for the most part, traffic deaths have steadily dropped over the past decade. The NHTSA reports that the rate of deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (considered the most accurate measurement) hit an all-time low of 1.37 in 2007, down from 1.64 in 1997. The big exception is for fatal motorcycle accidents, whose death rate actually doubled in that same decade, to over 40 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. In fact, motorcyclists were 35 times more likely than drivers to die in a crash in 2006, and 8 times more likely to be injured. Researchers believe the growing popularity of motorcycles, the growth of older riders and the repeal of helmet laws in some states may be to blame.

Accidents involving large trucks (semis, 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers) are relatively rare, representing 3.9% of accidents overall. However, trucks' share of fatal accidents is disproportionately large, at 8.2%. Worse, the victim is almost always someone outside the truck. The NHTSA's statistics show that when large trucks are involved in fatal two-vehicle crashes, 75% of those killed are people outside the truck and another 8% are people on foot, on bicycles or otherwise not inside a car.

Here in Maryland, we saw 614 fatal crashes in 2007, a reduction of 6% over 2006. That beat the national average, which saw a 4% drop between 2006 and 2007. Washington, D.C. was not so lucky, with a 19% jump in fatal accidents, from 37 accidents to 44. That's a rate of 7.48 fatalities for every 100,000 people. In Baltimore, that rate was slightly better, at 7.37 per 100,000 for a total of 47 traffic deaths, 17 of which were pedestrians. About 35% of Maryland's traffic deaths were related to speeding in 2007; 29% involved a legally drunk driver; and 38.8% were deaths of people not using a seatbelt.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a serious Maryland auto accident, you probably have a lot on your mind. Auto accidents cause deaths and very serious injuries, commonly including brain injuries, paralysis, severe burns, broken bones and amputations. If you've sustained these injuries because of someone else's carelessness on the road, you have the right to hold that person legally responsible for the results. In a Maryland auto accident lawsuit, you can win compensation for a death or permanent disability; payment for auto repair, medical bills and other costs of the accident; and compensation for your pain and suffering. The experienced Maryland car accident lawyers at Alpert Schreyer can help. To learn more at a free consultation, please contact us online today or call us toll-free at (800) 489-1577.