As you get in your car every day and drive to or from work, shuttle your kids, do errands and more you may likely pass by accidents from time to time. You might even see an accident happen. With any luck you are not involved in a crash but know that the possibility of being in a motor vehicle accident does always exist. Many things like tougher laws and improved safety features in vehicles have attempted to reduce or ideally eliminate crashes yet they still happen.
As shown by data reported from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Maryland has seen a slight decline in the overall number of people killed in automotive accidents. However, that does not mean the roads and highways around the state are completely safe. In 2016 alone, 505 people lost their lives on the state’s roads. Negligent behavior and choices made by drivers continue to be major contributing factors in accidents as that year 130 people were killed at the hands of drunk drivers. Another 127 perished in crashes involving excess speed.
In Prince George’s County, between 2012 and 2016, a total of 443 automotive fatalities were recorded. Alcohol was involved in 156 of those deaths and speeding was involved in 231 of the deaths. It is even possible that alcohol and speed together contributed to some of the accidents.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but to highlight to residents in Maryland the reality of the dangers they continue to face on the roads and to raise awareness about the importance of seeking help after being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
