Baltimore County Car Accident Lawyers
Respected Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers Aggressively Pursuing Compensation on Behalf of Accident Victims and Their Loved Ones
Baltimore County isn’t exactly known for its good drivers. Whether motorists are driving aggressively, not paying attention, or under the influence, Baltimore can be a dangerous place to drive. Inevitably, accidents will happen—even if you take every possible precaution.
The Baltimore County car accident lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen are committed to helping accident victims recover meaningful compensation for everything they’ve been through. Our attorneys are compassionate advocates who know what it takes to present a compelling claim for recovery.
Baltimore County Car Accident Statistics
Baltimore County is the third most populous county in Maryland. Thus, one would expect there to be a significant number of motor vehicle collisions. However, even taking this into account, the number of Baltimore County car accidents is surprising.
For example, in 2022, there were a total of 20,534 collisions in Baltimore County. Of those, 4,405 accidents, or 21%, resulted in injuries and 63 accidents, or just under .5 percent, ended in fatalities.[1] However, these figures include very minor collisions that are unlikely to result in injury, such as parking lot accidents. However, when you look at certain types of accidents more closely, the rate of injury or death is startling.
In 2022, 32% of all DUI accidents resulted in serious injury and almost three percent in a fatality.[2] That same year, aggressive driving accidents resulted in an injury 28% of the time and in a fatality just over one percent of the time.[3]
The Big Three: Common Causes of Baltimore Car Accidents
In a city like Baltimore, you never know what you’re going to get when you head out on the road. Whether you’re driving along Interstate 95 or navigating the surface streets, there are sure to be hazards abound. Some of the most common causes of Baltimore car crashes include the following:
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence increases drivers’ reaction time and impairs their judgment, which is a deadly combination. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol has been against the law in Maryland for decades; however, motorists continue to disregard the law—and obvious safety concerns—and get behind the wheel when they shouldn’t. In fact, Baltimore County sees approximately 883 DUI accidents per year, resulting in an average of 281 injuries and 21 deaths. These make up roughly 14 percent of all Maryland DUI accidents.[4]
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving includes reckless actions like speeding, cutting in and out of traffic, failing to use a signal, cutting other motorists off, tailgating and brake-checking. Speeding and aggressive driving may not seem as “wrong” as driving under the influence of alcohol; however, when looking at the numbers, it’s clear that speeding and aggressive driving are responsible for more injuries and deaths than DUI accidents. For example, in 2022, there were 1,919 accidents involving speeding and aggressive driving. These accidents resulted in 544 injuries and 22 fatalities.[5] [6]
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving involves any action a motorist engages in that removes their attention from the road. These days, the vast majority of Baltimore distracted driving accidents involve talking on the phone or texting while driving. However, other distractions include talking with passengers, eating or drinking, grooming, scrolling social media, daydreaming, and dealing with children in the back seat.
Distracted driving statistics are hard to pin down because it isn’t always clear that a motorist was distracted. However, even with these difficulties, distracted driving accidents are the most common. For example, in 2022, there were more than 7,700 Baltimore County distracted driving accidents, causing 2,190 injuries and 23 deaths.[7]
Pursuing a Baltimore County Car Accident Lawsuit
Filing a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident in Baltimore County can help victims seek justice as well as obtain compensation for their losses. These cases allow you to hold the responsible party financially accountable for their negligence. Below are a few types of damages available through a personal injury case:
Medical Expenses: Car accident victims often face significant medical costs, including hospital bills, medication expenses, and costs for ongoing treatment or rehabilitation. A personal injury attorney can help you recover these expenses, ensuring that the financial burden does not fall entirely on you and your family.
Lost Wages: If the accident resulted in time away from work, you lost crucial income. A personal injury claim can include compensation for lost wages, including future earning capacity, if you are unable to return to your job.
Pain and Suffering: Beyond the tangible costs, you may have also endured physical pain and emotional distress. A personal injury case allows for the recovery of damages for these non-economic losses.
Property Damage: If the accident resulted in damage to your vehicle or other personal property, a personal injury case can include claims for the cost of repairs or replacement.
By addressing both the economic and non-economic impacts of the accident, Baltimore County personal injury cases can ensure that you don’t end up paying for someone else’s mistake.
Fatal Car Accidents in Baltimore County
In most cases, car accidents are not fatal, even though they often end in life-disrupting injuries. However, approximately 67 people per year lost their lives in fatal Baltimore County car accidents. Each of these tragic accidents impacts more than the life of the victim but also their friends and family members.
Families who lost a loved one in a car accident can pursue a Baltimore County wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim is a legal action brought by the survivors of a person who died due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions of another person or entity. This type of claim seeks compensation for the losses suffered by the deceased person’s family members as a result of their death. In Maryland, wrongful death claims are governed by the Maryland Wrongful Death Statute.
The primary purpose of a wrongful death claim is to provide financial support and compensation for losses such as lost wages, loss of companionship, emotional distress, and funeral expenses. In Baltimore County, a wrongful death claim can be filed by the deceased person’s spouse, parents, or children. If none of these relatives are alive, any person related by blood or marriage who was substantially dependent upon the deceased may file the claim.
To succeed in a wrongful death claim in Maryland, family members must prove that the death was caused by the defendant’s wrongful act and that they have suffered damages as a result. The claim must be filed within three years of the date of the deceased person’s death.
Have You Been Injured in a Baltimore County Car Accident
The dedicated Baltimore County car accident attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen have more than 25 years of hands-on experience handling all types of personal injury cases involving motor vehicle collisions. We routinely go head-to-head with some of the largest and most well-funded insurance companies in the country, securing maximum damages for our clients. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with one of our Baltimore car accident lawyers today, call 800-654-1949 today, or you can connect with us through our online contact form.
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