As a driver in Maryland, it benefits you to know which roads in your state are the most dangerous and see the most fatal accidents.
Some of the deadliest roads in Maryland include I-95, Route 210, and the Jones Falls Expressway on I-83, all common highways in the state. The high traffic volume on these roads makes them dangerous, as well as drivers excessively speeding or making unsafe maneuvers during rush hour. While highways are more common locations for fatal accidents, deadly collisions could happen on local roads as well, entitling victims’ survivors to compensation. Our attorneys can help get your deserved damages by filing a wrongful death lawsuit within three years of your loved one’s death and proving the at-fault driver’s negligence caused it.
To discuss your case for free with our Maryland car accident lawyers, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291.
What Are Some of the Deadliest Roads for Car Accidents in Maryland?
While any road could be dangerous, depending on the people driving on it, some are more common sites for fatal accidents than others. These include I-95, Maryland Route 210, and the Jones Falls Expressway, to name a few.
I-95
Maryland’s section of I-95 is about 110 miles long, a popular route for people traveling up or down the coast or even commuting in and out of cities like Baltimore for work. Some of the most common types of accidents on I-95 are sideswipe collisions. Negligent drivers attempting to merge from ramps might speed up or try to squeeze between cars, sideswiping them. Recklessly changing lanes is another major cause of crashes on this corridor, as are negligent truck drivers. Because I-95 gives commercial truckers access to many states, it is a common route for these drivers. Fatigue, speeding, and reckless driving might lead to a truck crash on I-95, which could turn fatal regardless of the speed because of the sheer force of impact from the truck.
State Route 210
Maryland Route 210 is one of the most notoriously dangerous roads in the state, spanning about 20 miles. According to a late 2023 report from the Maryland Department of Transportation and State Highway Administration outlining the dangers of Route 210, there were about 39 fatal accidents on that road alone over the past decade, four of which involved pedestrians. Though efforts have been made to make this section of road less dangerous for drivers and pedestrians, such as adding new pedestrian crosswalks, it remains a common stretch for accidents in Maryland.
The Jones Falls Expressway
I-83, more particularly the stretch that includes the Jones Falls Expressway, is another dangerous route. Despite speed cameras operating on this section of road to deter excessive speeding, which is a top cause of fatal accidents because of the risk of cars flipping over, airbags deploying, glass breaking, or engines catching on fire, the Jones Fall Expressway remains a relatively dangerous roadway in Maryland. Where the Jones Falls Expressway intersects with Northern Parkway and West Cold Spring Lane are specific spots for bad accidents, largely due to the high volume of merging traffic.
What Makes Some Roads Deadlier Than Others in Maryland?
The majority of fatal car accidents in Maryland in 2024, 358, happened on state roads, while 153 happened on local roads. Over 100 fatalities occurred on roads with speed limits higher than 55 miles per hour, emphasizing the fact that deadly collisions typically happen on highways in Maryland.
Fatal accidents often occur because of speeding. High-speed collisions might force vehicles to roll over and hit other cars or fixed objects like medians, compounding victims’ injuries and increasing the likelihood of fatality.
Traffic volume can also increase the risk of serious collisions and make certain roads deadlier. During rush hour, frustrated drivers might make riskier maneuvers, endangering others on the road. In addition to aggressive driving, drunk and distracted driving are other common primary causes of fatal crashes in Maryland. Such negligent conduct could happen anywhere, from high-speed expressways to residential roads.
While highways are widely understood as likely locations for fatal collisions, victims could suffer serious or deadly injuries on local roads as well. Low visibility at night, drunk drivers speeding nearby pedestrians, and any number of negligent or reckless acts could cause fatal collisions, even if they occur on less dangerous roads, generally speaking.
Getting Compensation for Fatal or Serious Injury Crashes in Maryland
When fatal car accidents happen, victims’ survivors may be able to file lawsuits to hold at-fault drivers accountable, and our attorneys can take the appropriate steps to ensure their recoveries in Maryland.
According to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 3-904(a)(1), wrongful death claims for fatal accidents are for the sole benefit of the victim’s spouse, parents, or children, barring some rare exceptions. The statute of limitations for these lawsuits is typically three years. Not all deadly car accidents are immediately fatal, and if a victim succumbs to their injuries days or weeks later, that will be the accrual date for the statute of limitations since the clock begins to count down on the date of death.
Our Baltimore car accident lawyers can also contact the law enforcement agency that responded to your loved one’s fatal car accident to get the crash report. While roads like I-95 and I-83 have traffic cameras, the Maryland Department of Transportation does not store footage from these devices. We may get footage from nearby security cameras for fatal accidents or interview eyewitnesses to preserve their firsthand accounts.
According to § 3-904(d), compensation for fatal car accidents in Maryland is not limited to economic damages and may cover pain and suffering for the death of a spouse, minor child, parent of a minor child, and unmarried adult children in some situations, which our attorneys can explain.
Call Our Maryland Lawyers About Your Car Accident Case Today
For help with your case from our Ocean City, MD car accident lawyers, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras now at (410) 694-7291.