Maryland Car Accident Statistics

Maryland

Statistics show that overall the number of people killed in car accidents is declining significantly, with the total number of car accident deaths reaching their lowest level since 1961, and the number of accidents per 100 million vehicle miles reaching their lowest levels ever. Statistics show that nationwide the total number of traffic deaths dropped from 41,059 in 2007 to 37,261 in 2008. The decline represents a 10% drop from 2007, the third largest drop since 1961. The number of deaths per 100 million miles traveled has declined to a new overall low of 1.28, 6% less than the 2007 figure of 1.36. (Fatalities in truck accidents also declined by about 5%, although they remain significantly higher than for passenger vehicles at 2.02 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.)

Maryland Statistics

Overall, Maryland is one of the safer states in the country to drive. Although there were over 4 million cars, trucks, and motorcycles registered in the state in 2007, there were just over 600 fatalities in car accidents in that year, and the figure dropped slightly in 2008, the last year for which statistics are available. The number of fatalities per 100 million miles traveled in Maryland was also much less than for the country as a whole, although not the lowest (that honor goes to Massachusetts, with the highest fatality rate being found in Montana).

Prince George’s County had more traffic deaths in 2008 than any other county in Maryland, 130, because of the high level of traffic associated with Washington, D.C. and the beltway.   Baltimore City and Baltimore County together combined for 118.

Maryland Fatal Accidents and Vehicles

Some vehicles are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than others.  The following table shows the percentage involvement of all types of vehicles in fatal accidents in Maryland:

Vehicle Type	Percent of Fatalities	Maryland Car Accident Statistics
Passenger Cars	47.4	58.0
Light Trucks	33.5	39.5
Large Trucks	6.1	0.5
Motorcycles	10.6	1.7
Buses	0.5	0.2
Other/Unknown	1.8	N/A

Obviously, large truck accidents are much more likely to lead to fatalities than passenger car or small truck accidents. Motorcycle accidents are the second most likely to cause accidents.

Accident Characteristics

The majority of fatal crashes are single-vehicle crashes. Fatal crashes are most likely to occur on a Saturday, followed by a Sunday. They are least likely on Tuesday, followed by Monday.

Most single-vehicle fatal accidents occur where the speed limit is 40 mph or less, whereas most multiple vehicle fatal crashes occur where the speed limit is 45 or higher.

For all vehicles, a front impact is the most deadly, probably because head-on collisions can be so devastating.

Although many statistics have been compiled about traffic accidents, we know the accident that matters most to you is your own, and when we take your case we will treat it as if it were the only accident. To learn more about how we can help you following your traffic accident, please call or email the Maryland personal injury lawyers of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. today.

(Statistics from the Fatally Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA).)