Fatal crashes in Maryland have gotten worse over the past decade
Despite ongoing efforts to prevent car accidents, they continue to occur at an alarming rate in Maryland. But just how bad are they? How many car accident deaths happen each year in Maryland? Are they getting worse? And why do so many fatalities occur? Our Maryland car accident attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan break down what you should know.
Car accident fatalities remain a problem
Car accident deaths in Maryland vary from year to year. But in general, the number of fatalities remains stubbornly high each year in Maryland.
Last year, the number of fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents in Maryland decreased, according to a recent report by The Road Information Program (TRIP), a national non-profit organization that studies transportation issues. In 2024, there were 579 car accident deaths in Maryland, a decrease of 6.7 percent compared to 2023, when 621 people died in car crashes in Maryland.
But if you compare 2024’s death toll to the number of car accident fatalities a decade earlier, the numbers have gotten worse. In 2014, there were 442 car accident deaths in Maryland, according to accident data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). So when compared to 2024, the death toll in the state has increased by 30.9 percent in the past decade.
Negligent driving is a common factor in fatal crashes
While car accidents happen for many reasons, certain driving behaviors continue to be contributing factors, including:
- Speeding, which accounts for roughly 30 percent of all car accident deaths in Maryland.
- Drunk driving, which played a role in 27.8 percent of car accident fatalities in Maryland in 2023.
- Distracted driving, which cause an estimated 1 out of 3 car accident deaths in Maryland, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Other reasons why car accident fatalities occur in Maryland
Maryland’s Highway Safety Office recently released its findings on the reasons behind the increase in car accidents and fatalities in Maryland between 2019 and 2023, during which the number of car accident deaths rose by 16 percent, from 535 deaths in 2019 to 621 deaths in 2023. According to The Bay Net, the study found:
- 8 percent of all car accidents occurred in January.
- The monthly car accident rate increased to 9 percent in December.
- Car accidents with injuries or fatalities increased by 3 to 5 percent between May and October.
- Male drivers were involved in 70 percent of all fatal car accidents.
- Nearly 43 percent of fatal crashes involved a “roadway departure,” or a vehicle leaving its lane.
- Nearly 27 percent of fatal crashes occurred in or near an intersection.
- Nearly 39 percent of car accident fatalities involved a passenger in a vehicle.
Injured in a crash? Learn how a Maryland car accident lawyer can help you
Dealing with the aftermath of a serious or fatal car accident can be overwhelming under any circumstances. However, these cases often become even more complicated due to the involvement of insurance companies. Instead of helping you get the financial support you deserve, an insurance company might do everything it can to reduce or deny your claim. That's when having an experienced Maryland car accident attorney in your corner becomes critical.
Don’t let the insurance company decide your future. Take control. At Goldberg Finnegan, our attorneys can deal with the insurance company and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve under Maryland law. Our highly skilled legal team has the knowledge, experience, and resources to protect your rights and aggressively advocate for your best interests.
Our case results speak for themselves. For instance, in one wrongful death car accident case, we recovered $4,975,000 for our client.
Get the legal help you need and deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Maryland car accident lawyer who knows what it takes to get meaningful results. We handle injury claims and lawsuits throughout Maryland and offer legal representation on a contingency fee basis. That means you don't pay a dime unless we win your case.
“Best lawyers that I have had work for me in all my dealings with lawyers. Hard-working for the benefit of the client. I would highly recommend this firm.” – Ted R., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐