Driving in Maryland can be downright dangerous. High-speed highways, distracted drivers and numerous other issues can reduce your chances of arriving safely to your travel destination. Any number of factors can lead to a collision. Like all licensed drivers, you’re legally obligated to adhere to traffic laws and safety regulations. However, no matter how cautious and alert you are behind the wheel, a moment of negligence on another driver’s part is enough to cause you serious injuries.
The more you know about such issues ahead of time, the likelier you can stay safe when you travel. For instance, as a pedestrian it’s best to cross the road in a designated crossing zone. At intersections, it’s important to understand the right-of-way rules and to act with the utmost caution. Sometimes, you can do nothing to avoid a crash. A drunk driver could cross into your lane, or a distracted driver could T-bone your vehicle after failing to stop at a traffic light.
Road conditions, sudden stops and other problem factors
The following list includes numerous issues that crash analysts say are often the causal factors in motor vehicle collisions:
- Drivers who suddenly slam on the brakes at traffic lights or stop signs are risk rear end collisions from the cars behind them.
- Distracted driving kills thousands of people every year. If a driver is looking down at a cell phone instead of focusing on the task at hand, he or she may have no idea that you’ve come to a stop.
- Slippery roads, poor visibility from snow or rain, or other inclement conditions significantly raise the chances that motor vehicle accidents might occur.
- Lack of signage or misinterpretation of signs may also be key factors in automobile collisions.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol is not only risky, but is also a crime if a driver’s blood alcohol content level exceeds the legal limit.
- Visual, manual or cognitive distractions place drivers and all travelers nearby at risk for serious, if not fatal injuries.
If someone hits you, you might suffer severe injuries that prompt immediate need for transport to the nearest hospital or trauma center. You might not even be conscious during the ambulance ride or air flight to the medical facility. Surviving injuries in a serious motor vehicle collision often leads to a long, arduous recovery. During such time, you might not be able to work and you might need to rely on loved ones or licensed care providers to help with your daily needs.
Additional support
The emotional trauma associated with motor vehicle accidents can be just as devastating as physical injuries. Licensed counselors often receive clients who are struggling to recover from post-traumatic stress syndrome induced by auto accidents. Many recovering accident victims in Maryland also meet with legal advocates who are well versed in personal injury law to learn more about how to seek financial accountability against those who caused their injuries.
