A car accident can happen for a number of reasons and it’s smart to remain aware as a driver in Maryland. Some of these reasons are noted for being a common cause of modern car accidents. Regardless of what causes the accident, it’s always recommended to sit down and speak to a qualified car accident attorney in Maryland. Pinder Plotkin is more than happy to assist and will offer a detailed consultation to discuss all relevant details.

Running Red Lights

One of the most common causes of car accidents is the act of running a red light. This is deemed to be an illegal act as drivers are required to come to a dead stop at the red light. If a driver doesn’t do this, they are at fault for not providing right of way to others on the road.

This is an incredibly reckless decision and violation when it comes to the rules of the road. In general, this can lead to significant accidents as others enter the intersection assuming it is a green light for them. Since these drivers assume it’s a green light, they will drive at the listed speed and end up getting into a serious car accident. Someone going through a red light at an intersection puts everyone on the road in danger.

Since this tends to happen in a matter of seconds, it can often lead to accidents that cause significant injury since the victim cannot respond in time. This can lead to a terrible impact that causes injury.

Running Stop Signs

Stop signs are designed to stop traffic on a specific intersection/roadway. However, when a driver doesn’t follow the rules of the road and ignores the stop sign, they can end up being at-fault in an accident. This is what makes it one of the more common causes of accidents in Maryland. By going through a stop sign or stopping improperly, the driver isn’t following the right of way for everyone else. This can lead to a serious accident.

Whether it is going through a red light or a stop sign, these are both tremendous violations of the established law and can lead to charges depending on the outcome. With a violation such as this, it can also be legally noted as negligence and leaves the burden on the plaintiff to prove otherwise.

Driving at Night

A person driving in the night often increases their chances of getting into an accident. This is what makes it a common cause of road accidents in Maryland. Due to the inferior driving conditions and lack of visibility, a driver may not notice certain things on the road such as a pedestrian or a cyclist. When the light is bad and it is dark outside, a person’s ability to see weakens and this can put everyone in harm’s way. As a result, the driver is expected to follow the rules of the road and make sure to adjust to the conditions in front of them before driving.

Driving at night means understanding what’s needed to stay safe and keep others safe on the road including pedestrians and/or cyclists. Pedestrians are also expected to remain aware of what is happening around them and should wear clothing that is easy to spot for drivers (i.e. reflective clothing). The same applies to cyclists on the road. The idea of putting on reflective clothing is to ensure drivers can see the individual from far away.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Unsafe lane changes are another common cause of car accidents. According to the law in Maryland, a driver is expected to remain in one lane at a time while traveling and should only make a lane change after properly signaling and letting others on the road know about their intentions. If this isn’t done, others are put in danger due to the unsafe lane change. It’s also important to maintain a safe distance at all times when it comes to spacing before changing lanes. If the lane change is made abruptly, it can be noted as a sign of negligence.

Driving the Wrong Way

Driving the wrong way is a major cause of accidents in Maryland. It is a clear violation as traffic is supposed to go in the listed direction and anyone driving the wrong way is endangering others on the road. This applies to all highways and one-way streets. Drivers are also expected to pay attention to the median on a highway and/or double yellow line on a street to make sure they are adhering to the rules of the road. Otherwise, a person can end up getting into a forceful accident with a head-on collision. This means a person ends up breaking the law and can be charged for negligence.

Improper Turns

Improper turns are noted as a cause of accidents in Maryland. In general, a driver has to follow the rules of the road including lane markers, traffic control drives, and any other sign related to traffic regulations. Keeping these details in mind, the driver has to make a lawful turn by signaling to others on the road. If this isn’t done, the driver will end up violating the rules of the road. In Maryland, a driver is permitted to make a right turn on a red light, however, he has to yield to the traffic and only enter when it is safe to do so.

For intersections that do not allow right turns on a red, it is important to follow the sign.

The same applies to lane markings on the road to indicate which direction a driver should go in. Any turn that is made on the road should begin with timely signaling to ensure drivers understand what is going to happen.

Tailgating

Tailgating is often associated with car accidents in Maryland. A driver is expected to maintain a safe distance between themselves and other vehicles on the road. This includes avoiding getting close to a vehicle and maintaining proper spacing at all times. Tailgating is the idea of getting close to a vehicle and not maintaining appropriate spacing. In general, the idea is to stay a car’s length away at 10 MPH and continue to increase the spacing as the speed goes up (i.e. 20 MPH = 2 cars’ length away). This ensures both drivers have enough space to move and can make necessary decisions if necessary including stopping suddenly. The vehicle in front should always be allowed enough space to make these decisions without risking the vehicle behind them.

Our Maryland Auto Accident Lawyers are Here to Help

At Pinder Plotkin, we continue to set the gold standard as a leading law firm for car accident cases. We understand filing a claim is challenging and take the time to provide access to an experienced team of Maryland car accident lawyers with a passion for helping clients.

For more information, please feel free to call 410-525-5337 for an in-depth FREE consultation.