Summer is a peak-risk period for Maryland road crashes. The stretch from Memorial Day through Labor Day is often called the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” because traffic crashes and roadway fatalities historically rise during this period. More vehicles, tourist travel, teen drivers out of school, speeding, distracted driving, and alcohol-related driving can all make summer roads more dangerous.
For drivers in Anne Arundel County, the risk can feel especially real on busy routes such as I-97, Route 50, and roads leading toward the Eastern Shore. If you are involved in a crash, what you do in the first hours—and what you say to an insurance company—can affect your health, your financial recovery, and your ability to move forward.
Why Summer Raises Crash Risks on Maryland Roads
Summer changes the way people use Maryland roads. Families travel to Ocean City and other Eastern Shore destinations, visitors navigate unfamiliar roads, and regular commuters share highways with heavier weekend traffic. Route 50 can become especially congested as drivers head toward the Bay Bridge and beach destinations, while I-97 carries substantial traffic between Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Baltimore, and the coast.
More cars on the road create more opportunities for rear-end collisions, unsafe lane changes, speeding, and aggressive driving. Congestion can also lead drivers to make rushed decisions—following too closely, merging without enough room, or trying to beat a traffic signal.
Teen drivers are another concern during the summer months. With school out, young and inexperienced drivers may spend more time on the road, often carrying friends or traveling later at night. Inexperience, distractions, and poor decision-making can become especially dangerous in heavy traffic or unfamiliar areas.
Summer holidays, concerts, sporting events, cookouts, and waterfront gatherings can also increase the risk of alcohol-related crashes. Maryland law enforcement regularly increases impaired-driving enforcement during the summer travel season. Even one driver who chooses to get behind the wheel after drinking can cause a life-changing collision.
Heat, fatigue, construction zones, motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles, and sudden summer storms add further hazards. A clear day can quickly turn dangerous when traffic slows unexpectedly or rain reduces visibility and road traction.
Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Rule Means Fault Matters Immediately
Maryland follows a strict legal rule called contributory negligence. In a personal injury claim, if an injured person is found to have contributed to the crash through their own negligence, even in a small way, that finding can prevent recovery from the other at-fault party.
That rule makes fault assignment especially important from the beginning. After a crash, the other driver’s insurer may look for statements, photographs, witness accounts, vehicle damage, police reports, and social-media posts that could be used to shift blame. An insurer may argue that you were speeding, distracted, following too closely, failed to yield, or could have avoided the collision.
This does not mean that an insurance adjuster gets the final word on fault. It does mean that you should be thoughtful about what you say and do. Do not apologize, guess about speed or distance, or accept blame at the scene. Focus on safety, exchange required information, and describe only the facts you know.
Mitchell Greenberg and The LawChampion understand how Maryland’s contributory negligence rule can affect a car crash claim. Early investigation can help preserve evidence before the other side has time to shape the story around the collision.
What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Crash
The first priority after any crash is safety. If anyone is injured, call 911 and request medical assistance. Move to a safe area if possible, but do not leave the scene. If the vehicles cannot be moved safely, wait for police instructions.
Once you are safe, take these practical steps:
- Call law enforcement. A police report can document the date, time, location, parties involved, witnesses, and initial observations.
- Get medical care. Adrenaline can hide serious injuries. Neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, numbness, and abdominal pain may not fully appear until hours or days later.
- Photograph the scene. Take pictures of vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, debris, visible injuries, and the surrounding area.
- Exchange information. Obtain the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, vehicle information, and license plate number.
- Identify witnesses. Ask for names and contact information from anyone who saw the crash.
- Preserve documents. Keep the police report number, medical paperwork, towing information, repair estimates, receipts, and any communication from insurers.
- Notify your insurer. Report the crash, but provide factual information and avoid speculating about fault or injuries.
If police investigated a crash involving injury or death, a separate written accident report to the MVA is generally not required from the driver. Still, the details documented at the scene can become important later, so it is wise to keep your own records.
Get Medical Care Before You Decide You Are “Fine”
Many people leave a crash scene believing they are okay, only to wake up the next day with significant pain. Soft-tissue injuries, concussions, disc injuries, and joint damage may not be obvious immediately. Delaying care can make recovery more difficult and may also give an insurer an argument that your injuries were unrelated to the crash.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations, attend appointments, and be honest about your symptoms and limitations. Keep a simple written record of missed work, pain levels, medical visits, medications, and ways the injury affects daily life. This information can help demonstrate the real impact of the crash.
Maryland auto policies may include Personal Injury Protection benefits unless they were properly waived or reduced. Those benefits can help with certain medical expenses and lost income, depending on the policy and circumstances. The LawChampion can help you understand what coverage may be available.
Why You Should Speak With an Attorney Before the Other Driver’s Insurer
After a crash, the other driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly. The adjuster may sound helpful and may ask for a recorded statement, broad medical authorization, or an early settlement. You are not required to make an immediate decision simply because the insurer calls.
The insurer’s goal is to resolve the claim for as little as possible. Before you know the full extent of your injuries, future treatment needs, lost wages, or how fault will be disputed, accepting a settlement or giving a recorded statement can create problems that are difficult to undo.
Speaking with a car crash attorney before dealing in depth with the other driver’s insurer gives you the opportunity to understand your rights, preserve evidence, and avoid statements that may be used against you. The Law Office of Mitchell A. Greenberg, LLC—The LawChampion—can communicate with insurers, investigate fault, review coverage, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other legally available damages.
FAQ
Why are Maryland roads more dangerous in summer?
Summer brings heavier travel, tourism, teen drivers out of school, holiday events, construction activity, motorcycles, pedestrians, and more opportunities for impaired or distracted driving.
Should I call police after a car crash in Maryland?
Yes, especially if anyone is hurt, the vehicles are unsafe to drive, there is significant damage, or fault is disputed. A police report can become important evidence.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Maryland’s contributory negligence rule can bar recovery if your own negligence contributed to the crash. Because this issue is fact-specific, speak with an attorney before accepting blame or a settlement.
Should I give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement?
Consider speaking with an attorney first. You can report the crash and provide basic facts, but a recorded statement may be used to challenge fault or minimize injuries.
How soon should I contact a car crash lawyer?
Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible can help preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and protect you before insurance negotiations begin.
For more information, visit Personal Injury or Car Crash. The consultation with Mitchell Greenberg is free and has no time limit—call or text 443-672-8529 today.