However, when looking at basic two-vehicle collisions, the type of crash that occurs is a critical consideration. The way in which the two vehicles strike one another has a direct impact on the likelihood of a deadly outcome.

The angle of approach is a key factor

Head-on collision often cause devastating damage to vehicles. If someone in one of the vehicles chooses not to use safety restraints, they are at risk of getting thrown from the vehicle.

However, head-on collisions are relatively rare. Additionally, vehicle manufacturers install systems intended to protect vehicle occupants in the event of head-on collisions. Therefore, head-on collisions are the second deadliest type of crash. They cause 29.9% of reported traffic fatalities.

Rear-end crashes are even less likely to prove deadly. While they can cause fatal injuries, especially at high speeds, they are only responsible for 17% of all traffic fatalities. Sideswipes and other minor collisions are responsible for just 8.2% of all fatalities in traffic.

Angle collisions, also known as T-bone crashes, are the deadliest type of collision. One vehicle strikes the side of another, the chances of mortality are higher. They account for 44.8% of all fatal crashes. The lack of standardized side-impact safety systems, such as airbags, contributes to the high fatality rate of angle collisions.

Even if an angle collision isn’t fatal, it could cause serious injuries and leave a vehicle unsafe to drive. People who are aware of risk factors, including what makes a collision more dangerous, can protect themselves in traffic. They can also take appropriate steps in pursuit of financial compensation after a collision.

Filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit may be possible after a side-impact car crash. The driver at fault for the collision usually needs to compensate the people affected by the incident.

For example, did you know there are specific laws about having open containers of alcohol while driving? These laws are called open container laws, and they keep people safe.

What are open container laws?

These laws are, simply put, laws that make it illegal to have open containers of alcohol in the passenger areas of a vehicle while it is being driven or parked on a public road. The laws include any open bottle, cans or container of alcohol.

In Maryland, it is illegal for the driver or any passenger to possess an open container of alcohol in the passenger areas of a vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. These laws apply to having any alcoholic drink or empty container of alcohol in the passenger areas of the vehicle.

Passenger areas

It is important to understand what “passenger areas” means because the laws specifically target these areas.

Passenger areas are any part of the vehicle where people sit or ride. It also includes the glove compartment and the center console.

Exceptions

But what about exceptions? There are certain types of situations when you might see people drinking inside a vehicle where it is legal to do so.

For example, passengers in limousines, taxis or buses are allowed to have an open container of alcohol. In addition, passengers in the living area of a mobile home or trailer are exempt from these laws. Note that drivers may never drink and drive.

Consequences

If law enforcement catches you violating Maryland’s laws in this way, you are subject to fines and penalties. Depending on the specific circumstances, the fines can be as high as $500 for a first-time offense.

Whether or not it is your first offense, it is critical to have an attorney who can represent you and advocate for you because of how the state charges and possibly convicts you, which could have lifelong consequences in many areas of your life.

However, the offense goes on the individual’s driving record, and it could lead to increased insurance rates or the suspension of their driver’s license.

In summary, it is important to understand and follow Maryland’s Open Container Laws to stay safe and keep others safe on the road.

Remember that it is not only you that you are protecting by following the law. It is everyone else in your vehicle, as well as other drivers, that you could hit if you are driving drunk.

However, people may set themselves up for very unsafe circumstances by believing that they have avoided distracted driving simply because they don’t reach for their phone at the wheel. What actually constitutes distracted driving?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the definition of distracted driving includes dozens of different activities, not just the manual use of a phone or other smart technology while driving. The CDC breaks distraction down into three different categories.

Manual distraction is any activity that takes someone’s hand off of the wheel, such as reaching for a cup of coffee or trying to grab something out of a briefcase in the backseat. Visual distraction occurs when someone takes their eyes off of the road, possibly to make eye contact with a passenger or gawk at a crash nearby. Finally, cognitive or mental distraction involves thinking about something else, such as preparing for the work day ahead or daydreaming about the weekend.

Activities ranging from eating and grooming oneself to singing along with the radio are dangerous distractions that increase someone’s reaction time and therefore the likelihood that they will cause a major collision. People need to avoid using their phones while driving to ensure their safety, but also need to avoid other activities, as there is no safe way to multi-task while driving.

Drivers who recognize how important maintaining their focus actually is will have an easier time identifying and avoiding potentially distracting activities while at the wheel. They may also have an easier time identifying scenarios in which someone else is to blame for a crash because they drove while distracted.

Plenty of people recognize that delivery drivers and commercial truckers are at greater risk for a crash at work than the average person because they spend their entire shift at the wheel. What people fail to realize is that anyone who drives as part of their job, from social workers performing home visits to managers running to the bank for change is that this kind of travel represents an increased risk of injury and death while working, as car crashes are a top cause of worker fatalities and severe injury across all industries.

Who pays after a crash on the clock?

Most workers are protected by workers’ compensation coverage if they are on the clock when they get hurt. A workers’ compensation claim can help cover someone’s medical costs fully so that they don’t have any out-of-pocket expenses. They can also receive a portion of their lost wages. However, the state only replaces a certain percentage of someone’s lost income, and even that percentage is subject to a strict maximum benefit limit. Even if a driver was technically the one at fault for a crash, workers’ compensation coverage will typically protect them.

If they are not the one at fault, then they may have other options for covering their collision-related expenses. The liability coverage of the other driver can help pay for any expenses that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover, including the remainder of someone’s wages. Workers’ compensation typically won’t cover property damage either, which will make an insurance claim worthwhile. Many people don’t carry much insurance, and some people don’t have any active coverage at all. Sometimes, workers hurt in a collision while working need to file a lawsuit against the driver at fault for the crash when their insurance coverage isn’t enough given the extent of the damages caused.

Reviewing the situation that led to someone’s injuries and estimating the full financial impact of a car crash will both be important steps to take when an injured employee has to worry about minimizing their financial losses related to a work injury.

While they are at risk year-round, they are especially in danger in the morning and afternoon when they are heading to and from school. Drivers are constantly reminded of this and warned to be cautious and obey the law. Still, accidents are unfortunately likely to happen. It is wise to know how to keep children safe, but is also crucial to be cognizant of the alternatives after a collision has occurred.

In-person school starts again and with it, familiar road safety challenges arise

The recent health issues have had a dramatic impact on how people function in their daily lives. While these are still worrisome, there is an attempt to return to some semblance of normalcy. With that, Maryland schools are restarting in-person learning, albeit with health and safety precautions.

Kids heading to school are in jeopardy for a possible auto accident. State agencies and safety advocates are reminding drivers of the need to be careful. This is particularly true with school buses and other forms of student transportation.

Statistically, at least 600,000 students across the state use school buses. Drivers are being told to watch for them and follow the rules for stopping when these buses have their rear lights flashing. Drivers can be fined $570 and have three points on their driver’s license if they ignore these laws. The concerns are justified based on research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA says that between 2009 and 2018, 249 children lost their lives in an accident that happened as they were being taken to school. Fifty-two were using school transportation; 92 were in other vehicles; 100 pedestrians were killed; and four bicyclists died.

The time at which most of these accidents occurred coincided with children going to school in the morning between 6 and 8 a.m. and leaving school between 3 and 4 p.m. In total, more than 1,200 people died in those years in a school transportation accident with 208 pedestrians losing their lives.

Children are inherently vulnerable and after an accident, having advice is vital

Regardless of Maryland Department of Transportation, law enforcement and legislators’ entreaties for drivers to focus on safety and think about children on the road and no matter how many statistics the NHTSA quotes as to how at risk kids are as they are going back and forth to school, there will still be drivers who place their own interests above others and cause auto accidents. That includes reckless behaviors such as ignoring the speed limits in school zones, failing to stop when a bus has its flashers on, texting and driving, driving under the influence, getting behind the wheel while drowsy and more.

After any auto accident, there might be major injuries with medical costs and long-term challenges. There can even be fatalities. To deal with the aftermath of a crash, having advice with how to move forward is imperative. Professionals experienced in these incidents can assess the situation, gather evidence and help with weighing all the options and proceeding.

The scope of the drowsy driving problem

The scope of the drowsy driving problem in the U.S. is a bit hazy. In a car crash there may be clues that drowsiness was a factor, but these clues cannot always be found or may be inconclusive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2017 there were approximately 91,000 police-reported motor vehicle accidents in which drowsiness was a factor. In these crashes approximately 800 people lost their lives and a further 50,000 people were injured. However, it is broadly understood that these numbers may underestimate just how many drowsy driving crashes take place each year.

What factors may lead to drowsy driving accidents?

Most drowsy driving accidents take place between the hours of 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. and again in the late afternoon. This is due to our natural circadian rhythm wherein our bodies are naturally drowsy. Generally, those who cause a drowsy driving accident do not have any passengers in the car. Also, drowsy driving accidents often take place on rural roads and highways.

Can’t I just drink a cup of coffee?

Those who must drive overnight or after a long shift at work may rely on caffeinated beverages such as coffee or energy drinks to keep them alert enough to get home safely. However, doing so does not prevent “micro sleeps” in which a sleep-deprived person briefly loses consciousness for a few seconds. Moreover, it can lead a driver into a false sense of security that could cause them to take risks behind the wheel.

Learn more about drowsy driving accidents

Sleep deprivation is common among many workers in Maryland, but it should still be avoided. Unfortunately, some drivers will make the risky decision to drive while drowsy leading to a potentially catastrophic car crash. Our firm’s webpage on motor vehicle accidents may be of interest to those who want to learn more about this topic.

There are several things a person should have on their mental checklist after an accident. Below are a few of the most important things you should do in the minutes and hours after a car crash.

Make sure there are no injuries

First thing first, make sure you and any passengers you have are not badly injured. Pull your vehicle over if possible and check that the other driver is not badly injured either. If there are major injuries, call 911 immediately.

Keep the other driver at the scene

One of the most important things you should do after an accident is to keep the other driver present. You will need their statement and basic information for insurance purposes. Ask them questions, start a conversation, tell them about yourself, ask about their car; just keep them there. If they seem flighty or try to take off, note the make and model of their car and their license plate number.

Exchange information

When it’s clear that the other driver is not going to fly the coop, exchange names, phone numbers, insurance information – anything you, your insurance company or attorney will need to contact them again.

Call the authorities

Your next step will be to get police to the scene. This is not to arrest anyone, but rather so that they may write up an accident report. Having an accident report on the books can be critical to insurance compensation – better for your and the other drivers’ statements to be taken while the details are fresh in your minds.

Gather evidence

Document the accident while you wait for law enforcement to arrive. If you have a mobile or smart phone, use the camera to photograph the scene of the accident, the damage it caused, injuries anyone sustained, obscuring foliage that may have caused the accident, everything. It is almost impossible to take too many photos.

See the doctor

Once the police have taken your statement and the accident has been cleaned up, go straight to the doctor whether you feel like you’ve been injured or not. Accident injuries can take hours, days or longer to manifest. You may have fractured a rib and not realize it until 3 hours later when your adrenaline wears off. Having a medical record on the books can also be important for your insurance claim.

Call an attorney

It is typically in your best interest to also contact an attorney. Your insurance company’s biggest concern is preserving their bottom line by paying as low of a settlement of possible. A legal professional will take the pressure off you and negotiate with the insurance companies to get you the greatest award possible.

Even a fender bender is intense, frightening and, honestly, aggravating. A larger scale accident will only ramp up these emotions. Having a plan is one of the best ways you can keep your cool and navigate this difficult situation.