People in Baltimore may jest on social media that car crashes on Interstate 83 often occur by the fabled Pepsi Sign. However, the fact of the matter is that the entire stretch of I-83 in Baltimore sees more than its fair share of motor vehicle accidents. A study conducted by the Baltimore Department of Transportation reports that I-83 in Baltimore sees over two times as many motor vehicle accidents than all other comparable interstates in the state.
According to the study, annually there are over 37 collisions per mile on the stretch of I-83 that goes through Baltimore, resulting in around 250 to 300 accidents each year. Of these crashes, 26 percent were rear-end collisions and almost 20 percent of collisions involved one driver side-swiping another driver.
On all other comparable highways, approximately 16 collisions per mile occur. Of these crashes, 26 percent were rear-end collisions and almost 20 percent of collisions involved one driver side-swiping another driver.
The study examined data from 2010 to 2011, and found that the average motorist on I-83 in Baltimore drives above the posted speed limit. The speed limit on I-83 in Baltimore is lower than that on other interstates in Maryland, going as low as 40 miles per hour in some stretches, but motorists often drive around five miles per hour above the speed limit. In fact, 15 percent of motorists in a 40 or 50 miles per hour zone on I-83 in Baltimore will drive up to 60 miles per hour.
When a motorist drives above the posted speed limit, that motorist puts the safety of others in jeopardy. Even a minor fender-bender can leave a person shook up, and oftentimes injuries suffered in car crashes do not immediately manifest themselves. When a person is injured in a car crash, that person will likely incur medical expenses and may miss work. In addition, depending on the severity of the crash, a person could suffer emotional trauma or may find themselves permanently disabled. Any of these damages can affect a person’s life. Therefore, those injured in auto accidents may want to explore their options for compensation to recoup some of what they lost, as well as hold the responsible party accountable.
