In Maryland, auto accidents happen for many reasons. Some are due to drivers going too fast, operating their vehicles while under the influence, behaving recklessly or driving while drowsy. In other cases, there are environmental factors like the weather or the driver is simply inexperienced.
One factor that has grown increasingly troublesome in recent years is distraction. Cellphones have so many features that it can be difficult to resist using them even when behind the wheel. This is causing collisions with people being injured and losing their lives.
To emphasize the risk and educate drivers as to why they should not drive distracted, Maryland law enforcement is cracking down on distracted driving. Even with the attempt to show drivers how dangerous it is, accidents because of distraction are still likely. Those who were involved or impacted should know their rights.
Distracted driving accident statistics are getting worse
The month-long campaign – known as Distracted Driving Awareness Month – will involve traffic stops and citations. Statistically, distracted driving is a growing challenge that needs to be addressed. On an annual basis, there were 200 fatalities and more than 24,000 injuries due to distracted driving in the state. Nearly half of all accidents are believed to be due to distraction.
In 2023, there has been a concerted effort to highlight the problem with law enforcement being more vigilant about citing drivers who are caught using their devices. Over 4,300 citations and warnings have been given to drivers so far. In 2022, there were nearly 22,000.
The fines increase with each violation. For example, if a driver is caught the first time, they are fined up to $83. The next time, it will be $140. If they are reading or sending messages, they are fined $70 and get a point on their driver’s license. When there is an accident because of distraction, the penalties grow more severe.
After an auto accident, knowing how it happened can be essential to a case
Suffering personal injury or losing a loved one because of a motor vehicle accident will leave people wondering what will happen to them. Not only is it a personal and emotional issue, but their finances can be severely compromised because of it.
There are ways to recover compensation for all that was lost and determining the cause of the crash can be a fundamental part of that. If it was because of a distracted driver, it is critical to have help in accruing evidence to prove it. Whether there is a negotiated settlement or a court case, it is vital to have experienced help from the start.