Research has long shown a direct correlation between the number of vehicles on the roads, the number of miles people travel, and the rate of accidents. Typically, the numbers of accidents and fatalities change when gas prices go up or down. The more expensive gas becomes, the less people drive and the lower the total number of accidents.
During the COVID-19 crisis, shelter-in-place restrictions leave fewer places to go, so traffic is down dramatically. Does that mean it’s safer to be on the streets and highways in Maryland and across the country? It depends on how you look at it.
Authorities say the total number of accidents has decreased substantially. California and New York both report a 50% drop. At the same time, though, a higher percentage of the accidents that are occurring are serious or fatal. Officials believe that motorists on today’s less-congested motorways are traveling at higher speeds. For example, on one stretch of highway in New York, officials found that the average speed in March 2020 was four times that of March 2019—the average speed during morning drive a year ago was 13 miles per hour and 52 miles per hour this year.
The bottom line is that, if you’re on the road nowadays, you’ll likely have less risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident, but if you are, chances are that it will be more serious.
Results-Oriented Maryland Personal Injury Attorney
Jonathan Scott Smith, a Maryland SuperLawyer, has protected the rights of motor vehicle accident victims in the Baltimore metro area and throughout the state of Maryland for more than 30 years. He’s l0ng been AV-rated by his colleagues in the legal profession under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System and has been named a Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer magazine. A proven trial attorney known for getting positive results for clients, he’s received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO, with an average client review of 5 stars(the highest rating possible), as well as a perfect 10.0 (Superb) rating from AVVO as a litigator.
Experienced Carroll County Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
If you have been involved in an automobile collision in Maryland, we can help. Contact our office by e-mail or call us at 410-740-0101 to schedule an appointment.There’s no cost for your first consultation. We represent injured people in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County in Maryland.