Do You Know the Most Dangerous Areas to Drive in Maryland?
October 24, 2022
Being involved in a car accident in Maryland leaves many drivers to face many problems that can be difficult to manage, such dealing with multiple insurance claims, paying for car damage and medical expenses, and recovering from injuries while trying to get back to work. Not only can it be a stressful and overwhelming experience, but it can also be cost injured parties full recovery without proper legal guidance.
Prince George’s County is the most dangerous county when it comes to serious car crashes, with more traffic fatalities than any other area in Maryland. Not only does this busy county see the most deaths and severe injuries due to car accidents, but reports continue to show that it is also home to the highest rate of pedestrian and motorcyclist traffic-related deaths every year. Anne Arundel County, which shares several roadways with Prince George’s County, comes in as a close second in number of fatal car crashes every year.
Although some car accidents seem unavoidable, it is crucial that Maryland motorists stay aware of the most dangerous areas to drive in their state, take precautions, and plan accordingly.
Maryland State Route 4
Maryland State Route 4 sees more than its share of serious car accidents in both Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County on a regular basis. MD Route 4 is an east-west highway that passes through District Heights, Meadows, and intersects with the following local highways:
- MD Route 458, near District Heights
- Interstate 95, Capital Beltway near Meadows
- Interstate 495, Capital Beltway near Meadows
- MD Route 223, near Meadows
- MD Route 717, near Upper Marlboro
- US Route 301, near Upper Marlboro
- MD Route 726, near Upper Marlboro
While these intersections are in Prince George’s County, the most recent deadly car crash occurred on MD Route 4 in Anne Arundel County. On October 5, 2022 in Lothian, a vehicle travelling southbound on Southern Maryland Boulevard, Route 4, hit another car that was attempting to cross Route 4 onto Lower Pindell Road. The driver of the struck car was pronounced dead at the scene.
Suitland Parkway
Suitland Parkway runs just over 9 miles from the South Capitol Bridge in Washington D.C. to Route 4 in Maryland. Most of that stretch is in Prince George’s County and sees heavy traffic every day.
In August of this year, two people were killed and two others were injured in a car crash on the Suitland Parkway in Prince George’s County. Several vehicles were involved in the accident, which happened in the early morning hours near Forestville Road. When crews with the fire department arrived at the scene, they found two people trapped inside vehicles, and another occupant that had been ejected. Two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, and two were taken to the hospital with serious and life-threatening injuries.
Landover Area
Landover is a densely populated suburb of Washington D.C., located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. It contains many parks and residential neighborhoods, with many families who rent their homes. For these reasons, it comes as no surprise that a variety of kinds of car accidents can happen in this area.
In December of 2019, a pedestrian was struck and killed by two cars at the intersection of Martin L. King Jr. Highway and Columbia Park Road in Landover. Only one driver remained at the scene. The same week, another pedestrian was fatally injured after being hit by a car less than three miles away on Central Avenue in Seat Pleasant.
More recently, in June of this year, two pedestrians were hit and injured by a vehicle that fled the scene. The car accident occurred at Old Landover Road and Kilmer Street in Landon.
Capitol Heights
Capitol Heights is a busy town in Prince George’s County that borders both the Northeast and Southeast quadrants of Washington D.C. The main highway serving Capitol Heights is Maryland Route 214 MD, which runs west and connects with East Capitol Street in Washington, D.C., and east to the Capitol Beltway. Another heavily traveled road in Capitol Heights is Maryland Route 332.
All modes of travel are found in Capitol Heights, ranging from motorcycles to large commercial trucks. As a result, a variety of types of accidents happen in this area.
On November 28, 2021, a car driving southbound in the 1400 block area of Richie Road in Capitol Heights ran off the road and crashed into a tree. Two of the three occupants in the vehicle were found dead at the scene, and another was left with serious injuries. The fatal crash happened in the early hours on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. On Thanksgiving Day, a District Heights driver was killed the same way on Pennsylvania Avenue near Forestville Road, after her car veered off the road and hit a tree.
In July of 2022, a fatal accident involving a motorcycle and a dump truck occurred in Capitol Heights. One person was killed in the crash, which involved the truck catching fire and leaking fuel at the intersection of MD Route 214 and Yacht Place.
These highlighted areas in Maryland experience all kinds of accidents, involving large trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, single cars, and multiple-vehicle crashes. It is also important to note that these accidents are more likely to happen on weekends, particularly on holidays, and during hours with low visibility. Therefore, it is crucial to stay alert and take precautions, whether you are a driver, pedestrian, or motorcyclist.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Maryland, it is always advisable to retain a knowledgeable car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A car accident lawyer will handle the important details of your case every step of the way, from thoroughly investigating the accident and liability, to negotiating with insurance companies and opposing counsel on your behalf so that you can receive the fair amount of compensation you deserve.
Maryland Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Protect the Best Interests of Clients Injured in Car Accidents
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious car accident, an experienced Maryland car accident lawyer at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton is here to help guide you through the legal process and ease your stress. Our legal team prioritizes giving each case the personal attention it needs to ensure our clients receive the maximum compensation they deserve.
For a free consultation, call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online. With offices conveniently located in Baltimore, Columbia, and Glen Burnie, we serve clients throughout Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, as well as the surrounding counties.