Copyright © 2026 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.
Updated March 2026 | Source: Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Every year, tens of thousands of people suffer injuries in Maryland car accidents. The data below comes directly from the Zero Deaths Maryland program. Therefore, it reflects the most authoritative available source for Maryland car accident statistics. We review and update this page annually as new MDOT data becomes available. If you were injured in a Maryland car accident, the attorneys at Gelb & Gelb are available 24/7 at (202) 331-7227 for a free case evaluation.
According to the most recent full-year data from MDOT, Maryland recorded 110,401 total crashes in 2023. Those crashes resulted in 41,538 injuries and 621 fatalities. In other words, an average of more than 300 crashes occurred every single day across the state. The table below shows statewide crash totals from 2019 through 2023.
| Crash Type | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 5-Year Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatal Crashes | 496 | 546 | 524 | 534 | 577 | 535 |
| Injury Crashes | 32,938 | 25,360 | 28,142 | 28,027 | 28,577 | 28,609 |
| Property Damage Crashes | 82,583 | 69,728 | 80,243 | 79,908 | 81,247 | 78,742 |
| Total Crashes | 116,017 | 95,634 | 108,909 | 108,469 | 110,401 | 107,886 |
| Total Fatalities | 535 | 573 | 563 | 566 | 621 | 572 |
| Total Injured | 48,682 | 36,790 | 40,858 | 40,719 | 41,538 | 41,717 |
Source: MDOT Zero Deaths Maryland, Statewide Crash Summary
The five-year data reveals several important patterns. Fatal crashes rose from 496 in 2019 to 577 in 2023, a 16 percent increase. Moreover, total crashes remained relatively stable over the same period. The sharpest single-year decline in total crashes occurred in 2020. That drop likely reflects reduced driving during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2021, however, crash volumes had returned to near-2019 levels. Furthermore, the rise in fatalities despite stable overall crash volumes suggests that crashes in recent years tend to be more severe on average.
Alcohol and drug-impaired driving is one of the four persistent causes of fatal crashes that MDOT identifies. The table below shows crash totals involving an impaired driver from 2019 through 2023.
| Crash Type | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 5-Year Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatal Crashes | 131 | 173 | 155 | 135 | 116 | 142 |
| Injury Crashes | 2,106 | 1,831 | 1,906 | 1,704 | 1,668 | 1,843 |
| Property Damage Crashes | 4,628 | 4,217 | 4,480 | 3,941 | 3,671 | 4,187 |
| Total Crashes | 6,865 | 6,221 | 6,541 | 5,780 | 5,455 | 6,172 |
| Total Fatalities | 151 | 186 | 174 | 146 | 132 | 158 |
| Total Injured | 3,227 | 2,696 | 2,810 | 2,534 | 2,447 | 2,743 |
Source: MDOT Impaired Driving Crash Summary Report (2023) Total impaired driving crashes declined over the five-year period, from 6,865 in 2019 to 5,455 in 2023. However, impaired driving continues to produce a disproportionate share of fatal outcomes. In 2020, for example, impaired driving contributed to 173 fatal crashes despite the overall drop in traffic volume that year. Additionally, the five-year average of 158 annual fatalities means that impaired driving still kills more than one Marylander every two days. That is why Maryland law enforcement agencies consistently prioritize impaired driving enforcement, particularly during holidays and late-night hours.
Speeding and aggressive driving account for a significant share of serious and fatal crashes in Maryland each year. The table below covers crashes involving an aggressive driver from 2019 through 2023.
| Crash Type | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 5-Year Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatal Crashes | 37 | 55 | 32 | 33 | 55 | 42 |
| Injury Crashes | 1,387 | 1,027 | 1,109 | 1,106 | 1,130 | 1,152 |
| Property Damage Crashes | 2,654 | 1,885 | 2,135 | 2,226 | 2,287 | 2,237 |
| Total Crashes | 4,078 | 2,967 | 3,276 | 3,365 | 3,472 | 3,432 |
| Total Fatalities | 39 | 61 | 33 | 36 | 62 | 46 |
| Total Injured | 2,200 | 1,677 | 1,762 | 1,784 | 1,867 | 1,858 |
Source: MDOT Aggressive Driving Crash Summary Report (2023)
Distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes in Maryland and across the country. MDOT identifies distraction as one of the four persistent causes of traffic fatalities, alongside impairment, aggressive driving, and failure to wear a seatbelt. Furthermore, distraction takes many forms, including handheld phone use, eating, and adjusting in-vehicle controls. Maryland law prohibits the use of handheld cell phones while driving. A first offense carries a fine of $83. A second or subsequent offense carries a fine of $140. Despite these penalties, distracted driving continues to contribute to thousands of crashes each year.
Maryland uses a broad definition of distracted driving in its crash reports. Any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the road can constitute a distraction. Texting is among the most dangerous forms because it combines visual, manual, and cognitive inattention simultaneously. At highway speeds, reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. As a result, even a brief moment of distraction can lead to a catastrophic crash. Consequently, if the other driver was using a phone at the time of your crash, that evidence can be critical. Phone records, witness statements, and surveillance footage can all help establish what the driver was doing at the moment of impact.
MDOT data consistently shows that unrestrained occupants appear far too often in fatal crash reports. Maryland law requires all vehicle occupants to wear a seatbelt. Front-seat violations are a primary offense, so an officer can stop a driver solely for not wearing one. Rear-seat violations are a secondary offense. Despite these requirements, a significant number of people who died in Maryland crashes were not wearing seatbelts. Therefore, if you wore your seatbelt at the time of an accident caused by another driver, you are in a stronger legal position.
Because Maryland follows the pure contributory negligence doctrine, insurance adjusters sometimes argue that a failure to wear a seatbelt contributed to your injury severity. Consequently, an experienced Maryland car accident attorney can address these arguments and work to protect your right to full compensation.
Crash patterns vary significantly across Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. The most heavily populated counties account for a disproportionate share of total crashes. In addition, certain corridors are particularly dangerous. Interstate 95, the Capital Beltway (I-495), and US Route 40 appear repeatedly in MDOT crash reports. Rural counties generally generate fewer total crashes. However, they often see higher per-mile fatality rates due to greater travel speeds and longer emergency response times.
| County | Notable Crash Corridors | Key Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | I-270, MD-355, Georgia Ave | High volume, congestion, distracted driving |
| Prince George’s County | I-495, US-1, MD-4 | High volume, pedestrian crossings, speeding |
| Baltimore City / County | I-695, I-95, US-40 | High density, impaired driving, aggressive driving |
| Anne Arundel County | I-97, MD-2, MD-3 | Commuter traffic, speed differentials |
| Frederick County | I-70, US-15, MD-355 | Rural speeds, limited medians, deer crossings |
If your crash occurred in a specific county, local road conditions and court practices can affect how your case proceeds. Moreover, an attorney familiar with Maryland courts and crash patterns can help you navigate those differences.
The data above reflects crashes reported to law enforcement. Many additional crashes go unreported. Consequently, the true number of people injured on Maryland roads each year is likely higher than official totals reflect. Maryland is one of only a handful of states that follows the doctrine of pure contributory negligence. Under this rule, a court can bar you from recovering any compensation if a jury finds you even partially at fault for a crash. That is true regardless of how negligent the other driver was. As a result, the steps you take immediately after an accident are especially important. The car accident attorneys at Gelb & Gelb have represented injured Maryland drivers since 1954. We handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf and work to build the strongest possible case from day one. Call (202) 331-7227 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Knowing what to do immediately after a crash can make a meaningful difference in your ability to recover compensation. Therefore, the steps below reflect what Maryland attorneys and law enforcement consistently recommend. First, check for injuries and call 911. A police report creates an official record of the crash. In addition, it is often required when you file an insurance claim. Second, stay at the scene. Leaving before police arrive can result in criminal charges. Third, exchange information with all other drivers, including name, license number, and insurance details. Fourth, document the scene by photographing all vehicles, the road conditions, skid marks, and your visible injuries. Fifth, identify witnesses. Bystander accounts can corroborate your version of events. Sixth, seek medical attention promptly, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including whiplash, do not present symptoms immediately. As a result, a medical record linking your injuries to the crash is a crucial part of your claim. Seventh, contact a Maryland car accident attorney before giving any recorded statement to an insurance company.
Many people make preventable mistakes after a crash that weaken their claims. For example, accepting a quick settlement offer before understanding the full extent of your injuries is one of the most common errors. Once you accept a settlement, you generally cannot seek additional compensation, even if new symptoms emerge later. Additionally, posting about the accident on social media can damage your case. Insurance companies monitor social media and may use your posts to argue that your injuries are less severe than claimed. Furthermore, gaps in medical treatment can suggest that your injuries are not as serious as you allege.
How many people die in car accidents in Maryland each year?
According to the most recent MDOT data, 621 people died in Maryland car accidents in 2023. The five-year average from 2019 through 2023 is 572 fatalities per year.
What is the most common cause of car accident fatalities in Maryland?
MDOT identifies four persistent causes of fatal crashes: impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and failure to wear a seatbelt. Each factor appears in a significant share of fatal crashes each year. Therefore, addressing all four is central to the state’s Zero Deaths Maryland initiative.
Is Maryland a contributory negligence state?
Yes. Maryland follows the doctrine of pure contributory negligence. Consequently, if a court finds you even one percent at fault for a crash, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. This is one of the strictest standards in the country. For this reason, legal representation is especially important for injured Maryland drivers.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Maryland?
Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. Claims against government entities may have shorter deadlines. For this reason, consulting an attorney promptly helps ensure that all deadlines are met and that evidence is preserved.
Do I need an attorney for a Maryland car accident claim?
You are not required to hire an attorney. However, the complexity of Maryland’s contributory negligence rule makes legal representation valuable for most injury claims. An experienced Maryland car accident attorney can investigate your crash, handle communications with insurance companies, and work to maximize your recovery.
Copyright © 2026 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.