Even a minor car accident can burden the victim with painful injuries, expensive property damage, increased insurance rates, and lost earnings. The consequences of a serious accident, such as a high-speed collision between two vehicles, are even more severe. Some accident victims are forced to give up the careers they love, let go of personal relationships, and suffer through chronic pain for the rest of their lives.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a car crash in Ellicott City, you deserve to have the crash investigated by an experienced auto accident attorney. Depending on how and why the crash occurred, the other driver might be liable for compensating your injuries and financial losses. Let us handle the legal work, so that you can simply relax and focus on recovering.
The aggressive lawyers of Whitney, LLP have years of experience fighting for maximum compensation on behalf of car accident injury victims in Maryland. We handle cases from all corners of Ellicott City and Howard County, including the neighborhoods of West Friendship, Rockland, Pine Orchard, and Ilchester. We offer free initial consultations, and will always keep your information private. To set up a free and confidential assessment of your case, call our law offices right away at (410) 583-8000.
Major Roads in Ellicott City and Howard County
With a population of nearly 66,000 as of April 2010, Ellicott City is one of the largest municipalities in Maryland. As the seat of Howard County, which is home to roughly 305,000 residents, Ellicott City plays a unique and vital role in the economy of Maryland. It quaint historic district attracts tourists and antique-hunters, while thrill-seekers are drawn to Ellicott City’s “haunted” reputation. The city has repeatedly ranked as one of Money’s “20 Best Places to Live in the United States” over the past decade, and today, enjoys a ranking as as one of the nation’s wealthiest communities.
Due to its large population, bustling tourism industry, and close proximity to Baltimore, the Ellicott City area is heavily built up with highways and major transportation nodes. While accidents can occur in any type of road setting, crashes and collisions are especially likely to take place on busy roadways such as the following:
Bethany Lane
Centennial Lane
Frederick Road
I-70
I-95
MD 32
MD 99
MD 100
MD 108
Old Annapolis Road
Old Columbia Pike
River Road
Rogers Avenue
St. John’s Lane
U.S. Route 29
U.S. Route 40
According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), there were 92,518 crashes throughout the state in 2013 – a dramatic increase from the 90,508 crashes reported in 2012. Together, these crashes accounted for 42,716 injuries, 62,873 instances of property damage, and 466 deaths.
Historically, the rate of fatal crashes in Ellicott City has been far lower than the average state rate. In 2000, Ellicott City reported 1.8 fatal accidents per 100,000, compared against the state average of 4.4 fatal accidents per 100,000 the same year. These numbers have not shifted significantly with time. In 2006, the city had a fatal accident rate of 3.2, compared to the state rate of 13.7. In 2008, the local rate was 3.1 fatal accidents per 100,000, versus the Maryland rate of 12.9 per 100,000.
While these comparatively low figures are encouraging for people who reside in or commute to Ellicott City, they also serve as a reminder that, while rare, deadly accidents can and do happen.
Can I Get Compensation for My Car Accident Injuries?
If you were not at fault for your accident, it may be possible for you to recover compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. Our attorneys can work with accident scene investigators and experts from the automotive industry to determine precisely how and why your accident occurred. This typically may include the analysis of skid marks, broken glass, scratches, and dents, which often reveals crucial information about the chain of events leading up to the collision.
If the other driver caused the accident by driving aggressively, recklessly, or carelessly, he or she may be liable for compensating your injuries and other financial losses. All motorists are responsible for driving safely and responsibly, regardless of whether they sit behind the wheel of a compact car or a 30,000 pound semi-trailer truck. Some common examples of traffic safety violations include:
- Driving the wrong way down a one-way street
- Driving too fast for poor road or weather conditions
- Drunk driving/driving while intoxicated (DUI/DWI)
- Excessive speeding
- Failing to come to a complete stop at a crosswalk
- Flashing high beams at inappropriate times
- Running a red light
- Running a stop sign
- Weaving in and out of traffic lanes
In other cases, automotive manufacturers are to blame. Even skilled drivers may find themselves unable to avoid disaster if they unknowingly rely on defective tires, defective brake systems, or other malfunctioning automotive parts and accessories. Some prominent examples include defective GM ignition switches and exploding Takata airbags, both of which have recently resulted in unprecedented recalls affecting tens of millions of foreign and domestic vehicles.
If you were injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Damages may be awarded for medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, emotional distress, lost earnings, and other losses. To talk about your claim in a free, completely confidential legal consultation, call the law offices of Whitney, LLP right away at (410) 583-8000.