Maryland: Interstate 81 Police Reports and Accident Guide

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, the most recent auto accident data available shows that: 

• Baltimore County and the city of Baltimore accounted for almost 37% of all Maryland auto accidents during the same five years.
• An average of 115,555 motor vehicle accidents occurred statewide every year during a five-year period. 
• 28% of Maryland car accidents took place on highways, 23% took place on rural roads, and 10% happened on interstate highways. 
• May and October are the months with the highest percentage of car accidents. 
• 16% of all car accidents happen on Fridays, more than any other day of the week.  
• Drivers between the ages of 25 and 29 accounted for 11% of all drivers involved in Maryland car crashes. 
• Roughly half of all drivers involved in car accidents are male, and about 30% are female. For whatever reason, the remaining 20% are unknown. 

Anytime an auto accident leads to serious injuries, it is a good idea for victims to speak with a qualified car accident lawyer. Between immediate and long-term medical care expenses, your damages could be astronomical. An experienced Maryland I-81 car accident lawyer can review your accident in a free consultation and determine if you have a valid case against a negligent driver.  

Maryland Fatal Car Accident Statistics

The MDOT also published data concerning fatal accidents. A five-year average of the most recent statistics reveal that: 

• Fatal car accidents made up less than 1% of all Maryland traffic accidents.  
• During the five-year window, an average of 530 vehicular fatalities occurred each year. 
• Just under 45% of fatal Maryland accidents took place on state highways. Around 20% were in rural areas.  
• Prince George’s County had the highest fatal crash rate at 91 deaths each year.  
• Baltimore County had the second-highest fatal crash rate at 64 deaths each year. It also accounted for almost 13% of all fatal accidents statewide. 
• Drivers between the ages of 25 and 29 were involved in more fatal collisions than any other age group, averaging about 37 deaths every year.  
• 77% of all fatal Maryland car accidents involved male drivers. Females made up 22%.

When people die in preventable car accidents, certain surviving relatives may be eligible to file a wrongful death suit. Keep in mind that not all fatal car crashes are caused by wrongful actions. A skilled lawyer will be able to determine if your loved one’s Maryland car accident qualifies you for a wrongful death claim.  

When a car accident takes place on I-81 on that twelve mile stretch in the state of Maryland, the Maryland State Police are dispatched to the scene, and an official State of Maryland Vehicle Crash Report is drafted and filed.  

For other scenarios that elicit a response from the police, there are comparable reports designed to cover each individual situation. This is a standard practice among the MSP as well as local police departments throughout the state.

After a car accident, a police crash report usually acts as a critical piece of evidence in any claims or tort cases. If you decide to seek financial compensation for your accident, you and your attorney can use the police report to strengthen your personal injury claim.

Anytime a police officer responds to a car accident, they will get statements from every driver involved in the crash along with any potential eyewitnesses. Responding state troopers will study the skid marks, how the vehicles are positioned, where and how the vehicles were damaged, as well as any other kind of physical evidence that they find at the scene.

This information will be included in the police accident report and used by the officer to compose a narrative of what most likely happened.

If appropriate, the responding officer will issue a traffic citation and determine who is liable for the crash. His crash reporting is vital to the successful settlement of your Maryland car accident case. 

The officer will include his findings along with a summary of what took place in the crash report. Regardless of where in Maryland your accident occurs, the State of Maryland Motor Vehicle Crash Report will be completed and filed with the local governing office.

The state trooper or officer will include the location of the accident in the VCR along with other critical details such as the names of the other drivers, a sketch of the crash scene, and a factual narrative. 

Occasionally, an accident report lacks details or simply is not very thorough. It is not uncommon for a crash report to contain only the bare minimum supporting evidence or a flimsy account of how the accident happened. This is especially true of minor accidents.

Even if the report is not as comprehensive as you hoped, it is still important to your case.  

For motor vehicle accidents and anything else that the MSP responds to, the Central Records Division serves as the main repository for distributing, examining, and collecting crime statistics and vehicle accident reports. The CRD is the division that will respond to any report request filed by a state trooper.

If you need to get a copy of your car accident report from the Maryland State Police, there are a few different ways you can do so:

• You can purchase a copy of your crash report from the MSP office where it was filed ten days after the accident occurred. A $4 check or money order must be made out to Maryland State Police. This document fee is nonrefundable so it is best to call beforehand and ask if your report is ready.  
• You are also able to access the MSP website. Under “Citizen Services” on the left hand side of the screen, click where it says “Police Reports.” The page will explain how you can get a copy of your accident reports including a link at the bottom of the page that takes you to a printable form. After you fill out the form, put it in the mail with your check or money order to the address provided. Once a copy of your accident report is available, it will be mailed to you. Once again, you have to wait at least 10 days after your accident before you can request a copy of the report.  
• Lastly, you can also get a copy by appearing at the Central Records Division in person. They are open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday except for holidays. 

Interstate car accidents can be caused by a number of different factors, including driver negligence. The driver who caused your accident might have been sending text messages, making phone calls, driving while they were intoxicated, speeding, or engaging in some other form of reckless and dangerous behavior. Your Maryland Interstate 81 car accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of your collision to determine who is liable and fight to get you the financial compensation you deserve.