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US Route 1, known locally as Baltimore Avenue, is a major transportation corridor through Prince George’s County, connecting communities from the Washington, DC area through Hyattsville, College Park, and Beltsville, and toward Laurel. It carries commuters, local traffic, commercial vehicles, buses, pedestrians, and cyclists every day.
Busy intersections and frequent turning movements can increase collision risk along parts of the corridor. Heavy traffic can add to those risks. County planning officials have identified sections of Baltimore Avenue as crash hotspots. Their concerns include congestion and the safety of pedestrian crossings.
For anyone injured in a Route 1 accident, understanding the risks associated with the corridor can also help explain why a thorough investigation of the crash may be important. If you were involved in a car accident along Baltimore Avenue, a DC car accident lawyer can help. Contact Regan Zambri Long today to schedule a free consultation.
Baltimore Avenue is also a major commercial corridor and an important route for truck traffic in Prince George’s County. This can result in drivers encountering a wide range of vehicle types and traffic patterns while traveling along US 1.
The risk is not necessarily the same along every section of Route 1. Recent planning work focusing on the Central US 1 corridor identified the intersections of Baltimore Avenue with Edgewood Road and Cherry Hill Road as Route 1 accident hotspots.
The county’s study also identified limited pedestrian crossings and difficult connections for pedestrians and cyclists. Numerous driveways and curb cuts also create frequent left-turn movements across the corridor. These conditions can create additional points of conflict between vehicles and other road users.
Crashes on Route 1 can result from driver behavior, road design, traffic conditions, visibility, or a combination of factors.
Common contributing factors can include:
The county’s Central US 1 study identified the number of driveways and curb cuts along Baltimore Avenue as a safety concern due to the numerous left turns they create.
Determining what caused a particular accident requires evidence from that collision. A police report alone may not tell the entire story.
People walking and cycling face a greater risk of serious injury when involved in a collision with a motor vehicle. Baltimore Avenue has received particular attention regarding pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Prince George’s County’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program identifies Baltimore Avenue as one of the county’s high-crash areas where safety outreach has occurred.
The Central US 1 study also found that crossing Baltimore Avenue can be difficult for pedestrians and bicyclists, with relatively few crosswalks across the corridor in the study area. The county has recommended improvements intended to strengthen multimodal connectivity and safety.
Serious pedestrian crashes have also occurred along Baltimore Avenue. In February 2022, a pedestrian was killed near Queen Anne Avenue in College Park. A year earlier, in July 2021, police investigated another fatal pedestrian collision at Baltimore Avenue and Mulberry Street in Laurel.
These Route 1 accidents demonstrate why collisions involving vulnerable road users can have devastating consequences.
Baltimore Avenue has also been the site of serious and fatal motor vehicle collisions. 
In October 2023, a University of Maryland charter bus crashed into a light pole on Baltimore Avenue near University Boulevard in College Park. Thirty passengers were taken to hospitals with injuries.
In August 2021, a fatal three-vehicle crash occurred at Baltimore Avenue and Ammendale Road in Beltsville. According to the preliminary investigation, one vehicle rear-ended another before striking a third vehicle that was turning onto Baltimore Avenue. Police reported that speed may have been a factor.
Prince George’s County’s own accident records also document fatal crashes on Baltimore Avenue, including a 2021 motorcycle crash in the 5100 block of the road.
These crashes demonstrate the potential consequences of collisions on Baltimore Avenue, from serious injuries to fatalities. For anyone injured in a Route 1 accident, documenting what happened and obtaining the relevant records can be important steps towards understanding their legal options.
A copy of the police accident report may become important when pursuing an insurance claim. Prince George’s County Police provides accident reports through CrashDocs and BuyCrash, as well as through its Police Records Section.
If you were injured in a Route 1 accident or another road in Prince George’s County, speaking with an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and the steps involved in pursuing compensation. Contact Regan Zambri Long for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.