As a Midtown Baltimore car accident lawyer, I’ve handled countless personal injury claims and lawsuits that had their start here. Baltimore’s Midtown neighborhood primarily falls within the 21201 zip code. This zip code encompasses a significant portion of downtown Baltimore, including areas like Mount Vernon, Bolton Hill, and parts of Station North. Baltimore’s Midtown neighborhood is located just north of downtown Baltimore. It’s roughly bordered by North Avenue to the north, Howard Street to the west, Mount Royal Avenue to the south, and Guilford Avenue to the east. This area is known for its historic architecture, cultural institutions like the Walters Art Museum and the Lyric Opera House, as well as its proximity to other vibrant neighborhoods like Mount Vernon and Station North. It is also known for its busy urban roadways, and correspondingly high number of serious motor vehicle accidents.

The Midtown neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, is notable for several additional reasons:

• Cultural Institutions: Midtown is home to several prominent cultural institutions, including the renowned Walters Art Museum, the Lyric Opera House, and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), one of the oldest art schools in the United States.
• Historic Architecture: The neighborhood boasts a rich architectural heritage with many historic buildings, including grand Victorian townhouses, elegant mansions, and stately churches.
• Arts and Entertainment: Midtown is a hub for arts and entertainment, with numerous galleries, theaters, and performance spaces. The Station North Arts and Entertainment District, located just north of Midtown, further contributes to the vibrant cultural scene.
• Diverse Community: Midtown is known for its diverse and vibrant community, comprising artists, professionals, students, and residents from various backgrounds.
• Revitalization Efforts: In recent years, Midtown has undergone revitalization efforts aimed at enhancing the neighborhood’s livability, attracting new businesses, and fostering economic development while preserving its historic character. Overall, Midtown Baltimore is a dynamic and culturally rich neighborhood that offers residents and visitors a unique blend of history, art, and community.

In Baltimore’s Midtown neighborhood, there are several hospitals and medical centers nearby. Some of the closest hospitals include:

• University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Midtown Campus: Formerly known as Maryland General Hospital, this hospital is located at 827 Linden Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201. It offers a range of medical services including emergency care, surgical procedures, and specialty care.
• Johns Hopkins Hospital: While not directly in Midtown, Johns Hopkins Hospital is nearby and is one of the leading hospitals in the country. It is located at 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287, just a short distance from Midtown.
• MedStar Union Memorial Hospital: Located at 201 E University Pkwy, Baltimore, MD 21218, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital provides a wide range of medical services including orthopedics, cardiology, and oncology.

Case Study- Why Car Accidents Occur In This Area of Baltimore?

In Baltimore’s Midtown neighborhood, there are several major intersections that serve as important hubs for transportation and commerce. These intersections play a crucial role in the transportation network of Midtown Baltimore, facilitating movement within the neighborhood and connecting it to other parts of the city. As a Midtown Baltimore car accident lawyer, I have seen, this necessary combination of congestion and timing can and does lead to significant car crashes causing personal injury. Some of the notable intersections in Midtown Baltimore include:

• Mount Royal Avenue and Cathedral Street: Located near the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), this intersection is a key crossing point in Midtown and provides access to cultural institutions and residential areas.
• Charles Street and North Avenue: Another important intersection, Charles Street is a major north-south artery in Baltimore, and North Avenue is a significant east-west corridor. This intersection serves as a gateway to Midtown from both downtown and the northern neighborhoods.
• Howard Street and Madison Street: Situated near the University of Baltimore, this intersection sees significant pedestrian and vehicular traffic, linking the university campus with other parts of Midtown and downtown.

A rather notorious intersection, in the long history of serious, indeed catastrophic Baltimore motor vehicle accidents is North Avenue and Howard Street. This intersection marks the northern boundary of Midtown and is a major thoroughfare connecting downtown Baltimore with the northern parts of the city. Many rushed harried and impatient motorists, or those looking to escape downtown via I83 want to make a left on North Avenue from Northbound Howard, only to find, by design, they cannot.

Legal Analysis: How is Fault Determined in a Left Turn Accident?

It should perhaps go without saying, but innumerable Baltimore city car accidents are caused by left-hand turning motorist crossing over oncoming traffic. Baltimore City planners have chosen to make a left-hand turn at the intersection of northbound Howard and North Avenue illegal, in an attempt to avoid, at least in part, the inherent dangers in left turns. In addition to the dangers obviously present when crossing over the lane of travel – where oncoming traffic has an unlimited right of way– left-hand turn related accidents are notorious for a couple of additional reasons. Over the years, as a long time Midtown Baltimore car accident lawyer, what I’ve seen is that oncoming traffic frequently moves at significant speed. If an accident ensures, this serves to enhance the severity of the accident and exacerbated the severity of any corresponding personal injury. Speed also plays a fat plays role in left turn Baltimore city car accident as it is often difficult for the turning driver to perceive the true rate of speed of that approaching vehicle and indeed often misjudges that rate of speed. For this reason, Maryland’s Transportation Code/ “Rules of the Road” provides:

§ 21-402. Vehicle turning left or making U-turn.
(a) If the driver of a vehicle intends to turn to the left in an intersection or into an alley or a private road or driveway, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any other vehicle that is approaching from the opposite direction and is in the intersection or so near to it as to be an immediate danger.

In my practice, we see that in the absence of extraordinary circumstances [e.g. “last clear chance”], the left turning driver will invariably be found at fault for any ensuring accident. If there is a collision, especially one involving serious person injury, it is difficult to explain how that immediate danger, which came to fruition, was not perceived by the left turning motorist.