Home › News › Work Zone Crash on I-97 in Maryland: What Drivers Should Know About Rear-End Collisions Near Lane Closures

Work Zone Crash on I-97 in Maryland: What Drivers Should Know About Rear-End Collisions Near Lane Closures

By AutoInsuranceBundle.pro · Published October 29, 2026

Orange barrels, lane shifts, and sudden slowdowns are part of life on American highways. They also set up one of the most predictable crash types there is: a driver slows down for the work zone, and the driver behind doesn't.

The crash on northbound I-97

At about 12:45 a.m. in early October 2026, Maryland State Police troopers responded to northbound I-97 near Route 32 in Anne Arundel County. According to the agency's preliminary findings, a Toyota Camry began slowing for a lane closure in an active work zone when a Mercedes struck it from behind. The Mercedes then veered into the work zone and struck a highway worker and a portable light tower.

The worker was taken to a trauma center. No other injuries were reported. A trooper was parked nearby with emergency lights on at the time. Police said impairment may have been a contributing factor, the cause was still under investigation, and charges were pending. Lane closures lasted about three hours.

Our focus here is on what this kind of crash means for the driver in front, the one doing exactly what the signs asked.

Source: State Police Investigating Pedestrian-Involved Crash in Anne Arundel County Work Zone, Maryland State Police, October 7, 2026. Basic facts are summarized from that report; this explainer is our own writing.

Rear-end crashes: the general rule

In most states, the driver who hits a vehicle from behind is presumed to be mostly or fully at fault. The reasoning is simple: drivers must keep a safe following distance and be ready to stop, particularly when signs warn of a work zone ahead.

That presumption is not absolute. Insurers may look at whether the front vehicle:

• had working brake lights,
• stopped suddenly for no reason,
• cut in front of the other car and braked, or
• reversed into the car behind.

None of those appear in the police account of the I-97 crash, which describes the Toyota slowing for a lane closure, exactly what drivers are supposed to do.

Why Maryland's fault rule is worth knowing

Maryland is one of a handful of places that still use contributory negligence, along with Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Under that doctrine, an injured person who is found even slightly at fault can be barred from recovering damages from the other driver. In most other states, comparative fault rules reduce your recovery by your share of blame instead of wiping it out.

For a driver who is rear-ended while slowing for a work zone, the practical lesson is to document that you did nothing wrong: you were in your lane, your lights worked, and you slowed for posted signs. In a contributory negligence state, the other insurer has a strong incentive to argue that you contributed in some small way.

Maryland also sets minimum liability limits of $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage, according to the Insurance Information Institute, and requires personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on policies. PIP can pay medical bills and lost wages early, regardless of fault, which matters when liability is still being sorted out.

What to do if you are rear-ended in a work zone

1. Stay in your vehicle if traffic is moving around you, and call 911. Work zones have narrow shoulders and limited escape routes.
2. Tell the dispatcher you're in a work zone and whether any workers were involved.
3. When safe, photograph the work zone signs, cones, lane closure, the damage to the rear of your car, and the other vehicle's front end.
4. Note your dashcam if you have one and save the footage right away.
5. Get the names of workers or flaggers who saw the crash, if possible. They are often excellent witnesses.
6. Report the claim to both insurers. Open a claim with the other driver's insurer and notify your own.
7. Get medical care. Rear-end impacts commonly cause neck and back injuries that show up later.

How insurance typically handles the claim

The rear driver's property damage liability coverage generally pays for your car, and their bodily injury liability coverage pays for your injuries, subject to limits and the fault rules in your state. Your own collision coverage can pay for repairs sooner, with your insurer recovering the money later. If the at-fault driver is impaired and underinsured, your underinsured motorist coverage may help. We cover that in detail in our article on a wrong-way impaired driver crash in Vermont.

Workers injured on the job are usually covered by workers' compensation, and that system may later seek repayment from the at-fault driver's insurer. That process typically does not involve the front driver if they were not at fault.

Common mistakes in work zone rear-end claims

• Assuming fault is automatic. It is presumed, not guaranteed. Evidence still matters, especially in Maryland.
• Not mentioning the work zone. Signs and lane closures help explain why you slowed or stopped.
• Driving away from a "minor" impact. Hidden damage to bumpers, sensors, and trunk floors is common.
• Giving a recorded statement to the other insurer before you're ready. You can ask to provide it later, after you've reviewed your notes.

Is your auto coverage ready for the unexpected?

Work zones are temporary, but the claims from them can drag on. PIP, collision, UM/UIM, and adequate liability limits all play a role. Talk with a licensed agent and compare quotes in one free call at (888) 217-5854.

FAQ

Is the rear driver always at fault?

Usually, but not always. Sudden unnecessary stops, broken brake lights, or unsafe lane changes by the front driver can shift some blame, and how that affects you depends on your state's fault rule.

What is contributory negligence?

It is a strict rule, used in Maryland and a few other places, under which an injured party who is even partly at fault may be barred from recovering damages from the other party.

Are work zone fines higher?

Many states increase fines for traffic violations in work zones, especially when workers are present. Check your state's DOT or motor vehicle agency for the rules.

Should I use my own collision coverage if the other driver is at fault?

It can be faster. Your insurer may recover your deductible from the other insurer later.

Important: This article is general information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice, and coverage rules vary by state, insurer, and policy. AutoInsuranceBundle.pro is a free, independent insurance comparison and referral service. We are not an insurance company, we do not issue policies, and we do not provide insurance advice. Calls to the number on this site are routed to licensed insurance agents or agencies in our partner network, who may receive compensation. Calling is completely voluntary and there is no obligation to buy. Rates, discounts, and availability vary by carrier, state, and individual eligibility; not all carriers, products, or discounts are available in all states. Calls may be recorded for quality and compliance purposes.