Car accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury claims in Maryland. What you do after a car accident in Maryland — in the minutes, hours, and days after a crash — can significantly affect both your health and your legal rights. Because Maryland follows strict fault rules, taking the right steps after a collision is especially important.
This guide explains what to do after a car accident in Maryland, from the moment the crash occurs through the early stages of an insurance or injury claim.
What to do after a car accident in Maryland, step-by-step:
Step 1: Ensure Safety and Call for Help
After a collision, check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is hurt or if vehicles are blocking traffic, call 911 immediately. Even in seemingly minor accidents, police involvement helps create an official record of what occurred.
Maryland law requires drivers to remain at the scene of an accident involving injury or property damage. Leaving before exchanging information can result in serious legal consequences.
Step 2: Seek Medical Attention Promptly
Some injuries, including concussions and soft tissue damage, may not be immediately obvious. Even if you feel fine initially, delayed medical symptoms after a car accident can emerge hours or days later. Seeking medical evaluation as soon as possible protects your health and helps document a connection between the accident and your injuries.
Medical records often become central evidence in Maryland car accident claims, particularly when insurers question the severity or cause of injuries.
Step 3: Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
Understanding how fault, damages, and deadlines work under Maryland personal injury law is essential after a car accident.
In Maryland, drivers must report accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage. A police report documents key details such as time, location, involved parties, and preliminary observations.
Insurance companies frequently rely on police reports when evaluating fault, especially in disputes over how a crash occurred.
Step 4: Document the Scene and Gather Evidence
If it is safe to do so, take photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and visible injuries. Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers and collect names and contact details of any witnesses.
Evidence gathered early can be critical in Maryland car accident cases, where fault determinations often decide whether compensation is available at all.
Step 5: Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters may contact you shortly after a crash. While you are generally required to notify your own insurer, be cautious about giving recorded statements or speculating about fault.
Understanding Maryland insurance reporting requirements can help you comply with policy obligations without inadvertently harming your claim. Because Maryland applies the contributory negligence rule, statements suggesting partial responsibility can jeopardize a claim.
Step 6: Understand How Fault Is Determined in Maryland
Maryland follows a strict contributory negligence standard. If an injured driver is found even minimally at fault, recovery may be barred entirely. This makes fault analysis one of the most important aspects of a Maryland car accident claim.
Disputes over speed, distraction, lane position, or reaction time frequently arise, even in rear-end or intersection collisions.
Step 7: Track Expenses and Ongoing Impacts
Keep records of medical bills, repair estimates, lost wages, and other costs related to the accident. Injuries can also affect daily activities, sleep, and long-term mobility.
Documentation helps establish both economic and non-economic damages in a Maryland personal injury case.
Step 8: Be Mindful of Filing Deadlines
Most Maryland car accident injury claims are subject to a three-year statute of limitations. Missing this deadline generally results in the loss of the right to pursue compensation.
Certain circumstances, such as claims involving minors or government entities, may involve different timelines.
What to do After a Car Accident in Maryland and Why These Steps Matter for Injury Victims
Car accidents in Maryland are not handled the same way as in many other states. Because fault rules are unforgiving, early decisions can determine whether a claim succeeds or fails.
Taking deliberate steps after a crash helps protect your health, preserves evidence, and positions a claim for fair evaluation under Maryland law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Maryland
What to do after a car accident in Maryland – Steps to Take Immediately?
Ensure safety, call 911 if anyone is injured, seek medical attention, report the accident, and document the scene if possible.
Do I need to call the police after a minor car accident?
Police involvement is recommended when there are injuries, disputes about fault, or significant property damage, as reports can be critical later.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
Be cautious. Statements made early can affect fault determinations, especially under Maryland’s contributory negligence rule.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Maryland?
Most claims must be filed within three years from the date of the accident, though exceptions may apply.
Does Maryland’s contributory negligence rule apply to car accidents?
Yes. If an injured driver is found even slightly at fault, recovery may be barred entirely.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what to do after a car accident in Maryland can make a significant difference in both medical recovery and legal outcomes. Because Maryland’s fault rules are strict, careful documentation and informed decision-making are essential from the very beginning.
After addressing immediate safety and medical concerns, many injured drivers must navigate insurance claims after an accident in Maryland, which involves separate rules and timelines.
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