Car or Truck Accident In Maryland? First Things You Need to Know.

Stop.  Maryland law requires you to remain at the scene of the car or truck accident.

Get to a safe and secure location as close as possible to the scene of the car or truck accident.  Try to avoid obstructing traffic any more than necessary.  If there are injuries, call 911 and help any injured persons, if you are able.

Following a car or truck accident, Maryland law requires you to stop and remain as close to the accident scene as possible. Make sure everybody is safe and secure by rendering reasonable assistance and getting medical treatment, if there are injuries. Calling 911 will generally satisfy this requirement.

Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers or occupants of vehicles involved in the car or truck accident.

Certain information must be provided to any investigating police officer, driver(s), or occupants of any involved vehicles, and any injured person(s).  Provide your name, address and the registration number of the vehicle you are driving. Present your driver’s license, upon request, if it is available.  Additionally, Maryland law requires you to provide the name and address of your liability insurance carrier and your policy number, if it is available.

If the car accident involves unattended property damage, notify the property owner before leaving the scene.

If you are involved in an accident with an unoccupied vehicle or some other type of unattended property, you still have certain obligations in Maryland.  You must make reasonable attempts to locate the owner, or if you are unable to locate the owner, you must leave written notification placed in a secure, conspicuous place. The notification should include your name and address, the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle, and the vehicle’s registration number.  You should also provide the name and address of your liability insurance carrier and policy number, if available.

I’ve already left the scene of the accident.  What should I do now?

Return to the scene and provide the required information.  If that is not possible, call the non-emergency number for the police department in the jurisdiction where the accident occurred and make a report. If you have been charged with hit-and-run set up a free consultation with an attorney now.

The other driver fled the accident scene.

Call 911 and report the accident.  Give as much information as you can about the other vehicle.  Include the make, model, color, and tag number of the other vehicle. Provide a description of the driver and direction in which they fled, if possible.  If you were not in the vehicle at the time of the accident and did not see the accident occur, make a report using the police non-emergency line in the jurisdiction where the accident occurred.

Document Everything

Before you leave the scene of the accident, take pictures or videos of the scene and identify any witnesses.

Begin documenting the scene once you and the scene are safe and secure.  It is important to take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and any other vehicles that were involved. But don’t forget to take pictures or videos of the scene itself. Include pictures of the intersection or roadway you were traveling on. Note whether there are any nearby traffic or security cameras that may have captured the accident.  Photograph license plates, registration cards, and insurance cards for any involved vehicles. Request to photograph the driver’s licenses of other drivers, passengers, or witnesses.  Ask any witnesses for their name, address, and telephone number.

Make a record of the details of the car accident.

Stay quiet while you are on the scene.  You should not make comments or speculate about how the accident occurred. Listen to what others have to say about the accident and write down the details you can remember while it is still fresh in your mind. Other details to include are the location in Maryland where the accident occurred, the date, time, weather, and road conditions.  Write down any statements made by other drivers, passengers, or onlookers.  Make a diagram of the scene showing how the vehicles were traveling.

Get medical treatment. Keep a journal of symptoms.

If you are injured in a car or truck accident, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Insurance companies may use a delay in getting medical treatment to avoid compensating you for your injuries.  Go to the hospital or follow up with your primary care physician or an urgent care center as soon as possible. Document any pain or other symptoms you are experiencing with your doctors and follow all treatment recommendations. Non-compliance and gaps in treatment are other ways insurance companies justify denying coverage of your injuries. Keep a journal of any symptoms you experience to refresh your memory later.

Notify your insurance company. Don’t Sign Anything.

Notify your insurance company about the accident and get a claim number. But do not sign anything, make a recorded statement, or speak with the other driver’s insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney.

What happens in Maryland if the car or truck accident was my fault?

Fault is a legal term. A Maryland car accident attorney can help you determine whether you were at fault.

Determining who was at fault in a car or truck accident in Maryland requires consideration of many factors. Police car accident reports will often designate an at-fault party, but there are reasons that designation might be wrong. Maryland police car accident reports are based on observations and statements made after the fact, which may have been incomplete or inaccurate. A Maryland car accident lawyer can help you determine who was at fault in your accident.  Don’t admit or accept fault until you have spoken with a lawyer to review your case.

In Maryland, you cannot recover for injuries sustained in a car accident that was your fault. But you may still have benefits available to you.

Automobile insurance does not reimburse medical bills or pay other compensation to at-fault drivers involved in car or truck accidents in Maryland.  However, your policy may contain Collision coverage on your vehicle to cover the costs of vehicle repairs up to the fair market value of your vehicle, minus your deductible. Your policy may also contain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. You, your family members, or non-family occupants of your vehicle may be eligible to be reimbursed up to $2,500.00, or more in certain cases, for reasonable expenses arising out of the accident. PIP can be used, regardless of fault, for reimbursement of medical expenses, hospitalization, lost wages and more.