What to Do After a Car Accident in Maryland

A car crash turns an ordinary day upside down in seconds. What you do in the hours and weeks afterward can make a big difference to your health and to any claim you may have. Here is a practical checklist from the attorneys at Lambros & Lambros, based on decades of handling automobile crash cases in Maryland.

1. Check for Injuries and Call 911

Your safety comes first. Move to a safe place if you can, turn on your hazard lights and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Ask for the police to come to the scene. A police report is useful, but do not assume it tells the whole story — officers are focused on safety and traffic, not on protecting your rights. We have seen police reports that listed witnesses without mentioning that some of them contradicted the officer’s conclusion.

2. Document the Scene

• Photograph all vehicles, the positions they came to rest in, skid marks, debris, traffic signals and road conditions.
• Photograph your injuries, and keep taking pictures as bruises and swelling develop.
• Get the names, phone numbers and insurance information of the other drivers.
• Get the names and phone numbers of every witness. Independent witnesses are often the most important evidence in the case.
• Note nearby businesses or homes that may have security cameras. Video is often recorded over within days.

3. Get Medical Care Right Away

Some serious injuries, including concussions, spinal injuries and internal injuries, do not show symptoms right away. See a doctor promptly and follow the treatment plan. Gaps in treatment are something insurance companies use to argue that you were not really hurt, or that something else caused your pain.

4. Be Careful What You Say

Do not apologize or guess about what happened, and do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before you talk with a lawyer. This matters more in Maryland than almost anywhere else: Maryland still follows the rule of contributory negligence, which can bar you from recovering anything if you are found even slightly at fault. Be careful on social media, too — posts and photos can be taken out of context.

5. Notify Your Own Insurance Company

Your policy requires you to report the crash promptly. Maryland policies include personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $2,500 unless it was waived in writing, which can help with medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. Your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also matter if the other driver has no insurance or too little.

6. Preserve Evidence Quickly

Witness memories fade, vehicles are repaired or scrapped, and video from nearby businesses and 911 recordings can be erased. Acting quickly allows an attorney to secure this evidence and, when needed, bring in an accident reconstruction expert. In one of our cases, a 911 recording obtained right away captured a witness saying she saw the other drivers run a red light. If a tractor-trailer was involved, federal rules only require some driver records to be kept for six months — see trucking negligence.

7. Know Your Deadline

In Maryland, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the crash. If a government vehicle was involved, written notice may be required much sooner. Waiting can hurt your case long before any deadline, so it is wise to get advice early.

8. Keep Records

Keep copies of medical bills, pay stubs showing time missed from work, repair estimates and letters from insurance companies. A simple journal of your pain, sleep and the activities you can no longer do can also be valuable. Maryland law allows injured people to seek compensation for past and future medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

9. Don’t Settle Too Soon

Insurance companies sometimes offer a quick payment before the full extent of an injury is known. Once you sign a release, you usually cannot reopen the claim. Make sure you understand your medical outlook — and the value of your claim — before accepting any offer.

If you are not sure whether your injuries are serious enough to need a lawyer, a short conversation can help you decide. There is no cost to ask.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Telling the insurer “I’m fine” before you have seen a doctor
• Posting about the crash or your activities on social media
• Signing medical authorizations that give an insurer access to your entire medical history
• Letting your damaged car be scrapped before it is photographed or inspected
• Waiting months to get help, when witnesses and video may already be gone

What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?

If the at-fault driver has no insurance, or not enough, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help. These claims have their own rules and notice requirements, so it is important to report the crash to your insurer promptly and get advice on how to proceed.

What If I Was Hurt While Working?

If you were on the job when the crash happened — making deliveries, driving to a work site or traveling for your employer — you may have a workers’ compensation claim in addition to a claim against the at-fault driver. Tell your employer about the injury within 10 days and talk with a lawyer about how the two claims fit together.

10. Talk With an Experienced Attorney

Every serious personal injury case benefits from a lawyer who understands both the medicine and accident reconstruction. If you were riding a motorcycle, read about motorcycle collisions. If you were injured while driving for work, you may also have a workers’ compensation claim.

If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a crash, call Lambros & Lambros at 410-666-2200 or contact us online. If you can’t get around, we make house calls.

This article provides general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.