What To Do After a Car Accident in Baltimore, Maryland?

Key Takeaways

• Checking for injuries right after a crash can protect health and support any future claim.
• Maryland law requires drivers to remain at the scene and report crashes involving injury or death.
• Drivers may need to file a written crash report within 15 days in certain cases.
• Admitting fault at the scene can hurt a claim under Maryland’s contributory negligence rule.
• Drivers who are not at fault can still file a claim against the other driver’s insurance.

Baltimore sees thousands of car accidents every year, from rear-end collisions on busy commuter routes to intersection crashes downtown, and most drivers never expect the confusion that follows until it happens to them. Knowing what to do after a car accident can protect your health and your legal rights, especially in Maryland, where fault and documentation have weight in any insurance claim.

At Bob Katz Law, our Baltimore car accident attorneys can guide injured drivers through every stage, from the scene of the crash to the insurance claim that follows.

Critical Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Baltimore, Maryland

Drivers often wonder what to do after a car accident, and the first thing to do after a car accident is to assess the situation calmly. Maryland law also places specific duties on drivers involved in a crash, and each step below can help protect your safety and your case:

1. Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Attention: Stop the vehicle and check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Even minor pain can signal a deeper problem, so request care if anyone shows signs of injury, since untreated injuries can complicate a future claim.
2. Move Vehicles Out of Traffic: If the vehicles remain drivable and no one appears seriously hurt, move them to the shoulder to prevent additional collisions on busy Baltimore roads.
3. Call the Police to Report the Accident: Maryland Transportation Code § 20-102 requires drivers in a crash causing injury or death to remain at the scene and comply with reporting obligations. Police reports can support insurance claims later.
4. Exchange Personal Information: If possible, collect the other driver’s name, contact details, license plate number, and insurance information, and provide the same in return.
5. Document the Scene: Photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries before evidence disappears or vehicles get moved. Notes taken while details remain fresh can prove valuable months into a claim.
6. Contact a Baltimore Car Accident Attorney: Speaking with an attorney early can help protect your rights before an adjuster has a chance to shape the claim narrative.
7. Talk to the Insurance Company: Report the accident to your own insurer promptly, but limit statements to basic facts. Avoid speculating about fault or injury severity, since adjusters often use early statements to reduce a claim’s value.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident

Some of the most damaging actions after a wreck happen unintentionally. Admitting fault at the scene, even casually, can be used against an injured party later, since Maryland follows a strict contributory negligence rule that bars recovery if a driver shares even slight fault.

Leaving the scene before police arrive, skipping medical evaluation, and failing to file a required Maryland Vehicle Administration report within 15 days, when required under Maryland Transportation Code § 20-107, can each weaken a claim. Falling for common myths about filing an insurance claim after a Maryland car accident can hurt a case just as much. Knowing what to do after a car accident from the moment it happens helps avoid these errors.

Should I File an Insurance Claim if I Am Not at Fault?

Yes, drivers who are not at fault can still file a claim, typically against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy rather than their own. Because Maryland is not a no-fault state, the at-fault driver’s insurer is generally responsible for the damages they cause. Filing promptly preserves evidence and may strengthen the timeline connecting the crash to any injuries or damage. Waiting too long can give an insurer the opportunity to argue that injuries stemmed from an unrelated event, making early documentation essential to a successful outcome.

Whose Insurance Do I Call After an Accident?

Drivers should promptly contact their own insurance company after an accident. If another driver caused the crash, a claim may also be filed with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Maryland requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, and identifying which policy applies depends on who caused the crash and how clearly fault has been established. When liability remains disputed, documentation from the scene becomes essential to support which policy responds to the claim.

Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer in Baltimore, MD

Knowing what to do after a car accident protects your health and legal rights, but navigating Maryland’s insurance rules afterward can be challenging. At Bob Katz Law, we help injured drivers throughout Baltimore pursue the compensation available under Maryland law. Contact our team today at (410) 576-4287 for a free consultation.

Timothy J. Capurso

Timothy J. Capurso is chair of the firm’s Personal Injury Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on personal injury cases of all types, focusing on automobile accidents. His background includes litigating personal injury cases from inception through trial and settlement negotiations. 25+ years of experience.

Contact Timothy J. Capruso