Quick answer: Getting a traffic ticket after a Maryland car accident does not mean you were at fault. It only means the responding officer believes you committed a violation, and that officer did not watch the crash happen. Do not just pay the fine. In Maryland, paying a citation is a guilty plea and a Read More

Any driver who flees the scene is considered an uninsured motorist by Maryland law. Seeking damages is then the same for any UIM (uninsured motorist claim). Your Maryland Personal Injury Attorney will issue a claim against your own insurance company. See my post on UIM Claim cases. What steps should I take filing Maryland Personal Read More

Believe it or not, people ask me this. The answer is right away. If you are injured or feel any pain and were involved in a car accident, go seek medical attention immediately. Even a minor neck or back injury can develop into a worse condition down the road. If you settle your Maryland accident Read More

In Maryland, you have from the date of the accident to file suit. This is called the “Statute of Limitations.” That being said, don’t delay. Filing your Maryland car accident suit can take time. If you don’t file a lawsuit in your Maryland accident case promptly, the clock could run out and you will be Read More

Quick answer: Yes. You should speak to your own insurance company after a Maryland car accident, and in most policies you are required to. Your policy has a cooperation clause and a prompt-notice duty, so report the crash quickly or you risk a denial of benefits. But be careful before you give a recorded statement, Read More

1. If you were injured or feel pain, seek medical attention. This may seem like a no brainer, but many people don’t want to be bothered. 2. Call the police. See my other post on “Should I Call the Police After My Car Accident?” The police can help you get medical attention, collect the proper Read More

Quick answer: Maryland’s boulevard rule sorts every intersection crash into two roles and then does most of the work. The driver already on the through highway is favored. The driver entering from a stop sign, yield sign, side road or driveway is unfavored, and that driver’s duty to yield is close to absolute — fail Read More

Quick answer: What decides most Maryland uninsured motorist claims is procedural, not medical. Before you accept the at-fault driver’s offer or sign a release, you must send a copy of that written offer to your own UM insurer by certified mail. It then has 60 days to consent or refuse in writing, and 30 days Read More

Quick answer: Speeding can be contributory negligence in Maryland, but only when it actually helped cause the crash. Maryland follows the pure contributory negligence rule, so if an injured driver was even 1% at fault, that driver can be barred from recovering anything. Speeding by itself does not end a claim; it has to be Read More

Failure to wear a seatbelt in Marland is not considered contributory negligence. While not wearing a seatbelt is dangerous and a misdemeanor traffic violation, it does not contribute to the claimant’s ability to avoid the accident. In fact, in a Maryland personal injury trial, evidence of seat belt use cannot even be mentioned. Involved in Read More