Auto Accident Injury in Baltimore, MD

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Baltimore? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Baltimore, MD that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Baltimore, Maryland

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed.

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, from 2013 to 2015, Baltimore accounted for 51% of the car accidents in the state. It had 45% of the injury crashes and 33% of the fatal crashes. Baltimore County was one of the nine counties in the state that had 82% of accidents involving drivers under the influence and with four other counties made up 69% of all distracted driving accidents.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

The Baltimore Police Department explains that you do not have to call law enforcement for property damage only accidents unless there is a disabled vehicle. You can make a report later for this type of accident. However, you must exchange information with the other driver, or the accident becomes a hit-and-run. In a situation where a driver leaves the scene, drivers should call law enforcement. In any accident where there are injuries or death, drivers must contact law enforcement.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources report estimates auto accident costs, based on injuries and damage, at $1 million per fatal accident, $36,000 per injury accident, and $6,400 for accidents with property damage only.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Maryland

Liability Laws for Baltimore

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Maryland follows a tort system when it comes to assigning liability in a motor vehicle accident. Under the tort system, the driver who is at fault pays for the damages in a crash. The state uses the concept of contributory negligence, which means that a driver collects damages based on their percentage of fault. For instance, if a driver is 20% at fault, then he or she can get 80% of the damages.

Statute of Limitations in Baltimore

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years.

In Maryland, the statute of limitations in a personal injury case is three years. This includes the time limit for claims of injuries, death and property damage in a motor vehicle accident. The clock starts at the time of the accident with few exceptions that may stop the clock, such as if an injured party is a minor and cannot legally bring the claim to court.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Baltimore, MD

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Maryland!