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
Compared to 17,313 total accidents over the five-year average, Baltimore, MD had 16,165 traffic accidents that occurred in the year 2022, of which people getting hurt from the result of accidents accounted for 5,054, and fatal accidents contributed to 45. The period of afternoon rush remained the most dangerous time with more than 21 percent of all the accidents taking place within the time slot of 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Therefore, Fridays and Saturdays recorded the highest numbers of road crashes.
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, the driver should call law enforcement. In any accident where there are injuries or deaths, 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
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 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!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
