Car Accident Claims in Maryland

In the sections reviewed, Maryland requires a driver to report a crash to police in two situations: when no officer is present and no injured person, driver or property attendant is able to receive the driver's information (the driver must then immediately report to the nearest police office and give that information), and when a vehicle strikes and injures a domestic animal (the driver must immediately notify state or local police). A driver must also give name, address, registration and license on request to any police officer at the scene or investigating.

Each driver in a crash that causes bodily injury or death must report it in writing to the Motor Vehicle Administration within 15 days, and file with it evidence of liability insurance (carrier name and address, policy number, and local insurance producer). No driver report is required if a police officer investigated and filed a report with the Department of State Police, or while the person is physically unable to report. If the driver cannot or will not report, the MVA may require the owner to do so. The MVA may suspend or revoke the license and vehicle registrations of a person who fails to file a required report.

A driver in a crash causing injury or death, or damage to an attended vehicle or property, must stop as close to the scene as possible, return and stay, give name, address and registration number, show a license on request, and give reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging transport for medical treatment. For an unattended vehicle or property, the driver must try to find the owner or leave a written note with name, address, registration number and the vehicle owner's name and address. Leaving an injury crash: up to 1 year and/or $3,000. Leaving a fatal crash: up to 5 years and/or $5,000. If the driver knew or should have known the crash might cause serious bodily injury or death and it did, it is a felony of up to 5 years/$5,000 (serious injury) or 10 years/$10,000 (death). Leaving a damage-only crash, or failing to give information or aid: up to 2 months and/or $500.

Personal injury protection (PIP) is part of required coverage unless waived. Required security must cover at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury or death and $15,000 for property damage, plus PIP benefits of at least $2,500 (medical expenses, 85% of lost income and household services) unless the PIP coverage is waived, and required uninsured motorist coverage.

Contributory negligence. Maryland is one of the few states that keeps the common-law rule: an injured person whose own negligence contributed to the injury generally cannot recover. Maryland's highest court declined to replace this rule with comparative negligence in 1983 and again in 2013, saying any change is for the General Assembly.

Three years from the date the claim accrues. This is Maryland's general deadline for civil actions unless another law sets a different period.

Three years under Maryland's general deadline for civil actions.