{"id":373812,"date":"2016-12-06T18:59:07","date_gmt":"2016-12-06T23:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-car-accident-settlement-process-and-timeline.html"},"modified":"2025-02-26T18:44:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T23:44:59","slug":"maryland-car-accident-settlement-process-and-timeline","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-car-accident-settlement-process-and-timeline.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Car Accident Settlement Process and Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maryland Car Accident Settlement Process and Timeline<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

If you spend an hour or two a day in bumper-to-bumper traffic in Maryland, you know how easy it is to get into an accident<\/a>. You probably see accident victims on the side of the road a few times a week. You thank your lucky stars that you’re not the one waiting for the police to arrive.<\/p>\r\n

Unfortunately, most of us will be in a motor vehicle accident<\/a> at some point. When this happens, you must know what to do. If you don’t take specific steps after your car crash, you may jeopardize your chance of recovering damages. You’ll also make it harder for your car accident lawyer to negotiate a fair settlement.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we’ll explain the Maryland car accident settlement process<\/a>, discuss the factors that impact your settlement amount, briefly touch on the settlement timeline, and explain why it’s in your best interest to consider settling your car accident claim.<\/p>\r\n

Contact a skilled Maryland car accident attorney<\/a> if you still have questions about your car accident case.<\/p>\r\n

Do I Need to Report a Car Accident in Maryland?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

You must file a car accident report<\/a> to preserve your potential personal injury claim. Not only does Maryland law require it, but your personal injury lawyer will also need this report to prove your case.<\/p>\r\n

According to Georgia law, motorists must file a crash report with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration<\/a> (MVA) within 15 days of the accident if the crash caused injury or death. But, if the police investigate the crash, you don’t have to file a separate accident report.<\/p>\r\n

Once the officer investigates the accident scene, they’ll put their findings in a police report<\/a>. This report contains valuable information that your auto accident attorney won’t have access to. Once law enforcement clears the scene, important evidence will disappear.<\/p>\r\n

For these reasons, you must call 911 immediately after your motor vehicle accident.<\/p>\r\n

Maryland Car Insurance Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Maryland law requires all drivers to carry auto insurance. This means there’s a good chance that the at-fault driver in your crash will have enough insurance to pay your car accident claim<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

In Maryland, all motorists must maintain the following types of coverage:<\/p>\r\n