A car accident can flip your life upside down in seconds. One moment you’re driving through Baltimore, Towson, Columbia, or down I-95—and the next you’re dealing with pain, confusion, a wrecked vehicle, and an insurance company already looking for ways to pay you less.
If you’re injured in a Maryland car accident, what you do in the first minutes, hours, and days can directly impact your health and the value of your claim. Maryland law is also uniquely dangerous for accident victims because of contributory negligence—a rule insurers love to exploit.
At The Law Offices of Marc J. Atas & Associates, we take an aggressive, evidence-first approach from day one. This guide walks you through the exact steps to protect yourself, protect your medical recovery, and protect your right to compensation.
Step 1: Get to Safety and Call 911 Immediately
If you can move safely, get out of active traffic—especially on high-speed roads like I-95, I-695, I-83, Route 40, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Secondary crashes are common, and they can be deadly.
Then do this, immediately:
-
Call 911
-
Request police and medical assistance
-
Tell the dispatcher if anyone is injured, dizzy, bleeding, or unable to move
Even if you believe you’re “fine,” call anyway. In Maryland injury claims, having an official crash report and documented medical response can make or break your case.
Do not let the other driver talk you out of calling. If you’re injured, this is not negotiable.
Step 2: Don’t Admit Fault—Not Even a Little
After an accident, people naturally say things like:
-
“I’m sorry.”
-
“I didn’t see you.”
-
“Are you okay? That was my fault.”
In Maryland, those words can destroy your claim.
Maryland follows contributory negligence, meaning if the insurance company can pin even 1% of fault on you, they may argue you get nothing.
So keep your statements simple:
-
Check if others need help
-
Provide your license/registration/insurance
-
Tell police the facts, not theories
You can say:
“I’m not sure what happened yet. I’m shaken up and I need medical attention.”
That’s it. Let evidence determine fault—not panic, adrenaline, or guilt.
Step 3: Accept Medical Help (and Don’t “Tough It Out”)
A huge percentage of accident injuries show up later, especially:
-
whiplash and neck injuries
-
back injuries and herniated discs
-
concussions and traumatic brain injuries
-
shoulder injuries
-
knee injuries
-
nerve pain, numbness, tingling
-
headaches, dizziness, nausea
If EMTs recommend evaluation, go. If you refuse and later claim you’re seriously injured, the insurance company will say:
-
“You weren’t hurt.”
-
“You would’ve gone to the ER.”
-
“You made it up later.”
This is one of the fastest ways value gets cut.
Step 4: Document the Scene Like Your Case Depends on It—Because It Does
Evidence disappears quickly. Businesses overwrite camera footage. Cars get repaired. Witnesses vanish.
If you are physically able, use your phone to capture:
Photos and video
-
both vehicles (all angles)
-
license plates
-
roadway, lane markings, skid marks
-
traffic lights/signs
-
weather and visibility conditions
-
airbags, seatbelts, interior damage
-
your injuries (bruising, cuts, swelling)
Witness information
-
names and phone numbers
-
where they were standing
-
what they saw
The other driver’s details
-
name, address, phone
-
insurance carrier and policy number
-
driver’s license number
-
vehicle make/model
Do not rely on police to capture all of this. Police reports can be incomplete. Your evidence fills the gaps.
Step 5: Make Sure a Police Report Is Filed
In Maryland, a police report helps establish:
-
time and location
-
driver identities
-
witness information
-
statements made at the scene
-
citations issued (speeding, failure to yield, distracted driving)
Ask the officer:
-
how to obtain the report
-
the report number
-
whether witnesses were listed
-
whether any citations were issued
If police don’t respond (it happens in minor crashes), you should still document everything and consider filing a report later through the appropriate department.
Step 6: Get Medical Care Within 24–72 Hours (Even If You Didn’t Go to the ER)
If you didn’t go by ambulance or to the ER, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible. The best options:
-
your primary care physician
-
urgent care
-
orthopedic specialist
-
concussion clinic (if head symptoms)
-
physical therapy (when medically appropriate)
Why timing matters:
-
it creates a medical record linking injuries to the crash
-
it supports causation
-
it prevents the insurer from arguing an “intervening cause”
Delays are one of the insurer’s favorite weapons.
Step 7: Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
The other driver’s insurer may call within hours. They’ll sound friendly. They’ll say they “just need your side.”
What they’re actually doing is:
-
fishing for inconsistencies
-
getting you to minimize your injuries
-
getting you to accept partial blame
-
locking you into statements before you understand your condition
You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
If it’s your own insurer calling (UM/UIM situations), be careful. Even then, you should not provide anything that can be twisted against you. This is exactly why you should speak with a Maryland car accident lawyer early.
Step 8: Don’t Sign Anything. Don’t Accept a Quick Settlement.
If you’re injured, early settlement offers are almost always a trap.
Insurance companies offer quick money because:
-
you haven’t finished treatment yet
-
you don’t know if surgery/injections are coming
-
you don’t know if symptoms will persist
-
you haven’t calculated wage loss or future damages
Once you sign a release, your case is over—forever—even if you get worse.
If you’re hearing phrases like:
-
“This is the best we can do.”
-
“You’ll have to pay your medical bills out of this.”
-
“We need you to sign today.”
-
“This offer expires.”
That’s pressure. And pressure means they know they’re saving money.
Step 9: Track Your Symptoms, Expenses, and How the Injury Is Affecting Your Life
This is how you strengthen your claim without exaggerating.
Keep a simple weekly log:
-
pain level (0–10)
-
sleep disruption
-
work limitations
-
activities you can’t do
-
driving discomfort
-
household tasks you need help with
-
flare-ups and triggers
Also keep:
-
receipts (meds, braces, co-pays)
-
mileage to appointments
-
time missed from work
-
employer notes / wage statements
A strong damages file increases settlement value.
Step 10: Understand Maryland Deadlines and Legal Traps
Statute of limitations
Many Maryland car accident injury claims must be filed within three years from the date of the accident. But do not wait. Evidence disappears long before the deadline.
Government vehicles or dangerous roads
Claims involving a city/state vehicle or government agency can have shorter notice requirements and strict rules. If you suspect government involvement, speak with counsel immediately.
Contributory negligence
Again—Maryland’s contributory negligence rule makes small mistakes dangerous. This is not a state where you “wait and see.”
Step 11: Know What Your Maryland Car Accident Case May Be Worth
Case value depends on:
-
severity of injury and treatment
-
diagnostic findings (MRI/CT/X-ray)
-
duration of symptoms
-
missed work and future limitations
-
permanency or impairment
-
pain and suffering
-
clear liability proof
-
available insurance coverage
The insurance company will try to measure your case by medical bills alone. That’s not the full value. Pain, limitations, future care, and lost earning capacity matter—and they can be the difference between a lowball settlement and real compensation.
Step 12: Talk to a Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Before the Insurer Controls the Narrative
Here’s what a serious injury attorney does immediately:
-
gathers evidence and preserves footage
-
protects you from contributory negligence traps
-
coordinates with medical providers and documents causation
-
calculates full damages, including future costs
-
identifies insurance coverage beyond the bare minimum
-
negotiates aggressively—and files suit when needed
At The Law Offices of Marc J. Atas & Associates, we don’t wait for the insurer to “be fair.” We build cases that force results.
What If You Were Partially at Fault?
Do not assume you’re out of options just because:
-
the other driver is blaming you
-
you were cited (citations can be contested)
-
you think you “could have avoided it”
-
the adjuster says “shared responsibility”
This is exactly where legal strategy matters. Fault in Maryland is a battlefield—and your attorney’s job is to win it with evidence.
What If the Other Driver Has No Insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your claim may be through your own policy under:
-
Uninsured Motorist (UM)
-
Underinsured Motorist (UIM)
Many people don’t realize their own insurer may fight these claims. That’s why you still need a lawyer. It’s business for them.
Common Maryland Car Accident Injuries That Insurers Try to Downplay
Insurance companies often dismiss injuries like:
-
whiplash
-
soft tissue injuries
-
back pain without “clear imaging”
-
headaches after a crash
-
concussions without loss of consciousness
But these injuries can be debilitating—and long-lasting. The key is proper medical evaluation and documentation.
If you have symptoms like:
-
headaches
-
dizziness
-
sensitivity to light/noise
-
memory issues
-
numbness or tingling
-
radiating pain
-
weakness
-
sleep disruption
You need medical evaluation immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I go to the hospital even if I feel okay?
If you have pain, dizziness, head impact, or any concerning symptoms—yes. Many serious injuries worsen after adrenaline wears off.
Can I still recover if there’s no visible injury?
Yes. But you must have medical documentation and consistent treatment.
Can I handle the claim myself?
You can try, but you’ll be dealing with trained adjusters using scripts and settlement software. In Maryland, contributory negligence makes DIY claims especially risky.
What if the insurance company keeps calling me?
You’re not obligated to engage with the other driver’s insurer. Refer them to your attorney.
The Bottom Line: Protect Your Health, Protect Your Claim, Then Put Pressure on the Insurer
If you’re injured in a Maryland car accident, the worst move is doing nothing and hoping it “works out.” It won’t. The insurance company will use delay, confusion, and missing records to reduce your case value.
Do these things instead:
-
Call 911 and get medical help
-
Don’t admit fault
-
Document everything
-
Get follow-up care fast
-
Avoid recorded statements and early settlements
-
Talk to a Maryland accident lawyer early