What to do after a car accident in Maryland
Every rule below is quoted from Maryland law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Maryland is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the crash, or that driver's insurance, is responsible for paying the losses of the people hurt or whose property was damaged. Maryland does not set one dollar amount that triggers a police report. You must stop and give your name, address, and license plate number to anyone hurt or whose property was damaged, and if you cannot do that, or there was an injury and no officer is present, you must report the crash to the nearest police right away. You generally have 3 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries.
Deadlines in Maryland
- 3 years
- to sue for injuriesMd. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
- 3 years
- to sue for car or property damageMd. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
- 3 years
- for a family to sue after a deathMd. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904
- 1 year
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedMd. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-304 (local government); State Gov't § 12-106 (State)
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
A driver in a crash must stop at the scene, give their name, address and license plate number to anyone hurt or whose property was damaged, and help anyone who is injured, including arranging transport to a hospital if needed.
“render reasonable assistance to any person injured in the accident and, if the person requests medical treatment or it is apparent that medical treatment is necessary, arrange for the transportation”
When you must call the police
Maryland does not set one dollar amount that triggers a police report. You must stop and give your name, address, and license plate number to anyone hurt or whose property was damaged, and if you cannot do that, or there was an injury and no officer is present, you must report the crash to the nearest police right away.
“immediately report the accident to the nearest office of an authorized police authority”
Moving your car out of traffic
Maryland does not have a law forcing drivers to move a driveable car after a minor crash, but the state's Move It safety program tells drivers to move the car off the road if it is safe to do so.
“if you are in a property-damage collision and the vehicle can be driven, MOVE IT safely off the road and exchange information with the other party in the collision”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
If the crash caused an injury or death, the driver must send a written report to the Motor Vehicle Administration within 15 days, unless a police officer already investigated the crash and filed a report.
“The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in bodily injury to or death of any person shall, within 15 days after the accident, report the matter in writing to the Administration”
Getting a copy of the crash report
You can request a Maryland State Police crash report in person at the barrack that handled it, or by mail or email with a completed request form, for a small search fee. Wait at least 10 days after the crash before requesting it.
“$4.00 non-refundable document search fee, payable by check or money order”
Who pays for the damage
Maryland is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the crash, or that driver's insurance, is responsible for paying the losses of the people hurt or whose property was damaged.
“If you cause an accident and an injured person makes a claim or files a lawsuit against you, bodily injury coverage will”
Insurance rules in Maryland
What insurance every driver must carry
Maryland drivers must carry at least $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 per crash, and $15,000 in property damage coverage.
“The minimum amount of liability coverage required by Maryland Law is: $30,000 for bodily injury per person $60,000 bodily injury per accident; and $15,000 property damage”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Insurers in Maryland must offer at least $2,500 of personal injury protection coverage on every auto policy, but the policyholder can reject it in writing.
“The minimum medical, hospital, and disability benefits provided by an insurer under this section shall include up to $2,500 for”
If the other driver has no insurance
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is required on every Maryland auto policy at the same dollar amount as your liability coverage, unless you reject it in writing.
“the amount of uninsured motorist coverage provided under a private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance policy shall equal the amount of liability coverage provided under the policy”
Medical payments coverage
Maryland does not require insurers to offer medical payments coverage. It is an optional add-on that only pays out after your required PIP coverage is used up.
“Medical Payments Coverage (Optional): Medical payments insurance provides coverage for medical expenses arising out of an auto accident, regardless of fault”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
You can file a complaint against an insurance company with the Maryland Insurance Administration online or by phone, and should expect an answer in about 90 days.
“You should allow 90 days for a decision on your complaint, but feel free to call us at any time”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You generally have 3 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries.
“A civil action at law shall be filed within three years from the date it accrues unless another provision of the Code provides a different period of time”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You generally have 3 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit over vehicle or property damage.
“A civil action at law shall be filed within three years from the date it accrues unless another provision of the Code provides a different period of time”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
A wrongful death lawsuit from a fatal crash generally must be filed within 3 years after the death.
“an action under this subtitle shall be filed within three years after the death of the injured person”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a state or local government vehicle or a poorly maintained government road was involved, you must send a written notice of your claim within 1 year of the injury, before you can sue.
“an action for unliquidated damages may not be brought against a local government or its employees unless the notice of the claim required by this section is given within 1 year after the injury”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- Maryland Insurance Administration, Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance
- Md. Code Ann., Ins. § 19-505
- Coleman v. Soccer Ass'n of Columbia, 432 Md. 679, 69 A.3d 1149 (2013)
- Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
- Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904
- Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-304 (local government); State Gov't § 12-106 (State)
- Md. Code Ann., Transp. §§ 20-102, 20-104
- Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 20-107
- Md. Code Ann., Ins. § 19-509
- MDOT State Highway Administration, Move It program guidance
- Maryland Department of State Police, Request Police Reports
- Maryland Insurance Administration, File A Complaint
- Md. Rule 19-301.5 (Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5)
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.