Is Maryland a No-Fault State or At-Fault State?

Maryland Contributory Negligence Laws

Despite being in an at-fault state, recovering the compensation you deserve is not an easy task. Maryland is one of the few states that still practices contributory negligence. Contributory negligence is a very strict (and some say very outdated) standard that only allows one person to be at fault for a car accident. That means if you played any role or contributed in any way to the car accident, you will not be able to collect compensation. For example, if a driver ran a stop sign and t-boned your car, but you were speeding at the time of the accident, the judge may determine you contributed to the accident and restrict you from collecting any compensation.

Contributory negligence laws are practiced in four other jurisdictions – Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, DC. The rest of the United States practices comparative negligence laws, which calculate if and how much you contributed to the accident. The difference is that you can still be awarded some compensation. Under comparative negligence law, if you were 20% responsible for the accident, you could only secure 80% of the damages.

Maryland’s contributory negligence laws make it essential to have a legal advocate by your side. Defense lawyers jump to use contributory negligence as an easy out for their clients. However, the Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyers deeply understand Maryland law, various insurance policies, and the Maryland court system. We will investigate the scene of the accident, obtain the police report, speak to witnesses, and use photo and video documentation to prove you, in no way, contributed to the accident. Call today for your free consultation to discuss all your legal options.

Can I File a Car Accident Claim in Maryland?

If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a Maryland car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to file a claim against that person. While you are not required to have representation in the claims process, a Regan Zambri Long car accident attorney will be your best chance to secure fair compensation. Even if you think you are partly responsible for the crash, speak to our lawyers before ever admitting fault. We will give you a reasonable assessment of your case and tell you if you can seek compensation. The different methods you can use to seek financial compensation are:

• File a claim with your own insurance provider.
• File a claim against the other driver for medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering.
• Pursue damages from the other driver’s insurance company.

Don’t foot the bill for someone else’s negligence. If you believe your injuries were caused by someone else, do not hesitate to contact the Regan Zambri Long car accident attorneys for a free initial consultation.

Maryland Insurance Requirements

Maryland is a mandatory vehicle insurance state, meaning any driver who tries to register their car at a Maryland motor vehicle agency must provide proof of car insurance first. The vehicle insurance must include:

• $30,000 for bodily injury
• $60,000 for 2 or more people
• $15,000 property damage

The penalties for driving without insurance in the state of Maryland are:

• $150 fine for the first 30 days and $7 for each additional day
• The driver’s car registration will be suspended. If the driver continues to operate their vehicle with a suspended registration, the vehicle may be impounded, and the driver will be ticketed and fined.
• If the driver does not respond to the MVA insurance notifications, the case will be transferred to the Central Collections Unit (CCU)
• Once the case is transferred to the CCU, there may be a 17% collection fee on top of the initial fines. Additionally, the driver’s income tax return will be withheld.

Maryland’s strict laws extend to the cancellation of insurance policies, as well. If a driver cancels their car insurance, they must return their license plates to a Maryland MVA branch before cancellation.

Can I Get No-Fault Insurance in Maryland?

Maryland insurance companies are required to offer a certain type of no-fault insurance to their clients. This insurance is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP insurance covers the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Funeral expenses
• Essential services (such as childcare and house cleaning)

Personal injury protection does not cover property damage or damage to the driver in the other vehicle. While this insurance is great to have in case of an emergency, you have to be aware that insurance companies are in business to save money. They will not make sure you are fully compensated for all current and future bills related to the accident. Insurance companies will send insurance adjusters to deal with car accident victims. Insurance adjusters are notorious for manipulating facts to get a victim to admit fault or take the lowest amount of compensation possible.

If you were in a car accident and sustained severe injuries that will have ongoing effects on your health and lifestyle, call a Regan Zambri Long car accident lawyer today. Unlike insurance companies, we want you to collect the most financial compensation possible and will diligently work to secure a settlement or verdict in your favor.

A Regan Zambri Long Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Our personal injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long understand that car accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Since they are always unexpected, most people are not financially prepared for the sudden onset of medical bills, lost work, and property damage. ER visits, hospital stays, x-rays, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, medications, and ongoing treatment can send even the wealthiest of people into financial distress.

You don’t have to face the journey alone. The Maryland insurance systems are complex and confusing to the average person, but we are the experts at the laws in this at-fault state. We can help you secure enough compensation to get you through this difficult time and begin to rebuild your life. Our mission is to carry the weight of the claims process so our clients can focus on recovering.

Our car accident lawyers will not collect a fee unless a settlement or verdict is reached in your favor. Whether your car accident was in Baltimore or Bethesda, we prepare every claim as if it were going to trial, and our attorneys have the financial backing to take on even the largest insurance companies. Rest assured, your lawyer will be by your side until the very end. Take the first step to getting the claims process started, and let us take it from there.