What To Do After A Car Accident in Maryland

You have just been in a car accident. What do you do? Most people cannot answer this question. It is not something you are prepared for. It just isn’t something that happens all the time!

We prepared this short guide to give you a step-by-step process to follow if you have been in a car accident. We cannot make it as if the accident didn’t even happen. But if you follow our advice you will be on your way to making sure you don’t make things worse now that the car accident is over.

And after the dust settles, you should read our Free Legal Guide to Car Accident Cases in Maryland, to get answers to your questions now. And get a free consultation with a Waldorf, Maryland personal injury attorney.

What to Do At the Scene of the Car Accident

Step 1: Make Sure Everyone Is Safe and Call for Help

After a car accident, the first thing to do is check yourself and others for injuries. If everyone is okay and it’s safe to move your car, pull it to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic or causing another accident. Turn on your hazard lights to make sure other drivers see you.

Call 911 to report the accident. In Maryland, you must contact the police for injuries, significant property damage, or worse. Knowing what to do if you get in a car accident starts with creating a police report—an important document that can help with insurance or legal issues later.

Step 2: Exchange Information with the Other Driver

It’s important to exchange the correct details with the other driver. Make sure you get:

• Their name and contact information,
• Their driver’s license number,
• Their insurance company name and policy number.

Try to take a picture of the other drivers license, car registration, and insurance card with your phone. That is much better than trying to write it all down. You might make a mistake!

Don’t just take their word for it even if you don’t get a photo. Ask to see their driver’s license and insurance card. We have had cases where a driver made up a name, number and even used a fictitious insurance company!

Step 3: Be Careful What You Say

When talking to the other driver, stick to the facts. Avoid discussing fault or apologizing—it’s better to let the police, your attorney, and the car insurance companies handle that.

Be very careful about making comments at the scene of the car accident. The adverse driver could take it the wrong way, and it could be used against you later.

Our best advice is to NEVER talk about how the car accident happened. It is over, so that is irrelevant anyway. Technically, you do not have to explain it to the police officer either. However, we advise clients to be honest with the police. By then, you will be able to tell a coherent, organized story. It is usually the offhanded comment to the other driver that will get you in trouble later.

Step 4: Take Photos and Gather Evidence

Take a bunch of photos. Don’t snap just a few. You have unlimited photos on your phone so use them. That way we can get the best ones.

Take photos of these things:

• Your car. You can get more detailed pictures later, but at least take a few on scene.
• The other driver’s car. Take a LOT of these from various angles. We will not easily be able to get these at a later date.
• The other driver’s license plate.
• The other driver’s license, registration, and car insurance card (as I said above).
• The other driver. You may have to ID this person at a trial years from now. Snap a quick picture of the driver now so you won’t forget what they look like.
• The scene. Stand back and take a wider angle photo of the scene of the accident. We want to see both cars, and any traffic control devices, street signs, and the like. This can be very important if liability is challenged later.
• Your injuries. If you are visibly injured, try to take some photos at the scene. I hate asking this, but it could be valuable later. So try to do it if you can.

Get contact information for any witnesses. The police should do this but they don’t always get good contact information. Try to get the name, address, and phone number of any witnesses to the accident.

Write down notes of whatever the other driver says to you, especially if he or she admits fault on the scene. You might need this evidence no matter how apologetic they are then.

You would be surprised how many people say “sorry” on the scene of an accident and later make up complete lies about what happened when they realize how much this is going to impact them. It even had this happen to me!

What to do After Leaving the Scene of the Accident

Step 5: Get Checked by a Doctor or the Hospital

If you are hurt, don’t try to tough it out. Go to the hospital. You probably need medical care, not just rest. And if something is really seriously bad, you want to find that out as soon as possible.

Don’t worry about how to pay for immediate medical care after a car accident. Your health insurance will cover it if you are insured, a hospital cannot turn you away if you are not insured, and you probably have PIP to pay for the hospital visit anyway.

Even if you don’t feel very hurt immediately, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is wise. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal injuries, don’t show up immediately but can get worse over time.

It is extremely common for someone to get into a relatively minor accident, feel fine after, go to sleep, and then they can’t get out of bed in the morning! Your muscles tense up hours after an accident and you may feel pain later that you don’t feel now when the adrenaline is running high.

A medical checkup ensures that you’re okay. It also gives us documentation of your injuries, which is helpful for your claim.

Keep copies of everything related to your medical care—bills, doctor’s notes, prescriptions—so you have a record if you need to prove the accident caused your injuries.

Step 6: Call Your Insurance Company

Let your insurance company know about the accident as soon as you can. Maryland uses an at-fault system, so the other driver’s insurance will generally cover damages if they cause the accident. However, your insurer still needs to be informed.

But do not let them record you. Give them the facts of what happened, but avoid giving a recorded statement or signing anything until you’ve spoken to a car accident attorney. You do not have to let them record your statement. We usually advise people not to do that. Insurance companies may try to settle quickly, but you’ll want to ensure the offer covers everything you’ve lost.

Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company. They are not on your side, and are just looking for evidence to deny your claim on the basis of liability. Do not talk to them.

Step 7: Write Down How the Car Accident Happened

Write a detailed description of the car accident very soon after it occurs. You should do this as soon after the accident as you can. Do it even if you think the car accident was simple and will be easy to remember.

Do not trust your memory. What you think are minor details now may become important later. And you may not remember the smaller details as well as your attorney will wish you did.

Do not show this description to anyone other than your attorney. Do not provide it to anyone representing any insurance company. Do not even tell them about it until you have hired an attorney. When in doubt, consult an attorney.

Step 8: Get Follow Up Medical Care

Seek good follow up medical care as soon as possible after a car accident. Start with your primary care doctor, or a referral from the hospital. You will probably end up with an orthopedic doctor. They specialize in the sort of injuries most commonly associated with car accidents. You will probably see a physical therapist too. They can be super helpful in making you feel better!

Be honest with your medical provider when describing your injuries. Never exaggerate your injuries, but do not minimize them either. Be honest and be complete in describing your pain or symptoms. That is the only way they can accurately treat you.

The insurance company will carefully review your medical records for clues to the accident and its affect on you. So be complete when you are telling the doctor how you feel, and what happened to make you feel that way.

Your health care providers will write down what you say, and the insurance company will get a copy of that report. It should be as accurate as possible. This is not only important for your case – it is even more important for your medical care! The doctor cannot properly treat you if you do not tell him or her what happened and how you feel.

By the way, if the Doctor tells you to stay off work, be sure to get that in writing. This is true even if you are self employed. Most doctors will give you a disability slip if you need it, but you may have to remind them if they are busy seeing patients. The insurance company will not pay for your lost wages unless you have a written excuse from a doctor.

Remember to do what we attorneys do – document, document, document.

Step 9: Learn About Maryland’s Laws

Figure out your options and be informed in any legal case. You should see our Free Legal Guide to Maryland Car Accident Cases. It covers everything you need to know.

Maryland has specific personal injury laws that could affect your case. One of the most important is the contributory negligence rule. If you are even slightly at fault for the accident, you won’t be able to recover compensation.

Another key detail is Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims. You have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline means you lose the chance to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs.

Step 10: Be Careful with Settlement Offers

Insurance companies may offer a quick settlement, but that doesn’t mean it’s fair. Once you accept a settlement, you usually can’t ask for more later, even if you find out your injuries are worse than you thought. Before accepting any offers, speak with an attorney to ensure the settlement covers everything, from medical bills to lost wages. They can negotiate on your behalf to get you what you’re entitled to.

Step 11: Stay Organized

Keeping track of everything related to the accident can make things much easier later. Create a folder or use a digital app to store:

• The police report,
• Medical records and bills,
• Receipts for car repairs, and
• Any correspondence with insurance companies.

Being organized can save time and help your attorney or insurer resolve things faster.

Step 12: Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney

Sorting out insurance and legal issues after a car accident can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. A Maryland car accident attorney can handle the challenging parts, like dealing with insurance companies and building a solid case, so you can focus on recovering.

Southern Maryland Law has spent decades helping personal injury clients. We’ve built a reputation for over 60 years of getting results while treating our clients with care and respect.

We’re not what you might expect from a typical law firm—our team is approachable, relatable, and focused on real solutions to real problems. Whether it’s negotiating a fair settlement or taking your case to court, we’re here to stand by you every step of the way.

Why These Steps Matter

Taking these steps after a car accident isn’t just about following the law—it’s about protecting yourself and your future. Whether documenting the scene, seeing a doctor, or contacting an attorney, every action you take now helps ensure you’re in the best position to recover physically, financially, and emotionally.

Let Southern Maryland Law Help

At Southern Maryland Law, we’re more than a law firm—we’re part of the community. For over 60 years, we’ve been helping car accident victims in Waldorf, Lexington Park, and Southern Maryland get the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. We know the stress a car accident can cause, and our goal is to make this part of the process easier for you.

If you’re unsure what to do after getting hit by a car, we’re here to answer your questions and guide you. Your first consultation is free, and with our contingency fee structure, you don’t pay us unless we win your case. Contact us today to see how we can help you get the support you need.

Need a Personal Injury lawyer? Please contact us for a consultation today if you need a Maryland personal injury lawyer for your car accident case.

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Author: This content was written and approved by Tucker Clagett, an attorney at Southern Maryland Law – Andrews, Bongar, Gormley & Clagett.