Bowie Car Accident Lawyers

Maryland Car Accident FAQ's

What Steps Should I Take Immediately after an Accident?

What Are the Common Causes of Maryland Car Crashes?

What Are Maryland's Cell Phone Laws?

Can I Still Obtain Compensation after a Hit and Run Accident?

Why Should I Contact An Attorney?

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What Steps Should I Take Immediately after an Accident?

The steps you take immediately following a Maryland auto accident are very important. In order to help ensure that you receive just compensation for any injuries and/or property damage you and your vehicle have sustained, you must be able to prove fault.

Step 1: If you are seriously injured, seek immediate medical attention! Your health is your top priority. If you have suffered only minor injuries, you should still seek medical attention, but can do so after these next steps.

Step 2: Call the police. Having an official police report will help you when the time comes to file a claim with the insurance company.

Step 3: Use your phone or camera to take pictures of the accident scene. Be sure to take pictures of any damage to your vehicle and any injuries you may have suffered.

Step 4: Take witness statements and write down witness contact information.

Step 5: Contact an attorney. Getting all the necessary information after an accident is one thing, but obtaining the compensation you need to recover from the crash is another. Having the skills and resources of a knowledgeable Maryland personal injury lawyer at your disposal will help you receive the compensation you deserve.

What Are the Common Causes of Maryland Car Crashes?

Auto accidents in Maryland and throughout the U.S. may be caused by a number of different factors. These include:

• Driver fatigue;
• Driver error;
• Speeding and other forms of reckless driving;
• Distracted driving;
• Defective equipment/parts;
• Failing to obey right-of-way laws;
• Hazardous roadways; and
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

What Are Maryland's Cell Phone Laws?

Distracted driving occurs in many forms and causes thousands of fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries every year. One form of distracted driving is using a cell phone while driving. In order to decrease the number of cell phone accidents in Maryland, the state enforces the following laws:

• Hand-held cell phone ban for ALL drivers (including school bus drivers);
• Text messaging ban for ALL drivers; and
• Complete cell phone usage ban for young/provisional drivers (including hands-free phones).

Can I Still Obtain Compensation after a Hit and Run Accident?

Hit and run accidents can be complicated. If the hit and run driver is caught, then you can pursue compensation through insurance and civil action as you would for any other crash. However, the unfortunate reality is that many hit and run drivers are never caught. In this situation, you would obtain compensation from the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of your own auto insurance policy. The bad news is that insurance companies are in the business of making money and will look for any reason to deny or not pay out the full amount, even for a legitimate claim. If you have been injured by a hit and run driver, the first thing you should do, after seeking medical attention, is contact the police to report the incident, and then speak to a Maryland hit and run attorney.

Why Should I Contact An Attorney?

If you have been injured in a car crash in Maryland, one of the most important steps to take is to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Insurance companies will try to avoid paying out on an auto liability policy in any way possible. Likewise, the at-fault driver may also be uncooperative and refuse to pay for any damages him- or herself. At Alpert Schreyer, our skilled Waldorf car accident lawyers are committed to obtaining the compensation our clients deserve. We can make sure the insurance company does not try to avoid paying a valid claim as well as hold the at-fault driver liable in civil court. To learn more about your legal rights and options, call us today for a free consultation at (800) 489-1577.