DC Injury Lawyer Blog
Maryland falls in line with other states and requires motorists to carry minimum car insurance coverage. Driving without car insurance in Maryland can result in various consequences to the at-fault driver and any accident victims. While the law prohibits motorists from driving without insurance, that does not deter many people from engaging in this illegal conduct. Getting into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist can create long-term medical and financial consequences for an accident victim.
The most recent accident data from Maryland shows that there were nearly 116,000 total car crashes in 2019. Approximately 33,000 of those accidents resulted in bodily injury, and over 82,000 accidents caused property damage. Maryland is an at-fault state, which means that drivers are liable for the damages they cause in an accident. However, while the state requires motorists to carry appropriate coverage, about 14% of the drivers in the accidents mentioned above were uninsured. These startling facts reveal that a significant number of accident victims likely did not recover adequate damages through an insurance claim.
While Maryland insurance laws require drivers to carry liability insurance, it is essential to note that this coverage only applies to at-fault drivers who cause injuries to others in an accident. The coverage does not protect a driver for the injuries or damages they suffered in an accident. Some motorists opt to add on additional coverage, such as collision, comprehensive, or medical coverage. However, these are optional and do not apply in every accident case and are not always beneficial to the party who needs coverage. For example, medical payments coverage covers the insured motorist and their passengers, regardless of fault, but does not apply to the other driver or their passengers.
Even if the parties have insurance covering part of the victim’s damages, insurance companies often deny claims. This situation is particularly challenging for injury victims because of the state’s strict contributory negligence laws. Maryland follows contributory negligence, which prevents an injury victim from recovering any damages if the victim possesses any amount of fault. Although the rule only applies during civil lawsuits, insurance adjustors often bring up contributory negligence during the claims process. An attorney can represent injury victims during the insurance claims process, settlement negotiations, or a civil trial.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Maryland Car Accident?
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in a Maryland car accident, contact the Schupak Law Firm for assistance. Attorney Sidney Shupak is an experienced attorney committed to achieving the best possible results for his clients. His firm handles Maryland accident cases involving car accidents, defective products, medical malpractice, premises liability, and wrongful death. He has a long history of successfully representing accident victims and their families throughout all stages of a personal injury claim. Attorney Schupak has recovered significant amounts of compensation on behalf of his clients, including payments for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages and benefits, and pain and suffering. Contact the Maryland and Washington, D.C. injury firm at 240-833-3914 to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney.