Acting fast protects your health and your claim. Use this car accident checklist Maryland drivers can follow at the scene and in the hours after a crash.
Seek medical care and secure safety
Call 911. Check for injuries and move to a safe spot if you can. Do not move someone who may have a serious injury. Under Maryland Transportation Code § 20-104, every driver involved in a crash that causes injury or death must stop, provide reasonable assistance and make arrangements for medical help.
Also remember that early care creates a clear medical record. Insurers and courts may give more weight to prompt evaluations than to symptoms reported days later.
Document the scene and gather contacts
Exchange names, contact information, driver’s license numbers and insurance details. Request that witnesses provide their contact information as well. When it’s safe, photograph the scene with both wide and close shots before vehicles are moved. Keep your statements brief and neutral and do not admit fault. Collect these materials while still at the scene:
- Other driver details: Name, phone, address and license number.
- Insurance info: Insurer and policy number.
- Vehicle facts: Make, model, color and tag number.
- Scene photos: Damage, positions, skid marks, signals and weather.
- Witness contacts: Names, phones or brief notes.
These notes may help resolve disputes about how the crash happened.
Preserve evidence and handle insurer notes
Write a detailed timeline the same day. Preserve dashcam footage, medical portal messages, repair estimates and expense receipts. Notify your insurer promptly and obtain the police report number if officers respond. Keep all communications with insurers factual and concise.
You may choose to delay providing a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer until you fully understand your rights and options. Because hidden injuries can appear later, schedule a follow-up medical evaluation even if you feel fine initially.
What your next steps could be
You now know what to do after a car accident: get care, document everything and preserve proof. If you have ongoing pain, major vehicle damage or any dispute about fault or insurance coverage, you may also consider speaking with a Maryland car accident lawyer for advice on your rights and options you can take.
