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

Known for the blue crabs and the majestic Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is the country’s wealthiest state. As of 2017, there were more than six million residents in the state, and the median household income was $80,776, barely edging out New Jersey.  But people flock to the state for its crab cakes and beaches. Plus, its proximity to Washington D.C. is also an advantage, as employees in the nation’s political center purchase or rent houses in Baltimore due to the more affordable prices.

With the above-average household income, it is no wonder that people in the state can afford to buy a vehicle or two. That only puts a strain on the roads as the more cars, the higher the risks of crashes and accidents.

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

A car accident lawyer in Maryland would tell you that it is an at-fault state. With this system, the motorist who is directly responsible for the harm—including property damage and personal injury—will shoulder the medical expenses, and vehicle repair, among others.

Typically, the insurance will cover most of the cost. But the motorist will still dip into their personal savings to pay for the out-of-pocket expenses. You can also expect your insurance premium to go up as a result of the crash.

What Do the Stats Say?

In 2016, there were 1.95 million private and commercial vehicles registered in Maryland. The number already included taxicabs. And the number is rapidly growing. For instance, the state’s Motor Vehicle Administration recorded more than 85,000 new and used cars sold for the calendar 2020.

Meanwhile, the non-profit group, Zero Deaths MD, revealed that around 105 pedestrians diefrom vehicle crashes each year in Maryland.

Most of the causes of the road incidents were distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding, and not wearing a seat belt.

When Do You Call in A Lawyer?

If you are not responsible for the incident, then you are not required to call in a lawyer right away. Most insurance companies have their own attorneys, whose primary job it is to minimize the cost of claims payments. 

It is for that reason why you should call a car accident lawyer in Maryland immediately if you are responsible for the crash resulting in property damage or personal injury. Unlike with no-fault states, you will be responsible for all the associated costs of repair, hospitalization, lost wages, and therapy, among others.

The attorney will be able to give you advice, especially with regards to financial recovery after the crash. The lawyer will try to determine if the other party is partially at fault.

For example, Maryland follows the “pure contributory negligence” rule, which means that if you can prove the other party is also partially responsible, they could not claim any compensation from you. It is also valid even if the fault is only one percent of the entire liability.

That is one of the things that an attorney can do when you call them immediately after the crash. However, make sure to contact those who specialize in car crashes and not those settlement mills, whose main objective is to get you to settle. If you feel that you have a case about your innocence, then you have every right to prove your case.