Hit & Run Accident Lawyer in Maryland

Steps to Take After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Maryland

The actions you take in the minutes and hours after a hit-and-run directly affect your ability to file a UM claim and build a civil case. Here’s what matters most:

• Stay at the scene. Don’t pursue the fleeing vehicle. Your safety comes first, and leaving can complicate your own legal position.
• Call 911 and file a police report. Maryland insurers require prompt police notification for uninsured motorist claims. Some policies set a specific reporting window, so don’t skip this step.
• Document what you remember about the vehicle. Make, model, color, partial plate, and direction of travel. Write it down before memory fades.
• Photograph everything. The crash scene, damage to your vehicle, debris from the fleeing car, and any visible injuries.
• Get witness information before anyone leaves. Names and phone numbers from bystanders can prove critical if the case moves to litigation.
• Seek medical attention promptly. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent. A delayed diagnosis can complicate both your recovery and your claim.
• Notify your insurance company. Report the hit-and-run as soon as possible to preserve your UM coverage rights.
• Contact an attorney before making any recorded statements. Insurance adjusters may reach out quickly. What you say in those early conversations can affect your claim.

Maryland Law on Hit-and-Run Accidents & Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Maryland Transportation Code Section 20-102 requires any driver involved in an accident causing bodily injury or death to stop immediately at or near the scene. Leaving is a criminal offense, and if the accident resulted in death, the penalties are more severe.

For victims, Maryland law provides a clear compensation mechanism. Automobile insurance policies in the state must include uninsured motorist coverage for both bodily injury and property damage. A hit-and-run driver whose identity is unknown is treated as an uninsured motorist, making that coverage available to you.

Maryland’s minimum UM limits are $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage. If you purchased higher limits, those apply instead. One detail worth knowing: Maryland caps the property damage deductible on a UM claim at $250, regardless of the deductible on your underlying policy.

Maryland follows a contributory negligence standard, which means a claimant found to have contributed to the accident in any way may be barred from recovery. A driver who fled without stopping generally can make it easier to establish that the victim was not at fault.

Compensation Available to Maryland Hit-and-Run Victims

UM coverage can compensate for the same categories of loss that the at-fault driver’s liability insurance would have covered had they stopped and been insured. Those losses fall into two broad categories.

Economic Damages
Medical expenses already incurred, estimated future treatment costs, income lost during recovery, reduced earning capacity if the injury is long-term, and property damage to your vehicle.

Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the accident and your injuries.

If your UM policy limits are lower than your actual damages, losses above that ceiling may not be recoverable through UM coverage alone. If the driver is later identified, pursuing that driver civilly for the remaining balance becomes an option worth evaluating.

Maryland’s Filing Deadline for Hit-and-Run Claims

Under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 5-101, personal injury claims must be filed within three years from the date the claim accrues. For hit-and-run accidents, that clock typically starts on the date of the accident. Missing the deadline means losing the right to seek compensation, no matter how strong the underlying claim is.

Three years sounds like time to spare. In practice, police investigations, insurance negotiations, evidence gathering, and potential civil filings all require significant lead time. Starting early can give your case more time to develop before that window closes.