One of the first questions car accident victims ask after treatment is usually “How long after a car accident can I claim injury?”. Car collisions are what they are — accidents. They’re unplanned, so victims are usually at sea about what to do next when they happen.

While the priority is always to get help and recover from whatever injuries they’ve sustained, they are usually pained about the expenses and losses they had to incur. The hurt worsens when they recall that it resulted from negligent driving on the part of another. They begin to think about getting compensation for their losses and pain and wonder if it’s too late to commence claims.

Maryland is an at-fault state. It means that when a car accident happens, the at-fault driver would be required to compensate the victims for their pain and losses. But there’s a time limit for victims to put forward their claims. We’ll let you in on it in the course of this article.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

The first thing to do after a car crash is to check for injuries and call 911. Next, you need to contact the law enforcement agencies, preferably the police department in the jurisdiction where the crash occurred.

Next, you should gather as much evidence as possible by taking photos and videos of the crash scene. This is to help prevent misrepresentation of some facts later on. The evidence you document can help to determine who the at-fault driver is.

The next thing to do is to exchange contact information with other drivers involved in the car accident. From names to phone numbers, addresses, insurance information, gather as much information about the others as possible.

Next, seek medical help and call your lawyer. While most victims contact their attorneys after receiving medical attention, many legal practitioners will advise that you should seek legal help just after you’ve called 911. Your attorney can come in handy by helping you gather the evidence and advising you on what to say to the authorities when they arrive.

What’s the Statute of Limitation for Car Accident Claims in Maryland?

Every state, Maryland inclusive, has a time limit within which claimants can file a personal injury claim. This time limit is popularly known as the statute of limitation. In Maryland, the law of limitation for personal injury claims is three (3) years.

The time starts counting from the date the car accident causing the injury occurred. If the claimant was a child, time starts counting from when he turns 18 or if the person was mentally ill, when they recover from the illness.

This means that you have until three years after the date of the car accident to file your claims, or you’ll be unable to do so when the time lapses. While three years may seem like a lot of time to while away till the last minute, your chances of getting the compensation you deserve diminish as time goes by.

A lot of things can happen in three years to weaken your claim. For example, you may lose some of the evidence you gathered at the scene or lose contact with some eyewitnesses.

It’s essential to keep the limitation date in mind even if you’re opting for settlement or only filing an insurance claim. It would be best if you left enough time to fall back to the courts should you get displeased with the insurance company. In any case, it’s always wise to commence a personal injury claim as soon after the accident as is possible.

Why Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney?

Pursuing a personal injury claim in Maryland requires you to report the car accident to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It’s the insurance company that pays for the damages. But many insurance companies like to minimize their liability by any means possible. They may claim that you’re not entitled to any compensation or offer you a settlement that is a far cry from what you deserve.

Because these insurance companies have heavyweight attorneys behind them, you stand little or no chances against them alone. Having a reliable attorney representing you levels the playing field. If you are dissatisfied with the insurance company’s settlement, your attorney will help you get the best compensation in court.

Get a Personal Injury Attorney Right Away!

If you need the best Maryland personal injury lawyer, to handle your car accident claims, you can get one right away by contacting us at Pinder Plotkin.