What To Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Maryland

What Is a Hit-and-Run Accident in Maryland?

A hit-and-run happens when a driver involved in a crash leaves the scene without stopping, providing required information, or helping injured people when assistance is needed.

Hit-and-run crashes can involve:

• Rear-end collisions
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Parking lot collisions
• Highway crashes on I-95, I-695, I-83, Route 40, Pulaski Highway, Belair Road, or local Maryland roads
• Crashes where the other driver gives false information before leaving
• Accidents where the vehicle is found but the driver is unknown

Under Maryland law, a driver involved in an accident that causes bodily injury or death must stop as close to the scene as possible, return to the scene, and remain there long enough to comply with Maryland’s accident reporting and assistance requirements. Leaving the scene can lead to criminal penalties, especially if someone was seriously injured or killed.

For the injured person, however, the most urgent question is usually different: How do I recover compensation if the other driver is gone?

Step 1: Call 911 and Report the Hit-and-Run

After a hit-and-run accident in Maryland, call 911 as soon as possible. A police report can become one of the most important pieces of evidence in your claim.

When speaking with police, provide as much detail as you can, including:

• The direction the driver fled
• The make, model, color, or size of the vehicle
• Any part of the license plate number
• Whether the vehicle had visible damage
• The time and location of the crash
• Any witness names or contact information
• Whether nearby homes or businesses may have cameras

Do not chase the fleeing driver. It can be dangerous, and it may create additional problems for your injury claim. Stay at the scene, protect your safety, and wait for help.

Step 2: Get Medical Care Right Away

Even if you think your injuries are minor, get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries are obvious immediately. Others may take hours or days to fully appear.

Common hit-and-run accident injuries include:

• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Shoulder, knee, and joint injuries
• Internal injuries
• Cuts, bruising, and soft tissue damage
• Anxiety, sleep problems, or trauma after the crash

Medical records help connect your injuries to the accident. If you delay care, the insurance company may argue that your injuries were not serious or were not caused by the crash.

Step 3: Gather Evidence Before It Disappears

Hit-and-run cases often depend on fast evidence collection. If you are physically able, or if someone can help you, try to gather:

• Photos of your vehicle
• Photos of the crash scene
• Skid marks, debris, broken glass, or paint transfer
• Damage to guardrails, signs, poles, or nearby property
• Names and phone numbers of witnesses
• Camera locations from businesses, homes, traffic lights, or parking lots
• Your own written memory of what happened

Evidence can disappear quickly. Vehicles get repaired, footage gets deleted, and witnesses become harder to find. This is one reason it helps to contact a Maryland hit-and-run accident lawyer early.

Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Company Carefully

In many Maryland hit-and-run cases, your own auto insurance policy may be involved. A hit-and-run driver is often treated like an uninsured motorist when the driver or vehicle cannot be identified.

That means you may need to file an uninsured motorist claim, often called a UM claim, through your own insurance company.

A UM claim may help cover:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle damage
• Loss of use of your vehicle
• Future treatment related to the crash

However, insurance companies have rules, deadlines, and reporting requirements. Some policies require prompt police reporting. Some require notice to the insurance company within a specific time. You should not assume your insurer is automatically on your side just because the claim is under your own policy.

Before giving a recorded statement or accepting a quick settlement, consider speaking with a car accident attorney.

Step 5: Do Not Admit Fault or Guess About What Happened

Maryland follows a strict contributory negligence rule. In simple terms, if an injured person is found to have contributed to the accident, the insurance company may try to deny the claim.

That makes your words important.

After a hit-and-run accident, avoid saying things like:

• “I didn’t see them.”
• “I might have been going too fast.”
• “I’m sorry.”
• “Maybe I could have avoided it.”
• “I’m fine.”

You can be polite and cooperative without admitting fault. Stick to the facts. If you are unsure, say you are unsure.

Step 6: Speak With a Maryland Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

Hit-and-run cases can become complicated quickly. The driver may never be found. The insurance company may question whether the accident happened the way you described. There may be disputes over fault, coverage, injuries, medical treatment, or the value of your claim.

A lawyer can help by:

• Investigating the crash
• Looking for camera footage
• Contacting witnesses
• Reviewing police reports
• Handling insurance communication
• Identifying available coverage
• Calculating the full value of your damages
• Protecting you from unfair blame
• Negotiating with the insurance company
• Filing a lawsuit if necessary

The sooner an attorney gets involved, the easier it may be to preserve evidence and avoid mistakes.

Can You Recover Compensation If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found?

Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation after a Maryland hit-and-run even if the driver is never identified.

Many claims are handled through uninsured motorist coverage. Maryland auto policies generally include uninsured motorist protection, which may apply when the at-fault driver is unknown, such as in a hit-and-run collision.

Your available recovery will depend on the facts of the crash, your insurance coverage, your injuries, and whether you can prove the hit-and-run driver caused the accident.

What If the Police Find the Hit-and-Run Driver?

If the driver is found, your case may involve a claim against that driver and their insurance company. If the driver has no insurance or not enough insurance, your own UM or underinsured motorist coverage may still matter.

A criminal case against the fleeing driver is separate from your injury claim. The criminal case may punish the driver, but it does not automatically pay your medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. You may still need to bring a civil insurance claim or personal injury claim to pursue compensation.

What Damages Can Be Recovered After a Maryland Hit-and-Run?

Depending on the case, compensation may include:

• Emergency room bills
• Hospital bills
• Follow-up medical care
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic treatment
• Surgery
• Prescription medication
• Lost income
• Reduced earning ability
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Rental car expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent injury or disability
• Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed

Every case is different. A minor crash with short-term treatment will be valued differently from a crash involving surgery, permanent injury, or long-term wage loss.

How Long Do You Have To File a Hit-and-Run Claim in Maryland?

Many Maryland personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years, but insurance deadlines can be much shorter. Your policy may require prompt notice, a police report, or other steps before you can receive uninsured motorist benefits.

Do not wait until the three-year mark to get help. In hit-and-run cases, waiting can make it harder to find witnesses, obtain camera footage, document injuries, and preserve your rights.

Hit-and-Run Accidents in Baltimore County, Harford County, Cecil County, and Across Maryland

Hit-and-run accidents happen throughout Maryland, from busy Baltimore City intersections to commuter routes in Baltimore County, Harford County, and Cecil County.

Parker, Pallett, Slezak & Russell, LLC helps injured people throughout Maryland, with a strong focus on Baltimore County, Harford County, and Cecil County. The firm regularly serves clients in communities such as Dundalk, Essex, Parkville, Nottingham, Perry Hall, White Marsh, Rosedale, Middle River, Towson, Hunt Valley, Lutherville, Timonium, Cockeysville, Abingdon, Bel Air, Fallston, Kingsville, Glen Arm, Edgewood, and surrounding areas.

Whether your crash happened on a major highway, a neighborhood road, a shopping center parking lot, or near your home, you deserve clear guidance about your legal options.

Common Questions About Maryland Hit-and-Run Accidents