Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers | January 16, 2025 | Car Accident
Filing a police report after a Maryland car accident is not just a good idea; the law demands it in many cases. Even in situations where the law does not require you to do so, filing a crash report after every wreck can be beneficial. This report will preserve essential information about the crash that can help you if you later decide to file a car accident claim.
When Filing a Police Report Is Mandatory
There are several situations where you must file a car accident report. If your accident resulted in the death of any individual or bodily injury to any person, you must file an accident report. In all other circumstances, you are not legally required to file a police report. However, you may still need to report the accident to your insurer.
Reporting Certain Accidents To Police
Even though you might not be legally required to file a report, you should still consider calling the police to report a crash that involves:
- A driver who flees the scene of the crash
- Someone who is operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Damage to public property
- Motorists who are unlicensed or uninsured
- Vehicles that are blocking the road and cannot be moved
If you are unsure whether to call the police to report a crash, err on the side of caution and do it. Depending on how serious the crash is, you can easily report a crash by calling 911 or the non-emergency line of the jurisdiction’s law enforcement agency.
Steps To Reporting A Car Crash In Maryland
Reporting a car crash can be as simple as calling 911 and informing the dispatcher of the crash. If law enforcement officers respond and take a report, you do not have to do anything further. Remaining on the scene and answering officers’ questions fulfills your legal responsibility to report the wreck.
Otherwise, all drivers involved in a crash will have to file a police report. Follow these steps to do so:
Take Photographs To Document The Scene
Take several photographs of the accident scene. You should capture the positions of the vehicles involved and any damage to those vehicles. Photograph road signs and any traffic lights or traffic control signs. While you do not want to hold up traffic unnecessarily, these photos can preserve important details about the crash.
Move Yourself And Your Vehicle To a Safe Location
Next, move your vehicle to a safe location nearby. This will allow you to complete the next step without further risking your safety. If there is no nearby business or parking lot, move your vehicle to the side of the road as far as possible.
Exchange Information
Gather the name, driver’s license number, and insurance information of every other driver involved in the report. You will also need to give these drivers your information. Keep this information in a safe location. You should not discuss who caused the crash or tell the other driver you feel “fine” or “okay.”
Report The Crash To the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
If the crash involved bodily injury or death, you must report the crash to the Motor Vehicle Administration within 15 days. There is no standard report form; instead, you must provide a statement that includes your name, your insurance carrier and policy number, and your contact information.
Getting Additional Help After a Maryland Car Accident
If you need further assistance with making a report, you can always reach out to an experienced Maryland car accident lawyer. An attorney can help you fulfill your legal responsibility to report your crash and explore your legal rights to compensation.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers in Maryland for Help Today
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a car accident lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Annapolis, and Lexington Park, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George County its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Waldorf Office
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Lanham Office
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7