If you are involved in a traffic accident in Maryland, the law requires you to stop and comply with the obligations in the state’s Transportation Code. Generally, the law requires you to render reasonable assistance to injured parties, provide your information to the other drivers, and give your information to the responding officers.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Maryland. You could face fines, jail time, and points against your driver’s license for a hit-and-run conviction. Fleeing from an accident scene that resulted in serious bodily injury could result in years in prison.

In addition to criminal charges, a hit-and-run driver may also face civil penalties. The victims of the hit-and-run accident can sue the driver for economic and non-economic damages if the hit-and-run driver is located. Law enforcement agencies investigate hit-and-run accidents in Maryland to identify the driver who left the scene.

What Are the Steps in a Hit and Run Accident Investigation in Maryland?

Each accident case is different. However, police officers usually follow several steps in the process of investigating a hit-and-run accident in Maryland. Those steps include:

Investigate the Scene of the Hit and Run Accident

The police officers interview the accident victims, bystanders, and eyewitnesses at the accident scene. They also gather physical evidence that could be useful in identifying the hit-and-run driver. Evidence includes:

  • Photographs and videos of the accident scene
  • Video footage of the collision from traffic cameras and other sources
  • Photographs of the other vehicles involved in the crash
  • Tire marks
  • Paint on the victim’s car left by the hit-and-run vehicle
  • Debris in the roadway, such as pieces of the hit-and-run vehicle
  • Reports from accident reconstructionists and other experts

The police officers gather the evidence of the hit-and-run accident to prepare a police report. Everything they collect and discover should be included in their report.

Review and Analyze the Evidence Gathered

Officers analyze the evidence they gathered to try to identify the hit-and-run driver. A witness may have been able to give the police a partial license plate number and a description of the vehicle. This information could provide a lead that identifies the hit-and-run driver.

Sometimes, the evidence collected at the accident scene does not lead the police to the hit-and-run driver. If that happens, they must search for other leads.

For example, they may contact local hospitals to determine if someone was treated for what appeared to be accident injuries but denied being in a car accident. The officers may conduct additional interviews and search for video footage from nearby stores and homes. They may also give information to news stations, asking anyone with information to contact the police.

What Happens if the Police Identify a Maryland Hit-and-Run Driver?

The police will likely charge the driver with a crime if the evidence proves the driver was involved in the accident and fled the scene. The criminal charges are separate from a civil claim that an accident victim may have against the hit-and-run driver.

If you were injured by a hit-and-run driver in Maryland, contact a local hit-and-run accident lawyer about filing a lawsuit against the driver for damages.

However, you must prove that the driver caused the accident. Fleeing the scene of an accident does not prove fault. The driver might have fled because they had an outstanding arrest warrant or they did not have a valid driver’s license.

You must prove the driver’s actions were a direct and proximate cause of the car crash. Then, you must prove the car accident caused your injuries and that you suffered damages because of the other driver’s negligence.

What Happens if a Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Identified for a Maryland Car Accident?

The police may diligently investigate your hit-and-run accident case, but they might never identify the hit-and-run driver. In that case, you may want to pursue a claim against your uninsured motorist coverage.

Maryland requires all drivers to carry minimum limits of uninsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance coverage protects you if an uninsured driver causes an accident. However, uninsured motorist coverage also applies if a hit-and-run driver causes an accident.

You’ll file a claim with your insurance company for the hit and run accident, and you can receive compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, including:

The amount you receive for an uninsured motorist claim depends on your insurance policy limits and the facts of the hit-and-run accident. Your insurance company is only liable for damages up to the policy limit.

What Should I Do After a Hit and Run Accident in Baltimore, MD?

If a hit-and-run driver injures you, try to remain calm. Call 911 to report the crash and ask for emergency assistance. Tell the operator the vehicle left the scene. Make notes about the vehicle and the driver while the information is still fresh in your mind.

Ask people who stop to offer assistance for their names and contact details. They may have information to assist the police in the investigation, but the witnesses could leave before talking to the officers.

Seek medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible. Even if you don’t believe you sustained serious injuries, it is best to see a doctor for a complete examination. If you discover that you were injured, prompt medical treatment can help you with your accident claim.

Meet with a car accident lawyer after a hit-and-run crash for a free consultation. An attorney can help you by investigating the hit-and-run accident and gathering evidence for a personal injury and/or uninsured motorist accident claim. Your attorney also handles matters with the insurance company.

CONTACT THE BALTIMORE CAR ACCIDENT LAW FIRM OF WGK PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS TODAY FOR HELP

For more information contact the Baltimore car accident law firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.

WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 220-2179

WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
By appointment only
(410) 970-3080