The Law Offices of Chaikin and Sherman, P.C.
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Phone - 202.659.8600
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Maryland Law Summary
Maryland, Washington, D.C., & Virginia
The laws regarding car and truck accidents vary in each state. The state of Maryland has established the following laws to handle auto accident litigation:
Insurance Requirements
The state of Maryland requires all drivers to maintain minimum levels of insurance for their motor vehicle. These minimum requirements include:
- Bodily injury coverage of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
- Property damage coverage of $15,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage
- PIP coverage
Contributory Negligence
Maryland is one of only five states in the country to use the doctrine of contributory negligence. Contributory negligence eliminates your ability to receive ANY compensation for your damages if you are in any way at fault for the accident (even as little as 1%). Due to this harsh law, it is critical that you hire a skilled auto accident lawyer who can prove that you were in no way negligent in causing this accident.
When you are represented by Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., you can be confident that we have conducted a thorough analysis of the likelihood of your success in your auto accident claim. As a result, it is unlikely that a defense attorney will be able to successfully use the doctrine of contributory negligence against you.
Statute of Limitations
The state of Maryland gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, there are some notable exceptions to this statute of limitations:
- If you are a minor, the statute of limitations is three years from the date you turn 18.
- If you are under a disability, as defined under the law, the statute of limitations is delayed an additional period of time until after the disability, as defined by the law, ends.
The attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. assure that your claim will be filed within the three year time period. Whenever possible, we will file your claim within one year of the date of your accident.
Joint and Several Liability
Maryland adheres to the system of joint and several liability. This system is used in cases where more than one party is liable for the damages in your accident. Under joint and several liability, each party found liable is responsible for paying the entire judgment in the claim, regardless of his individual share of the negligence. This means that if one party is unable to pay his share of the damages, one or more of the other parties must pay that portion.
Seatbelt and Helmet Laws
Maryland law requires all drivers and passengers in the front seat over the age of 16 to wear a seat belt at all times. However, you may still receive compensation for your injuries if you are not wearing your seatbelt.
Maryland motorcycle laws require all motorcyclists to wear a helmet at all times.
The lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. are well versed in Maryland auto and truck accident law and have years of experience helping accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. Please contact our Maryland auto accident lawyers today to schedule a consultation at one of our Maryland, Washington, D.C. or Virginia offices.
