Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How common are auto accidents?   

A: There are over 6 million auto accidents every year! That means about every 13 seconds another auto accident has occurred. In a 5 year period, about 25% of drivers will be involved in an auto accident. Its safe to say that auto accidents are very common.   

Q: How many of the 6 million auto accidents result in injury or death?  

A: About 3 million of the annual auto accidents result in injury, and there are about 40,000 deaths. Many of the injuries that are sustained will be permanent.  

Q: What are the causes of auto accidents?  

A: There are several causes of auto accidents. Many accidents are caused by carelessness of drivers. Drivers tend to be easily distracted or not pay adequate attention when they are driving. Activities such as eating, talking to passengers, adjusting the radio, texting, talking on a cell phone, etc, all present danger when driving a vehicle. Drivers that speed, tailgate, make unsafe lane changes, or commit other reckless acts also present danger. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a common cause of accidents, and usually with fatal consequences. Sometimes auto accidents may not be the result of driver error. A small percentage of auto accidents can be attributed to poor road maintenance or poor road design. Another less frequent factor would be vehicle malfunction.   

Q: When do most auto accidents take place?  

A: Most auto accidents occur during the night, and on weekends. Times of inclement weather will also produce many auto accidents. Times when traffic is heavy such as holidays and rush hour have a higher rate of accidents.    

Q: What should I do if I’ve been in an accident?  

A: If you’ve been in an auto accident there are several things you should do before leaving the scene of the accident.  

1. Try to stay calm. Take a second to collect yourself.
2. Check yourself, any passengers you may have, and the occupants of the other vehicle for any injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911. Also, check the surrounding area for any pedestrians who may have been hit.
3. Call the police. When they arrive be sure to get a copy of an information exchange report, or the police report number, and the police officer’s first and last name and badge number. Do not admit fault when talking to the police or the other driver.
4. Exchange information with the other driver. You will need their name, contact information, insurance information, license plate number, and a description of their vehicle.
5. Write a description of the damage to both vehicles, and if possible take pictures of the damage.
6. Scan the area for witnesses. If you find any, write down their name and contact information also.
7. Call your insurance company and let them know you have been in accident. Ask if they any special instructions for you while you are still at the accident scene.
8. Don’t leave the scene until the police do.
9. As soon as you can, write down a description of everything you remember about the accident, and the few moments leading up to it. Record the time of day, weather conditions, and any other pertinent details you can remember. The sooner you do this the more accurately you will remember. Add details as you remember them.

You may want to keep an accident kit of sorts in your vehicle, with items such as a small notebook and writing instrument, a disposable camera, and road flares. The checklist above would also be a helpful item to have.  

Q: Who is most at risk for an auto accident?  

A: Young drivers up to age 20 are most at risk for an auto accident, especially male teenagers. Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Teens also have the lowest rate of seat belt usage, which may be the reason that many auto accidents involving teenagers will be fatal.  

Q: Why are teenagers most at risk for an auto accident?  

A: Teenagers that have just obtained their license are often careless. Their inexperience counts heavily against them. Many times they will misjudge dangerous situations, or not know how to handle them. They will often speed or drive under the influence, despite not being legally of age to drink. Teenagers with other teenage passengers are even more likely to crash. They are easily distracted and prone to showing off, exhibiting dangerous driving behavior.  

Q: I’ve heard whiplash is common injury sustained in an auto accident, what other injuries are possible?  

A: Whiplash is very common in auto accidents. Its usually caused by being rear ended. The head snaps forward and then back, straining the neck and back muscles. This pain of this injury can be slight or severe, and can last indefinitely. Muscle and other soft tissue injuries are common. Other injures that can occur are head injuries, where the brain has been bruised or damaged. This type of injury can be very serious, affecting motor skills, speech, behavioral and cognitive skills. Head injuries should be checked out by a physician right away. If not treated properly they can cause further damage. A person involved in an auto accident might also suffer some kind of paralysis which is caused by damage to the spine. Paralysis can be permanent or temporary, and can affect some parts of the body, or the entire body from the neck down. Broken or fractured bones may be suffered, as can lacerations from broken glass from the windows or windshield. Many injuries will depend on the severity of the accident, point of impact, and whether or not the occupants of the vehicle were wearing seat belts.  

Q: How can I help prevent an injury if I am in an auto accident?  

A: The best way to prevent injuries is to wear your seat belt. The seat belt will help you from being ejected from the car which can cause very severe injury, even death. To prevent further or worsening injury, you should be evaluated by a physician.  

Q: How do I know if I have a personal injury claim?  

A: If you have been injured as a result of another person’s carlesness or negligence, you may have a claim.  Consulting with one of our Maryland car accident lawyers will be most helpful in deciding whether or not you have a claim.  

Q: I believe I was not the at-fault driver, should I hire a lawyer to help with my case?  

A: Hiring a lawyer is not absolutely necessary but it can be very helpful. A lawyer can carefully evaluate your case and help you decide how to proceed. They know the laws and can help you when trying to gain compensation for injuries to your person or property. They can explain the claims process and what you may expect from the insurance companies. A lawyer can help you decide what action you may want to take in the long run  

Q: What type of damages might I be able to recover?  

A: If you or your property has been damaged in an auto accident, and you decide to file a claim, depending on your specific situation, there are a few different types of damages you may recover. You may seek monetary damages for medical expenses including future medical costs that pertain to the injury you sustained in the accident, compensation for loss of income due to work days you have missed due to your injury, and damages for mental pain and suffering. Keep in mind these damages will only be recovered if you can prove negligence against the other driver.  

Q: What if the victim was a loved one, now deceased due to the accident?  

A: If the victim was a relative (spouse, parent or child) and has died because of injuries due to the accident, you may make claims for wrongful death and survival. You may receive compensation for loss of companionship, loss of wages if the deceased was the provider for the family, loss of consortium, and mental anguish. Once again, you must prove the negligence against the other driver.  

Q: What should I do if the opposing insurance company contacts me?  

A: The opposing insurance company should not be contacting you, and if they do, do not answer any of their questions. Do not agree to any suggestions they may make. Tell the person contacting you they should contact your lawyer or insurance company. They may try to catch you off guard and make it seem like a good idea to take what they offer you, but in reality the amount of money they may be offering is probably much less than what you actually may be able to claim.  

Q: What steps can I take to prevent being in an auto accident?  

A: Fortunately, there are many simple things you can do to prevent being in an accident. When you are behind the wheel, be sure you are giving all your attention to driving. If you need divert your attention, pull over somewhere safe or try to take care of the activity before setting out. It is important all your focus is on driving when you are operating a vehicle. Perhaps the most obvious thing you can do is not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drugs an alcohol severely impair your judgment, and being behind the wheel at such a time is never a good idea. Stick to the speed limit and obey road signs and traffic signals. Reduce your speed when traveling through intersections, even if you have a green light. Be sure to give vehicles in front of you plenty of room-at least 1 car length for every 10 miles per hour, and increase this distance in bad weather. Use your headlights in times of low visibility, such as fog or times when the sun is not at its brightest. Keep your vehicle in good working order, and keep up with routine maintenance of your vehicle. Try to limit your driving to the day time, especially when taking long trips, and if you start to feel drowsy pull over somewhere safe and rest. All of these easy steps can help prevent you from being in auto accident.