What Is Considered a Minor Car Accident in Maryland?

What is considered a minor car accident? is a common question as most crashes in Maryland appear relatively minor. Knowing the difference between the latter and a major car crash will help you make the right decisions when seeking compensation. Most Maryland drivers do not know the necessary steps to take after being involved in a minor car accident. One of the required steps is to get a Maryland personal injury attorney to secure your interests. This article talks about what a minor car accident is and how to handle the situation surrounding one.

What Is a Minor Car Accident?

In Maryland, a minor car accident is one where there are minor damages to the vehicle and little to no injuries to the passengers. The significant difference between a major and minor car accident is the degree of injuries sustained by those involved in the occurrence. While significant car accidents can wreck a car and cause financial losses, minor car accidents only leave behind temporary and repairable damages. In Maryland, a minor car accident is one that does not impede the vehicle’s ability to operate. The severity of an accident is dependent on different factors. A number of these factors include:

• How fast the cars were going
• The directions the vehicles headed
• The size of the vehicles involved
• If the driver(s) were sober or driving under the influence

Do Minor Accidents Need to Be Reported in Maryland?

Most minor crashes don’t involve injuries but can include property damage. In Maryland, there is a law that governs accidents and accident reporting. The rules state that people involved in a car accident should file an accident report with the Motor Vehicle Administration if the accident resulted in bodily injury or death. Reporting a minor accident to the police is not usually required, but it is necessary. Getting a police report immediately after the accident will serve as evidence if injuries or other damages surface later on, due to the accident. Regardless of how inconsequential an accident might seem, it is crucial to inform your insurance company and alert the Maryland police.

When Do You Need the Help of the Police in a Minor Car Accident?

There are some instances in Maryland when you need the help of a law enforcement agent in a minor accident. They include:

• If there are injuries to any of the passengers.
• If one of the drivers lacks a valid driver’s license.
• If one of the drivers was driving under the influence.
• If there’s a need to tow a vehicle from the scene.
• If there is an argument on who was the at-fault driver in the accident.
• If one of the drivers leaves the scene.

When you are in doubt about the accident, inform law enforcement. Crashes cause an adrenaline rush in the body that can hide symptoms of injuries gotten from the accident. When the injury surfaces later on, and there is no police report, it could be more difficult to prove it was from the accident.

How to Handle a Minor Accident

The first thing to do after a minor accident in Maryland is to stop driving. Failure to stop is considered a criminal offense. The next thing to do is offer help to anyone who appears injured. Another critical step is to exchange contacts and insurance information with the other driver. Calling the police is not required for a minor accident, but in the instances mentioned above, it is essential to involve the police. Lastly, it is vital to write down details of the accident while it is still vivid in your memory. Get the names and contact information of witnesses around. It will help your case with the insurance companies and the law.

Is Medical Help Needed After a Minor Accident?

After an accident, it is crucial to visit a doctor as symptoms of injuries might not be obvious. One of the most common injuries sustained during a minor car accident is whiplash, a neck injury gotten from a forceful back and forth movement of the neck. Injuries are not common in minor car accidents. However, some severe wounds can result from the accident. Apart from whiplash, other injuries that could happen in a minor car accident include concussions, scratches, broken bones, etc.

Get Pinder Plotkin LLC on Your Case Today!

After a car accident, even if it is minor, it is essential to protect your rights and interests. Getting legal help from a reputable Maryland personal injury attorney like Pinder Plotkin LLC can help you build a successful insurance claim. We will ensure you do not lose out completely after an accident. Contact us today.