How Long Does a Car Accident Claim Take in Maryland? A Complete Timeline for Injury Victims in Maryland & Washington, D.C.

One of the first questions every injured client asks is:

“How long will my Maryland car accident case take?”

The short answer: It depends on your injuries, medical treatment, and whether the insurance company acts in good faith.

The long answer:

Most Maryland car accident cases follow a predictable timeline and understanding that timeline can

help you plan your finances, treatment, and expectations.

Whether your crash happened in Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Howard

County, Baltimore County, or Washington, D.C., this guide walks you through exactly how long claims take, what can delay them, and how Falodun Law keeps your case moving.

Why Maryland Car Accident Claims Take Longer Than You Expect

Maryland’s harsh 1% Rule and the insurance companies’ aggressive tactics often slow cases down. Insurers will:

• Demand unnecessary documentation

• Dispute liability even in clear cases

• Blame you for contributing to the crash

• Request repeated “reviews”

• Delay your claim hoping you’ll settle cheap

The more severe the injuries, the longer the treatment — and the longer the case.

Why Social Media Is So Dangerous After a Car Accident

Below is the process for most Maryland personal injury cases.

Phase 1: Medical Treatment & Recovery (1–6 Months+)

This phase cannot be skipped. Your case value depends on the:

• Severity of your injuries

• Length of treatment

• Cost of medical care

• Long-term limitations

• Whether you fully recover

You should finish treatment or reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before we send a demand.

Why?

Because once you settle, you can’t reopen the case — even if you later need surgery.

Phase 2: Demand Letter Preparation (30 - 60 Days)

Once treatment ends, we request:

• Medical records

• Medical bills

• Radiology reports

• Specialist notes

• Wage documentation

• Police reports

• Insurance disclosures

These records can take weeks for providers to produce.

After gathering everything, we prepare a comprehensive demand letter outlining:

• Liability

• Injuries

• Treatment

• Medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Pain & suffering

• Future care

• Case value

Phase 3: Settlement Negotiations (30 - 90 Days)

Insurance companies rarely accept the first demand.

Typical negotiation steps:

• Insurer reviews your demand (2 - 6 weeks)

• Insurer makes an initial offer

• We counter

• They counter again

• We negotiate strategically

On average, negotiations take 1 - 3 months, depending on:

• Insurance company involved

• Whether liability is disputed

• Whether injuries are severe

• Whether reductions are needed

• Caseload of adjusters

GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, and USAA each move at different speeds.

Phase 4: Filing a Lawsuit (6 - 18 Months)

If the insurance company refuses to pay fairly, the next step is litigation.

A lawsuit does NOT mean you’re going to trial.

Most cases settle during litigation.

Maryland lawsuit timelines:

District Court (Claims under $30,000)

• Usually 3 - 6 months to trial

Circuit Court (Claims above $30,000)

• Typically, 9 - 18 months

Why the difference?

Circuit Court involves:

• Discovery

• Depositions

• Interrogatories

• Expert witnesses

• Motions

• Mediation

The longer timeline often results in a much higher settlement.

What Can Speed Up Your Maryland Car Accident Claim?

Your case moves faster when:

• You get medical treatment immediately

• You follow treatment consistently

• Providers send records quickly

• Liability is clear

• PIP covers your early bills

• You hire a car accident attorney early

  
  

Hiring a lawyer right away is the #1 way to shorten your claim.

What Causes Delays?

Delays occur when:

• Providers take months to send records

• You miss appointments

• Your injuries require long-term care

• Insurance companies dispute liability

• Adjusters are overloaded

• Police reports take weeks

• PIP gets exhausted early

• The at-fault driver is uninsured

These delays are normal — and often unavoidable.

Typical Maryland Car Accident Timeline Summary

Most Maryland cases settle in 4 - 9 months, depending on medical treatment.

Cases involving surgery or severe injury often take 12+ months — and settle for significantly more.

Why You Should Not Rush Your Claim

Insurance companies want you to settle early because:

• Early settlements are cheaper

• You haven’t finished treatment

• You don't know your true injuries

• You can't recover more once you settle

Fast settlements = bad settlements.

Your health — and your future — matter more than speed.

How Falodun Law Keeps Your Case Moving

We aggressively push each phase forward by:

✓ Requesting records early and following up weekly

✓ Negotiating medical bill reductions upfront

✓ Collecting evidence immediately

✓ Cutting off insurance delay tactics

✓ Initiating litigation quickly when needed

You focus on your recovery. We focus on your compensation.

Serving Maryland & Washington, D.C. Injury Victims

Falodun Law proudly represents clients in:

• Baltimore City

• Baltimore County

• Howard County

• Montgomery County

• Prince George’s County

• Anne Arundel County

• Charles County

• Washington, D.C.

Whether your case is simple or complex, we guide you through every step of the process.

Contact Falodun Law — Get Answers About Your Timeline Today

You don’t have to guess how long your case will take — we’ll walk you through every step.

Call or Text: (301) 289-7737

Visit Website: www.falodunlaw.com

Free Consultation — No Fee Unless We Win