The Hidden Deadline Traps That Can Destroy a Maryland Injury Claim (Even When Liability Is Clear)

Most people know there’s a “statute of limitations.”

But in real Maryland injury cases, the bigger danger is this:

Hidden deadlines that hit long before the three-year mark.

These traps can destroy strong cases even when the other driver was clearly at fault—because evidence disappears, notice rules apply, and insurers stall until it’s too late.

This post explains the major timing issues that matter in Maryland crash claims and what to do to avoid them. If you’re unsure how to protect yourself early, reviewing what to do after a car accident in Maryland can help you avoid deadline mistakes before insurers start slow-walking the claim.

Important: This is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation.

Deadline Trap One: The Maryland Statute of Limitations (and the Myth of “Plenty of Time”)

In many Maryland personal injury cases, the general civil limitations period is three years from accrual.

That sounds like plenty of time—until you realize that:

• The insurer may stall for months

• Medical treatment may take time

• Evidence can vanish in days

• Government notice rules can be much shorter

Three years is not a planning strategy. It’s the outer wall.

Deadline Trap Two : Government Claims Have Notice Requirements (Often Much Sooner)

If your crash involves:

• A county vehicle

• A city vehicle

• A government employee acting in the scope of employment

• A roadway defect tied to a local government

• Certain government-operated entities

You may face notice requirements that are separate from the regular statute of limitations.

Local Government Claims (LGTCA Notice)

Maryland has a notice requirement for specific claims against local governments and their employees. Missing it can create significant litigation risk.

Claims Against the State of Maryland (MTCA Notice)

Claims involving State entities can have their own notice requirements (including written notice to the State Treasurer/designee in many circumstances).

Bottom line: if a government vehicle, property, or employee is involved, you should treat the case as “time-sensitive” immediately.

Deadline Trap Three : Surveillance Footage Gets Deleted Fast

Many of the best liability videos come from:

• Gas stations

• Stores

• Apartment buildings

• Ring/doorbell cameras

• Traffic-adjacent businesses
  

The problem?

Many systems overwrite footage quickly, sometimes in days, sometimes in weeks, depending on the property and storage settings.

If you don’t send preservation requests promptly and identify camera locations early, the video may simply be gone.

Deadline Trap Four : Police Body-Worn Camera and 911 Audio Can Also Be Time-Sensitive

Even if footage/audio exists, agencies may have retention policies and processes that vary.

The practical takeaway is the same:

Request it early.

The sooner your lawyer requests and preserves it, the lower the risk of loss or delay.

Deadline Trap Five : Medical Documentation Delays Can Quietly Kill Value

You can have a legitimate injury and still lose leverage if:

• You wait too long to start treatment

• You have gaps in care

• You stop early, then restart later

• You miss follow-ups

• You don’t document symptoms clearly
  

Insurers turn timing problems into causation problems:

• “Not related”

• “Exaggerated”

• “Minor”

• “Pre-existing”

The solution is not “over-treatment.” It’s consistent, appropriate documentation.

Deadline Trap Six : The Insurance Company’s “Slow Walk” Strategy

Many insurers delay by:

• Reassigning adjusters

• Requesting the same documents repeatedly

• Waiting on “review.”

• Demanding unnecessary authorizations

• Dragging out evaluations
  

Then, when time pressure builds, they offer a low number and act like they’re doing you a favor.

In Maryland, delay is leverage, especially when they think you’re unrepresented.

A Quick “Timing Checklist” After a Maryland Crash

If you want to protect your claim, prioritize:

1. Immediate scene documentation (photos, witness info)

2. Prompt medical evaluation

3. Evidence preservation (surveillance, BWC, 911, where applicable)

4. Identify all potentially responsible parties early (including government involvement)

5. Don’t let negotiations drift without a plan
   

How Falodun Law Prevents Deadline-Driven Case Damage

We treat early time periods as the most valuable part of the case:

• Evidence preservation strategy

• Fast liability development (with the 1% Rule always in mind)

• Medical documentation guidance

• Negotiation that doesn’t allow endless “slow-walking.”

• Litigation readiness when delay becomes a tactic
  

Serving Maryland & Washington, D.C.

Baltimore City • Baltimore County • Howard County • Montgomery County • Prince George’s County • Anne Arundel • Charles County • Washington, D.C.

Free Consultation — Don’t Let Deadlines Decide Your Case

If you’re hurt, you shouldn’t lose your claim because evidence disappeared or a notice rule was missed.

Call (301) 289-7737 or visit www.falodunlaw.com.