Top 5 Mistakes That Destroy Maryland Car Accident Claims
- Falodun Law
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Maryland is one of the toughest states in the country for car accident victims. Because Maryland follows pure contributory negligence, a single mistake — even a small one — can destroy your entire claim.
Here’s the harsh truth:
If the insurance company can blame you even 1%, they can deny your claim completely.
This means that what you do (and don’t do) after a crash matter more in Maryland than almost anywhere else.
Whether your accident happened in Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, Baltimore County, or Washington, D.C., avoiding these key mistakes can protect your health, your financial recovery, and your legal rights.
Mistake #1: Not Seeking Medical Attention Immediately
If you don’t get medical care right away, the insurance company will argue:
“You weren’t really injured.”
“Your injuries weren’t caused by the crash.”
“You waited too long because you weren’t in pain.”
Soft tissue injuries — like whiplash, back pain, and disc herniations — often appear hours or days later. But delays are used as ammunition to deny your claim.
You should be evaluated within 24 hours at:
The ER
Urgent Care
Your primary doctor
Mistake #2: Talking to the Insurance Company Without a Lawyer
This is one of the most devastating Maryland car accident mistakes victims make.
Insurance adjusters will act friendly, but they are trained to extract statements like:
“I’m not in too much pain.”
“I’m feeling better today.”
“I may have stopped quickly.”
“I might have looked down for a moment.”
Every one of these statements can be twisted into:
“You were partially at fault.”
And in Maryland, even 1% fault destroys your entire case.
Never give recorded statements.
Never explain how the accident happened.
Never discuss your injuries.
Tell the adjuster:
“I’m represented. Please contact my attorney.”
Mistake #3: Not Collecting Evidence at the Scene
The insurance company will not hesitate to twist the facts unless you have real, objective evidence.
Critical evidence includes:
Photos of vehicle damage
Photos of your injuries
Photos of skid marks, debris, and traffic signals
Witness information
911 recordings
Police body-worn camera (BWC) footage
Surveillance video
Dashcam clips
If you don’t gather this evidence quickly, it disappears.
And without it?
The insurance company can simply say:
“You contributed to the crash.”
Mistake #4: Stopping Treatment Too Early or Missing Appointments
Insurance companies pounce on gaps in care and use them to argue:
You are not really hurt
Your injuries healed quickly
Your treatment was unnecessary
Your pain is exaggerated
You didn’t take your injury seriously
Consistency is EVERYTHING.
To protect your case:
Follow all doctor recommendations
Attend every appointment
Complete physical therapy
Report worsening symptoms
See specialists when referred
Stopping treatment early dramatically reduces case value.
Mistake #5: Accepting a Quick Settlement
Insurance companies love early settlements because:
Your injuries haven’t fully developed
Your future medical needs are unknown
Your wage loss isn’t calculated
Your pain & suffering hasn’t been valued
You haven’t completed treatment
Once you settle, your claim is closed forever.
You cannot reopen it if:
You need surgery
Your condition gets worse
You develop chronic pain
You’re later diagnosed with a disc injury
You miss more work
Never accept a settlement without a full medical and legal evaluation.
Bonus Mistake: Not Hiring a Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Early
A lawyer protects you from:
Insurance traps
Lowball offers
Blame-shifting under the 1% Rule
Medical bill disasters
Evidence loss
Delays in treatmen
Missing legal deadlines
The earlier you have an attorney involved, the stronger your claim becomes.
How Falodun Law Protects Your Maryland Car Accident Claim
We prevent these mistakes by:
✓ Communicating with insurance for you
✓ Gathering and preserving evidence immediately
✓ Requesting 911, BWC, and surveillance footage
✓ Guiding you through medical treatment
✓ Negotiating medical bill reductions
✓ Building an airtight case that defeats the 1% Rule
✓ Filing suit fast when needed
You focus on healing.
We handle everything else.
Serving Maryland & Washington, D.C. Car Accident Victims
We proudly represent injured clients in:
Baltimore City
Baltimore County
Howard County
Montgomery County
Prince George’s County
Charles County
Anne Arundel County
Washington, D.C.
Contact Falodun Law — Don’t Let One Mistake Destroy Your Claim
In Maryland, one small mistake can cost you everything.
Let us protect your rights from the start.
📞 Call or Text: (301) 289-7737
💬 Free Consultation — No Fee Unless We Win
