Navigating the Aftermath of a Car Accident: Key Steps to Protect Your Rights

From filing insurance claims to securing legal representation, learn how to take the right steps after a car accident to ensure fair compensation and a smooth recovery process

After an accident, many victims assume their insurance companies will have their backs. However, insurance companies are often more interested in minimizing their payout than securing full compensation for your injuries. Insurance adjusters are not fighting for you—they are trying to settle the claim for as little money as possible.

As Kevin Stern, Esq. of Miller Stern Lawyers explains:
"The goal is not just about trial or settlement. It’s about securing the best possible result based on the facts of your case. If that means taking the case to trial to get a better outcome, we will. If a fair settlement is reached, we’ll finalize the case and ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve."

An experienced car accident attorney will be your advocate, fighting for your rights and ensuring you get the compensation you are entitled to.

Injured in a car accident? Contact Miller Stern Lawyers at (410) 529-3476 for a free consultation today!

Five Key Steps to Take After a Car Accident

To protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to receive the compensation you deserve, it's crucial to follow these steps after an accident:

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

Even if you don’t feel injured right after the accident, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. Injuries such as whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries may not be immediately apparent but can become serious over time.

Why it matters: Delayed treatment can hurt both your health and your claim. If you wait too long to seek medical care, the defendant’s legal team may argue that your injuries weren’t serious or were caused by something else.
Legal timeline: In Maryland, you have up to three years to file a lawsuit for an auto accident, but insurance companies typically require prompt reporting of injuries and treatment.

File Your Insurance Claims Promptly

It’s important to file both economic and non-economic claims promptly.

Economic claims: These include things like medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and funeral expenses.
Non-economic claims: These claims are for more subjective damages, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.

Maryland's laws on pain and suffering allow up to $900,000 in compensation, but this is capped. However, the state’s contributory negligence rule means that even if you are 1% at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering compensation. This can be critical when insurance adjusters try to argue that you contributed to the accident in some way (e.g., texting while driving or speeding).

Keep Detailed Records

As you navigate your insurance claim and legal process, make sure to document everything:

Photos of the scene: Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and anything else that could help your case.
Medical records: Keep records of all treatments, prescriptions, doctors’ notes, and any ongoing care needed.
Other important documents: Collect information from all involved parties, including the driver’s insurance, contact details, and witness statements.

These records will be crucial for proving liability and the extent of your injuries, both to the insurance company and in court if needed.

Consult an Experienced Lawyer

The legal process after an accident can be overwhelming, and trying to handle everything on your own while recovering from your injuries can be difficult. That’s where Miller Stern Lawyers come in. We have years of experience handling car accident claims and can help you navigate the process with confidence.

What can a lawyer do for you?
- Investigate the accident: We’ll gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and hire experts when needed to support your case.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize settlements. We fight to make sure you’re compensated fairly.
- Handle paperwork and legal details: We take care of the legal process so you can focus on healing.

Review Settlement Offers Carefully

Insurance companies often try to settle cases quickly, but you don’t have to accept the first offer you receive. Serious cases can take time to resolve, and settling too early can result in receiving far less than you truly need for recovery.

What to consider when reviewing offers:
- Does the offer cover all of your medical expenses, including future care?
- Does it account for lost wages, emotional suffering, and long-term rehabilitation?
- Once you accept a settlement, you may be prevented from seeking further compensation.

A Miller Stern lawyer will help you evaluate settlement offers to ensure they are fair before you sign any agreement.

When Should You Consider Hiring a Lawyer?

While some accidents might seem minor and not require legal assistance, most cases benefit from professional legal representation.

Small accidents without injuries: In cases where there’s minimal damage or no injuries, you may not need a lawyer. However, always call a legal professional to discuss the details before deciding to handle it alone.
Serious injuries or disputes: For more significant accidents involving serious injuries, long-term care, or liability disputes, hiring a lawyer is critical to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you need an attorney who will fight for your best interests. At Miller Stern Lawyers, we’ve helped countless clients receive millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.

Contingency Fee Basis: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win. We’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve, and we don’t get paid unless you do.

Don’t navigate the aftermath alone. Contact us today at (410) 529-3476 to speak with an expert attorney at Miller Stern Lawyers!