Summer traffic in Maryland hits harder every year on major corridors like Interstate 95, Route 50, and the Capital Beltway. Maryland officials reported 163 road deaths as of mid-June 2026, warning drivers that the risk only climbs as the travel season peaks. If you get caught in a crash this summer, knowing the exact operational and legal steps to take can protect both your physical safety and your financial liability.
Navigating the administrative aftermath of a collision can be overwhelming, especially if you are don’t know state deadlines or where to drop off a car accident report. To ensure you stay protected from the moment of impact through the final insurance claim, follow these essential steps.
Step 1: Get to a Safe Place and Call 911
Your first move after impact is checking yourself and your passengers for injuries. If the vehicle is drivable—and moving it won’t worsen any existing injuries—pull completely onto the shoulder and flip on your hazard lights.
Never underestimate how fast a highway environment deteriorates after an initial crash; a recent collision on I-95 in Howard County shut down the entire corridor and required a medical helicopter response. Call 911 immediately if there is an injury, a blocked lane, suspected driver impairment, or immediate danger. Staying at the scene is legally required in Maryland whenever property damage or personal injury is involved.
Highway Safety Rule: If you are waiting for help on a high-speed road like I-495 in Montgomery County, stay buckled inside your vehicle unless it is on fire. Stepping out into active traffic lanes turns a bad situation deadly. Wait for law enforcement to get there and secure the scene.
Step 2: Get Medical Attention, Even If You Feel Fine
Adrenaline heavily masks pain and injury. Get a professional medical evaluation as soon as possible after any crash, and monitor yourself closely for delayed symptoms like neck stiffness, headaches, or internal soreness.
Recent severe summer collisions on Route 50 in Worcester County have sent multiple patients to regional trauma centers, serving as a reminder of how severe these high-speed impacts can be. Beyond protecting your health, a prompt medical visit creates a timestamped, objective record of your injuries—preventing auto insurance adjusters from claiming your injuries happened after the fact.
Step 3: Exchange Information
Once the vehicles are secured and emergency services are en route, collect the following information from every driver involved:
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Personal Details: Full name, address, and phone number.
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Vehicle & Licensing: Driver’s license number, license plate number, and vehicle description (make, model, color).
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Coverage: Insurance company name and specific policy number.
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Witnesses: Names and contact information for any passengers or bystanders who witnessed the collision.
Stay calm and stick strictly to the facts. If the other driver refuses to cooperate, acts aggressively, or flees the scene, notify the police immediately and treat the incident as a hit-and-run.
Step 4: Document the Scene
Take comprehensive photos from multiple angles before any vehicles are moved by tow trucks. Capture the point of impact on all cars, skid marks, road debris, traffic signals, weather conditions, and the roadway layout.
In 2023, Maryland recorded 110,401 total crashes statewide, according to Zero Deaths Maryland crash data. Because insurance adjusters handle massive claim volumes, they rely heavily on photographic evidence to determine fault. Write down the precise time, exact location, and the responding officer’s name, badge number, and preliminary report number before leaving the scene.
Step 5: Know When and Where to File an MVA Report
Maryland law requires drivers to submit a written report to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) within 15 days if a crash results in injury or death and a police officer did not officially investigate or document the scene. If law enforcement responds and files an official report, that typically satisfies the state requirement.
This 15-day window is a strict statutory deadline, not a flexible suggestion. Drivers must download the appropriate MVA form, attach their insurance details, and submit it before the clock runs out. Skipping this step carries severe consequences: the MVA can suspend or revoke your license and car registration for failure to report.
Step 6: Contact Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance provider as soon as you are safe. When detailing the incident, stick to objective facts and avoid speculating about exact speeds, distances, or the full extent of your physical condition.
The financial stakes of Maryland collisions are remarkably high; traffic crashes across the state carried an estimated economic cost of $8.2 billion in 2022. To protect your finances, open a designated claim folder immediately and organize all claim numbers, adjuster names, and written correspondence in a single, centralized location.
Step 7: Request the Police Report From the Right Agency
The agency holding your official accident report depends entirely on who responded to the scene. Requesting public records from the wrong department can delay your insurance claim for weeks. Use this breakdown to target the correct office:
| Crash Handled By | Where to Request the Report | Key Notes |
| Maryland State Police | Central Records Division | Standard processing fees apply. |
| Baltimore City Police | Department Headquarters or authorized online vendor | Review municipal date ranges and city procedures. |
| Baltimore County Police | Information and Records Unit | Local administrative fees and processing times vary. |
| Other County or Municipal Police | Local Police Records Division | Refer to the specific agency name listed on your scene paperwork. |
When making your request, have your preliminary report number, crash date, exact location, and both drivers’ full names ready. Expect a waiting period of several business days to over a week, as summer crash volumes frequently slow down public records processing.
The Golden Rule: Build One Central File
From the moment a collision occurs, start building a single physical or digital folder for every document generated by the incident. Retain towing receipts, hospital discharge papers, pharmacy receipts, vehicle repair estimates, rental car contracts, and detailed notes on any missed work hours. When overlapping insurance deadlines, medical evaluations, and liability determinations arrive in the weeks ahead, an organized paper trail is your strongest protection.
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