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Maryland Local Accident Resources

Did You Lose a Loved One in a Maryland Fatal Car Accident Today?

Has the loss of a loved one due to a tragic car accident affected your life? Contact our team at Local Accident Reports today to learn more about your options moving forward. We are dedicated to advocating for you in your time of need. Roughly six million people call Maryland home. This dense population brings a huge number of vehicles that travel the state’s roadways daily. Unfortunately, this excessive number of vehicles means an excessive number of fatal and injury-causing car accidents. Maryland car accident statistics show that thousands of people are injured and killed in serious traffic accidents annually. Many victims lose loved ones and are left to endure considerable financial hardships due to the carelessness of another driver.   Local Accident Reports works with various agencies, charities, and affiliate personal injury law firms nationwide that share our dedication and client-focused approach to wrongful death cases. No matter where your accident took place, we can help. Call us today to speak with our team of knowledgeable professionals who can guide you to get the help you need.  

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Maryland Local Wrongful Death Resources

If you have lost a loved one in an accident in Maryland, the emotional and financial road to recovery can be a long and hard one. You and your family members may have sustained severe emotional pain and discomfort. To make matters worse, you could find yourself burdened with exorbitant funeral bills, reduced or no income, and high insurance premiums. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources you and your family can turn to for help in times like these. 

Income Issues Related to a Wrongful Death Accident

If your family’s primary source of income was taken away due to a wrongful death accident, and you are looking for resources that offer support and financial aid, you can try:  

  • Maryland Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits: If the wrongful death occurred in a work-related accident, the deceased’s dependents may qualify for workers’ compensation death benefits through the employer’s insurance. These benefits typically cover weekly income replacement and funeral expenses.
  • Social Security Survivor Benefits: The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides survivor benefits for eligible families. If the deceased contributed to Social Security, surviving spouses, minor children, and sometimes other dependents may receive monthly payments.
  • Maryland State Bar Association: For residents of Maryland seeking the representation and assistance of a professional lawyer who works on wrongful death cases.

Issues Related to Getting a Copy of Your Police Accident Report

For wrongful deaths involving motor vehicles or any vehicle accident, the Central Records Division is primarily responsible for collecting, examining, and distributing vehicle accident reports. The Central Records Division is the department that responds to report requests filed by state troopers. If you are trying to obtain a copy of your police crash report from the Maryland State Police, there are several different ways you can go about it.  You can buy a copy of the police accident report from the Maryland State Police Office, where it was filed, as long as your accident took place more than 10 days ago. Your $4 money order or check must be made to the Maryland State Police. You may also access the Maryland State Police website. Look for “Citizen Services” on the web page’s left side and click “Police Reports.” This will take you to a page explaining how to obtain a copy of your police crash report. There will also be a link across the bottom of the web page that will take you to a form you can print. Once you have filled out the form, you can post it along with your money order or check to the address it gives you. Lastly, you can also obtain a copy of your Maryland police accident report by going to the Central Records Division and purchasing a copy in person. You can also call our office to request a complimentary copy of your report. 

Issues Related to Your Mental Health Following a Wrongful Death

Wrongful death accidents inflict more than just physical injuries; they leave a profound and lasting impact on the minds of family and friends. If you would benefit from counseling or emotional while trying to cope with emotional distress caused by the tragic loss of a loved one, you can turn to:  

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Financial Issues Related to Criminal Activity

If the wrongful death accident in question was a hit-and-run or was caused by a drunk driver, you might need help with immediate expenses. Every state receives federal funding to aid local victim compensation and assistance programs. There are also non-government organizations that offer services and resources to victims of crimes, such as:

  • Maryland Mothers Against Drunk Driving: MADD seeks to provide endless support for victims of drunk driving incidents in the State of Connecticut. To speak with a representative at the national headquarters, call (877) ASK. MADD or (877)-275-6233. To contact Maryland MADD, contact the Columbia office at (800)-446-6233 or use the directory to find your local department.   

Maryland Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Services

Maryland has developed plans for preventing motor vehicle accidents. 

  • Maryland Highway Safety Office: Sponsored by the Maryland State Government, this program provides safer highways and prevents motor vehicle accidents. Resources include the strategic highway safety plan (2012 to present) and a link to the highway safety office.
  • Maryland Pedestrian Safety: The State Highway Administration has developed this plan to improve roadways and ensure pedestrian safety.
  • Maryland Bicycle Safety: Sponsored by the Maryland State Government for promoting safety measures for bicyclists and resources for motorists.

Wrongful Death FAQ

This section will address frequently asked questions about wrongful death in Maryland, providing essential information to help families better understand their legal rights and options.  Wrongful death claims can be complex, especially during a time of grief, so this FAQ aims to clarify common concerns, such as who is eligible to file a claim, the types of compensation that may be available, and the steps involved in the legal process.  Our goal is to equip you with a clearer understanding of Maryland’s wrongful death laws and what to expect should you decide to pursue a claim.
 
When is a death considered wrongful?
The term “wrongful death” is a legal phrase that is used to describe one of two claims brought by surviving family members when someone dies in a fatal car accident through no fault of their own. One of the top three causes of wrongful death claims in Maryland is motor vehicle accidents. The other two are defective products and medical malpractice.

A wrongful death suit is a specific kind of personal injury claim that is brought when one person is legally liable for the death of another due to negligence, recklessness, or malfeasance. They are tort claims brought on behalf of the deceased.

Wrongful death claims are a somewhat new development in the legal system, dating back only about 150 years. Before then, only the victims had any standing to file a lawsuit under common law. So, if the aggrieved party died from their injuries, the negligent party could not be held liable. To correct this injustice, wrongful death statutes were eventually enacted in all 50 states.

There are two classifications of surviving family members who are eligible to file a Maryland wrongful death claim. They are:

  • Primary beneficiaries: These include the deceased’s surviving spouse, parent, or child. These primary beneficiaries can file survival actions and wrongful death lawsuits.
  • Secondary beneficiaries: These include more distant relations such as siblings, cousins, nephews, and nieces. If the deceased had no primary beneficiaries or the primary beneficiaries did not wish to file a suit, the secondary beneficiaries might be able to pursue a claim.

A Maryland wrongful death claim must be brought no more than three years after the victim’s passing. This three-year statute does not begin running until the day of the actual death. Even if the wrongful act took place long before the death, the statute will not be triggered until the day the victim dies. 

It is also important to understand that even if the deceased failed to file a claim before the statute expired while they were alive, it has no bearing on the ability of the surviving family members to file a wrongful death claim. 

When a person dies due to a wrongful act, their surviving family members may pursue financial compensation via two statutory claims: a survival benefit claim and a wrongful death claim. Through these, they could be eligible to recover damages for: 

Economic Damages

These objective, quantifiable damages include: 

  • Medical costs arising from the death
  • Funeral and burial costs 
  • Loss of the deceased’s financial contributions (lost earnings)
  • Loss of benefits such as pension plans and healthcare insurance 
  • Loss of inheritance 
  • The value of goods and services the deceased would have provided

Non-Economic Damages

More commonly referred to as ‘pain and suffering,‘ these damages, although intangible, often have more value than their economic counterparts. Common non-economic damages include:  

  • Compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the untimely death 
  • Loss of advice, care, training, guidance, nurturing, and protection 
  • Loss of consortium 
  • Loss of companionship and love
A survival action is a personal injury claim brought by the executor of the deceased’s estate seeking remuneration for the harm they experienced prior to their death. A wrongful death claim is a claim brought by the deceased’s relatives pursuing compensation for the mental anguish, emotional distress, and pain and suffering they endured and will continue to endure as a result of the death. Survival actions and wrongful death claims are mutually exclusive, meaning they can be pursued separately or at the same time.

When one person’s wrongful act results in the death of another, certain surviving family members can pursue financial compensation for damages via a wrongful death lawsuit. The process of doing so consists of four main stages: 

  • Pre-Litigation: In the pre-litigation phase, if the deceased’s estate brings the lawsuit, it must be filed in the Orphans’ Court of the county of the deceased’s residence. A Maryland wrongful death attorney, along with other professionals, will then investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, identify all liable parties,  and notify them in writing of the intent to file a lawsuit.
  • Negotiations and Settlements: Settling out of the court, if possible, is almost always a wise idea, as it eliminates the danger of losing the lawsuit. An attorney will calculate the total value of the damages, handle the negotiations, and ensure a fair settlement offer. Still, the decision to accept or reject the offer rests with the plaintiff. If an equitable settlement cannot be reached, the attorney will proceed with a lawsuit.  
  • Filing the Lawsuit: After unsuccessful settlement negotiations, the first step to filing the actual lawsuit is to file a Complaint with the appropriate court. All named defendants will then be served.  
  • Litigation: During this stage, the discovery phase takes place. It incorporates written discovery, including requests for the production of documents, interrogatories, and depositions of the experts, any potential eyewitnesses, and the named parties. During this stage, mediation may still be conducted. If a settlement still cannot be reached, litigation will continue until a jury or judge issues a verdict and a judgment is entered.
Generally speaking, most wrongful death cases take one to two years to resolve, either through a jury verdict or an out-of-court settlement. Some factors that influence how long a case takes to conclude are the strength of the evidence being presented, whether or not the insurance company negotiates fairly, and the total amount of money at stake.
Yes, it is possible to sue your own family member. This happens in wrongful death car accident cases where one member of the family negligently causes an accident that results in the death of another. If the deceased was insured, it makes sense for surviving relatives to file a claim.
Should the defendant or plaintiff pass away for any reason during a wrongful death suit, their estate would simply take over the claim. The death of a defendant typically has minimal impact on how the claim proceeds.
The plaintiff in a Maryland wrongful death suit is either the estate of the deceased or the decedent’s immediate family, defined here as spouse, parent, or child. As previously discussed, only the estate or certain relatives have legal standing to bring this lawsuit. Any settlement or verdict in a wrongful death case will go to the relatives mentioned above or heirs to the deceased’s estate.

A wrongful death claim is nothing more than a tort claim filed on behalf of a person who is no longer living. They require no more proof than any other case. To successfully prove wrongful death, the plaintiff only has to establish the elements of the underlying tort, which is almost always negligence. The four elements of negligence are: 

  • Duty of Care: The plaintiff must prove that the negligent driver owed a duty of care to the victim. For instance, drivers owe a duty to one another to obey the driving laws and operate their vehicles safely.
  • Breach: Then, the plaintiff must show that, through their action or inaction, the other driver breached the duty of care. 
  • Causation: The plaintiff must also establish that the driver’s breach was the immediate cause of the incident that led to the wrongful death.

Damages: Finally, it must be proven that monetary damages were incurred as a result of the wrongful death.

Maryland wrongful death claims do not have a predetermined value assigned to them. The total damages that a plaintiff is entitled to in a wrongful death suit will hinge on multiple factors as well as the circumstances leading up to the accident and personal factors, such as the deceased’s overall health, age at the time of their death, and projected future earnings. 

If the victim was a senior citizen who was retired and in poor health, a wrongful death case would not be evaluated as highly as it would for a victim who was much younger, still employed, with a spouse and young children. Who the defendant is and whether or not they have good insurance coverage can also impact the value of a Maryland wrongful death claim. 

Liability insurance will generally cover wrongful deaths resulting from negligence but not those caused by willful misconduct. Depending on the type of accident that caused the death, liability for wrongful death can be covered by several types of insurance, including homeowner’s insurance, car insurance, malpractice insurance, and some business liability policies.

In Maryland, wrongful death lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they secure compensation for their clients. This fee structure makes legal representation accessible to grieving families who might otherwise struggle with the costs of pursuing a wrongful death claim. Instead of requiring upfront payment, the lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the settlement or award received, which is agreed upon in advance. If the case is unsuccessful and no compensation is recovered, the client generally does not owe any attorney fees.

Contingency fees incentivize Maryland wrongful death attorneys to work diligently and put significant resources into each case, from gathering evidence to consulting with experts and preparing for trial. Because the lawyer’s payment depends on the case’s success, clients can feel confident that their attorney will fully commit to achieving the best possible outcome. This arrangement provides peace of mind for families already managing emotional and financial stress, allowing them to focus on healing. At the same time, their lawyer handles the complexities of the case.

Statistics for Fatal Car Accidents in Maryland

A five-year median of motor vehicle accident statistics compiled by the Maryland Department of Transportation shows that:  

  • Only 0.04% of all car accidents in Maryland were fatal. 
  • Approximately 530 fatal car accidents occurred within the five-year period the study conducted. 
  • About 44% of all deadly car accidents statewide happened on highways, and around 20% occurred on rural roadways.  
  • The largest number of fatal car crashes took place in Prince George’s County, which averaged 91 fatalities every year during the five-year study.
  • Baltimore County had the next-largest number of deadly collisions, averaging 64 fatalities per year and more than 12% of all deadly car accidents across the state. 
  • Most drivers involved in fatal accidents were in the 25 to 29-year-old age group, averaging around 37 fatalities each year.
  • 77% of drivers involved in fatal car accidents in Maryland were men. 
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When someone is killed in a car accident through no fault of their own, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death suit. However, not every fatal car accident involves the wrongful actions of another.

Maryland Grief & Trauma Resources

Resources by State

Contact Local Accident Reports Today

Many people who are trying to deal with the loss of a family member due to another person’s negligence or maliciousness are not sure where to turn when facing the aftermath. 

Here at Local Accident Reports, we want to help. We will review the circumstances of your family member’s passing and connect you with resources to assist you in your time of need. If you want to speak with a knowledgeable professional about your wrongful death case and what steps to take next, call us at (888) 657-1460. 

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Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths by Road User Type and State

Car Occupants

Car Occupants

214

Pickup and SUV Occupants

Pickup and SUV Occupants

102

Large Truck Occupants

Large Truck Occupants

6

Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists

86

Pedestrians

Pedestrians

114

Bicyclists

Bicyclists

2

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