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Maryland car accident laws

Is Maryland a no-fault state? No. Maryland is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the injuries and damage.

Maryland gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101).

The legal minimum liability coverage in Maryland is $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per crash and $15,000 for property (30/60/15).

If you were even slightly at fault for the crash, Maryland law can bar you from recovering anything on a negligence claim (contributory negligence).

Quoted from Maryland statutes and official pages, checked October 2, 2026 · not legal advice

The rules in one table

Rule	Maryland	Source
Deadline to sue for an injury	Three years from the date the action accrues	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Deadline for vehicle damage	Three years from the date the action accrues	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Deadline for a wrongful death claim	Three years after the death of the injured person	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904(g)(1)
Claims against a government body	Written notice of a claim against a county, city or other local government must be given within 1 year after the injury; a written claim against the State must be submitted to the Treasurer within 1 year after the injury (State Gov't 12-106(b)).	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-304(b)(1) (Local Government Tort Claims Act); State claims: Md. Code, State Gov't § 12-106(b)
Insurance system	at-fault	Md. Code, Ins. § 19-505(a), (b)(2) (PIP); Triple-I list of no-fault states
If you were partly at fault	contributory. If you were even slightly at fault for the crash, Maryland law can bar you from recovering anything on a negligence claim (contributory negligence).	Md. Dep't of Legislative Services, Negligence Systems (2013) (common-law rule; no statute)
Minimum liability coverage	$30,000 per person / $60,000 per crash / $15,000 property	Md. Code, Transp. § 17-103(b)
Dog bites	mixed. If a dog causes injury, the owner is presumed to have known the dog was vicious or dangerous (a rebuttable presumption, so negligence is the underlying basis); the owner is liable for any injury caused while the dog is running at large.	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901(a), (c)

Deadlines can be shorter or longer for minors, for injuries found later, and for claims against a government. A lawyer licensed in Maryland can tell you the date that applies to you.

Next steps after a Maryland crash

How to get a Maryland crash report ($4.00 non-refundable document search fee, payable by check or money order to the Maryland State Police (no cash)).

2,901 crash deaths in Maryland, 2020-2024, by county.

Check your deadline and a rough claim range

A filing date and a rough value range for Maryland. Both take under a minute.

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Questions

How long do you have to sue after a car accident in Maryland?

Three years for an injury claim (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101) and three years for vehicle damage. Shorter notice rules can apply to claims against a government.

Is Maryland a no-fault state?

No. Maryland is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the injuries and damage.

Can I recover if I was partly at fault in Maryland?

Maryland follows contributory. If you were even slightly at fault for the crash, Maryland law can bar you from recovering anything on a negligence claim (contributory negligence).

What is the minimum car insurance in Maryland?

The legal minimum liability coverage in Maryland is $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per crash and $15,000 for property (30/60/15).

Sources

Deadline to sue for an injury (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101): mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=5-101&enactm
A civil action at law shall be filed within three years from the date it accrues unless another provision of the Code provides a different period of time within which an action shall be commenced.
Deadline for vehicle damage (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101): mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=5-101&enactm
A civil action at law shall be filed within three years from the date it accrues unless another provision of the Code provides a different period of time within which an action shall be commenced.
Deadline for a wrongful death claim (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904(g)(1)): mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=3-904&enactm
(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection, an action under this subtitle shall be filed within three years after the death of the injured person.
Claims against a government body (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-304(b)(1) (Local Government Tort Claims Act); State claims: Md. Code, State Gov't § 12-106(b)): mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=5-304&enactm
(b) (1) Except as provided in subsections (a) and (d) of this section, an action for unliquidated damages may not be brought against a local government or its employees unless the notice of the claim required by this section is given within 1 year after the injury.
Insurance system (Md. Code, Ins. § 19-505(a), (b)(2) (PIP); Triple-I list of no-fault states): mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gin&section=19-505&enact
Unless waived in accordance with § 19–506 of this subtitle or rejected in accordance with § 19–506.1 of this subtitle, each insurer that issues, sells, or delivers a motor vehicle liability insurance policy in the State shall provide coverage for the medical, hospital, and disability benefits described in this section for each of the following individuals: (1) except for individuals specifically excluded under § 27–609 of this article: (i) the first named insured, and any family member of the first named insured who resides in the first named insured's household, who is injured in any motor ve…
If you were partly at fault (Md. Dep't of Legislative Services, Negligence Systems (2013) (common-law rule; no statute)): dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/CourtCrimCivil/Negligence-Systems.pdf
Traditionally at common law, and under Maryland law today, the plaintiff's contributory negligence totally precludes any recovery by the plaintiff for damages.
Minimum liability coverage (Md. Code, Transp. § 17-103(b)): mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gtr&section=17-103&enact
(b) The security required under this subtitle shall provide for at least: (1) The payment of claims for bodily injury or death arising from an accident of up to $30,000 for any one person and up to $60,000 for any two or more persons, in addition to interest and costs; (2) The payment of claims for property of others damaged or destroyed in an accident of up to $15,000, in addition to interest and costs;
Dog bites (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901(a), (c)): mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=3-1901&enact
(a) (1) In an action against an owner of a dog for damages for personal injury or death caused by the dog, evidence that the dog caused the personal injury or death creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner knew or should have known that the dog had vicious or dangerous propensities.

Read October 2, 2026. Laws and fees change; the linked page is the authority.