A crash can change your day in seconds. Your car may be damaged. Your body may hurt. You may be scared about missing work or paying medical bills.
Then the insurance company calls. The adjuster may sound calm and friendly. They may say they just want to help you move forward. But their job is to save the insurer money. Their questions are not random. They are designed to limit what they pay. Maryland law makes this even more important.
One small mistake in a phone call can block your case. We see this often at Holzman and Dickriede Attorneys at Law. As your Baltimore, Maryland accident lawyers, we want you ready before you pick up the phone. Use these five tips to protect your health and your claim.
Tip 1: Remember That Maryland Fault Rules Are Strict
Maryland follows contributory negligence. This means if you are even one percent at fault, the insurer can deny your claim completely. Adjusters know this. They look for any detail they can twist into shared blame.
They may focus on speed, lane position, or reaction time. They may ask you to agree that you could have done something differently. If they get that statement on record, they use it to deny payment.
What Adjusters Often Ask
They may ask questions like these.
- Were you distracted at all
- Did you see the other car first
- How fast were you really going
- Could you have stopped sooner
- Did you check your mirrors before changing lanes
These questions are not casual. They are built to pin the fault on you.
What We Want You To Do
Answer only what you know is true. Keep it short. Do not guess. If you do not know, say you do not know. If you are unsure, say so. Do not agree with a suggestion that you were partly to blame. Let the evidence speak later.
Tip 2: Do Not Give A Recorded Statement Right Away
Many adjusters push hard for a recorded statement. They may say it is required. They may say it speeds up the claim. In reality, recorded statements help them, not you. Maryland lawyers warn that these statements are often used to reduce or deny claims.
Why Recorded Statements Are Risky
Right after a wreck, you are not at your best.
- You may be in shock
- You may not feel injuries yet
- You may not remember every detail
- You may not know what witnesses saw
- You may not know what the police report will say
A recorded statement locks you into an early version of events. If new facts appear later, the insurer may say you changed your story.
What To Say Instead
You can share basic facts without recording. You can confirm the date, location, and vehicles involved. You can say you are seeking medical care and will provide more information later. If they push for recording, say you want to speak with an auto accident attorney in Baltimore, MD, first. That is a reasonable request.
Tip 3: Stick To Core Facts And Avoid Extra Details
Adjusters are trained listeners. They will let you talk and talk. The more you say, the more they can use. Your goal is simple. Give only what is needed to open the claim.
Core Facts You Can Share
These facts are safe for a first call.
- Your name and contact information
- Date and time of the crash
- General location in Baltimore or nearby roads
- Vehicles involved
- Whether police or EMS responded
- Where your vehicle is now
- That you are getting medical care
That is enough.
Details You Should Avoid
Do not discuss these topics on the first call.
- Exact speed unless you are certain
- What you think you could have done better
- Whether you feel fine
- How pain feels in your body
- Prior medical history
- Statements you think the other driver made
- What you think traffic lights were doing unless you clearly saw them
If they ask about injuries, say you are being evaluated and will update them after doctors finish testing. Many crash injuries show up later. Whiplash, neck strain, and concussion symptoms are common examples.
Tip 4: Do Not Accept A Quick Settlement Offer
A fast settlement can feel like relief. But in most cases, it is a low offer. Insurers often offer quick money before you know your full medical picture. Once you accept and sign a release, your claim ends for good.
Why Early Settlements Can Hurt You
Your costs may grow after the first week.
- Follow-up visits
- Physical therapy
- Imaging like MRI or CT scans
- Missed time from work
- Long-term pain or sleep problems
- Future doctor care
If you settle early, you pay those costs yourself later.
A Safer Path
Wait until you understand your injuries and treatment plan. Then we can value the claim based on real numbers. As a Baltimore car accident lawyer team, we also look past the bills in front of you. We calculate lost income, reduced earning ability, and the daily impact of pain. You should not have to guess at value while you are still hurting.
Tip 5: Track Everything And Get Legal Help Early
The strongest claims are well documented. Maryland insurers move faster when records are clear and consistent. You do not need a complicated system. You need a simple one.
What To Track After You Speak With Insurance
Start a folder or a notebook. Keep these items.
- Claim number and adjuster name
- Date and time of every phone call
- Notes on what was said
- Photos of vehicle damage and the scene
- Police report number
- Medical visit dates
- Bills and receipts
- Work notes showing missed time
- Repair estimates
This gives you a clean timeline. It also helps us if you hire us later.
Why Early Legal Help Matters In Maryland
Maryland has a three-year statute of limitations for most car accident injury claims. That feels like a lot of time. In practice, it is not. The video gets erased. Witnesses move. Cars get repaired.
Early legal action preserves evidence so the insurer cannot rewrite the story. If we get involved early, we handle the adjuster calls and prevent mistakes that trigger contributory negligence defenses.
Common Adjuster Traps And How To Handle Them
Adjuster tactics are predictable. Here is how to protect yourself.
Trap: Are You Okay
Say, I am getting checked by a doctor. Stop there. Do not say you are fine. Do not say you are not hurt. Those words get logged and used later.
Trap: We Just Need Your Side Of The Story
They already have a strategy. Your story matters, but it should be shared at the right time and backed by evidence.
Trap: Give Us Access To Your Full Medical Records
Broad access lets them search for unrelated issues. We limit records to what is relevant to the crash.
Trap: Friendly Conversation That Feels Informal
There is no informal insurance call after a wreck in Maryland. Treat each call like a legal interview. Answer, then stop.
What If You Already Gave A Recorded Statement
If you have already given a statement, do not panic. It happens. Call us anyway. We can still protect you.
- We review the statement for risk points
- We gather evidence that supports your version
- We correct the record with written proof
- We handle all future communication
A statement is one piece of evidence. It is not the full case.
Local Baltimore Driving Realities To Keep In Mind
Baltimore crashes often happen in predictable places. We see major claim disputes from wrecks on I-83, I-95, and the Baltimore Beltway. We also see frequent collisions on busy surface roads, such as Eastern Avenue, Pratt Street, and Pulaski Highway. Heavy traffic, short merge lanes, and sudden stops create rear-end and sideswipe patterns.
If your crash happened in one of these areas, note road conditions, lane markings, and any nearby cameras. Many businesses and city cameras can help prove what happened if we act fast.
Call Our Office for Assistance
Speaking to an insurance company after a crash is not a normal conversation. In Maryland, contributory negligence makes your words even more important. One careless phrase can block fair compensation. So slow down. Stick to facts. Avoid recording until you get advice. Do not settle before you know your injuries. Track your claim in a simple way. Get legal help early if you can.
If you were hurt in a crash, call Holzman and Dickriede Attorneys at Law. We will deal with the insurers, protect you from contributory negligence traps, and fight for full value. As your auto accident attorney in Baltimore, MD, we focus on the proof, the law, and your recovery.