You file only if police didn't
- When
- Anyone injured or killed, and no police officer investigated and filed a report.
- Report to
- Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
- Deadline
- Within 15 days
Official source: Maryland Transportation Article § 20-107
You must also file evidence of liability insurance within 15 days.
What to do after a car accident in Maryland
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets Maryland's rule above — within 15 days.
- Exchange names, contact, license, plate and insurance details with every driver involved. Use our accident information worksheet.
- Photograph every vehicle, the plates, the damage and the scene, and get witnesses' names and numbers.
- File your own report with Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) — within 15 days , if police didn't investigate.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Maryland compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | You file only if police didn't | Within 15 days |
| Delaware | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Pennsylvania | You file only if police didn't | Within 5 days |
| Virginia | Call police — no driver form | — |
| West Virginia | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Washington, D.C. | Call police — no driver form | — |
If your car was totaled or damaged
Reporting the crash is only the first step. If your insurer says the car is a total loss, check Maryland's total-loss threshold and run the offer through the Total-Loss Offer Audit. If it was repaired, you may have a diminished-value claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Maryland?
Sometimes. In Maryland you file your own report only when police don't: anyone injured or killed, and no police officer investigated and filed a report.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Maryland?
Within 15 days — to Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
Does reporting the crash to the state start my insurance claim?
No. A police or state crash report and an insurance claim are separate. Notify your own insurer promptly as your policy requires, and file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer if someone else caused the crash.