Serving Injured Clients Across Maryland, Washington, D.C., And Virginia Since 1997

Experienced Car Accident Guidance And Support

Last updated on June 24, 2026

Car accidents can be devastating. They can lead to serious injuries, property damage and emotional distress. If you or a member of your family was injured in a car accident, it is important to understand your legal rights. If the accident was not your fault, you likely qualify for financial compensation. Goldberg Law, LLC, is here to help.

Mr. Kevin Goldberg, has 30 years of experience representing individuals in car accident cases in the DMV (MD/DC). He approaches each case with the goal of getting his clients the maximum amount of money in the shortest possible period. He knows that most clients need their settlement funds quickly, and he will fight to achieve this. In some cases, he can help arrange for his clients to take a loan collateralized by their future settlement. There is no attorney fee if there is no recovery.

Common Reckless Driving Habits That Cause Accidents

While no person is immune to the chance of being involved in a traffic collision, there are certain types of accidents that arise from poor driving behaviors that are recognized as “reckless” or negligent. Recognizing these actions early can help protect your safety on the road.

Speeding: When a motorist does not follow speed limits, they not only endanger their own life but the lives of others too. Because aggressive speeding reduces their ability to brake within the required stopping distance, it can make the crash more dangerous; causing severe injuries to other drivers, cyclists and nearby pedestrians.
Distracted driving: Using a handheld device while driving is illegal. These handheld distractions, such as using cellphones to send a text, email or play a game, are risky and can cause the driver to lose their focus on the road; making them crash with another vehicle.
Drunk driving: Because of alcohol impairment, drunk drivers often struggle to stay focused and drive in a straight line, causing them to drift toward the shoulder or weave between lanes. This reckless behavior can increase the risk of accidents and serious property damage.
Following too closely: Tailgating is one of the most common causes of accidents. Failing to keep a safe distance elevates the chance of rear-end crashes and road rage incidents.

Whether you are a victim of a car crash, a motorcycle accident or a truck collision, Mr. Goldberg can help advocate for your rights and seek justice for your injuries and other damages.

What Steps Should You Take Immediately Following A Car Crash?

If you are injured in a car accident, there are several steps you can take to document it and strengthen your claim:

Seek medical attention as soon as possible: Your health and safety are of paramount importance. Delaying treatment could also hurt your potential claim, as insurance companies may question whether you were injured because of something besides the accident if there is a time gap between the accident and your first medical treatment. If you think you may be injured, it is best to get evaluated at an urgent care center or emergency room as soon as possible after the crash (ideally within a day).
Report on the accident: Notify local police so they can file a police report.
Take pictures of the accident scene: This includes damage to the vehicles involved, debris on the road, landmarks that help identify the location of the accident and any visible physical injuries such as bruising, cuts or bleeding.
Gather key information: If possible, obtain the name and contact information of any witnesses.
Exercise care when interacting with insurers: Do not provide a written or recorded statement to the insurance company until you speak to a licensed attorney. If you do talk to the insurance company, keep the conversation brief and only answer the specific questions asked. Stick to basic facts about the crash and do not make statements of which you are unsure. A lawyer can help prepare you for any recorded statement you may give to the insurance company.

Another key step is speaking with an attorney. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, make sure that you have access to top notch doctors, negotiate a settlement and file a lawsuit if that is necessary. It’s important to choose someone who is familiar with car accidents and personal injury laws, and who has a successful track record of representing accident victims.

Filing A Claim After A Maryland Car Accident

In Maryland, like most states, the driver who is found to be at fault for a crash is financially liable for the victim’s damages. The state requires drivers to carry liability insurance coverage to pay for damages from an accident they cause.

Maryland generally requires drivers to purchase $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $60,000 per accident. Kevin Goldberg actually fought hard in the Maryland legislature to increase Maryland’s liability limits from $20,000 to $30,000. If you are buying car insurance for your family, it is strongly recommended that you purchase liability limits equal to the assets that you have and always be sure to obtain adequate uninsured motorist benefits. Another tip: NEVER WAIVE PIP COVERAGE. PIP Coverage is cheap, and it provides payment for medical treatment and/or lost wages.

In Maryland and most states, you are generally required to purchase property damage liability coverage. The minimum requirement is $15,000 in Maryland, and it pays for damage to the victim’s vehicle or other personal property in the crash.

While crash victims generally pursue compensation from the other driver’s insurance policy, they may also be able to obtain compensation from their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage or uninsured motorist coverage (UM coverage). PIP coverage provides compensation for medical bills and lost income, up to $2,500 per person (sometimes more), no matter who is at fault for the accident. It is also sometimes referred to as MedPay coverage or first party coverage.

What If The Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Some drivers either do not purchase insurance or let their policies lapse because they did not pay the premium. Also, sometimes drivers have small policies that do not provide adequate coverage and compensation for injured car accident victims. That is why Maryland requires drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage (known as UM coverage) if they are ever involved in an accident with an uninsured driver in the same amount as liability coverage. This coverage may also apply after a hit-and-run accident when the police cannot locate or identify the driver of the car that left the scene. This uninsured motorist coverage also works as underinsured motorist coverage in the event the other driver does not carry enough coverage to compensate you for your injury.

Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage pays for medical expenses. You are required to purchase at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. Uninsured property damage coverage pays for damage to your vehicle. The minimum amount required is $15,000 per accident. We recommend that everyone purchase at least $100,000.00 of Uninsured Motorist Coverage, and more if possible. We also recommend that liability coverage be purchased in the same amount as the assets that a driver has.

Uninsured motorist claims can be complicated, which is why you should discuss the situation with a car accident lawyer.

Proving Liability In Car Accident Cases

To be successful in a car accident claim, you must prove that the other driver was at fault. This can be done through evidence such as eyewitness statements, photographs of the scene, photographs of any property damage to vehicles and police reports. If the other driver apologizes and admits fault at the scene, this can also help establish liability.

What Types Of Compensation Are Available After A Car Accident?

If you sustained injuries in a car crash because of the other party’s negligence, you can file a claim to seek compensation for your damages. Depending on the nature of the accident and the severity of your injuries, your personal injury claim may cover the following:

Medical bills: This includes any past, present or future costs for treating or managing your injury such as doctor visits, emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medical equipment, at-home care, and transportation to and from medical appointments.
Lost wages and future earning capacity: If you miss time at work during your recovery, your lawyer may be able to recover lost wages. If you are no longer able to work in the same capacity or not able to work at all, you might be eligible for compensation for lost earning capacity.
Pain and suffering: This refers to the physical pain and emotional or psychological trauma that resulted from your injuries. Psychological trauma may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, insomnia and depression.
Scarring and disfigurement: If you have permanent scarring because of the crash, you should be compensated for that.
Loss of companionship: If your injury damages your relationship with your spouse, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for loss of companionship. For married individuals, this claim is called a “loss of consortium” claim.
Loss of enjoyment of life: Victims who can no longer take part in activities they once enjoyed may be compensated for loss of enjoyment of life.

If you lost a loved one in a car collision, you may be able to recover compensation for loss of future income, loss of companionship, and funeral and burial costs, among other damages. These claims are wrongful death claim (for next of kin) and survival claim (for the estate of the deceased). Mr. Goldberg can assess your case in private, answer your financial concerns, gather evidence for your claim and advocate for your rights so that you can seek the maximum amount of compensation you deserve to move on with your life.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Do not trust insurance companies. With over 25 years of experience dealing with insurance companies, Mr. Goldberg can tell you that they are looking out for themselves and not for the injured victim. Insurance companies will use nice people trained in customer service to trick victims into thinking that they will be treated fairly. At the end of the day, the insurance company does not care about you.

Insurance companies may contact you immediately after an accident to offer a settlement or question you in hopes you will say something that hurts your claim or credibility. If they offer a settlement, it is likely to be far below the full value of your claim – it is difficult to determine the amount of compensation you may need for future medical care so soon after the accident. You should never discuss the settlement of any insurance claim without speaking to an attorney first and making sure that the full extent of your damages is understood.

When you file an insurance claim, the insurance company’s goal is to pay out no compensation or the smallest amount possible. Adjusters are trained in how to trick accident victims into accepting a lowball settlement or admitting fault for the crash. That is why you should strongly consider having a qualified professional to oversee all communication with the insurance company.

How Much Time Do You Have To File A Claim?

Every state has a different time limit for filing claims. That deadline is generally referred to as the statute of limitations. For claims against Government entities there are additional notice requirements that can be as short as 180 days. Certain States require PIP/MedPay claims to be filed within very short time frames as well.

Maryland: The statute of limitations for negligence claims is generally three years from the date of the accident (there are exceptions to this rule so consult with an attorney to be sure). PIP applications must be filed within one year of the accident.
Virginia: The statute of limitations for negligence claims is two years from the date of the crash
Washington, D.C.: The deadline is generally three years

If you fail to file a lawsuit before the deadline (the applicable statute of limitations), the case will be dismissed by the judge as time barred. In many states, the statute of limitations clock does not start ticking for minors until they reach the age of 18.

However, some claims have different deadlines and notice requirements. If your claim is against a governmental entity or government official, there are often strict notice requirements that must be met. For example, if you want to sue Montgomery County, you need to put the county on formal notice by complying with the Local Government Tort Claims Act of Maryland.

Every case is different, and it is best to hire a lawyer to determine the applicable statute of limitations.

Contact A Skilled Car Accident Attorney Today

Attorney Goldberg is ready to explain your rights, guide you through the claims process and fight for the full compensation you need after a crash. Contact his Gaithersburg office today by email or by calling 301-960-8004 for a free initial consultation. The firm primarily serves clients in Maryland and Washington, D.C.