THE FOLLOWING IS GENERAL INFORMATION WHICH YOU MAY
FIND HELPFUL. SINCE EVERY CASE IS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT,
YOU SHOULD CALL OUR OFFICE AT (410) 358-4338 FOR A FREE
CONSULTATION.

IF YOU ARE IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT, YOU SHOULD:

1.  STOP!  Failure to stop can result in serious criminal charges.

2.  Leave your car in the accident position unless it is blocking traffic.

3.  Take photos of the vehicles involved if you have a camera with you.

4.  Call the police.

5.  Obtain the following information

   a.  Name, address, and telephone number of the driver and of the owner of
         the other vehicle.

    b.  License plate number and state of the other vehicle.

   c.  Insurance company and policy number of the other driver.

   d.  Names, addresses and telephone numbers of witnesses.

   e.  Police report number, police officer’s name and district.

6.  Contact your insurance company.

7.  Do not discuss the accident with anyone else except your lawyer.

8.  Call the LAW OFFICES OF FRANK B. CAHN, P.A. (410) 358-4438.

It is important to have a lawyer advise you, protect your rights, and represent
you.


YOUR RIGHTS WHEN YOU ARE INJURED:

PIP INSURANCE

Maryland requires insurance companies to offer their customers personal
injury protection coverage, commonly known as PIP.  If you have elected to pay
for PIP coverage, your insurance company will cover up to $2500.00 of medical
bills or lost wages.  The coverage reimburses up to 85% of lost wages.  Some
individuals have higher PIP coverage or supplement their PIP coverage with
medpay coverage which provides additional coverage for medical bills.  These
are NO FAULT insurance coverages which means that the company will pay
regardless of whether or not the accident was your fault.  If you do not make
your PIP claim within one year from the date of the accident, you will lose your
rights to this coverage.

Some individuals decline to pay for PIP coverage in which case the they may
not make a PIP claim.  In addition, any other drivers listed on the insurance policy
as well as any family members who are 16 years old or older and reside with the
individual lose their rights to make a PIP claim.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER DRIVER

Maryland requires all vehicle owners to maintain at least $20,000.00 of
insurance coverage for bodily injury claims of any one person and at least
$40,000.00 to cover multiple claims. Drivers must also maintain at least
$15,000.00 of coverage for propery damage. These coverages are referred to
as liability and are only paid when an insured driver is at fault for causing an accident. 

Maryland has some unusual rules for determining who is at fault when an
accident happens.  For example, the “contributory negligence rule” prevents a
person from pursuing a negligence claim in situations where each party is partly
at fault.  A trained attorney is qualified to offer you the best advice about whether
to pursue a negligence claim. Even in cases where it is clear who is
at fault, an attorney can help make sure that you receive a fair settlement for
your claim.

If a party responsible for causing you injury is not insured, Maryland law
requires your own insurance company to cover up to a certain amount of your
claim.  Your insurance company will then pursue reimbursement from the party
you was at fault.  Payment of this type of claim does not increase your insurance
premiums.

CALL (410) 358-4338 TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS!