7.2 Crash Duties: Injuries, Information Exchange & Unattended Property

First Step in Any Crash

Whenever you are in a crash, turn on your emergency flashers or set out flares to warn other drivers.

If Someone Is Injured

If you are in a crash where someone has been injured, including a pedestrian or bicyclist, you must remain at the scene and:

1. Call 911 immediately for police, fire and ambulance help.
2. Report the number of people involved, the type of injuries and the location of the crash.
3. Do not move the vehicles.

Maryland law also requires each driver in a crash that injures or kills someone, or damages an attended vehicle or property, to render reasonable assistance. That includes arranging medical transport when someone asks for it or clearly needs it. Do not move injured people unless they are in immediate danger, such as from fire.

Leaving the Scene

If you are convicted of leaving the scene of a crash that results in serious injury:

• Your license will be revoked.
• You could go to prison for up to 5 years and be fined up to $5,000.

Leaving the scene of a crash in which someone dies is a felony, with up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Failing to stop after a crash causing bodily injury or death carries 12 points; failing to stop after a crash that damages an attended or unattended vehicle or property carries 8 points.

If No One Is Injured but a Vehicle Cannot Move

• Call 911 immediately, give the location, and report that there are no injuries but you need police help.
• Be patient. Do not try to cross the road or stop traffic, and stay away from traffic.

If No One Is Injured and the Vehicles Can Move

1. Move your vehicle off the road as close as possible to where the crash happened. This keeps people safe and prevents backups; it is not leaving the scene.
2. Exchange information with the other drivers: name, address, phone number, license plate number and state, driver's license number, vehicle make and model, and insurance information. Maryland law requires each driver to give name, address and vehicle registration number, and to show a license on request.
3. Ask witnesses for their names, addresses and phone numbers.
4. Note the location, date and time, number of vehicles, and the weather and road conditions. Write it down if you can.
5. Record the damage to every vehicle, with photos if you can.
6. Write down the facts of how the crash happened.

When You Must Always Call the Police

Unattended Vehicles and Property

If you strike an unattended vehicle or other unattended property, you must:

1. Stop as close as possible to the crash without blocking traffic more than necessary.
2. Try to find the owner and tell them what happened and give your information.
3. If you cannot find the owner, leave a note about what happened with your contact information where the owner can easily find it. Maryland law requires your name and address, the registration number of the vehicle you were driving, and the owner's name and address if you do not own it.

Failing to do this can bring up to 2 months in jail and/or a $500 fine.

Animals

If you hit and injure a domestic animal, such as a dog, cat, horse or cow, you must immediately call the police.

Reports and Insurance

If a crash causes bodily injury or death, each driver must send the MVA a written report within 15 days, along with evidence of liability insurance. Notify your insurance company promptly after any crash.

Staying Calm and Safe at the Scene

• Check yourself and passengers first, then others, before getting out.
• Watch for traffic when you leave your vehicle; stay on the shoulder side.
• Do not argue about fault. Give the facts to the police and your insurer.
• Keep copies of the information you exchanged and any police report number.

Scenario Practice

1. A minor fender-bender on a busy road, no injuries, both cars drivable. Move off the road nearby, exchange information and take photos.
2. The other driver smells of alcohol and wants to leave. Call the police.
3. You scrape a parked car at night and no one is around. Leave a note with your name, address and registration number where the owner will see it.