An accident on I-695 during rush hour. A crash at a red light on Route 40. A hit-and-run driver on I-95. Your health, income, and family stability are at risk, and insurance adjusters are preparing their case against you. You need a Maryland car accident lawyer who acts quickly to preserve the evidence and protect your rights.
We at Silmi Law will help all accident victims throughout Maryland from our Catonsville office a short distance from the I-695 Beltway. The founder, Sharif Silmi, works with each client and oversees all activities within the firm.
Call (443) 329-2929 today for a free consultation. With our 100% contingency fee, you owe nothing unless we win.
The Danger of Maryland’s Pure Contributory Negligence Rule
Maryland is known as one of the very few places where pure contributory negligence law is still in place. Under this law, you cannot receive any compensation if a judge or jury determines that you share any fault in a collision, even if it is as little as one percent. In many states, if you have some fault, your compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault you have. But in Maryland, having a fault means that you get nothing.
This explains why insurance companies work hard to assign the blame on you, and why it’s so important to have a good Maryland auto collision attorney before talking to any adjusters. The other driver’s insurer will usually call you within days of the accident and try to record your statement, making it sound as if they’re on your side.
How Adjusters Turn Innocent Remarks Into Denials
Your innocent comments may be used against you. Saying, “I didn’t see that person” implies a lack of attention. “I was going about the speed limit” puts you in danger of being accused of speeding. Saying “I’m fine” at the scene may be interpreted as a proof of no injury.
The insurance adjusters ask tricky questions regarding phones, switching lanes, braking, and other issues hoping to find a tiny piece of blame to invalidate your claim. You are under no obligation to make a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance. Let Silmi Law take care of the communication for you.
Maryland Car Accident Cases We Handle
Whatever the circumstances of your wreck, Silmi Law builds claims that withstand insurer scrutiny. According to the Zero Deaths Maryland Crash Data Dashboard, the state recorded 83,572 total traffic crashes and 33,876 injuries in 2026, and our firm is prepared to handle the full spectrum of serious collision claims.
Here are the car accident cases we handle:
Rear-End and Intersection Collisions
Motorists assert that you braked hard or state that they saw a green signal. Our response is to provide traffic signal timings, security cameras, sworn witness accounts, and crash data collected by an accident event data recorder.
Disputes regarding failure to yield and red lights are common in major thoroughfares, including Route 40, Route 29, and Route 1. We prove that you were not responsible for the accident before the other party assigns the blame back onto you.
Multi-Vehicle and Highway Crashes
Chain-reaction collisions happening on I-95, I-695, I-270, and I-70 involve high speeds, many collisions, and insurance companies that shift blame onto each other. We can help you analyze the events and determine liability; we make sure to pursue every possible insurance policy that can pay you compensation for your injuries.
If you need a Baltimore truck accident lawyer or an 18 wheeler accident lawyer Maryland trusted by clients, we are here for you. We will review driver logs, maintenance files, and compliance with federal safety regulations to hold carriers accountable.
Hit-and-Run and Uninsured Motorist Claims
In the event that someone hits you and goes away or doesn’t have enough insurance, your auto insurance’s uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage kicks in.
We will assist you in reporting the accident quickly, documenting the claim, and pursuing the benefits you are entitled to, while resisting any lowball offers from the insurer.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
At crosswalks, collision accidents and disputes over right-of-way often result in fractures and injuries to bones and head trauma. In order to avoid the respective blame-the-victim defenses that may arise from contributory negligence, we take on the responsibility of gathering video footage, intersection signal data, and eyewitness statements.
As a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer, we also represent riders, who face similar bias and equally severe injuries.
Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) Accidents
The type of coverage is affected by the status of the application. In Maryland, there are three situations: the application is off (the driver’s personal policy), the application is on while waiting for the request, and from matching with a passenger until the end of the ride.
The last stage has up to $1 million in commercial coverage, while the waiting stage has lower limits. We gather evidence to identify the correct time and policy.
Serious and Catastrophic Injury Crashes
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), and catastrophic injuries create the need for life care plans, medical experts, and economic analyses of expenses throughout their lifetimes.
If someone dies in a crash, we represent families through a wrongful death lawyer Maryland. Maryland limits losses resulting from non-economic injuries as stated under Md. Code Ann., Cts. and Jud. Proc. § 11-108, thus making it imperative to document every loss suffered.
Critical Steps to Take After an Accident on Maryland Roads
The moments and hours after an accident can determine the outcome of your claim. Follow these steps:
- Call 911 immediately to request police and medical help, and ask for an official crash report (ACRS). If officers do not respond, take photos and exchange information with the other driver.
- Get medical help as soon as possible. Adrenaline can mask the injury. Injuries like concussions, whiplash or internal injuries might appear later, and the gaps in treatment give the insurance company a reason to deny your claim.
- Capture all related evidence. Take pictures of the vehicles, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and injuries. Gather the names of witnesses and the insurance information for the other driver.
- Do not give any statements or apologies. In contributory negligence, even a seemingly harmless remark can cause you to lose your claim.
- Get in touch with your lawyer as soon as possible. Dashcam video or vehicle data can become unavailable if you wait too long.
Maryland’s PIP coverage, which covers a minimum of $2,500 unless formally waived, pays for medical expenses and lost wages with no regard to fault. However, significant injuries can utilize the coverage up quickly. Maryland law allows for a three-year time frame within which to file suit under Md. Code Ann., Cts. and Jud. Proc. § 5-101.
Meet Attorney Sharif S. Silmi
When it comes to Maryland’s pure contributory negligence rule, preparation and expertise are key.
Attorney Sharif S. Silmi graduated with his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and has been an active member of the American Bar Association, as well as the District of Columbia Bar.
Mr. Silmi has extensive experience in federal litigation and advocacy, and always makes sure to investigate every case himself so that the necessary evidence is collected before the insurance companies can attempt to lay the blame on others.
“He is a more experienced and knowledgeable lawyer. He will try to understand the case very clearly and follow a different pattern and strategy for each client that defines the success story.”
— Sen, Verified Client Review | Read more on Avvo
Protect Your Claim Before the Evidence Disappears
In cases of a crash, time is an enemy. Skid marks disappear, video footage is overwritten, witnesses forget, and the three-year period continues to pass while the insurance companies delay and deny.
In Maryland, where there is no room for error in contributory negligence cases, timely intervention is crucial to getting full settlements.
Silmi Law works diligently to stand up for the rights of car wreck victims all over Maryland, from Baltimore and Frederick to the Eastern Shore. Sharif Silmi is the firm’s Maryland car accident lawyer, who is responsible for overseeing the case from start to finish.
Call Silmi Law at (443) 329-2929 or visit 5707 Calverton Street, Suite 2A, Catonsville, MD 21228 to schedule your free, confidential case evaluation.
