Personal Injury Statistics in Maryland
Understanding personal injury statistics in Maryland helps you benchmark your case value, understand the legal environment, and set realistic expectations for your claim.
For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.
$15,000 – $70,000
Average Settlement Range
Varies widely by injury severity and case type
Contributory negligence
Fault System
Directly affects how damages are calculated
3 years
Statute of Limitations
Time to file from date of injury
At-Fault (Tort)
Auto Insurance System
At-fault driver's insurer liable
Maryland Injury Cases — By the Numbers
54,000 cases/yr
PI Cases Filed Annually
$57,000
Average Settlement
$34,000
Median Settlement
45%
Plaintiff Trial Win Rate
17 mo
Avg. Time to Settle
Motor Vehicle Accident
Top Injury Type
15 mo
Civil Court Backlog
34%
Avg. Contingency Fee
Key Facts About Maryland Injury Law
Maryland is one of only four US states still applying contributory negligence under Maryland common law — if you are found even 1% at fault for the accident, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation from the other party.
Personal injury claims must be filed within 3 years under Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 5-101; claims against government entities are subject to a shorter 1-year limitation and specific notice requirements under the Local Government Tort Claims Act.
Maryland law allows plaintiffs to recover the last clear chance doctrine as a limited exception to contributory negligence — if the defendant had a final opportunity to avoid the accident and failed to do so, the plaintiff may still recover despite their own negligence.
Maryland Personal Injury Law Overview
Maryland is one of the last four states to maintain the strict contributory negligence rule, which completely bars any recovery if the plaintiff bears any degree of fault. This harsh doctrine is tempered only by the last clear chance doctrine in certain circumstances. Despite this challenging environment for plaintiffs, Maryland courts in Baltimore and surrounding jurisdictions produce significant verdicts in appropriate cases. The statute of limitations is 3 years for most personal injury claims. Maryland does not require no-fault PIP coverage. The state's proximity to Washington D.C. and a large government workforce create significant claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act alongside state law cases. Maryland caps noneconomic damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases at a sliding scale beginning around $920,000 (indexed annually for inflation). Medical malpractice claims have the same noneconomic cap and require a certificate of qualified expert at filing. Government claims require strict notice compliance.