Personal Injury Law Firm Gelb & Gelb, P.C. on Maryland’s New Penalties for Uninsured Drivers

Bowie, Maryland

Motorists in Maryland have long faced insufficient insurance coverage for their injuries in car accidents. In Maryland, you must have car insurance under the law. The minimum amounts include:

• $30,000 per person;
• $60,000 per accident if two or more people are in the accident under the same policy;
• $15,000 for property damage.

The minimum amounts have stayed the same in Maryland since 2011, leaving millions of motorists underinsured. Worse yet, while the law requires that all cars and trucks on the road are covered by insurance, many motorists still ignore this law. If police pull over an uninsured motorist, they are subject to criminal fines. However, like the Maryland auto insurance minimums, those criminal fines have been too low.

The experienced and trusted car accident lawyers at Gelb & Gelb have analyzed the new law, effective since July 1, 2024.

Key Changes to Uninsured Driver Penalties:

• The initial penalty for driving a vehicle without insurance during the first 30 days when coverage lapses have increased from $150 to $200.
• For each subsequent day without coverage, the daily penalty has risen from $7 to a higher rate, emphasizing the importance of swift compliance.
• The annual maximum penalty for uninsured vehicles will also increase from $2,500 to $3,500, further incentivizing drivers to maintain continuous insurance coverage.

An attorney from the leading personal injury law firm Gelb & Gelb, P.C., offers his insights. “For many Maryland drivers, the calculus is clear: the potential fines for not carrying insurance are a worthwhile risk compared to paying the high premiums to maintain coverage. The high cost then gets pushed onto accident victims who cannot afford to pay their hospital bills,” says attorney Brian Gelb. “These penalties are a good start towards ensuring sufficient coverage for an accident. We applaud this step by the Maryland legislature and are hopeful for further measures to safeguard drivers and passengers alike.”

To avoid these hefty punishments and comply with Maryland law, Gelb & Gelb recommends working with an insurance provider to ensure you are not subject to these new fines. If you injure your brain in a motor vehicle accident, the top-rated attorneys at Gelb & Gelb can help you find coverage to compensate you for your injuries. Whether it is a claim under the defendant’s policy, an uninsured or underinsured claim under your policy, or a claim against the city or state for joint and several liability, they fight so you receive the protection and compensation you rightfully deserve.

Contact their office to discuss changes to Maryland insurance regulations or if you are hurt in a Maryland vehicle accident.