MARYLAND AUTO INSURANCE GUIDE
Maryland Contributory Negligence & Complete Bar to Recovery
Maryland follows contributory negligence. If a claimant’s own negligence legally contributes to the injury, recovery can be barred entirely, subject to doctrines and exceptions recognized by Maryland law.
- Preserve physical, electronic and witness evidence relevant to fault.
- Analyze the claimant’s conduct separately from the defendant’s negligence.
- Evaluate last-clear-chance and other potentially relevant doctrines cautiously.
- Apply current Maryland appellate authority, including Coleman v. Soccer Association of Columbia.
Publication review note — September 17, 2026. Verify current contributory-negligence doctrine and controlling appellate decisions before publication.
VictimsGuide 