Who pays if you’re hit by a stolen car in Maryland?

If a stolen car crashes into you, figuring out who pays for your injuries or car repairs can get messy fast. Maryland law offers some protection, but how your claim plays out depends on the facts. Here’s what you need to know.

Your insurance pays when the police can’t locate the thief

If the person driving the stolen car vanishes or has nothing to their name, you’ll need to rely on your own uninsured motorist coverage. Maryland requires this coverage unless you rejected it in writing, so most drivers already have some protection in place. Still, getting your claim paid takes more than just showing up. You have to file the paperwork, prove your injuries and losses and stay on top of your insurer until the money comes through.

The thief owes you, but they won’t pay

The law puts the blame on the person who stole the car, but collecting anything from them rarely works out. Thieves don’t carry liability insurance, and even if you take them to court, you won’t recover much, especially if they’re sitting in jail with no income and no assets. So while you can technically hold them accountable, you won’t get much further than the paperwork.

The car owner doesn’t owe you unless they helped cause it

Maryland law doesn’t make the vehicle’s owner responsible just because their car ended up in a wreck. Unless they handed the keys to someone dangerous or left the car running and unattended, they’re not on the hook for what happened. Courts look at whether the owner acted carelessly, not just whether their car was involved.

Protect your rights after a stolen vehicle wreck

If a stolen car hits you and causes damage, your insurance company may not explain what coverage applies or how to access it, so you’ll need to take the lead. File a police report, get medical care right away and start your claim while the details are still clear.

If the process stalls or the payout falls short, a lawyer can step in, assert your rights and keep the claim on track. When you understand how the system works, you put yourself in a better position to recover what you’re owed.