Many victims of impaired driving crashes have had their lives turned upside down and they often need support. That is why MADD offers free direct victim services to those dealing with the aftermath of a crash.
Free Victim Services Provided:
- Offering emotional support and provide information by phone or in person
- Provides a wide selection of free literature, available in English and Spanish for victims/survivors
- Assist victims in obtaining and completing an application for Crime Victims Compensation
- Assist in providing a list of professional counselors skilled to work with crash victims
- Assistance in obtaining crash reports and/or the offenders driving record
- Assist in understanding the various laws related to drunk driving laws and victim rights in Maryland
- Referrals to civil attorneys specializing in wrongful death and personal injury cases
- Assistance with preparation of a Victim Impact Statement to present at the sentencing of the offender
- Accompany you to court or if you are unable to attend, keep you informed of the legal proceedings
- Assist in preparing statements for parole hearings
To be put in touch with a MADD Victim Advocate in your area or if you need to speak with someone immediately, call MADD's Victim/Survivor Helpline at 1-877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435).
MADD Maryland now has a Bi-lingual Victim Advocate. Please contact Vanessa Barrios at 410-964-5757 Ext. 2453 to speak with a representative in Spanish.
Ahora contamos con un representante de victimas que habla español. Por favor comuníquese con Vanessa Barrios al 410-964-5757 Ext. 2453 para hablar con un representante de MADD en español.
MADD Maryland siempre está buscando por personas que nos pueda ayudar. Para hacerse voluntario puede llamar al 410-964-5757 Ext. 2453 o envíe su solicitud a través de un correo electrónico a Vanessa.Barrios@madd.org. Para información en español visite www.MADD.org/espanol.
POR FAVOR SI USTED MANEJA… NO TOME, Y SI USTED TOMA… NO MANEJE.
This was submitted by one of our victims/volunteers and we thought it may be helpful to some:
I forgive others for sharing their "miracles," with me,
not understanding how cruelly this attacks my heart, as I
wonder where my daughter's miracle was.
I forgive others for not understanding me, I don't
understand anything anymore, so I can't expect others to
understand me either.
I forgive myself for not being able to do all of the things
I used to be able to do. I don't function as well as I used
to, and that's okay.
I forgive others for continuing to live in that other world
where I once lived with my daughter. It's a good world,
and I miss it a lot.
I forgive myself for no longer fitting into that world and
not always being able to fake it. I am different now.
I forgive others for avoiding me. They don't know what
to say and, quite frankly, that leaves me with nothing to
say to them either.
I forgive my daughter for leaving me. She loved life and
she loved me. I believe she loves me still.
This is probably not what people mean when they say
we need to "forgive," but it's the best I can do. It's enough
that I can do anything at all, and maybe they will forgive
me as well.
