If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident in Baltimore, you may have the basis for a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. A Baltimore personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow may be able to handle this process for you. We can identify the at-fault driver and fight for compensation on your behalf when we represent you.
According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, there were 107,789 car accidents across the state in 2015, with more than 23,000 occurring in Baltimore. Of the reported state-wide accidents:
- 44,816 led to physical injuries
- 76,654 led to property damage
- 314 total drivers lost their lives
The Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow offer a risk-free consultation. Our representation to car accident victims is on a contingency fee basis with no up-front payments required. We’re here for you when you need us.
Maryland Laws That May Impact Your Case
There are several laws to be aware of heading into a personal injury claim or lawsuit for car accident damages in Maryland.
Contributory Negligence
Maryland is 1 of just 4 states in the U.S. that uses a contributory negligence law where even 1% negligence can prevent a claimant or plaintiff from recovering any compensation for their damages.
Statute Of Limitations
While the law entitles you to seek compensation, it also limits the time you have to file a lawsuit requesting compensation. Maryland Statute §5-101 generally gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. There is also a general three-year limit for wrongful death lawsuits, per Maryland Statute §3-904.
If you do not file your lawsuit by the applicable legal deadline, you might lose the ability to legally compel compensation from the at-fault driver.
The Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can collect evidence of the responsible party’s liability and file your case within the appropriate deadlines when we represent you.
For legal consultation with a car accident attorney in Baltimore, call (410)777-8960
Common Causes of Car Accidents
If another party’s negligence caused your car accident, they may be liable for your accident-related damages. In a car accident case, driver negligence may include:
Violating a Traffic Law
Maryland has many different traffic laws that drivers must follow in order to legally operate their vehicle. For example, drivers must:
- Adhere to the speed limit
- Yield the right of way when appropriate
- Avoid illegal turns
- Stop at red lights and stop signs
- Drive the right way on the road
Drivers who disregard these regulations put themselves and other people at risk, often causing major accidents.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Generally, drivers in Maryland must keep their blood alcohol content (BAC) under 0.08% when operating a vehicle to avoid criminal charges. Drivers under the age of 21 must maintain a BAC under 0.01% or face legal repercussions.
Maryland uses these regulations because operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol frequently leads to accidents. Alcohol causes drivers to take risks and makes it harder to pay attention to what’s going on with surrounding drivers.
Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers endanger others because they take their attention off of the road. Some drivers get distracted by texting or playing on their phones. Other drivers become distracted when they eat, drink, or talk to their passengers.
A few seconds of distraction can make a world of difference to drivers. Even looking away from the road for an instant could allow another vehicle to slam on the brakes or change lanes, getting in the way of the distracted driver.
Aggressive Driving
Finally, some drivers behave very aggressively because they want to reach their destination quickly or because they feel like other drivers are not respecting them. Aggressive drivers often tailgate or engage in other dangerous behaviors.
Baltimore Car Accident Attorney (410)777-8960
Additional Liability for Car Accidents in Baltimore
In many cases, other drivers cause accidents in Baltimore. At other times, a negligent car mechanic may be liable for an accident they caused by failing to safely repair or maintain a vehicle. Or, a negligent municipality may be liable for an accident caused by damaged roads or a lack of road signage.
In some cases, accidents occur because car manufacturers produce defective vehicles. A defective vehicle could have brakes that do not work properly, for example. These brakes may fail while you’re trying to drive, causing a collision.
A Baltimore car accident lawyer may be able to locate the liable party in your accident and pursue them for compensation when we represent you.
Assess Negligence with the Professionals
If you believe another party’s negligence contributed to or caused your accident, the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow may be able to help. A member of our car accident team is standing by to provide you with a free, no-obligation case review.
Click to contact our Baltimore Personal Injury Attorneys today
Your Steps After a Baltimore Car Accident
Are you wondering what you should do after a car collision in the Baltimore area? Our team can provide you with clearcut guidance about your options. We keep the lines of communication open with a 24/7 text line and email address. We even provide our clients with a unique text number so they can keep in touch with us at all times.
You can take some steps before you reach out to us. Start building your claim immediately by:
- Contacting the police to report the accident
- Taking pictures of your injuries and the scene of your collision
- Getting contact details from the driver who hit you and eyewitnesses
- Seeking medical care
Many drivers feel unsure where to seek medical treatment after a collision in Baltimore. We can provide you with recommendations for care providers that we trust with our own health and the health of our families.
Getting medical care quickly is an important step, as it helps establish that the accident led directly to your injuries. It also provides professional accounts of your injuries, so insurance agents cannot try to downplay the severity of your condition.
Find out more about the steps to take after your collision by reaching out to us. We’ll go over all of your legal options, handle insurance agents for you, and build your claim.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Evidence In a Car Accident Case
If the police responded to your accident, they may have created a crash report that can be used as evidence in your case. This document may include key information such as the date, time, and location of your accident, as well as contact information from the other driver. Your crash report may also provide us with the responding officer’s assessment of fault.
In addition to a police crash report, the following evidence may be utilized in a car accident case:
- Photos or videos of the accident or your injuries
- Witness statements
- Your medical records
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
The Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can collect evidence of the responsible party’s liability in your case when we represent you.
Damages In a Car Accident Case
A car accident can have an incredible physical, psychological, and financial impact on the lives of its victims. It can temporarily or permanently alter your physical ability and appearance, force you to miss work, and can make driving a vehicle challenging. Damages such as these may be recoverable in a car accident case.
Depending on the details of your car accident case, you may be able to recover compensation for damages such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Current and future lost wages
- Property repair or replacement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Physical disability or disfigurement
A different group of damages may be available in a wrongful death lawsuit.
An important goal of financial compensation after a car accident is to demonstrate the severity of the accident’s impact on your life. Accordingly, the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can examine your unique damages and collect evidence of their value when we represent you.
This evidence may include your medical bills, car repair invoices, and statements from medical experts about your estimated future costs of recovery.
Get A Free Case Evaluation from The Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow Today
If you or someone you love was injured by a negligent driver, a car accident lawyer in Baltimore, MD may be able to help you. If you qualify, the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can handle all of the legal work in your case while you focus on healing.
Secure a free case assessment from our car accident team. We represent our clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you are not obligated to pay us unless and until you recover compensation via a settlement offer or court award. Contact the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow today.
Call or text (410)777-8960 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
