Daily driving is a common act that typically does not go wrong. However, when car accidents do happen, the outcomes can be quite severe and damaging for those involved. An Elkton personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can defend your legal rights after a car accident. We offer free case reviews.
Personal injuries, damaged vehicles, and emotional trauma are common in car accidents of any kind. While these outcomes can leave you feeling helpless, you may have options for financial recovery if another party’s negligence caused your accident. An attorney from our firm can help you pursue justice and any forms of financial compensation that you may be owed in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Working with the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow on Your Case
When you partner with an Elkton car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow, we can work to establish a liable party by investigating the details of your collision.
Our legal team can file an insurance claim and negotiate with car insurance companies and other drivers to settle. If they deny you a fair settlement offer, we can take your case to trial.
During this process, our car accident attorneys can:
- Provide you with legal advice and design a strategy for your case
- Communicate with all parties on your behalf
- Manage the legal deadlines and paperwork in your case
- Collect evidence of the extent of the responsible party’s liability
- Collect evidence about your damages’ value
- Defend your rights at every stage
Our law firm can also answer your questions and keep you updated on your case along the way. We want you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
For legal consultation with a car accident attorney in Elkton, call (410)777-8960
Important Personal Injury Laws in Cecil County, Maryland
If you are planning to take legal action for your injuries, there are a few important Maryland personal injury laws for you to be familiar with:
Insurance Requirements
The Maryland Department of Transportation requires all motorists to carry liability insurance. This pays for any losses stemming from negligence-related collisions. Drivers must have:
- $15,000 in property damage liability coverage
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage for one person’s injuries
- $60,000 in BIL for more than two people’s injuries in a collision
If your losses fit into these parameters, you could resolve your case via an insurance claim. If not, however, you have options. For instance, you could turn to your own insurer for coverage if you have uninsured motorist protection coverage. We can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recoup what you need.
Statute of Limitations
Per Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5–101, there is a general three-year statute of limitations on filing a personal injury case in Maryland. Cases filed after this time are legally invalid.
The Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can conduct your case in compliance with Maryland’s personal injury laws when we represent you.
Elkton Car Accident Attorney (410)777-8960
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Elkton, MD
If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, they may be liable for your damages. Some common causes of car accidents that involve driver negligence include:
Violating a Traffic Law
Sometimes, a driver makes a mistake and violates a traffic law–– or does so deliberately, causing a car accident. This may include failing to yield, speeding, making illegal lane changes, and more.
If the other driver caused your accident by violating a traffic law, they may be liable for your damages.
Drunk and Impaired Driving
According to Zero Deaths Maryland, there were 6,216 car crashes in Maryland in 2020 involving impaired drivers. Most of these crashes resulted in property damage only, but a significant percentage caused injuries, and 173 were fatal.
These figures include drivers impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. Both illegal drugs and certain types of prescription drugs can impact a driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle.
Distracted Driving
Drivers using cellphones and other devices behind the wheel are unable to commit their full attention to the roads. Those who are focused on their radio, a meal, or their passengers often exhibit a similar lack of attention. These behaviors are dangerous and may cause accidents.
Per Zero Deaths Maryland, over 45,000 accidents in the state in 2020 were attributable to distracted drivers. In many situations, distracted driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.
Drowsy Driving
Those who drive long consecutive hours may be at a greater risk of driving drowsy. Drivers who work late night or early morning shifts may present risks, as well. Drowsy driving may impair a driver’s decision-making, slow their reaction time, or cause them to fall asleep at the wheel.
If the drowsy driver in your case was working at the time, their employer could also be held liable for not ensuring their drivers got proper rest and break times.
If you were involved in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow offers a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team.
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Common Injuries from Car Accidents in Elkton, MD
A wide range of injuries can occur in a car accident. These may include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Brain injuries often occur when a driver or passenger hits their head during an accident. TBIs can have serious physical and mental side effects and may require years of medical intervention to resolve. In some cases, they may result in a permanent disability.
Whiplash
Whiplash frequently occurs in rear-end collisions, although other car accident types can cause it. Whiplash is an injury of the neck and spine, caused by a sudden impact that lashes the neck in a whip-like motion. Headaches, limited range of motion, and nausea can accompany a whiplash injury.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Fractures and broken bones are possible in high-speed collisions. While vehicles carry protective measures to prevent these injuries, sometimes, they are simply unavoidable.
If you were hurt in a car accident, make sure to see a doctor for an evaluation as soon as possible. A doctor can diagnose any injuries and begin treating them. Having this evaluation in your medical records may also support your case as proof that your injuries came from the car accident.
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Recoverable Damages from Your Car Accident in Elkton
If you sustained any type of car accident injury, including those listed above, you could qualify for two types of damages: economic and non-economic.
Non-economic damages cover the physical, emotional, and mental pain caused by the collision. You could collect:
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Loss of consortium
- Impaired quality of life
- Physical disability
- Intellectual disability
- Scar tissue or disfigurement
Economic damages account for the financial consequences of the collision. They include:
- Medical expenses
- Repair expenses
- Loss of wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of employment or employment opportunities
Wrongful Death Damages
After losing a loved one, you can pursue compensation for:
- Funeral expenses
- Grief and bereavement
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of financial support
Our team can guide you through the process of resolving a wrongful death case while you spend time with your family. We want to recoup everything you need to account for the financial and non-financial harm the accident caused.
Getting Car Accident Damages Can Be Challenging
The liable party’s insurance company may try to avoid paying you fair damages by:
- Asking for a recorded statement and then interpreting its contents to deny your damages
- Offering an insufficient settlement and pressuring you to accept it
- Claiming your injuries had nothing to do with the accident, that you were not injured at all, or that the accident was your fault
To get compensation for your car accident, we must collect evidence and use it to create a compelling argument. Supporting information in your case could include the police report, witness testimony, and traffic camera footage.
The Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow is proud to protect Elkton, Maryland, residents from insurance companies’ tactics. Our team can preserve your rights throughout your case and fight back against any attempts to deny you appropriate compensation.
Call the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow Today
An Elkton car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can step in to pursue compensation on your behalf after a car accident. Our team recognizes the unique legal and financial concerns that victims face after collisions, and we are here to answer your questions and help you traverse the legal system.
For a free consultation on your case with a member of our team, call the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow today. We may be able to provide you with representation on a contingency-fee basis with no upfront payment required.
Call or text (410)777-8960 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form