Have You Been Involved in a Car Accident?
You Have the Right to Pursue Fair Compensation
With more vehicles on the roadways and more potential distractions than ever before, driving is more dangerous than ever. The destructive wreckage, catastrophic injuries, and even death that automobile accidents can cause should be enough to motivate drivers to be more responsible. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. If you have been involved in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, it is important to know what your rights are under the law and how to effectively pursue the compensation that you may be entitled to.
Have you been injured in an auto accident? Call our Harford County car accident attorney now for a free consultation at (410) 886-6215.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Violating posted traffic laws or speed limits
- Driving without a license
- Uninsured or underinsured motorists
Maryland is a Fault-Based Car Insurance State
Maryland operates under a traditional fault-based system for for car insurance, meaning that the driver or drivers who caused an accident (or more accurately, their insurance companies) are financially responsible for paying damages to anyone who was harmed.
You may seek compensation after a car accident by doing any of the following:
- By filing a claim with your own insurance company, who will then pursue
compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance - By filing a third-party claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance, or
- By filing a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver
Drivers in Maryland are mandated by law to purchase and maintain at least $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $15,000 of property damage coverage per accident. This coverage pays for the damages suffered by others in an accident that the insured driver causes up to the limits of their policy. Once these limits are exhausted, an at-fault driver is personally on the hook for any remaining damages.
Is the Insurance Company Denying or Minimizing Your Claim?
When someone else’s mistakes have caused you to miss work and lose wages, rack up costly medical bills, and endure suffering on a daily basis, they should be held responsible for the financial burdens they have created for you. You have the right to receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. Unfortunately, in today’s climate, insurance companies are designed to devalue your personal injury claim and deny your settlement—or give you the lowest monetary amount possible.
How Our Harford County Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
You have already been the victim once after being injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence. If you attempt to deal with insurance companies or pursuit compensation directly from the at-fault driver without strong legal counsel, you will likely end up being the victim twice. Having the services of a skilled attorney can give you the edge you need to maximize your potential compensation and protect you from mistreatment during this difficult time.
Our Harford County car accident attorney can provide several benefits to your case, including:
- Intimate understanding of Maryland personal injury law and how it applies
to your case - Assistance getting you get the quality medical care you need to recover
- Handling all paperwork and correspondence with insurance companies so you
can focus on your recovery with peace of mind - Thoroughly investigating the cause of your crash by collecting and analyzing
evidence such as police reports, eyewitness testimony, video surveillance
footage, vehicle data, toxicology reports, and vehicle damage - Explanation of all your legal options and guidance towards the most appropriate
course of action - Bringing much-needed objectivity to your case during this emotional time
- If out-of-court negotiations should fail, pursuing litigation in court
to yield a fair financial award
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Car Accident in Harford County
A car accident is undoubtedly a jarring experience, but it is nevertheless important to stay in control of your actions during the aftermath. What you say and do during this time can have an impact on your ability to recover compensation during a subsequent personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim. Stick to the following steps and contact an attorney as soon as you have an opportunity to ensure your interests are guarded.
After a car accident:
- Stay at the scene. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime!
- Render aid to any injured parties and call for an ambulance if anyone appears
to be seriously hurt. Afterward, call the police. You have a legal duty
to immediately notify the police if anyone is injured, killed, an unattended
vehicle is hit, a vehicle cannot be safely moved, a drunk driver is involved,
an accident is a hit and run, a driver refuses to exchange information,
or if a domestic animal is hit. - Once the police arrive, tell them your version of the facts. Avoid making
any unsure statements or speculation. Do not apologize or admit fault
in any way. If they ask you if you are hurt, say you are not sure and
need to see a doctor to confirm. - Exchange information with all involved motorists, including names, addresses,
phone numbers, email addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate
numbers, vehicle registration information, and insurance policy information.
Be courteous, but do not discuss the crash with the other drivers. - Get the contact information of any witnesses to the collision for future
reference. - Collect as much photographic and video evidence as possible. This includes
photos of the damage to all involved vehicles, the positioning of vehicles
in relation to each other, skid marks on the road, weather conditions,
traffic patterns, and any other details that show what happened. If you
can, get a photograph of your injuries before they are treated. - Once cleared by the police to leave, seek medical treatment. Even if you
feel fine, there is a chance you are injured but may be experiencing delayed
symptoms due to your body’s adrenaline response. Tell your doctor about
any aches or pains you are experiencing and follow their treatment instructions closely. - Keep a record of all expenses you incur related to your injuries and a
journal of how your injuries affect your day-to-day life during your recovery. - Do not sign any forms authorizing the insurance company to access your
medical records or any settlement offers until you have a chance to speak
to an attorney. There is a good chance this offer is far lower than what
you would actually need to cover your full losses. An attorney can negotiate
with the involved insurance companies on your behalf and help you pursue
the full amount of damages you deserve.
Going Up Against the Insurance Companies on Your Behalf
At the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow, we understand the difficulties of trying to pursue a personal injury claim on your own. Our Harford County car accident attorney is here to help you create the strongest possible case, protect your rights, fight insurance companies head on, and work tirelessly to maximize the value of your settlement. We don’t wait for the insurance companies to come to us, we go to them seeking rightful compensation.
Hear From the People We’ve Helped
5 / 5 stars
“Mr. Adam Smallow represented me in an accident case where I was hit
in the back while sitting at a light. He is a great attorney and kept
me abreast of what was going on with my case. We even did a mock trial
before we went to court to help prepare me for trial. That was very helpful
and I was not at all nervous during my testimony. He is very fair with
his pricing. He is also very honest, pleasant and well prepared with his
cases. I highly recommend the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow.”
Connie H.