The cost of nonfatal injuries to car accident victims goes far beyond physical and emotional trauma. According to 2012 research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average cost of a visit to the emergency department with crash-related injuries is $3,362. If the victim has to be hospitalized for his or her injuries, the average cost jumps to nearly $57,000. With medical bills as high as these, the average car accident victim could be burdened with debt for years to come on top of the costs of any additional rehabilitation treatments or repairs to their property.
Car accident injuries are not uncommon in Havre de Grace, Maryland and its surrounding areas. According to research from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)’s 2018 Highway Safety Plan, hosted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,147 serious injury accidents on Maryland roadways from 2011 to 2015. These accidents claim hundreds of lives each year, with the MDOT reporting 530 motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2019 alone. Some of these accidents could have been avoided, and many lives could have been saved, if drivers simply practiced safe driving.
A Havre de Grace car accident lawyer can help protect victims who have been subjected to injuries at the hands of another person’s negligent wrongdoing. The team from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can be there to fight for victims in car accident cases. Our legal team dedicates itself to getting clients the compensation they may be entitled to, whether that is for their financial burdens, physical ailments, or mental anguish after an accident. No case is guaranteed to award compensation, but our team can work to gather evidence in your case to show the court exactly who was at fault for your pain and suffering.
For your free consultation and case review, contact the team from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow at (410) 777-8960.
Understanding Maryland’s Unique Liability Laws
Maryland is one of only four states that utilize contributory negligence in personal injury cases. This means that victims’ cases can be affected if it is found that they contributed even one percent to their accident and caused their injuries to worsen, including not exercising enough caution or safety measures. The presiding court will determine the amount of contributory negligence displayed. It is also important to realize that there is a three-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases in Maryland, in accordance with Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5–101, with the timeline beginning the date the accident occurs. Any cases filed outside that three-year term may be subject to dismissal.
For legal consultation with a car accident attorney in Havre de Grace, call (410)777-8960
Recoverable Damages From Car Accident Injuries
Damages awarded to car accident injury victims can include financial difficulties, physical injuries, and mental suffering. Generally, the more serious the car accident injuries are, the more recoverable damages a victim may be entitled to. Research from the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) suggests that the average amount of time patients spend between arriving and departing from an emergency room in Maryland is 378 minutes, above the national average of 256 minutes. The more serious the ailment, the more time may be needed in treatment, the more bills will accrue, and the more work the injured party may miss. As a result, if another party is deemed liable for their injuries, this can raise the value of the case to match the extent of the victim’s pain and suffering.
Examples of potentially recoverable damages in car accident injury cases can include, but are not limited to:
- Repairs for property damages
- Costs of treatment, including medications, rehabilitation, surgeries, hospitalization, and more
- Mental strains on the victim, including loss of consortium and a newfound loss of interest in previous ambitions
- Punitive damages, awarded in extreme cases of reckless negligence or malice, wherein the court grants compensation to punish the offender. These damages are handed down to serve as a warning to the public, hopefully preventing them from commenting similar offenses
- Compensation for lifelong ailments stemming from the accident, including cases of paralysis, amputation, and other disabilities
If victims decide to hire a Havre de Grace car accident lawyer, they can work to document concrete proof of your pain and suffering, including medical bills, invoices, receipts, police reports, and more. The team from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can show the court just how much a victim has lost due to the offender’s negligence. Ideally, this sum will then be reflected in any potential compensation the victim may be entitled to.
For more information on damages awarded in personal injury cases, contact a MD Accident Law representative at (410) 777-8960 for a free consultation.
Havre de Grace Car Accident Attorney (410)777-8960
Car Accident Lawyers Fighting to Protect Havre de Grace Victims
If an accident victim retains a Havre de Grace car accident lawyer, they can get legal advice when working on their case, hopefully freeing up the victim and allowing them to continue focusing on recovering so they can get back to their lives. If you hire us, the team from the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can investigate your case to reveal the truth behind your accident, including gathering cell phone records from the time of the crash, interviewing eyewitnesses, and calling upon relevant experts to analyze crash scene evidence and forensic data.
You never have to feel alone with the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow by your side. To learn more about what services our team can offer you, contact us for a free consultation today at (410) 777-8960.
Call or text (410)777-8960 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form