You can get legal help on your side if you suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Maryland. The team at the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow can build your insurance claim or help you in court. Working with a Maryland car accident lawyer means having an advocate who knows the law and will help you understand your rights and how to proceed, including what to do after accidents, dealing with injuries, and your options to secure compensation.
A car accident lawyer in Maryland may be able to help you win compensation in a case where contributory negligence laws apply because they have the background and training to handle personal injury cases, which includes car accident cases. If you are not well-versed with personal injury and contributory negligence laws in Maryland, you can opt to hire an attorney to represent you in your car accident case and advise you as your case progresses.
Our car accident attorneys fulfill various legal duties for their Maryland clients, which often include:
- Giving consultations to the client about their case
- Conducting an investigation on their client’s accident to retrieve new information
- Drafting a demand letter that consists of a litany of damages their client experienced
- Communicating with other involved parties on their client’s behalf
- Attending negotiation meetings on their client’s behalf to potentially reach a settlement
- Appearing in court on their client’s behalf to represent them at trial
- Submitting documents on their client’s behalf
Steps to Take After a Maryland Car Accident
You need to take the correct steps after a car accident in Maryland. Completing the following actions can help protect your right to compensation.
Remove Your Vehicle from the Road
You should move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic if possible. Removing your vehicle can prevent additional collisions and injuries at the accident site.
Sometimes the damage to your car makes moving it impossible, or you may have sustained injuries that prevent you from moving. If your injuries or the damage to your car make it impossible for you to move your vehicle, turn on your flashers.
Contact the Authorities
You should always report your car accident to the authorities in Maryland. Police officers can come to the accident scene, render aid, and file a report about what happened.
Contacting the authorities may also involve requesting an ambulance if you or someone else involved in the accident requires immediate medical care.
Collect Evidence
Gathering evidence at the scene of your accident makes it easier for a Maryland car accident attorney to build a claim for you. Make sure that you get pictures of:
- The damage to your vehicle
- The scene of the accident
- The locations of other involved vehicles
- Your injuries
In addition to taking pictures with your phone or camera, be sure to get contact information from the other driver involved in the collision and any potential witnesses.
Take the time to write down what happened in the accident as soon as possible and include as many details as possible. Memories fade over time, so writing down the facts right away helps you maintain a clear record of events.
This is to first assess who was at fault for the auto accident, whether there might be other liable parties involved, and whether there is room for the opposing party to claim that you partially contributed to the accident.
If necessary, your attorney may offer to have their law firm conduct its own private investigation to retrieve additional evidence to back up your claims and prepare for potential contributory negligence arguments. This evidence might include:
- Testimony from eyewitnesses
- Testimony from expert witnesses who can provide analysis to the case, such as accident reconstruction analysts and mechanical engineers
- Video footage of the accident, which can be retrieved from traffic cameras, surveillance cameras nearby, and dashcams inside the vehicles involved in the accident
- Photos of the accident scene, the affected vehicles, and your injuries
- Black box information if your car accident involves commercial vehicles that track this information
- Driving records of the at-fault party
For legal consultation with a car accident attorney in Maryland, call (410)777-8960
When Should I Hire a Maryland Attorney After a Car Accident?
Reach out to a car accident lawyer in Maryland immediately after your collision. Attorneys can instantly provide you with information about your legal options and the best way to proceed with your claim.
Contacting a lawyer right away means you have someone on your side when you speak to insurance agents. Lawyers advocate for you and your rights and may speak to the insurance companies on your behalf so you can avoid the hassle and anxiety.
You can easily reach our team by either phone or email. We even offer a unique text line that allows you to stay in touch with the legal team around the clock while we build your claim.
Maryland Car Accident Attorney (410)777-8960
How a Maryland Car Accident Lawyer Helps after a Collision?
Car accident attorneys in Maryland step in to help with all aspects of your case after a collision. We can investigate the wreck to gather evidence and determine what happened. We can:
- Speak with witnesses on your behalf
- Work with accident reconstruction experts
- Gather details from medical experts to build your claim
In addition to gathering evidence, your lawyer can take over communication with insurance agents on your behalf. Keep in mind that Maryland uses very harsh contributory negligence laws that can prevent you from seeking compensation if you contributed to the accident in any way.
Therefore, saying the wrong thing to insurance agents can drastically impact your claim. Let a lawyer from our firm handle these conversations for you to protect your best interests.
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Recoverable Compensation in a Maryland Car Accident Claim
A car accident can impact both the physical and financial health and well-being of you and your loved ones. A car accident lawyer may help you get several forms of compensation for your losses after a car accident in Maryland.
Many drivers end up receiving economic damages after a collision. These damages cover your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages at work
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Other related expenses
You may also qualify for non-economic damages. These damages help you recover from losses without a fixed dollar amount. For example, the damages could cover your pain and suffering.
Your car accident attorney in Maryland may suggest filing an insurance claim to avoid having to go to court. This way, if your case reasonably convinces the other party’s insurance company that their client was at fault for the accident, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a settlement outside of court and win you compensation. It may be in both parties’ interest to keep your case out of court due to court fees, the length of time it takes to settle a trial, and the risk of losing.
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Ways to Seek Compensation after Your Collision
Many drivers choose to seek an insurance settlement after a car accident in Maryland. These settlements allow you to get compensation without going to court.
However, insurance companies sometimes resist offering you a fair amount. In some cases, a lawyer may advise you to file your case in court instead.
While using contributory negligence laws is a defense argument that defendants can use, they must also be able to prove you were negligent in some way, which might be difficult to prove against certain pieces of evidence, such as videos or black box information.
Many variables can affect how a case might go, so do not assume you are at a disadvantage because of contributory negligence laws. Your car accident lawyer may be able to give you the support you need to fight for an insurance settlement and recover your damages.
If necessary, your attorney for car accidents in Maryland can file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court. They can explain how to navigate this process and advise you when necessary.
In either situation, under Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-101, you only have three years to seek compensation for your losses.
Dealing With Injuries Caused by Maryland Car Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents often lead to severe injuries. You may require medical treatment right away for:
- Head or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Organ damage or internal bleeding
- Back injuries, including herniated discs
- Nerve damage
- Burns, lacerations, and whiplash
Getting medical care right away allows you to get on the road to recovery. Additionally, seeking prompt medical treatment helps to establish that the accident led to your injuries.
Make sure that you keep all the paperwork associated with your medical care for your Maryland car accident attorney. A lawyer on our team can use these official documents when building your claim.
Our team can recommend highly qualified healthcare professionals if you feel unsure where to go for help after an accident. We direct you to the same medical providers that members of our staff and their families would visit to treat their injuries.
Speak to an Attorney after a Maryland Car Accident
If you would like to learn more about how a Maryland car accident lawyer may be able to help you win compensation in a case where contributory negligence laws apply, call the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow to speak with one of our representatives.
By dialing (410) 777-8960 , you can receive a free consultation about your car accident case and ask questions about other legal services our legal team provides to our clients.
At the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow, we want to serve our community as much as possible, which involves fighting for their justice and the compensation they need to recover their finances.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in the Edgewood, Maryland, area, let one of our Edgewood car accident attorneys may help you prepare your case against the liable party or parties. We offer 24/7 text communication to our clients, so if you have any new information about your case, we want to know.
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