Largo Personal Injury Lawyer
Injuries happen every day and can often be the result of an accident that was out of your control. If you were in a car accident, work incident, or another type of accident that caused you to get hurt in Largo or elsewhere in Prince George’s County, you may have the option of filing a personal injury claim.
These claims allow you to seek compensation for damages you incurred as a result of the accident. Examples of such damages include medical bills from treating your injuries, compensation for lost wages, and more.
However, personal injury claims have specific statutes that govern them, including statutes of limitations that affect how long you have to file. Injury claims also hinge on whether your injuries can be attributed to someone else’s negligence.
A Largo personal injury lawyer can explain the laws that will affect your claim during a free consultation. They can also help you understand your legal rights and aid you throughout the process of filing a claim. Learn how a personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries by calling the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow now at (410) 777-8960.
How Personal Injury Claims Work
You may be able to file a personal injury claim if:
- You have excessive medical expenses due to your injury
- You had to miss work to recover from the injury
- The injury is expected to cause long-term disability or permanent damage to your health
- You lost a loved one as a result of an accident
There are many other reasons you may qualify to file an injury claim. The ways in which the accident affected your life will determine the types of damages you can claim, which, in turn, affects the compensation you may receive.
Compensation in Personal Injury Claims
In addition to the lost wages and medical costs already mentioned, other types of damages in a personal injury claim may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Projected compensation for future medical expenses and lost wages
Negligence in Personal Injury Cases
Negligence is a factor in all personal injury cases, which helps courts consider whether the person responsible for the accident acted in a way that did not exercise their duty of care toward others. Whether driving your car or performing a medical procedure, you are expected to exercise a minimal amount of care toward others at all times.
When people fail to exercise this level of care, they may be found negligent, which means they can be held liable for the accident victim’s injuries. In personal injury claims, the liable party has to pay the injured party compensation for damages they experienced due to the accident.
These concepts may seem complex if you have not filed a personal injury claim before. A Largo personal injury lawyer can explain these and other factors that may affect your claim in a way you can understand. Contact the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow now at (410) 777-8960 for more information.
What Happens if Your Claim Does Not Settle
Most personal injury claims will settle outside of court, reaching a favorable agreement for both parties. However, this is not always the case. Some personal injury claims must be settled in court.
If you file a personal injury claim and it goes to court, your lawyer can help you fight for compensation, gathering the necessary evidence to show why you deserve the amount you are seeking.
Personal Injury Law in Maryland
As in other states, Maryland has specific laws that regulate personal injury lawsuits. These include the statute of limitations and Maryland’s contributory negligence statute.
Statute of Limitations
Exceptions may apply, but residents of Maryland generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit from the date of the accident, according to Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings §5–101. This statute also includes wrongful death lawsuits, which are a form of a personal injury lawsuit filed by family members after the unexpected loss of a loved one.
However, medical malpractice lawsuits have a statute of five years, or three years from the date you discover your injury, according to Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings §5–109.
Contributory Negligence
Maryland is one of the few states in the U.S. that uses the concept of contributory negligence for cases of personal injury.
This rule holds that you cannot recover any damages if you were found to be at fault for the accident in any way. Fault in personal injury claims is calculated as a percentage, with a percentage typically attributed to the claimant and a percentage attributed to the defendant.
In Maryland, if you were found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you will not be able to claim damages. However, a lawyer may be able to prove that you were not negligent and demonstrate the defendant’s liability for the accident.
Ways a Largo Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
When you work with a personal injury lawyer, you will receive legal support for the duration of your claim and in court if your claim does not settle. Your lawyer will speak with the defendant’s lawyers, insurance representatives, and other parties, so you are relieved of this burden.
Finally, your personal injury lawyer will complete all the difficult tasks involved with personal injury claims—from reviewing the police report to exploring all avenues necessary for building a strong claim.
Call on the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow for Help with a Personal Injury Claim
Injuries from an unexpected accident can leave you devastated or at the very least shaken, both personally and financially. Consider discussing your legal options for gaining compensation with a Largo personal injury lawyer. Reach out to the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow at (410) 777-8960 for a free consultation to get started today. We can even suggest different medical providers who can help you recover from your injuries.