Posted on July 19, 2020 in Truck Accidents

A motor vehicle accident can be a life-changing event for a victim and their family members. While the impact itself may only last seconds, the repercussions of an accident can last for months, if not years. When a Maryland resident suffers serious injuries and significant financial losses due to their involvement in a roadway crash, they may struggle to get back on their feet for years to come.

There are proactive steps that all auto accident victims can take to protect their rights and legal options to seek compensation from their collision. One of the most helpful decisions that a victim may make is to ask for case help from a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. This post will address some of the reasons an attorney may be an asset to a motor vehicle accident victim, but readers should be aware that the information presented does not constitute official legal advice.

ATTORNEYS KNOW THE LAW SO VICTIMS CAN FOCUS ON RECOVERY

Every state has its own set of laws that govern the individuals who live, work and pass through its borders. Maryland is no different, and the laws that dictate what individuals may do and how they may be held liable for the injuries of others can and do change. An accident victim may find themselves confused and overwhelmed by the nuances of the law if they attempt to take it on by themselves; a personal injury attorney who has worked in Maryland can guide their client through the web of statutes and rules that will influence the outcome of their case.

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 Posted on July 08, 2020 in Truck Accidents

When a tractor-trailer barreling down a Maryland highway collides with a passenger vehicle, it’s likely that the occupants of the passenger vehicle will suffer greater injuries than the truck driver. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a big-rig, you can file a personal injury claim against the parties responsible for your accident to recover compensation for any injuries and damages.

WILL ONLY THE TRUCK DRIVER BE HELD RESPONSIBLE?

In most cases, the truck driver will be the first party named in a truck accident lawsuit. Truck drivers, as well as other drivers on the road, have a duty to exercise reasonable care when operating their vehicles. A breach of this duty occurs when a truck driver drives at an excessive rate of speed, fails to stop at a red light, drives too many hours consecutively, or otherwise violates traffic laws or federal trucking regulations. If the truck driver’s breach of duty caused your accident-related injuries, the driver may be sued for negligence.

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 Posted on June 26, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Many residents of Maryland and Virginia are spending time outdoors this summer more than ever before, some riding motorcycles. While this can be a great activity to get outside and view some scenery across the country, the reality is that many other drivers on the roadways don’t pay attention, especially when it comes to motorcycles on the road. The result? Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of motorcyclists are struck by negligent or reckless drivers every year in Maryland and Virginia.

Unfortunately, collisions between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle oftentimes leave the motorcyclist and any passengers in far worse shape than others involved in the crash. Motorcyclists and their passengers could suffer severe injuries in these crashes, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and, in the worst-case scenarios, fatalities may occur.

For those who are able to survive such a crash, there may be legal options to consider. In a personal injury lawsuit, injured victims may be able to recover financial compensation that can be used to pay for mounting healthcare expenses. Some victims will face such expenses for years after a motorcycle accident – perhaps even for the rest of their lives.

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 Posted on June 18, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Car accidents are stressful for every motorist involved, especially if you’re the driver deemed at fault. Both Maryland and Virginia follow at-fault auto insurance laws. Because of these laws, you may fear your policy will pay for all damages incurred by other parties. While this may be the case, it’s crucial to understand the factors that go into assigning fault in collisions.

How fault is determined

In some accidents, one motorist is clearly at fault. You may have been involved in a crash where you broke traffic laws or received a traffic citation. In these cases, you will likely shoulder complete responsibility. And you will likely receive blame if witnesses corroborate that you caused the accident.

Common reasons you could face fault for a collision are:

• You were driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated
• You were making a left-hand turn

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 Posted on June 08, 2020 in Truck Accidents

It is a sad reality that in America each year thousands of people die in car accidents. These deadly incidents are not just tragedies for those who lose their lives, but also for the family members they leave behind. The grieving over a sudden and unexpected loss such as the death of loved one in a car accident can be a difficult process to go through for anyone. But, for those who are also left in a financial bind due to the loss of income that the deceased person brought to the household, the difficulty can be multiplied exponentially.

Any of our readers who have lost a loved one in a car accident that was caused by another party may be able to take legal action. A wrongful death lawsuit could help surviving family members recover financial compensation that can help them when they need it most.

There are some basic elements in any given wrongful death case that must be proven in order to achieve a successful outcome in the case. First, and most obvious, there must be a death. Second, it must be proven that the death in question was caused due to the negligent or reckless actions or omissions of another party. In car accident cases, the most common forms of negligence or recklessness tend to be lack of attentiveness, distraction or even intoxication.

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 Posted on June 06, 2020 in Truck Accidents

When you drive, you interact with thousands of other motorists. Eventually, for whatever reason, you may collide with someone else’s vehicle. While you want to be polite, you should not apologize after a car accident.

If you sustain a serious injury in a motor vehicle accident, you may be eligible to receive significant financial compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages. On the other hand, if you are responsible for the crash, you may receive little compensation or nothing at all. Put simply, when assigning blame, words matter.

Every driver’s duty of care

The drivers with whom you share the road owe you a duty of care. Specifically, they must drive reasonably.

This does not always happen, though. Rather, the driver who collides with you may have had too much to drink or have chosen to drive at an unsafe speed. Alternatively, he or she may have decided to ignore distracted driving prohibitions. Regardless, if a driver breaches his or her duty of care, you may have a valid personal injury claim.

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 Posted on May 27, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Maryland courts have shut down due to the COVID-19 emergency leaving many who were pursuing personal injury claims in dire straits. A person who is litigating a personal injury case is often in serious need of immediate financial compensation to cope with the many expenses that were thrust upon them due to someone else’s irresponsible and negligent acts. A court shutdown has caused their case, and often their health and livelihood, to suffer a damaging halt.

However, the Maryland judiciary has issued plans on how it will reopen courts in the state. Under the five-phase plan, jury trials will recommence in the beginning of October. Currently courts are in phase one of the plan. Phase two will commence on June 5th at 5:00 p.m.

However, courts still have a long way to go. In phase two of the reopening of the civil court system, the court will still be closed to the general public, except for instances that qualify as “urgent matters.” This means that many of those who are seeking the justice they deserve will still have to wait for their day in court.

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 Posted on May 13, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Maryland state law requires drivers to carry car insurance. As a result, in most cases the first step is to attempt to settle with an insurance company. In other cases, you may decide to file a lawsuit against the other driver. Both options progress along a similar timeline.

PREPARING YOUR ACCIDENT CLAIM

The first step of filing an car accident claim generally involves gathering evidence to establish the other driver was responsible for the car accident. This can include photographs of the scene, medical records from resulting injuries, witness testimonies and police statements.

Once you have gathered all of the evidence, the next step is to write a demand letter. This letter states your claim and outlines exactly what you expect from the other party, including which damages, or expenses, you want the other party to cover. Damages can consist of financial expenses like medical bills, as well as non-financial expenses like pain and suffering.

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 Posted on May 12, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Getting into a car accident is a frightening and often expensive event. The crash likely led to expenses to repair or replace the vehicle and may have led to serious injuries. This can result in medical bills and even missed work. What happens after an accident like this? Can you expect compensation? If so, for what?

Whether or not you get compensation depends on who was responsible for the accident. If the accident was the result of another’s negligent or reckless actions, you are likely eligible for compensation. Although the exact answer for the type of compensation will depend on the details of the accident, some examples include:

• Medical expenses. The accident may have been serious enough to warrant an ambulance. If so, you are likely entitled to have the person responsible for the accident cover this expense. Additional examples of medical expenses can include diagnostic tests, additional appointments, physical therapy, medical devices like a wheelchair or crutches and additional in-home services.

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 Posted on May 12, 2020 in Truck Accidents

Rear ended. T-bone. Head on collision. Whatever the type of accident, those who are involved in a car crash will likely experience shock and confusion immediately following the wreck. Getting out of this initial reaction and into a more productive mindset can be difficult. It can help to know these four straight forward steps to follow after an accident.

The exact steps can vary a bit depending on where the accident occurred. Although this piece is pretty widely applicable, there are some portions that focus specifically on how an accident should be handled in Maryland.

Step #1: Call authorities

If possible, move your vehicle so it is not blocking traffic. If the accident was serious, it is important to call authorities. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance.

Step #2: Exchange information

After an accident, all parties involved should exchange insurance information. Get the other driver or drivers names, contact information, license plate, driver license numbers and insurance information.

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