Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

A Maryland personal injury lawyer knows injury law and insurance law. They also have experience dealing with insurance companies and courts. They use these skills to provide the following assistance to their clients:

• Assessing possible legal claims for injuries
• Educating clients about their options so they can make informed decisions
• Assembling evidence to support their arguments
• Filing insurance claims and negotiating to resolve them without litigation
• Taking cases to court when settlements cannot be reached

Although this process may seem straightforward, different types of claims require different skills. Thus, you should carefully consider who will be the best lawyer for your case.

What to Look For When Choosing Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys

As you search for a Maryland personal injury lawyer, you should consider a lawyer’s legal skills and knowledge, experience, and client handling ability. You can gather the information you need to evaluate a lawyer during a free consultation.

During your free meeting, consider asking the following questions:

• How much do you charge?
• How will I receive updates about my case?
• What experience do you have in cases like mine?
• What outcomes have you obtained in similar cases?

During your consultation, you will also discuss your claims. Since injury lawyers typically charge a contingency fee, the lawyer will carefully examine the strength and value of your case.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims Filed in Maryland

Personal injury claims typically arise in certain circumstances.

Car Accidents

Maryland had over 110,000 traffic accidents in 2023, according to the state’s statistics. Over 29,000 people suffered injury or death in these car accidents. Under state law, crash victims can pursue claims against at-fault drivers for negligent or intentional collisions.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrians and cyclists are vulnerable to serious injuries. These accidents are particularly prevalent in cities where more people walk or bicycle. Pedestrians and cyclists can file insurance claims against an at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

Truck Accidents

Trucking companies are liable for collisions when they negligently operate, maintain, or load trucks or trailers. Fortunately, federal law requires trucking companies to have hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial resources for truck accidents.

Motorcycle Accidents

Drivers often fail to see motorcycles, even when they are in plain sight, due to inattentive or distracted driving. Riders injured in these crashes can pursue injury claims against careless drivers.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Premises liability cases can arise when a guest suffers an injury due to a preventable hazard on the property. Common premises liability claims include slip or trip and fall accidents.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice happens when healthcare providers fail to provide reasonably competent and skilled care under the circumstances. Thus, not every negative outcome will trigger a malpractice case. Instead, the patient must show that the provider failed to meet the level of care expected of a reasonably cautious practitioner.

Dog Bites

Maryland holds dog owners strictly liable for dog bites. This means your lawyer can assert a claim regardless of the care exercised by the owner.

Workplace Accidents

State law requires nearly all employers to participate in the workers’ compensation system. In addition to your workers’ comp benefits, you may also have a third-party claim against parties other than your employer, such as negligent drivers or manufacturers of defective equipment.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?

Every personal injury case is unique. The only way to assess whether you have a case is to talk to an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer. However, you should consider speaking to a lawyer anytime you can trace your injuries to someone else’s actions.

When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm?

Many injured people will benefit from talking to a lawyer promptly after the incident that injured them. By delaying, you risk losing your claim or making a mistake that allows the at-fault party to escape liability.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Maryland?

Maryland has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This usually means you must file a lawsuit within three years after your injury. However, you should speak to a lawyer about the deadline for your case because different timelines could apply.

Common Damages in Personal Injury Cases

The compensation you can seek for your injuries covers your economic and non-economic losses, including the following categories.

Medical Bills

You can seek compensation for your past and future medical bills, including amounts you spent or will spend on treatment, medication, and therapy.

Property Damage

Your claim includes the cost of repairing or replacing property damaged by the other party’s acts.

Lost Income

Your losses include the income you could not earn while you were injured or receiving medical care.

Lost Earning Capacity

You can seek compensation for the reduction in your future earnings due to missed work.

Pain and Suffering

Non-economic losses include all the ways your injuries negatively impacted your life. Examples of these losses include pain, suffering, disability, and disfigurement.

Loss of Consortium

Loss of consortium refers to the loss of companionship and sexual relations that a spouse may experience after their loved one is injured.

Serving Personal Injury Clients Across Maryland

Most accident victims in Maryland have ready access to personal injury lawyers, particularly in the following cities:

• Baltimore
• Annapolis
• Frederick
• Silver Spring
• Germantown
• Bethesda

If you live in a smaller town, you will likely find personal injury lawyers in the county seat where your courthouse is located.

Connect With Experienced Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers

Your injuries might result in lasting physical and financial harm. ConsumerShield helps you understand your legal situation. Contact us for a free case evaluation and a referral to a lawyer who can help you.