Aberdeen Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can occur due to various reasons, some of which are unavoidable and some of which happen due to a driver’s negligence. If you suffered injuries in a car crash that another driver caused, you may be more focused on recovering and returning to as normal a life as possible rather than on receiving fair compensation for your injuries.

That is where Adam Smallow can help. Our legal team is ready to provide advice, helping you determine the best path forward for your particular situation.

As Aberdeen personal injury lawyers, our law firm has seen the devastating effects an automobile accident can have on the victims. Some people spend months trying to recover, and some never recover fully. Call Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation regarding your case and learn more about your legal options.

Compensation You May Seek for Your Accident Injuries

As the victim of an Aberdeen car accident, you have the right to demand compensation for your losses. With Adam Smallow, we want to take you From Hurt to Help®. Your damages may include any of the following losses: 

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement
• Wrongful death

Every case is different, but Adam Fights for the compensation that reflects your personal losses, including those that impact your quality of life. 

Common Victims in Injury Accidents

Auto accidents in Maryland come with a variety of circumstances and outcomes. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) reported 566 fatalities on roads in the state in 2022. The state further broke down fatalities into the following categories:

• Motor vehicles: Where young drivers, mature drivers, and unrestrained occupants accounted for 233 deaths.
• Pedestrians:Where a pedestrian accounted for 130 deaths.
• Motorcyclists: Where a motorcyclist accounted for 74 deaths
• Bicyclists:Where cyclists accounted for 11 of the deaths.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, those riding in a passenger car accounted for 37% of the fatalities. Those in a pickup truck or SUV had 20% of fatalities, while motorcyclists recorded 14% of the fatalities. Pedestrians had 23% of the fatalities.

Single-vehicle crashes resulted in 51% of the fatalities in Maryland in 2022, and multiple-vehicle crashes caused 49% of the deaths.

Serious Injuries in Accidents

In addition to the fatalities, car accidents can result in severe to catastrophic injuries. Severe injuries often require hospitalization at either UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center or a similar facility and time missing work. If you came out of an accident that was not your fault with significant injuries, you have the right to seek damages to compensate you for medical bills, pain, suffering, and a reduction in your quality of life.

As an Aberdeen car accident lawyer, we are ready to help you fight for a fair settlement from the insurance company of the at-fault driver. 

Contact Adam Smallow for a free consultation. 

Causes of Injury Car Accidents

If you choose to file a personal injury claim against the other driver, you and your attorney will need to show that the other driver acted in a negligent manner.

Negligence means that the other driver could have taken a different action to prevent the accident. It does not mean you need to show that the driver acted in a purposeful manner to cause the crash, although purposeful intent can be a sign of negligence.

Violating Traffic Laws

One of the most common ways a driver behaves negligently is through violating a state traffic law. This behavior can include:

• Reckless driving
• Making an illegal turn
• Failing to maintain a lane
• Failing to yield to a pedestrian
• Driving without a valid driver’s license

After an accident, law enforcement officials will investigate, looking to determine why the crash occurred and whether either driver should be held responsible.

One of the ways to show responsibility and negligence is through the issuance of a traffic ticket. If the police issue the other driver a traffic ticket, you can use this information to strengthen your case for a personal injury claim.

Drunken Driving

If the other driver who caused your crash was drinking alcohol or taking drugs before climbing behind the wheel, this could have contributed to the accident. Even a small amount of alcohol or drug use could cause a driver to have a lapse in judgment while driving, resulting in an accident.

Distracted Driving

Another situation that causes danger for those traveling on Maryland roads is when a driver does not focus on the road while driving. Using a smartphone, eating, drinking, performing personal grooming, and listening to music can all result in distraction.

Under Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 21-1124.2, it is illegal to use a smartphone for texting or calling while you are driving. If the driver who caused your accident was distracted behind the wheel, this can show negligence and strengthen your case.

Malfunctioning Vehicle

If the other driver does not keep the vehicle in good working condition, such as by replacing balding tires or malfunctioning brakes, this can play a role in a crash. It could also be a sign that the other driver was acting negligently.

Deadline to File Your Car Accident Claim

The statute of limitations establishes the legal deadline for filing lawsuits. Under Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-101, you typically have three years to file your personal injury lawsuit with the Harford County courthouse. If you are pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit, you also have three years under Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 3-904. However, the deadline for a wrongful death case begins on the day your loved one passed. 

The courts will bar your lawsuit if you miss the deadline in your case. In turn, the insurance companies will be unmotivated to negotiate your claim if you lose the right to sue. If you contact us early enough, though, we can protect your rights and deal with the insurance companies for you. 

Legal Representation Under a Contingency-Fee Agreement

At Adam Smallow, we are keenly aware of the difficulties you are facing, which is why we offer certain benefits to our clients. For one, we help them find the best medical providers possible for their injuries. Next, we give them a special text number to reach their personal injury attorney at any time. Plus, we work on contingency. 

Under a contingency agreement, there are no upfront fees. We only receive our attorney fees if we obtain a settlement or court award in your favor. Our payment is a preapproved percentage of your compensation. 

Let Us Help Give You Time to Heal

After a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities of doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, medications, and calls from the insurance company. Couple those concerns with an inability to work because of your injuries, and you have a lot to deal with after a crash.

The team at Adam Smallow can take some of those responsibilities off your plate, allowing you to tend to your family and your health. We can take over communication and negotiation with the insurance company of the other driver, fighting to get you the maximum compensation possible and giving you the time you need to heal.

Call Adam Smallow About Your Aberdeen Car Accident Today

Count on us as an Aberdeen car accident lawyer to represent your interests throughout the claims process. Should the insurance company refuse to come to a fair settlement, we can stand by your side during a court trial, too. 

Call us for a free review of your case.