Baltimore Car Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident in Baltimore, you may have the basis for an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. A Baltimore personal injury lawyer from Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers may be able to handle the legal process for you. We can identify the at-fault driver and fight for compensation on your behalf when we represent you.

We offer a risk-free consultation. Our legal representation of car accident victims is on a contingency fee basis with no up-front payments required. Our Baltimore car accident lawyers are here for you when you need us. Call today.

Maryland Laws That May Impact Your Baltimore Car Accident Case

There are several laws to be aware of heading into a personal injury claim or lawsuit for car accident damages in Maryland:

Minimum Insurance Coverage

Maryland is an at-fault state, meaning that you would file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver in your accident. As such, all drivers must carry the following insurance coverage:

• $30,000 in bodily injury liability for one person per accident
• $60,000 in bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident
• $15,000 in property damage liability per accident

Additionally, it is mandatory to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage of equal value. However, insurance companies must offer you personal injury protection (PIP). This optional policy would allow you access to funds for medical care regardless of fault. 

Statute Of Limitations

While the law entitles you to seek compensation, it also limits the time you have to file a lawsuit requesting compensation. Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-101 generally gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. There is also a general three-year limit for wrongful death lawsuits, per Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 3-904.

If you do not file your car accident lawsuit by the applicable legal deadline, you might lose the ability to legally compel compensation from the insurer and at-fault driver.

The personal injury attorneys with Adam Smallow can collect evidence of the responsible party’s liability and file your claim within the appropriate deadlines when we represent you.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Baltimore

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, there were 110,401 car accidents across the state in 2023, with more than 15,000 occurring in Baltimore City. Of the reported state-wide accidents:

• 28,577 led to physical injuries
• 81,247 led to property damage
• 577 total lost their lives

If another party’s negligence caused your car accident, they may be liable for your accident-related damages. In a car accident case, driver negligence may include:

Violating a Traffic Law

Maryland has many different traffic laws that drivers must follow in order to legally operate their vehicles. For example, drivers must:

• Adhere to the speed limit
• Yield the right of way when appropriate 
• Avoid illegal turns
• Stop at red lights and stop signs 
• Drive the right way on the road

Drivers who disregard these regulations put themselves and other people at risk, often causing major accidents. 

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Generally, drivers in Maryland must keep their blood alcohol content (BAC) under 0.08% when operating a vehicle to avoid criminal charges. Commercial vehicle drivers have a 0.04% cut-off, and drivers under the age of 21 must maintain a BAC under 0.02% or face legal repercussions.

Maryland uses these regulations because operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol frequently leads to accidents. Alcohol causes drivers to take risks and makes it harder to pay attention to what’s going on with surrounding drivers. 

Distracted Driving

Distracted drivers endanger others because they take their attention off of the road. Some drivers get distracted by texting or playing on their phones. Other drivers become distracted when they eat, drink, or talk to their passengers.

A few seconds of distraction can make a world of difference to drivers. Even looking away from the road for an instant could allow another vehicle to slam on the brakes or change lanes, getting in the way of the distracted driver. 

Aggressive Driving

Finally, some drivers behave very aggressively because they want to reach their destination quickly or because they feel like other drivers are not respecting them. Aggressive drivers often speed, weave between traffic, tailgate, or engage in other dangerous behaviors meant to intimidate others on the road. 

Additional Liability for Car Accidents in Baltimore

In most cases, a driver’s actions are the cause of an accident in Baltimore. However, at other times, there may be another party who is liable. A negligent car mechanic may be liable for an accident if they fail to safely repair or maintain a vehicle. A negligent municipality may be liable for an accident caused by poor design, damaged roads, or a lack of proper signage.

In some cases, accidents occur because manufacturers produce defective parts or vehicles. A defective vehicle could have brakes that do not work properly, for example. These brakes may fail while you’re trying to drive, causing a collision.

A Baltimore car accident lawyer may be able to locate the liable party in your accident and pursue them for fair compensation when we represent you. 

Assess Negligence With the Professionals

If you believe another party’s negligence contributed to or caused your accident, Adam Smallow may be able to help. A member of our car accident team is standing by to provide you with a free, no-obligation case review. Call us today to learn more.

Your Steps After a Baltimore Car Accident

Are you wondering what you should do after a car collision in the Baltimore area? Our accident attorneys can provide you with clear-cut guidance about your options. We keep the lines of communication open 24/7 with a unique text number. 

You can take some steps before you reach out to us. Start building your claim immediately by:

• Contacting the police to report the accident 
• Taking pictures of your injuries and the scene of your collision 
• Getting contact details from the driver who hit you and eyewitnesses
• Seeking medical care 

Many drivers feel unsure where to seek medical treatment after a collision in Baltimore. We can provide you with recommendations for some of the best healthcare providers in the area. These are professionals we trust with our own health and the health of our families. 

Getting medical care quickly is an important step, as it helps establish that the accident led directly to your injuries. It also provides professional accounts of your injuries, so insurance agents cannot try to downplay the severity of your condition.

Find out more about the steps to take after your collision by reaching out to our Baltimore car accident attorneys. We’ll go over all your legal options, handle insurance agents for you, and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve.  

Evidence Our Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers Collect for Your Case

If the police responded to your accident, they may have created a report that can be used as evidence in your case. This document may include key information, such as the date, time, and location of your accident, as well as contact information from the other driver. Your crash report may also provide us with the responding officer’s assessment of fault.

In addition to a police report, the following evidence may be utilized in a car accident case:

• Photos or videos of the accident or your injuries
• Witness statements
• Your medical records
• Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
• Financial statements

We can collect evidence of the responsible party’s liability in your case when we represent you.

Economic and Non-Economic Damages In a Car Accident Case

A car accident can result in significant injuries for victims. Accident victims could have such catastrophic injuries as the following: 

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head, neck, and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Amputations and disabilities

Medical care to treat these severe injuries will have an incredible physical, psychological, and financial impact on the lives of its victims and their families. In many instances, these injuries may require a level 1 trauma center for medical treatment, such as the care given at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the costs could be exorbitant. 

As a victim, your injuries could temporarily or permanently alter your physical ability and appearance, force you to miss work, and make driving a vehicle challenging. Damages such as these may be recoverable in a car accident case.

Depending on the details of your car accident case, you may be able to recover compensation for damages such as:

• Current and future medical bills
• Current and future lost wages
• Property repair or replacement
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Physical disability or disfigurement

A different group of damages may be available in a wrongful death lawsuit.

An important goal of financial compensation after a car accident is to demonstrate the severity of the accident’s impact on your life. Accordingly, we can examine your unique damages and collect evidence of their value when we represent you. 

This evidence may include your medical bills, car repair invoices, your paychecks, and statements from medical experts about your estimated future costs of recovery.

Common Questions From Car Accident Victims in Baltimore

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions our legal team receives from injury victims. Hopefully, our answers here can help. And always remember that you can call for a free case consultation.

Do I Need a Baltimore Car Accident Attorney?

Technically, there is no law that states you must employ a lawyer. However, a lawyer can be an incredible asset when seeking fair compensation from the insurance companies. 

Our legal team is aware of the tactics insurers and their adjusters use to devalue and deny claims. We know how to compile car accident cases and counter these tactics. Best of all, a lawyer handling your case will allow you the time necessary to see your doctors, follow through on your treatment, and recover in peace. 

When Should I Contact a Baltimore Car Accident Attorney?

You should contact our law office when you feel ready. Keep in mind that the sooner you contact our law office, the sooner we can begin your case. Given enough time, we can ensure your case complies with the statute of limitations and preserve evidence before it may be lost, forgotten, or destroyed. 

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?

Your car accident claim is worth the value of your injuries and losses. Any settlement offer you receive should reflect the value of returning you to the life you had before the accident. 

No two accidents are exactly the same, so no two settlement offers will be either. What we can tell you is that we will fight any low settlement offers to get you the maximum compensation possible for your case. 

Will My Car Accident Case Go to Court?

Most cases are settled out of court. Insurance companies are more inclined to settle a case than let a judge or jury decide on a court award. For this reason, it’s in your best interest to contact us as soon as possible so that you retain your rights before the statute of limitations expires. 

When we work through the claims process with the insurance company, though, we will be prepared to take our evidence and arguments to court if we cannot reach a settlement. 

Get a Free Case Evaluation From Adam Smallow Today

If you or someone you love was injured by a negligent driver, our Baltimore car accident lawyer may be able to help you. Our team can handle all of the legal work in your case and take you From Hurt to Help®.

Secure a free case assessment from our car accident team. We represent our clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you are not obligated to pay us unless and until you recover compensation via a settlement offer or court award. Contact us today.