Immediately after a car accident, your first concern should be making sure that you and your passengers are safe and well. Once the situation calms down and all injuries have been treated, you can begin to think about filing a lawsuit against whoever is responsible for your crash.
To find out if a Clinton personal injury lawyer can help you, call the Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers today. We serve Clinton and elsewhere in Prince George’s County.
How Car Accidents Happen In Maryland
There is no “average” car accident. Every crash has different outcomes and happens for different reasons. There are numerous laws that try to discourage particularly dangerous driving behaviors. For example, all of the activities listed below are regulated or illegal in the state of Maryland, as summarized by the Government Highway Safety Association.
Reasons for accidents in Maryland include:
- Drinking and driving: The connection between alcohol and dangerous driving behavior is well established.
- Distracted driving: The most common source of distraction is the cell phone. Texting and driving is explicitly banned by Maryland state law.
- Speeding: The speed limit on Maryland interstates is 70 miles an hour. Going faster than this—or going at 70 miles an hour in dangerous conditions (e.g., a rainstorm)—increases your risk of crashing.
- Teen driving: No matter how conscientious they are, teen drivers just do not have the experience and maturity of older drivers. Their ability to drive at night or with passengers is regulated.
How can you tell if your car accident qualifies you for damages? One good way to figure it out is to hire a lawyer. They will investigate your case from top to bottom, seeking evidence that the accident caused your injuries and that the party you are suing should pay you compensation. If you would like to learn more, call the Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers today. We can assign a Clinton car accident lawyer to fight for your rights.
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Filing For Damages In Clinton, MD
According to Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5–101, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. The statute for wrongful death lawsuits, found at Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3–904, gives you three years from the date of your loved one’s death to file such a lawsuit.
Your accident may qualify you for two different kinds of damages. The first, non-economic damages, includes whatever physical or mental harm you sustained, like:
- Pain and suffering, e.g., changes to your physical and mental health
- Disability, e.g., the loss or loss of use of any body part
- Reduced quality of life, e.g., the inability to perform necessary tasks (e.g., bathing) without help
- Loss of consortium, e.g., the negative effects of your injuries on your marriage
- Loss of society or companionship, e.g., the fact that your deceased loved one is no longer around to care for you
The second, economic damages, includes whatever financial harm you sustained, like:
- Medical expenses, e.g., the money you spent to save your life or treat your injuries
- Lost wages, e.g., the money you lost from missing work due to your injuries
- Funeral expenses, e.g., the money you spent to lay your loved one to rest and settle their estate
No matter what types of damages you sue for, you will need to calculate an exact dollar amount to go with each one. This dollar amount represents what you believe your injuries are worth.
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Considerations After Your Car Accident In Clinton, MD
While your personal injury case is important, your physical health should be your top priority. It’s important to take every step necessary to receive the medical care you require.
In the aftermath of a car accident, you should seek medical care for any injuries you receive. This is true for devastating injuries, but even seemingly minor injuries should also be checked out by a doctor. In the days that follow your accident, the nagging pain you feel could worsen into a severe injury. Any delay in seeking treatment could make it impossible to fully recover.
Seeking immediate care is only one consideration after your accident. To ensure you heal as much as possible, it is necessary to keep up with your ongoing care. If you fail to follow your doctor’s orders, you could put your health and legal claim in jeopardy. By seeking care, you could create a paper trail of medical records that supports your injury case.
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You Can Afford Our Team’s Legal Help
Many people face sudden and unexpected financial strain following a car accident. Missing work can dramatically reduce your income, and medical bills can add up fast. Given this financial strain, the thought of hiring an attorney might seem out of reach. The good news is that you can hire our firm at no out-of-pocket cost.
Our law firm takes car accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. What that means for you is that we will collect our fee by keeping a portion of what we recover in your case. Until we recover damages on your behalf, you will not owe us a dollar. This allows you to move forward with your case without worrying about how you are going to pay for legal help.
Having an attorney take your case on a contingency-fee basis allows you to move forward with your case without carrying any of the risks. In the rare cases where we are unsuccessful, our clients owe us nothing.
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How We Will Manage Your Car Accident Case In Clinton
Lawsuits involve a lot of time and work, especially when you are unfamiliar with the law and the legal process. Your case may run more smoothly if you hire a lawyer to work on your behalf. The Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers can take the lead in all of the following areas:
Opening An Investigation
The police have likely already investigated your car accident. How is your lawyer’s investigation different? Your lawyer’s main goal is to find evidence showing that:
- Your injuries were caused by the accident.
- Your accident was caused by the party you are suing.
- Both the accident and your injuries have had a big financial and psychological impact on your life.
To find evidence supporting these three points, your lawyer will look at police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, and more.
Evaluating Your Losses
We aim to secure the best possible outcome for your injury case––and that means recovering the compensation you need. We will determine your losses’ value by examining your situation. Our calculations will consider:
- The effect of your injury on your life
- Your financial losses
- Your missed time from work and reduced earning capacity
- Any changes in your relationships with others
- Your estimated recovery period
The state of Maryland notes that you can recover up to $905,000 for your non-economic damages. We will fight for every dime you’re owed.
Protecting You From Bad Faith Insurance Practices
When you sign up with an insurance company, they’re all well wishes and smiles. When you file a claim, however, matters change––and you could have trouble getting the coverage you need. That’s where our law firm can step in.
We can protect you from bad faith insurance practices that threaten to derail your claim. For instance, the insurer may offer less than you’re owed. We will counter that low offer with our own calculations. We stand between you and any party that prevents you from seeking damages.
Going After Compensation
In most cases, if you receive any compensation, it will be paid out by the liable party’s insurance company. Therefore, it is your lawyer’s goal to build a case so convincing that the insurance company has no choice but to pay what you are asking for.
We can do this in one of two ways. The first (and faster) way is through negotiations. Your lawyer will sit down with the insurance company’s representatives and do their best to reach a satisfactory pretrial settlement.
The second way is through a trial. We only take this step if negotiations fall through or if the insurance company refuses to negotiate at all. Trials are more time-consuming and stressful than negotiations. Sometimes, however, going to court is the only way to get the money you need.
Advising And Supporting You
We are never too busy to answer your questions and concerns. Get in touch if you need answers, want to update us about a new development in your case, or are unsure of what to do next. We can even recommend trusted, highly qualified medical providers to treat you for your injuries that our team would go see if we were hurt in an accident.
Begin Your Free Case Review With Our Clinton Accident Team Today
Still have questions or concerns? That is what the Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers is here for. Call us today. You do not just have to email or call us. We provide our clients with a unique phone number for 24/7 text communication. Even before you hire a Clinton car accident lawyer, we can help you by assessing your case at no cost or obligation to you.
Call or text (410)777-8960 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form