Baltimore Limo Accident Lawyer
Limousine accidents can turn a special day into a terrible disaster. People usually use limos for weddings, proms, special parties, or big events, and the absolute last thing that people expect is to get into an accident. Unfortunately, limo accidents are responsible for injury and death for numerous people in the U.S. each year, and families can be changed forever by these serious injuries.
If you or a loved one was involved in a limo accident, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today. Our Baltimore limo accident and injury lawyers represent injury victims and their families and fight to get them the compensation they need after a serious limousine accident. To schedule a free legal consultation with our attorneys today, call us at (410) 694-7291.
Suing for a Limousine Accident in Baltimore
Limousine accidents can affect the lives of many people. Whether you were injured as a passenger in the limo, the driver or passenger in another car, or as the limo driver, you might be entitled to sue whoever was at fault for the accident. There may be insurance policies that can cover your injuries, but in many cases a lawsuit will be required to get the full damages you are entitled to.
In a lawsuit for limo accident injuries, you must sue the at-fault driver as the primary defendant. If this was the limo driver, you can also usually sue the limo company in their role as the driver’s employer. This can allow you to get your damages paid by the limo company and their insurance policy instead of relying on the individual driver to pay your damages. If the other driver was at fault for the crash, you might be able to sue them for their fault instead of the limo driver, which can be the best route to recovery if you were injured while working as a limo driver.
In any accidents involving a limo, there is usually an insurance policy that works to cover the damages. Limo companies, transportation companies, and even taxi companies usually have high-dollar insurance policies that cover the passengers and any victims of the crash regardless of who was at fault. However, the damages that they pay might not be as high as you need. If they offer a low settlement or a reduced payout, you may need to sue the limo company to get full damages.
Damages for Limo Accident Injuries in Baltimore
Injuries from a limo accident can be severe. Car accident injuries in general can range from mild cuts and scrapes to severe brain trauma, back injuries, and amputation. In a limo, there is less safety, so injuries can often be worse. Many limos are actually made from cars that are cut in half and welded together again with additional structure, which can mean reduced safety and structural integrity along the length. In addition, the lack of seatbelts can make these accidents even worse for the passengers.
If you suffered severe injuries in a limo accident, you should be entitled to compensation for the medical expenses to treat your injuries, any wages you missed while recovering from the injuries, any ongoing wages you will miss because of permanent injuries, and the physical pain and mental suffering you faced because of the crash and the injuries. In many cases, this can yield substantial compensation, especially if multiple members of the same family were injured together in the crash.
If a loved one was killed in the crash, you might be entitled to even higher damages. Damages for wrongful death from a limo accident can be vital in helping a family move forward with their lives after the death of a loved one. Damages to cover the expenses the family faces, such as end-of-life medical care and funeral and burial expenses, can be important. In addition, compensation for lost household services, lost spousal services, and lost companionship can be helpful for grieving family members.
Talk to a lawyer about what your case might be worth. Many insurance policies will not pay damages for noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, so it is vital to sue to get coverage for potentially high damages in those cases.
Proving Fault in a Limo Crash in Baltimore
As mentioned, you typically have to start your case by suing the at-fault driver. You can determine which driver is at fault by looking at which driver caused the accident by failing to follow traffic laws. In many cases, you will be able to prove that the limo driver made an error such as running a red light or failing to yield the right of way to another car. In many cases, the court will assign a share of the blame to each party involved and divide up how much each party owes in damages.
If you were a passenger, it is almost impossible that you would be at fault for the crash. This means that you can safely sue the limo driver and the other driver if they both shared fault in the crash. If you were injured while driving another car, your lawyer’s goal will be to assign 100% of the blame to the other driver, since Maryland law blocks cases where the victim shared some of the blame in the crash.
In some cases, the limo company might also share direct fault in causing the accident. While they can be held responsible for their role as the limo driver’s employer, they can also be held liable for putting a dangerous vehicle on the road or hiring a negligent driver. If the limo company knew that the limousine was dangerous or defective in some way – or if it failed to pass an inspection – they can be held accountable for this reckless behavior, and it might even entitle you to punitive damages.
Call Our Baltimore Limo Accident Victim’s Attorney for a Free Case Consultation
If you were involved in a limo crash, you could be left with serious injuries and disabilities that require substantial compensation. Especially if you lost a loved one in the crash, you might be entitled to file a lawsuit to seek damages for your losses. For a free legal consultation on your case, call the experienced Baltimore limo accident and injury attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras today. Our phone number is (410) 694-7291.