Camp Springs, MD Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents are often seen as commonplace occurrences, but many accidents result in severe consequences. If you have been injured in a crash, seeking the assistance of a lawyer can aid in your efforts to obtain compensation for the significant expenses you might have incurred.
Unfortunately, after a car crash, you might suffer from severe injuries, and your vehicle might suffer damages. In such a situation, several legal options will be available, including filing an insurance claim and a lawsuit. Car accident injuries can result in significant economic and non-economic losses, and you will need to consider all the damages to maximize your potential compensation. However, to recover these damages, you must have a strong evidence base to prove your case. Our team has the knowledge to get what you need to prove your case.
Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to get your free case assessment with our car accident lawyers.
Methods to Claim Compensation After a Car Accident in Camp Springs, MD
After a car accident in Camp Springs, you might be entitled to compensation if you have sustained injuries or suffered property damage. However, claiming compensation is not a simple process and requires you to navigate the insurance claims process and potentially file a lawsuit. If the insurance company disputes your claim or offers an inadequate settlement, you might need to file a lawsuit. Our car accident attorneys can help you determine the best path forward in your case. The following will help you understand how these options work:
Insurance Claims
After a car accident, one of the first steps you should take is to file an insurance claim to get compensation for any damages or injuries you might have sustained. In Maryland, the automobile insurance system is based on an “at-fault” policy, meaning that the driver who caused the accident is responsible for compensating any injured parties.
There are two ways to file a claim with your insurance company. You might choose to file a claim with your own insurance company if you have collision coverage. Your insurance company will then seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company through a process known as subrogation.
Alternatively, you could file a third-party claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This process involves proving the other driver’s liability and negotiating a settlement to cover your damages. In this case, you would be dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company directly, and the company will determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
In the event that the at-fault driver does not have adequate insurance or is unidentified in a hit-and-run accident, you can make a claim under your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you have this protection in your policy. This type of coverage will help you get compensation for your damages, even if the other driver’s insurance policy cannot cover the full amount.
Lawsuits
After a car accident, filing an insurance claim might not always be enough to cover all the damages incurred or resolve disputes related to liability or the value of your losses. If you find yourself in this situation, you might need to consider filing a lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries and other related expenses.
A personal injury lawsuit is a legal claim that allows you to seek compensation for a variety of damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses stemming from the accident. However, to succeed in such a lawsuit, you must prove that the other driver was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. This is often a challenging task that requires gathering evidence, witness testimony, and expert analysis of the accident scene and other relevant factors.
In cases where a loved one has died in a car accident, eligible family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of claim seeks compensation for the losses suffered by the family members, such as funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and lost future earnings.
In some cases, a vehicle defect might have contributed to the accident, and you might have a product liability claim against the vehicle or parts manufacturer. These types of cases often require expert testimony to prove the existence of the defect and its role in the accident. It might also involve complex legal and technical issues that require our skilled team to navigate successfully.
Damages You Can Claim in a Camp Springs, MD Car Accident Lawsuit
The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, and understanding the range of damages you can claim in a lawsuit is crucial to ensure you receive fair compensation. The following are typical damages claimed in a Camp Springs lawsuit:
Medical Expenses
One of the most immediate and significant costs after a car accident is medical expenses. These can include ambulance fees, hospital bills, costs of medication, physical therapy, surgeries, and any future medical care you might need because of your injuries. Keep all receipts and records of medical treatments related to your accident, as they provide crucial evidence when claiming these damages.
Lost Income
If your injuries prevent you from working, either temporarily or permanently, you can claim lost income. This category includes not only wages you have already lost but also any decrease in earning capacity if you are unable to return to your previous job or work at all. Documentation from your employer and medical professionals can substantiate these claims.
Property Damage
If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, you could claim the cost of repairs. If your car is deemed a total loss, you can claim the fair market value of your vehicle before the accident occurred. Property damage claims can also include other personal items damaged in the accident, such as cell phones or eyeglasses.
Pain and Suffering and Other Non-Economic Damages
When someone is injured in an accident, they often suffer from more than just financial losses. Non-economic damages are losses that cannot be easily quantified in monetary terms, but they still have a significant impact on the individual’s life. These kinds of damages include pain and suffering, which refers to physical or mental distress experienced because of the accident.
Emotional distress is another form of non-economic damage that is often caused by the accident and can lead to anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
Loss of enjoyment of life is a type of non-economic damage that describes how the accident has impacted the individual’s ability to enjoy life as they did before the accident. This can include hobbies, sports, or other activities that they used to enjoy.
Finally, loss of companionship is another type of non-economic damage that refers to the loss of a loved one’s company or support because of the accident.
Our Camp Springs, MD Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
For a free case review with our car accident attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.