Charles County, MD Car Accident Lawyer

Your life can be turned upside down after an accident. the healing process can be frustrating, painful, and overwhelming for you and your family. the last thing you’d want is engaging in an uphill battle against the at-fault driver and their insurance company. However, you don’t have to go through this stressful process alone.

Our Charles County, MD car accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras, can help you hold the liable parties accountable for your losses. We can help you file your personal injury lawsuit and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our law offices today to schedule a free, confidential consultation on your case. Our phone number is (410) 694-7291.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Charles County, MD

Keeping your composure after a car crash in Charles County, Maryland may be difficult, especially if you were injured. Despite this terrifying experience, you need to follow a series of steps that can prove to be crucial in future proceedings.

The first thing you should do is make sure you are safe as well as others around you. Call 911 and report your crash so you and those involved in the crash can get medical attention.

Once you have been medically cleared from any danger, you should call the police and report your accident. A law enforcement official will investigate the crash scene and write a report. This report can prove to be crucial, moving forward. Make sure to request a copy and keep it in your record.

Also, make sure to gather as much information from the accident as you can. You may use your phone to take pictures or record the crash scene. Additionally, you can take notes from all parties involved.

Make sure to gather vital information such as the parties’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information. All of these data can be helpful when filing a claim. Our Charles County, MD car accident lawyers can guide you and help you understand what to expect from your case.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Charles County

Throughout Charles County and Maryland, car accidents are caused by numerous reasons. In some situations, they are unavoidable accidents. However, in many others, it is the negligence or carelessness of another driver that causes a car crash.

One of the most common reasons for car collisions is distracted driving. Unfortunately, more devices are fighting for a driver’s attention in this day and age than ever before.

From the onboard technology, including GPS and satellite radio, drivers have many opportunities to take their eyes off the road. Additionally, the almost universal smartphone allows a driver to text or surf the internet while operating their vehicle.

Another cause of accidents in Charles County is reckless or aggressive driving. Tailgating, speeding, improper lane changes, and other reckless conduct contribute to accidents along Maryland roadways.

In some situations, drivers will engage in unreasonably unsafe behavior when they are experiencing road rage. When people are injured because another driver acted recklessly, our Charles County attorneys are devoted to holding them responsible for any injuries or damage they cause.

Drivers who take to the road under the influence of drugs or alcohol present a danger to themselves and every other motorist. When a person’s physical and mental capabilities are compromised, their ability to make decisions or react to changing road conditions is significantly reduced.

Proving Fault in a Charles County Car Accident

Understanding what caused an accident is one part of the equation – establishing fault is another vital component in a personal injury lawsuit arising from a car crash. Maryland is an at-fault state.

Under Maryland law, the driver who caused the accident is liable for any injuries or damages. Typically, this is paid through their insurance provider.

However, it also means that if you want to recover your financial losses, such as medical expenses or lost income, through a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove another driver caused the accident.

One of the best ways to improve your chances of establishing another driver was at fault is to retain our experienced Charles County car accident lawyer. Insurance companies will have attorneys and adjusters working to either reduce or deny a settlement, either through a settlement negotiation or in court.

Unfortunately, if you are found to be partially responsible for an accident in Maryland, you are prohibited from recovering any damages in a lawsuit. it does not matter how much you contributed.

If a jury finds that you were 2% at fault, you will not be able to recover any damages from the other driver or their insurance company.

Therefore, while our office works to prove that the other driver was negligent and caused your injuries, we will also fight against any allegations that you contributed to the crash.

By taking photos of the accident scene, reviewing any video surveillance, collecting police reports, and gathering witness testimony, our office will work to establish that another driver’s negligence caused your accident.

Suing for a Car Accident in Charles County, MD

Like many other states in the country, Maryland is an “at-fault” state. Under this system, you can file a lawsuit against the liable parties for your car accident.

This can provide you with a unique chance of getting compensation compared to other states who play under the “no-fault” rule. Generally, a person who suffers a car accident in a no-fault state usually gets compensation from their insurance regardless of who was responsible for the crash.

If you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit, you can fight for compensation. Generally, a personal injury claim is based on a negligence theory.

As the plaintiff, you are expected to show through the “preponderance of the evidence,” that the at-fault party was negligent. To achieve this, you must meet a specific standard.

The first thing you should do in your personal injury case is to demonstrate the defendant owed you a legal duty of reasonable caution when driving their car.

As you may know, all drivers are expected to drive safely in order to prevent any foreseeable harm to others on the road. For instance, you may provide evidence establishing the defendant owed you a duty to drive safely, as expected from a prudent, reasonable person.

After establishing the defendant’s legal duty, you are expected to show he or she failed to adhere to such an obligation. You can claim the defendant was unable to exercise proper caution or take appropriate safety measures to prevent your crash.

For instance, you can provide evidence showing the defendant was speeding, following you too close, or drunk driving at the moment of your accident.

Furthermore, you will need to prove the defendant’s negligence caused you harm and losses for which you seek a legal remedy. Once you have shown the existence of all of these elements to the court, you may get compensation for things such as your medical expenses, past and future lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our Charles County car accident lawyers can help you.

Should I Talk to My Insurance Company After a Car Accident in Charles County?

The compensation or “damages” you can obtain after a car accident can vary depending on its specific circumstances. Every car crash is different, and it requires analyzing its particular details.

Generally, the court will examine the severity of the crash and the extent of your losses to determine how much your case may be worth.

Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to assigning a monetary value to your claim. it is up to the jury in your case to come up to a sum commensurate with your losses.

Many times, the defendant’s insurance company may try to reach out and offer to settle your case outside the court. In other words, they will provide you with a specified amount of money in exchange for solving the case.

Getting a check after a crash may sound like a good idea. However, many unsuspecting victims may not realize the defendant’s initial settlement offer can account for a fraction of what they otherwise could get by taking their case to court.

Typically, insurance companies make settlement offers based on your injuries and property losses. Once they work their “proprietary formula” to determine the “value” of your case, they will make their move to settle the case.

However, insurance companies may not cover essential aspects of your crash, such as your mental anguish, pain, and suffering. Suing the liable parties and taking them to court may give you a better fighting chance to get the compensation you need.

Do not take the initial offer from the liable parties before talking to your lawyer. Getting legal assistance during this time is essential. Your car accident attorney understands how insurance companies work, and they can fight to get you the best possible outcome for your case.

Proving Your Damages After a Charles County Car Accident

Once the cause and fault of your accident have been established, our Charles County lawyers will begin building your compensation claim. Victims injured in a car accident are entitled to seek different types of damages through a personal injury lawyer in Charles County, MD.

Economic damages are the easiest to understand. These damages include any financial losses you have suffered because of your injury. By collecting medical bills, receipts, and expert testimony regarding future treatment, we will look to estimate the full economic impact of your medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Additionally, by working with your employer and financial experts, our office will calculate the income you have lost due to the car accident. Lost income also includes any income you would have earned in the future had it not been for your injury.

You are also entitled to be compensated for your pain and suffering. These non-economic damages are more difficult to understand and challenging to calculate. Our office will place a monetary value on the emotional stress and physical pain you endured because of your injury.

For example, you could be compensated if you are suffering from anxiety, headaches, or are unable to participate in activities you used to before your injury. By speaking with you, friends, family, and healthcare providers, our office will establish a justifiable amount for your pain and suffering.

Call Our Charles County, MD Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver in Charles County, MD, we can help. At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, Your Official Injury Lawyers, we understand the frustration and sense of hopelessness that follow a severe car crash. For this and other reasons, we dedicate all of our efforts to providing you with the legal assistance you need.

We will fight tirelessly to hold the liable parties accountable for your losses and get you the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our car accident attorneys today at (410) 694-7291.