Laurel, MD Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury claims are very common and make up a large portion of civil claims filed every year. The field of personal injury law is vast, and you should find a lawyer experienced with claims similar to yours.
You might be eligible to submit a claim for personal injuries in Maryland if you experienced bodily harm or injuries directly from someone else’s actions. While personal injury cases might involve an assortment of claims, bodily harm must be one of them. To prove your claims, our legal team can help you track down witnesses with valuable information, records pertaining to the accident and your injuries, and any existing photos or videos of the accident. Damages in personal injury claims might be substantial, with plaintiffs claiming medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain, suffering, and more. It is best to speak with an attorney about your case as the legal system is complex, and a lawyer can help you fight for fair compensation.
If someone caused you to be hurt, call (410) 694-7291 and speak with our personal injury lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras about scheduling a free evaluation of your legal claims.
Who Can Submit a Personal Injury Claim in Laurel, MD?
Personal injury claims are very common. Of all the civil lawsuits filed each year, a large portion of them involve personal injury claims. Even so, many plaintiffs are unsure what kind of case they have on their hands. If you are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, you should talk to an attorney about whether your case meets the criteria for this kind of claim or if you have a different kind of legal claim.
Generally, anyone injured by someone else may file a personal injury claim. There is sometimes a bit of confusion over what makes a personal injury “personal.” While some people misconstrue this term to refer to any injuries of a personal or private nature, the real meaning is a bit more literal. A personal injury is some injury to your body or your person.
Accidents are common in personal injury claims and tend to be based on the legal concept of negligence. This involves the defendant’s duty, breach of duty, causation, and the plaintiff’s damages. The duty is whatever legal obligation of safety or care the defendant owed to the plaintiff. The breach is how the defendant violated their duty. Causation refers to the breach being the direct cause of the accident. Finally, your damages must be real, not mere possibilities or hypotheticals.
How to Prove Your Personal Injury Claims in Laurel, MD
Once you understand how you were injured and what kind of legal claims you have, your next step should be to figure out how to prove those legal claims in court. Evidence is a crucial part of your case. Even if your case settles out of court and you never have a trial, you still need evidence in your corner.
Many accidents or incidents that lead to injuries involve at least a few witnesses. Eyewitnesses are people who saw the defendant cause your injuries. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, an eyewitness might be another driver who watched the crash unfold. Other witnesses might not have seen the accident but still have important information relevant to the case. For example, suppose you believe the driver who hit you was intoxicated during the crash. We might call the bartender who served them alcohol as a witness.
Certain records related to your case might be introduced as evidence. Our personal injury lawyers might use your hospital records to prove the severity and extent of your injuries. This is often important in cases where the plaintiff’s injuries recover by the time of their trial, and the jury cannot see the injuries for themselves.
Photos and videos are excellent forms of evidence, and they might be used to show the jury important details from the accident scene or your injuries. If you can, it is a good idea to take some photos right after being injured. Alternatively, we can search for security cameras that might have recorded your injuries on video.
Available Damages in Laurel, MD Personal Injury Cases
Another critical step in your fight for compensation is evaluating damages. Your damages reflect the numerous injuries, losses, and even personal experiences from your accident. Some damages cost plaintiffs actual money and are easier to assess. Other damages are not based on money but on experiences and are far more subjective.
Financial losses might include the cost of medical treatment for your injuries, the value of damaged or destroyed property, and the value of income you lost because your injuries prevented you from working. These costs can be overwhelming and represent a lot of money. The defendant should have to pay for these costs, not you.
More subjective damages might include physical pain and emotional suffering, among others. These damages must be assessed differently since they might not have a price tag. The compensation appropriate for your pain and suffering might vary based on your perception of the experience. The greater an impact these experiences have on your life, the more compensation you deserve.
Why Hire a Lawyer for Your Personal Injury Case in Laurel, MD
Plaintiffs sometimes try to handle their personal injury claims on their own. While you are not required to hire a lawyer, it is smart to do so. Having an experienced lawyer by your side can help you win your case so you get the compensation you deserve. Without a lawyer, you might be more likely to lose or encounter setbacks you are not prepared to deal with.
A lawyer can help you make sure you get fair compensation. This might involve fighting for compensation in a trial or working out a settlement agreement with the defendant. If you do not have a lawyer, the defendant might bulldoze you in a trial or lowball you with a small settlement offer. Your lawyer can help you build a strong case for your trial or negotiate a better settlement.
Contact Our Laurel, MD Personal Injury Lawyers for Support
If you were injured because of someone else’s behavior, call our personal injury lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 and arrange a free review of your legal claims.