Laurel, MD Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are unfortunately commonplace, and most people have been in an accident or know someone who has. If you were injured in an accident, you might have a legal claim against the other driver.

Before getting started, you should talk to a lawyer about the nature of your accident, as it might help you determine who should be held responsible. Accidents might include T-bone collisions, rear-end accidents, and sideswipes. After an accident, you should call for help and wait for emergency responders and the police. When ready, you should call a lawyer about getting fair compensation for your damages. Your attorney can help you obtain evidence to prove your claims against the defendant. You might have photos from the crash, witness testimony, and medical records to back you up. If successful, you may be awarded damages for monetary losses such as costly medical bills and non-economic damages like emotional distress.

If you were hurt in an auto accident, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras and talk to our car accident lawyers about scheduling a review of your case for no charge. Call us at (410) 694-7291.

Types of Car Accidents in Laurel, MD

How your accident happened is a crucial detail you should review with your lawyer. How the crash occurred might shed some light on who is responsible and what proof you need to support your case.

T-bone accidents can be very serious and are common in intersections. A T-bone accident occurs when one car crashes directly into the side of another car. Often, the people on the side of the vehicle that is impacted are badly hurt. These accidents often occur because a negligent driver blows through a red light or stop sign and hits another car in the middle of the intersection.

Rear-end collisions are another very common kind of accident. People often assume these accidents are only minor fender-benders. While some rear-end crashes are relatively minor, others are extremely serious. Rear-end crashes at red lights might lead to more serious collisions. For example, you might be rear-ended at a red light, pushed into the intersection, and struck by oncoming traffic.

Sideswipe accidents happen when one vehicle brushes up against another. While this might not sound serious, you must consider that these vehicles might be traveling at high rates of speed during the accident.

What to Do After a Laurel, MD Car Accident

Dealing with a car accident can quickly become overwhelming, and it is easy to allow yourself to panic. You should follow a few important steps to make sure you get the help you need, and your legal interests are protected.

First, you should call for emergency help immediately after an accident. If you have access to a phone, call 911 and explain the accident. They should send emergency responders and law enforcement to the accident scene. It is important that you remain at the scene until help arrives. If you leave before first responders or the police get there, you might be charged with a hit and run.

You should try to collect evidence while you wait for help to arrive. This might involve taking photos of the crash, exchanging information with others at the scene, and committing details to memory. If you are badly hurt and cannot safely exit your vehicle, stay put and wait for help.

Once you have been transported to a hospital and received medical care, call a lawyer to discuss getting fair financial compensation. While it is okay to spend some time recovering before beginning legal action, you should avoid waiting too long. The statute of limitations in Maryland for personal injury claims, including those for car accidents, is only 3 years. The sooner you contact a lawyer to get started, the more time they have to prepare your case, and the better your odds of success.

Obtaining Evidence to Prove Your Claims in a Car Accident Case in Laurel, MD

You might still be in pain from your injuries and might not know where to begin hunting for evidence or what kind of evidence is even admissible. Your lawyer can do all the leg work here while you rest and recover.

It is often the case that we need to return to the scene of the accident to begin our search for evidence. Of course, law enforcement officials often quickly clean up accident scenes, and there might be little to return to. Even so, we can use police reports about the accident to track down witnesses who might testify on your behalf.

Proving your injuries to a jury might be difficult if your injuries have recovered. Trials are often scheduled for many months or even years after an accident. As such, plaintiffs have no visible injuries in the courtroom. We can use your hospital records to prove how badly you were hurt.

Claiming Damages in a Laurel, MD Car Accident Case

Your attorney can help you identify and evaluate your damages. This is a crucial part of your case, as any damages that are left out will not be considered by the jury. If damages are mistakenly overlooked, you could lose compensation.

Damages are often based on money. The more money you lost or had to spend because of the car accident, the greater your damages should be. Many plaintiffs claim damages related to medical expenses, the value of their damaged car, lost wages from missing work, and various other costs. Review your expenses carefully with your attorney to accurately calculate these damages.

We should also take stock of how the accident affected you emotionally or psychologically. Accidents can be very traumatic. Plaintiffs might live with conditions like depression, anxiety, or even PTSD after an accident. This psychological turmoil has a way of seeping into other aspects of your life. You might lose happiness in things you once enjoyed. Your career might suffer. You might lose personal relationships. Talk to your lawyer about assessing these damages, as they might be worth considerable compensation.

Reach Out to Our Laurel, MD Car Accident Lawyers for Help Now

After a collision on the road, call (410) 694-7291 and talk to our car accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras about scheduling a review of your case for no charge.