Aberdeen, MD Car Accident Lawyer

People in Aberdeen rely on their cars for work, errands, and simple enjoyment. Unfortunately, driving a car could be dangerous. Collisions between cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles leave victims facing devastating injuries that could seriously affect their lives. When you were injured because of another’s carelessness or recklessness, they should be held responsible for your harm and financial losses.

Our Aberdeen, MD car accident lawyer has represented injured victims for decades. the attorneys and staff at Rice, Murtha & Psoras are committed to helping those hurt in car accidents receive the compensation they rightfully deserve. Call (410) 694-7291 to schedule a free consultation.

Should You Hire an Aberdeen, MD Attorney Immediately After a Car Accident?

If you have been hurt in a car accident in Aberdeen, it is critical to retain experienced legal representation. the Maryland statute of limitations begins running as soon as your accident occurs. This deadline means that time is already running out.

Evidence is crucial in any personal injury claim, and a car accident lawsuit is no different. By investigating your crash as soon as possible, our office will have access to the evidence while it is still fresh. Gathering this evidence includes taking photographs of the accident scene, preserving any video evidence from surveillance cameras, and questioning witnesses before important details fade from memory. Additionally, we will be able to work closely with your healthcare providers to accurately document your injuries, treatment, and recovery prognosis. By acting quickly, you increase the chances of maximizing your settlement offer or jury award.

Additionally, our office must examine the accident to determine what happened. Maryland follows the “contributory negligence” doctrine. Under this doctrine, a person is prohibited from recovering any compensation for their injuries if they are found to have contributed to an accident at all. If we allow any evidence go to waste, it could provide the defense or an insurance company a window to argue that you were partially at fault.

Calculating the Value of Your Injury Claim After an Aberdeen Car Accident

The Maryland personal injury attorneys and staff at Rice, Murtha & Psoras are dedicated to helping injured victims receive the maximum compensation possible. Building your case requires thoroughly evaluating how much your claim is worth. By working with medical professionals, we will estimate your past and future healthcare expenses. Additionally, our office will document your current lost wages and any income you will lose because of your injury. By compiling this information and calculating your pain and suffering, our experienced Aberdeen car accident attorney will place a good faith value on your claim. Understanding the value of your claim is essential when negotiating with an insurance company or deciding to take your case to court.

Proving Fault in an Car Accident Lawsuit

If you want to be compensated for your injuries and financial losses after a car accident, you need to prove another person was responsible for the crash. In a court of law, it usually means proving the other party was negligent. Establishing negligence requires demonstrating four elements.

You must show that the other party owed you a duty of care. In a car accident case, that is usually relatively easy – every driver owes every other driver a duty to operate their vehicle safely.

Next, you must prove that the other party breached that duty. In terms of a car accident, it means that the other driver acted in such a way that you were placed in an unreasonably dangerous situation. For instance, if a driver is drunk or recklessly speeding and swerving between lanes, their conduct would be breaching the duty of care that was owed.

You must also establish that the other party’s conduct caused your injury. In some instances, this is not difficult. For example, if a driver ignores a red light and collides with your car, their carelessness caused the accident and, potentially, your injury. In some situations, when there are multiple causes or if the origin of your injury is questioned, additional and compelling evidence is required to prove causation.

Finally, you must have actual damages. If you were injured and incurred any medical costs, you have recoverable damages.

Monetary Damages Available to Car Accident Victims in Aberdeen

The final element in proving negligence is demonstrating you have suffered actual damages. A car accident victim is entitled to seek several types of damages in a personal injury lawsuit.

An injured individual could recover for their financial losses. These losses include any medical expenses, such as hospital bills, medication costs, and co-pays. They are not limited to the initial care and encompass future medical costs and treatments. Additionally, a victim could recover their lost past and future wages. If you are permanently disabled due to your injury, you should be compensated for the years of income you would have lost.

Your available damages do not end with what you can document with a receipt. Victims of a car accident could also be compensated for their pain and suffering. While these types of damages are challenging to calculate, our knowledgeable Aberdeen car accident attorneys will work to estimate a just amount.

Call Our Aberdeen, MD Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

A car accident could leave a victim facing a long physical recovery coupled with increasing medical expenses and a loss of income. Our car accident lawyer is dedicated to helping those injured in crashes fight for their legal rights. If another person was at fault for your injury, they should be held liable. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to schedule a free and confidential appointment.