Driving is a normal part of our day-to-day lives. Unfortunately, it only takes one negligent driver on the road to cause a serious accident. If you are hurt in a crash, get emergency help and contact a lawyer to discuss how to get financial compensation.
You may have several options for compensation, and your lawyer can advise you on which ones work best for your specific situation. Many drivers pursue insurance claims and can file third-party claims against the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may rely on certain first-party insurance policies that you have. Still, a private settlement might be a possibility, or you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Get an initial case evaluation for free from our car accident lawyers by calling Rice Law at (410) 694-7291.
How Do You Get Fair Compensation After a Car Accident in Mays Chapel?
Getting fair compensation is rarely easy, and you should get help from a qualified lawyer right away. Below are some common legal options for obtaining compensation, although you should discuss these options with your lawyer before making any decisions.
File Insurance Claims with the At-Fault Driver’s Insurer
The first course of action for many drivers is to file a third-party insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. You must be ready to prove to the insurance company that the other driver is responsible for the crash. Otherwise, the insurance company will not provide compensation.
Insurance companies will seek to minimize their costs in any way possible, and they often try to reduce or deny claims to save money. It is a good idea to have a lawyer represent you when filing an insurance claim, as they should be prepared to enforce the policy terms and make the insurance company pay what is owed.
File First-Party Insurance Claims
The at-fault driver might be uninsured, or their insurance might not be enough to cover your damages completely. In such cases, you may file first-party claims with your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This kind of coverage is mandatory in Maryland and must be at least equal to your liability coverage.
You may also have MedPay coverage to help cover medical expenses after an accident. Since MedPay is optional in Maryland, not all drivers have it.
Settlements
Settlements are common in car accident cases. In fact, most civil lawsuits end in settlements rather than trials.
Settlements must be negotiated, and it may be a good idea to begin negotiations sooner rather than later. You may need to compromise on which of your damages are covered by the settlement. The stronger your evidence and legal strategy, the less you may have to compromise.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
After a car accident, you may sue the at-fault driver to make them cover your damages.
In many cases, drivers sue because the at-fault driver’s insurance refuses to pay or will not cover the full extent of their damages. In others, the at-fault driver has no insurance, and a lawsuit might be the only way to get compensation.
Be warned, it is not always a good idea to sue uninsured drivers. If they do not have the financial resources to cover your damages, you might not get much compensation even if you win a lawsuit. Your lawyer can advise you on other legal options.
What Evidence Should You Have to Support Your Car Accident Claims?
We must have evidence to back up your claims. Otherwise, you have almost no chance of success.
Photos and Videos from the Accident Scene
It is very normal for drivers to take photos and record videos of a crash while they wait for help or the police to arrive. Often, drivers take photos and videos to send to insurance companies as proof of their damages. However, these recordings may also be used as evidence in the courtroom.
If you have a camera, take as many photos as you can. You never know what important details you might preserve.
Witness Testimony
Witnesses may provide very powerful testimony in court, and our car accident lawyers will work quickly to identify and locate as many witnesses as possible.
We may use interrogatories to determine if witnesses have any valuable information, and depositions to further investigate. Interrogatories and depositions are common in civil lawsuits, and we may even depose the defendant. In turn, they can depose you, too.
Medical Records About Your Injuries
Car accidents are known to cause severe injuries, and we need some evidence of just how badly you were hurt. A great place to begin is with your medical records. These records may take time to compile, so we should speak with hospital administrators to obtain copies as soon as possible.
Evidence of Economic Costs
Before you receive any financial compensation, we must offer evidence of your costs. You must save any records of costs related to the car accident. This may include, but is not limited to, medical bills, vehicle repair receipts, credit card statements, invoices, and any other records of money spent.
FAQs About Car Accident Claims in Mays Chapel
Can You Sue for a Car Accident if You Are Partially Responsible?
In many car accident cases, defendants try to claim that the plaintiff contributed to the accident. This argument may be very dangerous to your claims. Marland follows a pure contributory negligence rule, meaning that if a plaintiff is even slightly response for causing the accident, they may be completely barred from recovery.
How Long After an Auto Accident Should You File a Lawsuit?
You should speak to an attorney about filing a lawsuit as soon as possible after a car accident. In Maryland, a plaintiff seeking to file a personal injury lawsuit, such as for a car accident, must file their case in court no later than 3 years after the accident.
What Should You Do if the At-Fault Driver in an Accident is Uninsured?
If the driver who caused the accident is uninsured, you cannot file an insurance claim with their liability coverage. Instead, you may need to file a first-party claim with your uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which should be at least equal to your own liability coverage.
What Damages Should You Claim in a Car Accident Case?
You may seek damages related to economic and non-economic costs and injuries. Economic damages often involve medical costs, vehicle repairs, damage to other property, and lost income. Non-economic damages may include more subjective claims for pain, distress, suffering, and other painful experiences.
Can you Sue More Than One Person for a Car Accident?
Yes. Many accidents involve multi-vehicle collisions, in which more than one driver may be at fault. Additionally, some at-fault drivers might have been on the job, such as a delivery driver or a professional truck driver. In that case, you may also sue the driver’s employer.
Speak to Our Car Accident Attorneys in Mays Chapel About Your Potential Claims
Get an initial case evaluation for free from our car accident lawyers by calling Rice Law at (410) 694-7291.