Montgomery County Attorneys for a Car Accident Case Referral

Finding local, experienced representation is crucial when a client is injured in a car accident in Montgomery County, MD. Local attorneys are familiar with laws and procedures specific to this jurisdiction and will assist car accident victims injured in here. From the 3-year statute of limitation for personal injury to the strict contributory negligence standard, clients require attorneys with local experience who are knowledgeable in local law and procedure.

Maryland lawyers who practice in a different area or industry must also consider referring clients to specialized attorneys. Car accidents may result in many causes of action for the same incident, and attorneys regularly fighting for car accident victims are familiar with the nuances of these cases and strategies for successful litigation.

The Montgomery County attorneys for a car accident case referral at Rice, Murtha & Psoras have experience advocating for victims of car accidents in Montgomery County, MD. Call our team today at (410) 694-7291 to discuss a case referral and ensure your client is fully and adequately represented.

Common Causes of Action in Montgomery County Car Accident Cases

Car accidents result in several different causes of action in a lawsuit, and two of the most common seen in complaints filed in Maryland are negligence and wrongful death. The attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras draft and argue such claims frequently and can provide the advocacy that your client needs.

Negligence

Negligence is a common tort to pursue when prosecuting a case surrounding a car accident. Each of the four elements must be meticulously established and proven for the lawsuit to succeed. Car accident attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras have extensive experience drafting and arguing negligence claims in Montgomery County, MD Our attorneys understand what makes a negligence argument successful in this jurisdiction and provide local expertise to many car accident victims.  Damages that are available to accident victims in Maryland include quantifiable expenses, like a medical bill, and unquantifiable harm, like pain and suffering. Our attorneys know what damages to pursue and will fight for just compensation.  Rice, Murtha & Psoras attorneys in Montgomery County, MD, are experienced in developing a winning argument for negligence suits and can provide local expertise for your case referral.

Wrongful Death

In cases where the victim of a car accident has suffered a fatal injury, Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art. § 3-904 allows for a wrongful death claim to be made. Statutorily defined beneficiaries can sue for non-pecuniary damages such as emotional pain and suffering, mental anguish, and companionship. Such damages are difficult to prove and require a lawyer with experience to argue such a claim successfully.

Contributory Negligence in Montgomery County Car Accident Cases

Montgomery County is a difficult jurisdiction for plaintiffs in car accidents because of Maryland’s pure contributory negligence standard, a common low principle recognized by the Court of Appeals of Maryland in Coleman v. Soccer Ass’n of Columbia (2013). In cases where a negligence cause of action is filed, courts must examine whether the plaintiff’s conduct contributed to the accident. All monetary damages are barred if the plaintiff was even the slightest bit responsible for the accident.

Contributory negligence is a powerful defense defendants can utilize to fight  negligence claims in Maryland. Combating this defense requires a thorough and accurate investigation of the facts surrounding the accident. Additionally, attorneys litigating such cases must be experienced in developing strategies and arguments to overcome the defense. One such strategy is using the last clear chance rule, discussed in the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland case, Wooldridge v. Price (2009). Under this rule, even if the plaintiff is negligent in some way, if the defendant had the last opportunity to avoid the accident but did not, that defendant can be found liable for the damages resulting from the negligence.

This strict rule regarding any contribution to negligence is uncommon. Only a small minority of states use such a standard. Car accident victims are more likely to face a comparative negligence standard that allows for recovery if the plaintiff is not more than 50% responsible for the accident. It is crucial that victims of car accidents in Montgomery County, MD, are represented by attorneys skilled in litigating with this standard to ensure monetary damages are received.

Damages Recovered for Car Accident Victims

Victims can recover several types of damages in cases involving car accidents. Our lawyers evaluate all options and fight for every penny owed to a client. Damages are generally considered economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

When a client is injured in a car accident in Montgomery County, MD, they will likely face immense costs associated with the accident. Medical expenses, specialty doctors, prescription medicines, physical therapy, mental health services, and other costs associated with diagnosing and treating injuries caused by the car accident can be recovered as economic damages.

Lost wages are also included in this category of damages. When a victim’s injuries prevent them from working, both past and future lost wages a Montgomery County attorney for a car accident will claim and fight for those lost wages. In the case of a wrongful death claim, family members may also seek funeral costs. In Maryland, there is no limit to the economic damages that may be sought by a plaintiff, provided the damages are supported by evidence.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify and are capped under Maryland law. These damages cover costs associated with pain and suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. Since definite cost values are not associated with these types of damage, the amount awarded depends on the judgment of the judge and jury in a lawsuit. Experienced attorneys are crucial to developing convincing arguments to get a client the most money possible.

Call Our Montgomery County, MD Car Accident Attorneys for a Referral Discussion

Our Montgomery County, MD, car accident lawyers accept referrals from out-of-state attorneys and Maryland attorneys in other practice areas. Do not let your client wait; call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291 to discuss a case referral.