North Bethesda Personal Injury Lawyer
We often dismiss painful injuries using the old adage “accidents happen,” but this does not help injured victims. An attorney can help you take legal action to hold the person who hurt you responsible and get compensation for your damages.
Even though the person who hurt you might not have meant any harm, that does not mean they should be let off the hook. You might need a personal injury lawyer if you were hurt because someone else behaved negligently. To start your case, talk to your lawyer about where and how your injuries occurred. They can help you find evidence, assess damages, and prepare legal paperwork. Your damages might be worth much compensation, depending on the magnitude of your injuries. Economic, non-economic, and possibly punitive damages might be available. If the defendant is open to a settlement, you might be able to get compensation without going through a lengthy trial. However, settlements must be negotiated, and an attorney can help you get fair compensation for your injuries.
Arrange for a free evaluation of your claims with our personal injury lawyers by calling (410) 694-7291 and speaking with the team at Rice, Murtha & Psoras.
Why You Might Need a Personal Injury Attorney in North Bethesda, MD
One thing that makes dealing with personal injury cases so difficult is that a “personal injury” might include countless possible accidents and injuries. Auto accidents, workplace injuries, slip and falls, and even intentional acts of harm are only a few examples of personal injury claims. You might need an attorney to help determine whether you have a valid claim and how to get help.
Personal injuries are not just painful. They are also expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive to your life. If your injuries have come with a great deal of physical and emotional upheaval, you might need a lawyer to help you get fair compensation for your damages.
The field of personal injury law is so broad that many attorneys only work in a few specific areas. Our personal injury lawyers have handled various kinds of claims, including, but not necessarily limited to, the following:
- Auto Accidents
- Workplace Injuries
- Train Accidents
- Accidents at School
- Birth Injuries
- Bicycle Crashes
- Wrongful Death
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Product Liability
The average person might know that they have been injured but are unsure of the specific nature of their potential legal claims. If your claims fall under one of the above categories, or if you need help determining what kind of claim you have, contact our team for help.
Getting Your Personal Injury Case Started in North Bethesda, MD
Starting a personal injury claim requires a lot of effort and preparation. While people often assume that legal claims are predominantly worked out in court, the truth is that most of the work happens before your trial. Before your case is filed in court, you and your attorney must obtain evidence, assess damages, and deal with various legal forms and paperwork.
Your personal injury lawsuit starts with a formal complaint. The complaint is the legal document that initiates your lawsuit and must contain very specific and detailed information. Damages, while ultimately decided and awarded at the end of a trial, must be calculated and claimed in your complaint. The court will reject your complaint if we cannot explain how you were injured and what kind of compensation we believe you are entitled to.
We also need evidence when we draft your complaint. Although there is often quite a bit of time between when a complaint is filed and the actual trial, the evidence must be gathered and evaluated ahead of time. We need to include at least some evidence in your complaint. Without it, your complaint may be considered a mere list of baseless accusations. We do not need all possible evidence or even enough evidence to prove your claims. We just need enough to show you have a valid legal claim. Additional evidence can be gathered later after further investigation.
Damages and Compensation for Personal Injuries in North Bethesda, MD
Physical injuries are not just painful but also very expensive to treat. As a result, many injured plaintiffs rack up huge medical bills. For some, treatment is long-term and ongoing, and they might incur additional medical expenses long after their civil lawsuit is over. In those cases, plaintiffs can claim reasonably expected future medical costs in addition to any current expenses.
Your injuries might take a significant toll on your mental or emotional health and your physical well-being. Although this kind of pain and suffering does not cost plaintiffs any money, the only way courts can provide compensation is by awarding monetary damages. Because there is no predetermined value, the jury determines pain, suffering, and other non-economic damages. As such, we need strong evidence and arguments to convince the jury that your economic damages deserve hefty compensation.
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer for Personal Injuries in North Bethesda, MD?
Not every personal injury case makes it to trial. Instead, many plaintiffs opt for a settlement agreement with defendants. The justice system sees so many civil lawsuits that private settlements are necessary to keep the courts from getting overloaded with cases and claims. While a private settlement might help you get some compensation faster than if you went through a full trial, there are some trade-offs to consider before you decide.
Generally, settlement offers tend to be worth less compensation that an award from a jury verdict. The settlement is the result of negotiation and compromise between the parties. Defendants agree to pay for at least some of the plaintiff’s damages, and plaintiffs agree to drop the case and possibly accept a lesser amount. This might be a good option for those who need compensation right away and can get by without the full value of their damages.
How much your settlement is worth depends on the strength of your evidence. If we have strong and convincing evidence, and a court victory is likely, the defendant might agree to just pay for all your damages, avoid a trial, and save money on legal fees. Talk to your attorney about a possible settlement and how to negotiate for the best deal possible.
Contact Our North Bethesda, MD Personal Injury Lawyers for Assistance
Schedule a free assessment of your potential lawsuit with our personal injury lawyers by calling (410) 694-7291 and speaking with our experienced team at Rice, Murtha & Psoras.
