Perry Hall, MD Personal Injury Lawyer

There are many different types of accidents that can give rise to personal injury claims. For example, such cases are regularly filed after car accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, and accidents caused by defective products. In general, personal injury lawsuits may be filed whenever someone is injured as the result of another party’s negligence.

Plaintiffs in personal injury cases can seek compensation for various forms of economic and non-economic losses. However, their paths to payment may not be straightforward. Defendants often attempt to shift blame for their accidents and refute various elements of victims’ claims.

If you were hurt because of another party’s negligence in Perry Hall, MD, seek support and guidance from our experienced personal injury attorneys by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Time Limit to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Perry Hall, MD

Time limits to file specific types of lawsuits are governed by states’ statutes of limitations. In Maryland, the deadline to file your personal injury case is set forth by Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101.

Typically, you will have three years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury case against the at-fault party. If you do not file within this timeframe, then you may miss your chance to obtain financial compensation for your injury.

Even though you may have up to three years to bring your potential case to court, you should begin working on your claim as soon as possible after your accident. Important evidence needed to support your lawsuit may become hard to gather and preserve as time passes. The more quickly you get in touch with our personal injury attorneys, the more efficiently we can collect the information we need to win your case.

Assessing Settlement Offers in Perry Hall Personal Injury Cases

After you file a personal injury case, the defendant will likely attempt to settle before going to trial. If you accept a settlement offer, then the defendant will pay you an agreed-upon sum of damages in exchange for the dismissal of your lawsuit. There are some advantages to settling early. For instance, by entering into a settlement agreement, you may obtain payment sooner.

Unfortunately, defendants in personal injury lawsuits regularly try to settle their cases for less than they are worth. If you are not presented with an acceptable offer, then you must go to trial to recover the full extent of compensation you deserve. Thankfully, the team at our firm is prepared to help assess any settlement offers made in your case.

Proving Fault for a Personal Injury in Perry Hall, MD

In order to recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit, you must present evidence that proves your injury occurred because of the defendant’s negligence. There are several forms of evidence that may be utilized to prove that a defendant is to blame for a harmful accident. For instance, any of the following might be utilized in your case:

Witness Statements

Witness statements play a crucial role in proving fault in personal injury cases. Eyewitnesses who were present at the scene of the accident can provide valuable information about how the incident occurred. These statements may describe the sequence of events leading up to the accident, the actions of the parties involved, and any contributing factors. Witness statements can add credibility to a plaintiff’s claims and help establish a clear picture of the events that transpired.

Evidence from Accident Scenes

Physical evidence collected from accident scenes can provide vital insights into the circumstances leading to the injury. This may include skid marks, debris patterns, and vehicle damage. Accident reconstruction experts can analyze this evidence to recreate the sequence of events, helping to determine factors such as vehicle speeds, points of impact, and angles of collision. Such evidence can help establish a link between the defendant’s actions and the resulting injuries.

Photos from Accident Scenes

Photographs taken at the scene of the accident can serve as powerful visual evidence. They can capture details that might be overlooked or forgotten over time. Photos can document road conditions, weather, visibility, and the positions of vehicles involved. These images can help recreate the scene and provide clarity about factors that contributed to the accident. Photos can be particularly compelling when presented alongside other forms of evidence, strengthening the plaintiff’s case.

Surveillance Footage

In today’s digital age, surveillance cameras are often present in public spaces, intersections, and businesses. Surveillance footage can provide objective evidence of the events leading to an accident. This might include footage from traffic cameras, security cameras, or dashcams. Video evidence can reveal critical details, such as the speed of vehicles, the behavior of pedestrians, and the timing of signals. Surveillance footage can be especially impactful when it contradicts the opposing party’s version of events.

Expert Witness Statements

Expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, or engineers, can provide specialized knowledge that helps establish fault. These experts can analyze the available evidence and offer their professional opinions about how the accident occurred and the injuries sustained. For example, a medical expert can link specific injuries to the accident, while an accident reconstructionist can explain the mechanics of the collision. Expert witness statements can provide a scientific and technical perspective that can be influential in establishing fault

Accident Reports

Official accident reports filed by law enforcement agencies can serve as valuable evidence in personal injury cases. These reports document key details of the accident, including the parties involved, the location, weather conditions, and any citations issued. While accident reports are not always definitive proof of fault, they can provide an unbiased account of the initial findings at the scene. Attorneys can use these reports to support their client’s claims and challenge any conflicting narratives.

Victims’ Personal Recollections

The personal recollections of the victims themselves are also important pieces of evidence. Plaintiffs can provide firsthand accounts of the accident, their actions leading up to it, and their immediate reactions. While personal recollections may be subjective and subject to memory lapses, they can contribute to the overall narrative of the case. Corroborating these recollections with other forms of evidence can help build a more comprehensive and convincing argument.

Call Our Personal Injury Attorneys for Assistance with Your Lawsuit in Perry Hall, MD

Get help from our experienced personal injury lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras by dialing (410) 694-7291.