Riverside, MD Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents are an unfortunate part of our everyday lives, and sometimes, people get hurt pretty badly. Dealing with the pain and recovery process of bodily injuries is tough enough, but you also have to contend with the financial costs of the accident. An attorney can help you file a personal injury claim against those responsible for your injuries to get fair monetary compensation.

Damages in personal injury cases are often much more substantial than people realize. Between steep financial costs and deeply painful personal experiences, your damages might be worth significant compensation. We need evidence supporting your case before we can get any compensation for your injuries. Medical records, photos from the accident, witness testimony, and more might all play important roles in how we prove the defendant’s negligence. If you believe a personal injury case is right for you, talk to a lawyer soon, as you have a limited amount of time to prepare and file your claims.

Get help and free initial review of your case from our personal injury attorneys when you call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Recoverable Damages in Riverside, MD Personal Injury Cases

Damages are tricky because they can be difficult to keep track of and even harder to evaluate. Plaintiffs often have a bad habit of overlooking some of their damages and undervaluing the ones they remember. This is a bad combination, as you may only lose valuable compensation. Our personal injury lawyers know how to evaluate damages and can assist you in keeping a thorough record of your injuries, losses, and costs.

Economic Damages

Your economic damages are comprised of the money spent as a direct result of your accident and injuries. People often remember the big costs, like medical bills, but often overlook the smaller costs, like gas and travel accommodation, for when you must travel for medical treatment. It is crucial that you keep records of all your costs, no matter how small, as they may add up to a significant amount.

Medical bills often represent a very large portion of economic damages. Healthcare is notoriously expensive, even for people who might be covered by health insurance. Even one visit to the hospital could set you back thousands of dollars. If you require more extensive treatment or treatment that lasts for a long time, your hospital bills might be off the charts.

You should also keep track of property damage. If your vehicle was damaged in a car crash or you lost personal property like a phone, laptop, watch, or jewelry, you may claim the cost of repairing or replacing that property. Again, thorough record-keeping here is important so that your damages are accurate.

Non-Economic Damages

Many losses are not measured in dollars and cents. Instead, they may be measured by their toll on your mind and emotions. For example, plaintiffs may claim non-economic damages for bodily pain, psychological trauma, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. These damages may be especially important if your accident was seriously traumatic or you were left with permanent scars, disfigurements, or complications that change the way you live your life.

Even though non-economic damages are not related to financial costs, they may still be financially compensated. However, there are limits on non-economic damages, under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 11-108(b). At this time, non-economic damages are statutorily capped at $935,000. This cap is increased by $15,000 annually on October 1, and the cap will increase to $950,000 on that date in 2024.

What Kind of Evidence You Need to Support a Personal Injury Claim in Riverside, MD

We need more than just your word to prove your personal injury claims in court. Even so, your word may be a very important piece of the evidentiary puzzle. Your attorney can help you find the evidence you need to meet your burden of proof. Remember, evidence is sometimes difficult to obtain or might be unavailable. However, this does not mean your claims are invalid, or you cannot win your case.

Witnesses are like the backbone of so many civil cases, even though witness testimony sometimes gets an unfair reputation for being unreliable. While it is true that testimony from eyewitnesses is not always as reliable as we would like, it is often powerful and can make or break a case. Eyewitness testimony is especially strong when witnesses have clear memories of the accident and are steadfast in their testimony on the stand.

We might need copies of your medical records to help us prove the extent of your injuries. Since much of our damages calculations may be based on injuries and medical care, these records might be imperative to your case. Our team can assist you in collecting these records, as they might be scattered across several hospitals, and they might take time to collect.

Your testimony may also be very important. There are certain aspects of the case that only you can speak about. For example, if you want to claim non-economic damages for the mental trauma you endured, only you can explain this to a jury. You can also testify about what you saw during the accident and how the accident played out.

Your Time to File a Personal Injury Claim in Riverside, MD

It is normal for injured plaintiffs to take their time to prepare a civil lawsuit. After all, a lawsuit is a big step that deserves careful consideration. On top of that, plaintiffs might be dealing with painful injuries, and filing a lawsuit from a hospital bed might not be ideal. While you should take the time you need, avoid taking too much time, as you have a strict time limit.

According to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101, plaintiffs have a mere 3 years to file a personal injury case. This time limit, referred to as the limitation period, begins when you are injured. This means that even while you are recovering from your injuries in a hospital bed, your time to file a case is slipping away.

In some cases, plaintiffs can pause the clock on their claim, effectively buying more time. According to § 5-201(a), plaintiffs who were minors or had a mental condition that interfered with their ability to understand the case or their rights may have the limitation period tolled. Minors have 3 years from the date they turn 18 to file a claim. Similarly, plaintiffs with mental conditions have 3 years from when the condition is removed or lifted.

Speak to Our Riverside, MD Personal Injury Lawyers for Assistance

Get help and free initial review of your case from our personal injury attorneys when you call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.