Westminster, MD Car Accident Lawyer

There are several forms of negligent behavior that regularly lead to car accidents in Westminster. For example, unsuspecting motorists are often struck by careless drivers who run red lights, exceed speed limits, and fail to yield the right-of-way. Fortunately, victims can bring car accident lawsuits against the parties responsible for their injuries.

In order for your car accident lawsuits to succeed, you must prove that you were injured because of the defendant’s actions. Defendants are often represented by insurance companies who will refute various aspects of plaintiffs’ cases. The assistance of a car accident lawyer can be very helpful when dealing with insurers and fighting for fair compensation.

If you were hurt because of a car crash in Westminster, MD, get help seeking the payment you deserve. Get in touch with our experienced Westminster car accident lawyers today by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to review your case for free.

Proving Fault in a Westminster, MD Car Accident Lawsuit

Plaintiffs in Westminster car accident cases can use a variety of evidence to prove that defendants are at fault. The following are common types of evidence utilized by our Westminster car accident lawyers:

Physical Evidence from the Crash Scene

Physical evidence from the scene of your crash can be useful when proving that a defendant was at fault. For example, open beer bottles found at the accident scene may be used to show that a defendant was impaired at the time of the crash. Our Westminster car accident lawyers can help preserve relevant physical evidence from the scene in your case. However, some forms of evidence may be difficult to preserve or otherwise present in court. Therefore, other means of evidentiary documentation are allowed.

Photos from the Crash Scene

Photos from the crash scene can also help establish that a defendant was at fault. Photos can be used to disprove a defendant’s assertions as to the cause of your accident. For example, if a defendant states that your crash happened because of poor road conditions, then photos from the crash scene showing adequate road conditions may be used to disprove the defendant’s theory. Our team can help review any photos you took at the scene of your accident.

Surveillance Footage

Surveillance footage is also a common form of evidence used to prove fault in Westminster car accident lawsuits. Traffic cameras located at intersections and along busy streets often capture the events that unfold before, during, and after a collision. Accordingly, footage from these cameras can be useful when explaining how or why an accident occurred.

Unfortunately, recovering copies of pertinent surveillance footage can be frustrating. You can contact our experienced Westminster car accident lawyers for help obtaining surveillance footage in your case.

Witness Testimony

Witness testimony, like surveillance footage, can also help prove that a defendant was at fault. Witnesses can offer either oral or written statements that point to the cause of a crash. Accordingly, you should try to retrieve contact information for any witnesses to your accident if you can. Our attorneys can offer guidance when reaching out for their cooperation.

Expert Witness Testimony

Expert witnesses are considered experts in their respective fields because they possess the requisite education, training, and experience. These types of witnesses can be used to explain complex theories regarding the cause of car accidents. For example, an engineering expert may be summoned to explain how a defective car part contributed to a collision. Further, an accident reconstruction expert may be required to explain why an intersection accident occurred. In any case, our experienced Westminster car accident lawyers can help call on the right experts to win your case.

Personal Recollections

Lastly, a personal recollection of your accident can be highly valuable when pursuing compensation in a car accident lawsuit. It is hard to predict which details surrounding your crash may become important. Accordingly, you should write down a personal remembrance of your accident while your memory is fresh. The details you record may be crucial to the success of your case.

What if I am Partially Responsible for My Car Accident in Westminster, MD?

If you share some of the blame for your accident, you may be unable to recover compensation in a car accident lawsuit. Courts in Westminster will abide by the doctrine of contributory negligence. This means that if you share any degree of fault for a crash, you will not be awarded monetary damages. Defendants and their insurers often hire teams of people to try and shift blame onto plaintiffs. However, you should not let these rules deter you from seeking compensation for your car accident injuries. Our experienced Westminster car accident lawyers can help deal with insurance companies and prove that defendants are at fault.

Setting a Car Accident Lawsuit vs. Taking a Car Accident Lawsuit to Trial in Westminster

In most car accident lawsuits, plaintiffs will be presented with settlement offers from defendants who wish to settle their cases early. After reaching a settlement agreement, a defendant will pay a certain amount of damages to a plaintiff and their case will be dismissed. By settling early, you may recover compensation more quickly. Also, you may avoid a multitude of costs that can arise when taking your case to trial. Plaintiffs who go to trial may have to pay additional attorney’s fees, administrative costs, and expert witness fees.

However, not all settlement offers are acceptable. Defendants regularly try to settle cases for less than they are worth. Plaintiffs who take their cases to trial can recover additional financial compensation. The risk being, those who are unsuccessful at trial may be awarded nothing. Our Westminster car accident lawyers can lean on years of experience when evaluating settlement offers to determine if going to trial is the best choice for you.

If You Were Hurt Because of a Car Crash in Westminster, MD, Our Attorneys Can Help

If you suffered injuries because of a car crash, seek assistance from our experienced Westminster car accident lawyers by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to review your case for free.