There’s no such thing as a minor car accident. Even a low-speed fender-bender can result in costly property damage and increased insurance premiums, while serious crashes like head-on collisions can cause life-changing injuries or even wrongful death. Unfortunately, insurance companies aren’t always cooperative after an accident, and may even try to engage in bad faith practices like avoiding your calls or denying a claim for unjustifiable reasons.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident in Frederick City, you may have a right to compensation to help pay for your medical bills, vehicle damage, loss of income, and other damages. The attorneys of Whitney, LLP are here to help you fight for the compensation you may be entitled to, whether it’s through negotiating a settlement or pursuing the matter aggressively in court. To set up a free, completely confidential evaluation of your claim, call our law offices at (410) 583-8000.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Lawsuit in Maryland?
We completely understand that taking legal action can seem like a daunting prospect while you or your loved one is recovering from serious injuries. Accident victims should take their time getting as much rest and relaxation as possible, and it’s critically important not to rush the healing process. While we encourage you to take it easy and recuperate at your own pace, injury victims must also be made aware of an important legal deadline known as the statute of limitations.
In civil matters like personal injury cases, the statute of limitations establishes a very strict timeframe for plaintiffs. If a plaintiff fails to file a complaint within the period of time allotted, then he or she will lose the ability to pursue the matter any further. In Maryland, the statute of limitations on personal injury claims (including car accident claims) is three years, beginning from the date the victim is injured or wrongfully killed. Thus, the legal clock begins ticking the moment an accident occurs.
It is never advisable to wait until the last minute before contacting an attorney for assistance. If you wait to seek legal help until the statute is about to expire, your attorney will not have sufficient time to build a strong case on your behalf. The sooner you reach out to the experienced legal team at Whitney, LLP for help, the sooner we can begin assessing your case and exploring your potential options.
Reckless and Aggressive Driving: Fault and Liability
With a population of nearly 67,000, not only is Frederick City the largest city in Frederick County – it’s also one of the largest cities in Maryland. As a result, Frederick City and the surrounding area is home to various highways and major roads, such as:
- I-70
- I-270
- MD Route 17
- MD Route 26
- MD Route 27
- MD Route 28
- MD Route 31
- MD Route 75
- MD Route 76
- MD Route 77
- MD Route 79
- MD Route 80
- MD Route 85
- MD Route 144
- MD Route 180
- MD Route 194
- MD Route 355
- MD Route 550
- U.S. Route 15
- U.S. Route 340
While rural and suburban roads aren’t free from crashes and collisions, serious accidents are even more common on these major roads, which tend to be more heavily traveled by speeding, aggressive, and careless drivers.
All motorists have a responsibility to obey traffic safety laws when navigating Maryland’s roadways. If another driver was at fault for your accident, he or she may be liable for compensating your injuries, property damage, and other financial losses. Some common examples of ways drivers can be reckless or negligent include:
- Drunk driving or driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol (DUI/DWI).
- Driving the wrong way down a one-way street.
- Driving too fast for safety in poor weather conditions, such as heavy fog.
- Failing to use turn signals properly.
- Failing to yield right-of-way.
- Following too closely behind other vehicles (tailgating).
- Making improper left turns.
- Running red lights or stop signs.
- Speeding excessively.
- Stopping abruptly in the middle of a traffic lane.
- Weaving in and out of traffic lanes.
Common Injuries Caused by Auto Accidents
Car crashes can result in many different types of injuries, which often require medical intervention in the form of risky, invasive, and expensive surgical procedures with long and painful recovery periods. Even temporary injuries, such as fractured bones, can cause the victim to miss out on weeks or months of income while they recover. More extensive injuries can have permanent physical and/or psychological effects, changing the victim’s life forever.
Some typical injuries caused by traffic accidents include:
- Broken Bones
- Buckled Fractures
- Comminuted Fractures
- Compound Fractures
- Greenstick Fractures
- Oblique Fractures
- Simple Fractures
- Transverse Fractures
- Crushed Limbs
- Hearing Loss
- Neck Injuries (“Whiplash”)
- Paralysis
- Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement
- Severe Lacerations/Stitches
- Skin Abrasions (“Road Rash”)
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
- Third Degree Burns
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Vision Loss
According to the CDC, traffic and motor vehicle accidents were actually the fourth leading cause of TBI as of 2007, accounting for more than 14% of all documented cases in the United States. They are also the leading cause of death among children aged two to 14 years old, according to data supplied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you were hit by a car in Frederick City, or if your loved one was injured in a crash or collision, you could be eligible for significant financial compensation. Don’t wait until it’s already too late to start exploring your family’s legal options: to arrange for a free and private consultation, call the car crash lawyers of Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000 today.