Every day, thousands of car accidents across the United States result in serious injuries and wrongful death. According to the U.S. Census, approximately 10.8 million motor vehicle accidents occurred in 2009 alone, resulting in nearly 34,000 fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports more than 2.3 million injuries resulted from traffic accidents in 2012 – an average of about 6,300 injuries for every single day of the year. If you were hurt in a vehicular accident in Baltimore or elsewhere in Maryland, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.
The attorneys of Whitney, LLP have years of experience handling numerous wrongful death and personal injury claims on behalf of car crash victims throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. We will guide you through every step of the legal process as your claim develops, and will advocate aggressively for maximum compensation on your behalf. We are aggressive litigators and are prepared to confront large insurance companies on behalf of our clients. We handle serious car and truck crash cases throughout Maryland, including:
- Anne Arundel County
- Baltimore County
- Baltimore City
- Carroll County
- Harford County
- Howard County
- Montgomery County
- Prince George’s County
To set up a free and private case evaluation, call the attorneys of Whitney, LLP at (410) 583-8000 today. You can also use our Quick Contact Form. We will never charge you any fees or expenses until we recover compensation.
Car Accident Liability, Insurance Coverage, and Victim Compensation
The very first step toward obtaining compensation for your injuries is to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer, like those of Whitney, LLP.
However, even before you hire an attorney, you should be highly cautious of making a statement to any insurance adjuster, including your own insurance company’s adjuster. Insurance companies are notorious for attempting to undervalue claims to the extreme detriment of injury victims, and anything you say to the claims adjuster will likely be used against you. Do not assume the insurance adjuster has your best financial interests at heart.
Once you retain us, we will quickly investigate the cause of the crash or collision, obtain the Police Accident Report, determine who is responsible for causing your injuries, and evaluate all parties’ insurance coverage. If need be, we will send an investigator to the scene to interview witnesses and take statements.
Many people do not know that even if they are hit by a driver with no insurance, or a driver who only has a small amount of coverage, their own policy may step in and cover their injuries. A complete insurance evaluation can be the difference between no recovery and a substantial recovery. We will help you understand the legal implications of your coverage plan.
In many cases, the responsible parties include not only the other driver, but also other parties – including the vehicle owner – who may not be immediately apparent without a full investigation. We will initiate a comprehensive investigation and leave no stone unturned in our search for evidence to support your claim.
After we investigate the accident, we will file insurance claims with the insurance carriers for the party that caused the crash and with your own insurance policy, if necessary. We will also assist with filing:
- Short term disability and/or long term disability insurance claims.
- PIP claims (Personal Injury Protection). Every auto policy in Maryland has a minimum PIP coverage of $2,500, unless the insured has opted out of it. Maximum PIP coverage is $10,000. PIP coverage allows for immediate payment of medical bills and lost wages arising from the auto crash. Under Maryland law, the client receives 100% of PIP benefits, with no legal fees charged.
We will monitor your medical progress as you complete all surgeries, doctor’s appointments, follow-up visits, physical therapy, and rehabilitation as ordered by your doctor. Once you have healed or reached MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement), we can determine the full extent of the injuries which you may potentially be compensated for.
Finally, settlement discussions begin. As experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys, we know the issues that need to be raised during negotiations. While many cases settle, we do not hesitate to file suit if necessary.
Common Injuries Resulting from Automotive Crashes and Collisions
As the previous section describes, car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and truck accidents almost always involve complex issues of determining liability, insurance coverage, medical treatment, and other factors which impact compensation.
While all cases are different, these are common issues that should be evaluated by experienced attorneys toward the goal of recovering maximum compensation for injuries and property damage suffered by the victim. This includes evaluating the plaintiff’s:
- Lost wages and missed income during the healing and recuperation period.
- Property damage to the victim’s vehicle or other personal belongings.
- Loss of consortium, which refers to losing a spousal relationship.
- Pain and suffering, including physical injuries and emotional trauma. Some of the more common injuries suffered by car accident victims include, but are not limited to, the following:
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- Head Injuries
- Facial Injuries
- Severe Burns (Third Degree, Fourth Degree)
- Broken Bones and Bone Fractures
- Amputation and/or Dismemberment
- Scarring and Disfigurement
- Internal Bleeding
- Paralysis (Paraplegia, Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia, Monoplegia, Hemiplegia)
- Permanent Nerve Damage (Peripheral Neuropathy)
- Neck Injuries (“Whiplash”)
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
- Organ Damage
- Skin Abrasion (“Road Rash”)
- Severe Lacerations
- Hand and Wrist Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
If you were injured in an automotive accident, you may be able to recover compensation to help cover your losses and expenses. Don’t assume that you do not have a claim, or that a financial recovery is impossible, until you consult with a lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights.
If You Were Injured in a Car Accident in the Baltimore Area, Our Attorneys Can Help
To start discussing your accident in a free and confidential case evaluation with an experienced car accident attorney, call the law offices of Whitney, LLP right away at (410) 583-8000. Remember, there are absolutely no fees or expenses unless we recover compensation for you, so call today to talk about how we can help.