Car accident injuries run the gamut from minor bruising to serious traumatic brain injuries or even death. If you’ve been injured due to another driver’s negligence, you’re entitled to damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Parker, Pallett, Slezak & Russell, LLC represents car accident victims on a contingency basis, which means we collect our fees at the end of the case and only if we win. Call now to speak to a car accident lawyer in a free, one-on-one interview.
Car Accident Statistics
Motor vehicle crashes are an everyday occurrence in cities like White Marsh. The following annual statistics are based on five-year averages for the state of Maryland. On average, there are:
- 110,745 motor vehicle crashes every year.
- 79,238 are crashes involving property damage only.
- 30,993 crashes that are categorized as injury accidents without fatalities.
- 514 crashes resulting in 548 fatalities every year.
Regardless of the extent of your injuries, if you’ve been in a car crash, report it to law enforcement and get medical attention immediately.
Common White Marsh Car Accident Injuries
When you have suffered through a car accident, your injuries may be severe. Even a minor fender bender can lead to serious injuries like whiplash, which can leave you in pain for weeks or even months if left untreated.
Because of this, it is vital that you seek out help as soon as possible when you are involved in a car accident. Fortunately, our attorneys can help you if you have suffered from any of the following injuries, along with many other car accident injuries:
- Traumatic brain trauma
- Spinal cord damage
- Burn injuries
- Bone fractures
- Burn injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Eye injuries
What to Do if You’ve Been in a Car Accident
There is no consistent set of rules for how to handle being involved in a car accident. Every accident is different. However, these tips may help you prevent further injury and recover more rapidly. In addition, they could improve your ability to make a full and fair recovery.
1. Get to a Safe Location
While you may be safer remaining in your car, that’s not always the situation. If you have to exit your vehicle, watch for oncoming traffic and avoid standing in the roadway.
2. Call 911
The dispatcher will require your location, direction of travel, a description of the vehicles, the number of injured, and the types of injuries.
3. Ask Witnesses to Remain on the Scene
Many people stop to ensure the police and fire rescue are on the way but don’t want to stay longer than they have to. Ask witnesses to remain at the location or take down their contact information.
4. Take Photos or a Video of the Scene
Car accident scenes change rapidly, so document the scene with multiple photographs or a video. From a position of safety, make sure to capture road signs, the position of the vehicles, debris on the roadways, any visible injuries, and anything else of relevance.
5. Allow Rescue to Examine You
Your health and safety are the primary concern. You will not hurt your case by allowing EMTs to examine you on the scene. On the contrary, the information can be helpful. Allow them to transport you to the hospital if necessary. Otherwise, follow up with your doctor as soon as possible.
6. Contact a Car Accident Attorney
Even if you haven’t filed a claim, you may hear from an insurance adjuster. That’s because they want to settle the case before you can speak to a personal injury lawyer. First settlement offers are typically low, and if you aren’t properly represented, they may make a compelling argument to get you to take the fast cash. But you could end up leaving significant sums of money on the table if you accept the offer. Call us before you accept a settlement offer.
Why You Might Need a White Marsh Car Accident Attorney
There are several reasons why it makes good sense to have a car accident attorney in White Marsh representing your case:
- A car accident lawyer can properly calculate all of your tangible and intangible damages.
- A personal injury law firm has the resources to prove your claim.
- Car accident lawyers are professional negotiators. Additionally, they have the ability to litigate your case in a Maryland court if the insurance company won’t settle for the full amount.
- Attorneys can issue letters of protection, which allows doctors to provide services with the guarantee of getting paid when the case settles.
- Personal injury law firms like Parker, Pallett, Slezak & Russell, LLC work on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket for professional legal advice.
If you hire Parker, Pallett, Slezak & Russell, LLC, a professional personal injury attorney in White Marsh will work on your case while you focus on healing from your injuries.
Types of Cases We Handle
As personal injury attorneys, we handle all types of motor vehicle accidents, including:
- Car vs. Car Accidents
- Commercial Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Scooter Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents
- Mass Transit Accidents
If you’ve been injured on the roadways of our area, call to speak to a White Marsh personal injury attorney.
Compensation for a White Marsh Car Accident
When you are injured in a White Marsh car accident, the costs of your recovery may be high. These costs cover more than just the financial losses you have suffered from a totaled car or a trip to the hospital. These damages can be long-lasting and impact your life for years.
That is why it is so important to seek an attorney when calculating your damages. Your attorney can help you determine what your claim is worth using professional tools and years of experience to help you get the most for the suffering you have experienced.
Economic Damages
When you are injured in a car accident, one of the first issues you may face is the monetary suffering you have experienced. Car accidents are expensive, between the serious injuries you may have suffered and the damage to your vehicle. That means the costs can add up quickly.
Fortunately, your attorney can help you overcome the cost of your damages and help you estimate the cost of future economic losses. For example, if you cannot work for the next year, your attorney can help you estimate the costs of your care in the year ahead. Below is just a sample of the damages you may include for your recovery:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Transportation costs to medical appointments
- Household services
Non-Economic Damages
Unlike your economic damages, you’re not economic damages or not as clear-cut because they do not have a specific financial cost. Your non-economic damages instead include the intangible suffering you’ve experienced because of your car accident. Below is just a sample of the non-economic damages you may be due:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental distress
Because these damages do not have a specific dollar value like economic damages, you may need an attorney’s help to calculate exactly what they are worth. To learn more about the value of your claim and how to calculate your non-economic damages, reach out to an attorney to learn more about your recovery options.
Punitive Damages
Unlike economic and non-economic damages intended to compensate you following a serious injury, punitive damages are mainly meant to punish the wrongdoer. Rather than being attached to the value of your damages, you may instead be focused on proving the at-fault party was dangerously negligent or acting with malice.
Because these damages are meant to be a deterrent for future similar actions, you may need to speak with an attorney to get the help you need to seek these damages. Reach out to an attorney for guidance to seek out these damages.
What If I Am Accused of Partial Fault?
Few accidents are entirely the fault of one party or the other. In most cases, there is a shared fault among the drivers or other parties involved. However, admitting fault in Maryland can lead to serious problems with your car accident claim.
Maryland is one of the few states that observe contributory fault laws. Contributory fault means that any party that caused any part of the accident may completely lose compensation. In other states, your compensation is reduced by a percentage If you are partly at fault. Even 1% of the blame in Maryland can lead to your claim being dismissed.
That is why it is so important to get help now if you believe the at-fault party may try to place the blame on you. Your attorney can help you identify the best evidence proving you were not at fault and that you are decomposing for your suffering. And that you are compensated for your suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents
The following are some of the most commonly asked questions about car accident injuries that we hear from clients. For answers to your car accident questions, call Parker, Pallett, Slezak & Russell, LLC today.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim?
The statute of limitations in Maryland is three years from the date of a non-fatal accident and three years from the date of death if a subject died in the crash. However, we encourage accident victims to contact us at their earliest convenience. Evidence can be lost over time, and an early start makes a favorable outcome much more likely.
What kind of damages can I claim?
You have the right to recover all economic damages, like medical expenses, lost earnings, property damage to your vehicle, etc. Additionally, you are entitled to pain and suffering damages, which are meant to cover emotional trauma, physical pain, and more. However, Maryland has a cap on non-economic damages.
In some instances, the courts will decide that the actions of the other driver merit additional penalties. Punitive damages are paid in addition to compensatory damages.
What if I cannot afford an attorney?
When you are filing a car accident claim in White Marsh, one of the difficulties you may face is that you will not be able to pay for an attorney. However, a personal injury attorney does not charge a flat fee. We instead work on a contingency fee.
For you, that means our payment does not come out of your own pocket. It is instead a percentage of your compensation, but only if we win. If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not owe our lawyers anything.
Can I sue on behalf of a loved one?
When a loved one is injured in a car accident, it can devastate your entire family. You may be dealing with the severe injuries of your child, or your spouse may be injured and unable to even sue on their own.
When the other party is incapacitated or is not old enough to file a lawsuit, you may have grounds to file on their behalf. Your attorney can help you act as their guardian ad litem with the judge’s permission so that you can act in their best interests. This can be a vital step if your family suffers from the financial cost of a car accident without the support you need.
What if a loved one died in a car accident? Can I sue on their behalf?
When a loved one dies in a car accident, it can leave you and your family in turmoil and grief. Worse, you may not be able to focus on your grief because you are juggling the financial costs of the accident.
Fortunately, family members eligible to file may be able to seek out a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim gives surviving family members the chance to see compensation when another person’s carelessness leads to the death of a loved one.
White Marsh Personal Injury Lawyers for Accident Claims
At Parker, Pallett, Slezak & Russell, LLC, we represent accident victims in their pursuit of justice. Our top-tier personal injury lawyers take pride in helping accident victims get full compensation for their injuries. Call our office to discuss your claim. All consultations are free, and you’re under no obligation to use our services.
