A Fighter In Your Corner After A Baltimore Auto Accident
Auto accidents leave individuals with severe injuries that often include surgical procedures and ongoing physical therapy. They also leave people in financial turmoil. Given the cost of medical care in the United States, people often wonder how they will pay for their doctor bills after the accident.
I am Baltimore car accident attorney Elan Rafael, and I advocate for those in Maryland injured in any of the following accidents:
- Car accidents
- Semi-truck collisions
- SUV accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
In many cases, insurance companies will step up and offer you a settlement compensation package. It may sound lucrative, but how do you know if it’s really enough?
Seeking Maximum Compensation For Maryland Residents
I know the tactics insurance companies use. Their offers often do not take into account all compensation you are due. If you get injured, contact me. I am a Baltimore car accident lawyer, and I can help ensure you have a fighter in your corner and that you get maximum compensation today and in the years to come.
Questions? I Have Answers.
The days after a serious car accident can be confusing. What should you do to best preserve your claim for compensation? Should you accept the insurance company’s settlement offer? Most people in Baltimore have very little information about Maryland personal injury law until they get in an accident.
At Rafael Law, LLC, I draw on my more than 20 years of experience in personal injury to explain the system and how to recover the largest compensation possible. Here are general answers to some of the most commonly asked questions from my Baltimore clients.
What Types Of Compensation Can I Recover For My Serious Auto Accident Injuries?
Like other states, Maryland allows you to seek compensation for various effects or damages your injuries have had on your life. Damages generally fall into three categories:
- Economic damages
- Noneconomic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic damages refer to things that have directly cost you money or you expect to in the future. Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Lost wages
Noneconomic damages include experiences like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and reduced enjoyment of life; they are just as real but not as easy to price tag. Maryland law caps the amount a judge or jury can award the plaintiff in noneconomic damages, though the cap increases annually. As of October 2023, the cap for cases not involving wrongful death is $935,000.
Finally, punitive damages exist to punish the defendant for especially negligent behavior. Usually, plaintiffs only receive punitive damages in extreme cases.
A Car Hit Me While I Was Crossing The Street. Who Pays My Medical Expenses?
When a driver strikes and injures a pedestrian in Baltimore, the victim can seek compensation from the driver and their auto insurance provider.
How Are Damages Calculated For Future Medical Procedures Associated With A Car Accident?
Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, it can be fairly straightforward to determine what your future medical expenses will be. Some injuries require predictable future operations and treatments, the cost of which can also be predicted ahead of time. The course of other injuries is not as easy to anticipate, but doctors and other experts can help you and your attorney come up with a reasonable estimate of your future expenses.
Do I Need An Attorney For My Claim If The Insurance Company Already Offered Me A Settlement?
Yes. Before you accept any settlement offer, you must consult a personal injury attorney. It’s possible that what the insurance company offers you won’t be enough to recuperate your losses from the accident entirely. Insurance companies are more interested in making profits off of their customers’ premiums than fully compensating them after an accident.
Consulting a personal injury attorney can help you understand the total value of your claim. Legal representation in a personal injury claim also enables you to get the most compensation possible. I can review the details of your case and let you know if you are entitled to more damages than what the insurance adjuster is offering.
Should I Notify My Insurance Company? What About The Other Party’s Insurance Company?
A person should always notify their insurance company of an auto accident. But they can do this after speaking to an attorney. Talking to an attorney first won’t have any adverse effect on a potential settlement.
When you do talk to your insurance company, you should explain that you were not at fault for the accident and that you are simply reporting the claim. If you have rental coverage and your vehicle is not drivable, have your insurance agent set up a rental for you.
You don’t have to notify the other driver’s insurance company. But eventually, if you want to pursue a negligence claim, you will need to report the claim.
What Is Contributory Negligence? How Does It Impact My Auto Accident Claim In Maryland?
Contributory negligence is a legal phrase that means that you, the claimant, in some way, contributed to the car accident. As Maryland is a contributory negligence state, this means that if you did contribute to the accident – even if you are only one percent at fault for the accident – you can’t recover any compensation. This is why it is vital to always talk to an attorney before speaking to or revealing any information about the accident to any insurance company.
Why Is It Critical To Get Immediate Medical Treatment After An Auto Accident?
First, if you are hurt, even if your injuries seem minor, you should see a doctor. Underlying injuries could be present you are unaware of. Second, seeking medical care right away serves as evidence in your claim that you were injured and sought treatment. Who will believe that you had an injury if you didn’t get medical care right after the crash? No documentation is equal to no claim for injury and compensation for that injury.
Additional Questions? Contact A Baltimore Auto Accident Lawyer.
If you have more questions about the process or have been injured and need help with next steps, contact a personal injury attorney in Baltimore, Maryland, today. Call my office at 410-204-5411 or send me an email.
I always offer free consultations. You also pay nothing unless I win. This is known as a contingency fee.
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