Preeminent Personal Injury Lawyers

The Right Time to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Maryland 

The best time to reach out for legal representation depends on the facts and circumstances of your case. Typically, you should contact a personal injury attorney after you receive medical treatment for your injuries. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer will help you understand what you should do as you gather evidence for your case. It is necessary to take your time and determine which legal claims should be a part of your case. Also, an attorney can help you calculate the total damages amount associated with your case. 

The Time It Takes a Personal Injury Case to Settle 

Personal injury cases will often settle before they go to trial. These cases take time to settle due to the lengthy discovery phase involved in civil litigation. Also, attorneys need time to scrutinize all the information associated with a case, and therefore it is necessary for review periods, conferences, and informal meetings to take place. 

Some cases will be resolved through mediation or arbitration. It is often necessary for an attorney to advise their client on the likelihood that a case will settle sooner rather than later. Only a small number of cases go to trial, and therefore it is unlikely that your case will go to trial. However, it is important to be patient and calm as your case progresses. Other cases are also going on simultaneously, and the legal system must utilize all the available judicial resources in the most efficient manner. 

The Types of Damages Available In a Personal Injury Case 

Accident victims need to understand how to calculate the total damages amount associated with their case. Most victims claim economic damages and non-economic damages as part of their personal injury case. These damages are distinguished by the fact that economic damages are generally quantifiable while non-economic damages are more subjective. 

The following are some of the most common damages you may claim in a personal injury case: 

• Pain and suffering 

• Lost earning capacity 

• Lost income 

• Medical bills 

Documentary evidence is generally necessary to substantiate your legal claims and prove your total damages amount. It can be difficult to calculate your damages without having medical records and other documents to strengthen your case. You should always speak to a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer regarding the best methods available for calculating the total damages associated with your case. 

The Potential Value of A Personal Injury Case 

It is impossible to estimate the potential value of any personal injury case. Innumerable factors are at play regarding liability, causation, and damages. It can be helpful to understand how cases similar to yours have settled in the past. You typically can calculate a potential settlement amount if you calculate the total damages amount.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Retain Expert Witnesses 

Expert witnesses can be invaluable for many personal injury cases. The expert reports produced by expert witnesses can help you present your theory of liability to a judge or jury. Opposing counsel will also hire expert witnesses, and their reports will be used to substantiate different legal claims. Therefore, you need to speak with your attorney about hiring expert witnesses and the role they will play in your personal injury case. 

Personal Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most common issues associated with personal injury cases. The injuries suffered by accident victims can cause them to lose their careers and suffer temporary or permanent disability. It is, therefore, crucial to learn how post-traumatic stress disorder may affect your own life after being involved in an automobile accident. 

Many accident victims experience anxiety and depression after suffering injuries during an accident. Fractured bones, soft tissue injuries, and traumatic brain injuries may all affect how an accident feels during their daily life. Those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder may experience forgetfulness, anger, and anxiety as they try to heal from their injuries. 

Do Not Speak To An Insurance Company Before You Retain a Personal Injury Lawyer 

You do not want to speak to an insurance claims adjuster before you consult with a personal injury attorney. If you give a statement to the insurance company before you speak to an attorney, you may not possess a complete understanding of your legal rights. 

Insurance companies and their representatives do not have your best interests in mind. They want to pay out as little as possible while still appearing friendly and helpful. A skilled personal injury lawyer will help you focus on what you can do to improve your case and strengthen your overall strategy. 

Personal injury accidents are often severe, and surviving family members sometimes need assistance to heal from their injuries. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are often necessary after a person suffers an injury during an accident. Many victims do not understand how long they will need to undergo physical therapy or rehabilitation. However, these tools can help injured victims heal and move on with their lives so they do not become disabled due to their injuries. 

Repetitive motions are often used to help accident victims retrain their muscles and learn how to regain their strength after suffering injuries. Physical therapists work with accident victims to teach them how to manipulate their bodies by performing daily exercises. Also, diet and water intake are essential to human health, and those who have suffered serious bodily injuries need to do everything within their power to remain strong and healthy. 

Personal Injury FAQ

When you suffer devastating injuries in an accident across Maryland or Washington, D.C., the impact of your injuries may be felt across every aspect of your life. The thought of moving forward with a personal injury lawsuit can seem like too much to bear. However, once you understand the intricacies of personal injury laws and have a greater understanding of how the claims process works, you may feel more confident pursuing your case. 

We understand you may have many questions about what to expect from your personal injury lawsuit. For that reason, we have provided a quick FAQ that discusses some of the most recently asked questions surrounding personal injury laws in Maryland and Washington, D.C. below. Do not feel discouraged if we do not answer your question on this page. Simply contact our office to request a free consultation so we can discuss your specific concerns in greater detail.

How are insurance claims handled in personal injury cases?

After suffering injuries in an accident, you may be exploring your legal options for financial relief. One of the most common ways to recover compensation for your damages is by filing a claim with the insurance company. Maryland and the District of Columbia handle insurance claims differently. Maryland is a fault insurance state while the District of Columbia is a no-fault insurance state. 

In Maryland, when you are injured in an accident, you will file a claim against the liable party’s insurance policy. This is true whether you were involved in a car accident, slip and fall, or work-related accident. If your accident happened in Washington, D.C., you would instead follow no-fault insurance laws, which means you would file a claim against your personal insurance policy. However, do not expect to recover the compensation you are entitled to through an insurance claim alone. Insurance companies are notoriously financially motivated and often go to great lengths to reduce settlements and deny claimants compensation.

What do I do if I am accused of sharing fault for the accident?

Shared fault allegations are common and personal injury cases. Both Washington, D.C. and Maryland follow pure contributory negligence laws. Sharing blame will prohibit you from recovering compensation for your losses. For this reason, the insurance company and liable parties look for any opportunity they can to place blame on injury victims. 

Even if you are only one percent responsible for causing the accident, pure contributory negligence rules are strict and will take away your right to pursue your case. Fortunately, our personal injury law firm is well-versed in partial fault laws and will work tirelessly to build a powerful claim against the liable party and ensure fault has been accurately evaluated in your case. We are fully prepared to defend your rights and fight back against unfounded shared fault accusations.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?

One of the benefits of working with our personal injury lawyers is the ability to hire legal advocates without putting your personal finances on the line. We work for our clients on contingency agreements, so we do not require money down or payment for our services unless we win your case. 

When we win, our attorney’s fees will be taken out of your award. If we lose, you do not pay anything. We also cover all the costs that come up as we pursue your case, including court filing fees and the costs of hiring experts to analyze evidence and testify on your behalf. This is a low-to-no-risk opportunity for you to demand the compensation that is rightfully yours.

Contact the Jaklitsch Law Group Today 

The attorneys at the Jaklitsch Law Group can help you with your personal injury case. We help people seek financial compensation for their injuries. If you want to learn more about your legal rights, contact us today. 

You do not have to stand alone after suffering injuries during an accident. We can help you learn more about the legal options available to you.