After a car accident in Baltimore, Maryland, one of the first thoughts you may have and legal matters that need to be cleared up is, “Whose fault was the accident?” If you were involved in a car accident and the other driver is liable for it, you could be entitled to compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses you suffered.
However, before you can collect anything, you will have to be able to establish liability for the accident. The experienced car accident lawyers at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help you meet this burden. Contact us today at (410) 837-2144 to schedule your free consultation.
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How WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Baltimore Car Accident Claim
Since 1977, the legal team at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers has been fighting against insurance companies to get the compensation our clients need. We bring together over a century of combined legal experience we leverage to help our clients recover the money they need after they were unexpectedly injured by someone else’s negligence.
When you hire us, you can count on our Baltimore car accident lawyers – who have been battle-tested for over three generations – to fight for you tooth and nail. We can explain your legal rights, answer your questions, and assist in the following ways:
- Offer award-winning legal representation at every phase of your case
- Investigate the cause of the accident and identify all liable parties
- Gather evidence that supports your position
- Work with experts to strengthen your case, when necessary
- Calculate the full value of your damages
- Negotiate with the insurance company for maximum compensation
Our free case review allows you to learn more about your legal rights and options. Contact our law office in Baltimore, MD, today for trusted legal help.
What Is Liability?
In the personal injury context, liability is a legal concept that means someone else is legally responsible for causing someone else to suffer harm. When a person acts negligently and harms someone else as a result of that negligence, that person can be held financially accountable to the victim for the damages the victim suffered. The person is liable for the harm they caused.
Why Does Liability Matter in a Baltimore, Maryland Car Accident Case?
Liability is important to establish in most car accident cases in most states. However, it is particularly important in Maryland because of two features of Maryland law.
At Fault State
Maryland is considered an “at-fault” state. This means that the person who is found at fault for an accident is responsible for paying for the damages they caused to the other person. This is the system that most states follow.
Contributory Negligence
A unique feature of Maryland law is that it is one of only four states that uses a contributory negligence system when an accident victim contributed to the accident. This legal feature can completely bar an accident victim from recovering any compensation.
In Maryland, if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you won’t be able to receive money. Most states still allow you to recover compensation so long as the accident wasn’t mostly your fault, but Maryland is much more strict.
Maryland Liability Insurance Requirements
Maryland Insurance Administration explains that liability insurance protects policyholders when they cause an accident. Bodily injury liability coverage pays for someone else’s medical expenses and other costs associated with a bodily injury when the policyholder is at fault or liable for the accident. Property damage liability coverage pays to repair the other driver’s vehicle if the policyholder was at fault or liable for the accident.
In Maryland, all insurance policies must include at least $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 in property damage.
How Do I Prove the Other Driver Is at Fault After a Car Accident in Baltimore, MD?
Objective evidence can help you establish the other driver is at fault. This might include:
- The police report
- Photos of the accident scene
- Physical damage to the vehicles and other property
- Videos
- Witness statements
- Cell phone records that demonstrate the other driver was distracted
- Medical records that are consistent with your position in the accident or show the other driver was impaired by drugs or alcohol
A seasoned lawyer will know how to gather and compile strong evidence to support your claim.
Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers for Assistance With Your Claim
If you were injured in an accident, WGK Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We can explain your legal rights, answer your questions, and help establish liability in your case. Contact our Baltimore car accident attorneys for more information.
