A car accident in Baltimore, Maryland, can leave you dealing with a number of serious consequences. Financial losses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress are just three examples of the harm you might be experiencing. Fortunately, you may have legal recourse by filing a car accident claim against the at-fault driver.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you through the Maryland car accident claims process. We’ve been helping accident victims in the state since 1977. Our Baltimore car accident attorneys have over a century of combined experience, and our personal injury law firm has secured tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. You can trust us to help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today at (410) 837-2144 to set up a free consultation if you’d like to learn more.
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How WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Recover Damages After a Car Crash in Baltimore, Maryland
The auto insurance industry is valued at hundreds of billions of dollars. Car insurance companies make money by taking in premiums, not by paying out claims. After a car accident in Baltimore, MD, it’s key to remember that the insurance company isn’t on your side – whether it’s yours or the at-fault driver’s. They’ll utilize many tactics to escape or reduce their liability for your claim whenever possible.
If you hire our experienced Baltimore car accident lawyers, we’ll be able to represent your rights and interests at every stage of your case. We’ll make sure the insurance company is held accountable and that they don’t get away with trying to take advantage of you. Our award-winning legal team can help with your claim by:
- Evaluating all of the damages you have sustained
- Collecting evidence in support of your claim
- Hiring experts as needed to strengthen your case
- Protecting you from allegations of contributory negligence
- Negotiating with the opposing party and handling all the communications and procedures
- Filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party if they refuse to cooperate
Contact our law office in Baltimore today for more information about our legal services. Your initial consultation has no obligations and is completely free of charge.
The Car Accident Claims Process in the State of Maryland
Since Maryland is an “at-fault” state for car insurance claims, you can pursue compensation from the driver who caused your accident. Normally, that means filing a claim against their insurance policy. While no two car accident claims in Maryland will play out exactly the same, there are some stages that most follow.
Consultation, Investigation, and Evaluation
Ideally, you would consult with a Baltimore car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. Receiving medical attention and caring for your health is what’s most important. But from there, it is best to reach out to an attorney before speaking with any insurance companies.
Once you’ve consulted with and hired a lawyer, they can conduct an internal investigation into your accident. That process will help the attorney gather evidence, determine who’s liable, and formulate a plan of action that is in your best interest. It can sometimes require expert assistance at this stage, such as help from an accident reconstructionist.
It’s also at this point that a thorough evaluation process will take place. This process is critical because you have just one chance to recover compensation for your injuries. If you do not fully evaluate the damages you have sustained, you might settle your claim for less than what it’s worth.
Demand Letter
Once you and your lawyer have a thorough understanding of your case and how much it is worth, your attorney will send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurer. The insurance company will respond either by accepting liability or denying liability.
Negotiations
Even if the insurance company accepts liability, it will likely respond by offering a settlement amount that is much less than the true value of your claim. This is when negotiations will kick off between the at-fault party’s insurer and your lawyer. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators, but so are personal injury attorneys.
Filing a Lawsuit
The majority of car accident cases resolve at the negotiation stage. However, in some instances, it may be in your best interest to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Keep in mind that cases can still reach a settlement agreement even after a lawsuit is filed.
In fact, sometimes, filing a lawsuit will persuade the opposing party to offer an adequate amount. Insurance companies don’t like taking cases all the way to trial, and sometimes simply taking them to court can force them to change their tune.
Further, filing a lawsuit gives your Maryland car accident lawyer access to the pretrial discovery process. This process could unearth crucial evidence needed to prove your claim.
In especially rare circumstances, a trial may be warranted to reach a final outcome. At trial, a jury will normally determine liability and the amount of damages to award.
Types of Damages You Can Receive After a Car Accident in Maryland
Car accident victims in Maryland can obtain both economic and non-economic damages. These “compensatory damages” represent your financial losses as well as the other aspects of the accident that aren’t as easy to quantify.
Economic damages include:
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Childcare costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Medical bills
- Decreased earning capacity
Non-economic damages include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Mental conditions such as PTSD
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
Punitive damages may be available in addition to economic and non-economic damages, but only in limited cases. In Maryland, you must prove that the at-fault party acted maliciously in order for punitive damages to be an option.
Our Maryland car accident attorneys cut no corners in representing our clients. That means maximizing the value of your claim wherever possible and giving your case the full extent of our attention and resources.
Schedule a Free Case Review With a Skilled Baltimore Car Accident Attorney
The car accident claims process in Maryland can be daunting, especially if you’re dealing with significant injuries and financial losses. If you hire the trusted Baltimore car accident attorneys with WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll have the chance to focus on your well-being.
In the meantime, we’ll handle your car accident claim from start to finish. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you can hire us without any upfront costs. From there, we’ll only receive attorney’s fees if we get compensation for you. Call today to schedule a free consultation and learn about your legal options following a car accident in the State of Maryland.
