Car accidents happen every single day here in Maryland, and if you’ve recently been injured in one, you should strongly consider speaking with a seasoned St. Mary’s County car accident lawyer here at The Dorsey Law Firm. We know how stressful life after an accident can be, which is why we will swiftly fight for the compensation you need to move on with your life. Contact our firm today so we can get started.
Do I Need a St. Mary’s County Car Accident Lawyer?
If you plan on taking legal action against the person who caused your injuries, you cannot afford to do so on your own. A St. Mary’s County auto accident lawyer here at The Dorsey Law Firm is well-equipped to fight for a financial recovery so you can continue focusing on what matters most–making a strong physical recovery.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, and at times, they are simply unavoidable. However, as you know, in most cases, they are caused by negligence. Some of the most common causes of car accidents that our firm sees are as follows:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
- Speeding
- Unsafely merging/changing lanes
- Ignoring traffic lights or signs
The bottom line is that anytime a driver violates the rules or regulations of the road, he or she is putting all other motorists in danger, and if you were injured in an accident caused by a driver who was violating the rules of the road, there is a very good chance that you will have a valid personal injury claim against that driver.
What is PIP?
You’ve most likely heard of Personal Injury Protection (also known as PIP), which is essentially a form of no-fault coverage designed to help cover the cost of a portion of the policyholder’s medical bills and immediate expenses associated with the accident. All insured motorists are required to have PIP in Maryland. While PIP should help, oftentimes, it will not cover the entire cost of your injuries, let alone any lost wages you’ve suffered as a result of your accident. This is why if the accident was not your fault, you must speak with a St. Mary’s car accident lawyer who can file a personal injury claim and work to obtain the full compensation you need.
What to do After a Car Accident
After a car accident, as long as you are physically capable of doing so, you should do everything in your power to document the accident. Try to take the following steps, if you can:
- Call the police. When they arrive, they will write up a police report regarding the facts of the incident, and they will also send an ambulance to the scene, which will transport you to a hospital for treatment.
- Calmly ask the other driver for his or her insurance information, but keep conversation to a minimum and never apologize–apologizing, even simply out of politeness, can be misconstrued as an admission of fault.
- Take pictures of any damage to your car, the other driver’s vehicle, and any property involved in the accident.
- Ask anyone who saw your accident for their contact information, including their name, email address, and phone number. They may verify your claim at a later date.
- Ensure that you receive immediate medical treatment. Even if you do not feel particularly hurt at first, certain injuries take a couple of days to set in, so it is always best to be proactive when it comes to seeking medical attention.
- Obtain all medical documentation regarding the origin and extent of your injuries from your treating physician.
- Ensure you retain the services of a knowledgeable St. Mary’s County personal injury lawyer who can work to obtain all other evidence required to satisfy the burden of proof in your personal injury claim. In many cases, we can work to obtain surveillance footage of the accident, which is perhaps the clearest way to prove a personal injury claim.
Recovering Compensation
As long as we can prove that you were injured as a direct result of another party’s negligence, we should recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. This monetary reward should compensate you for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any other damages you’ve incurred as a result of your car accident.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Maryland
The statute of limitations for car accident claims in Maryland is generally three years. This means that you are required to take legal action within three years of the date of your accident. Failure to do so will most likely result in you losing your right to sue. Our firm has helped countless individuals recover the compensation they need to heal after being injured in car accidents, and we are ready to fight for your rightful compensation as well.
Contact a St. Mary’s County Car Accident Lawyer
Our firm understands how overwhelming the claims process can be, which is why it is our job to handle the entire legal side of the matter while you focus solely on what matters most: healing. We know the ins and outs of the claims process, and we are ready to put our knowledge and experience in the field to work for you. Contact The Dorsey Law Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.
