Since 1954, our Baltimore car accident lawyers have been working with accident victims and ensuring each client obtains the compensation he or she deserves. In this article, we will discuss the general timeline of a case once you hire an experienced car accident attorney. As a disclaimer, each case is different. Simply because one way is the standard does not mean it is best for your case or should be relied upon without consulting a seasoned accident lawyer.
No matter how much research you do online, more formal legal education will be needed. The insurance companies know this, so they are almost guaranteed to make a worse settlement offer than if you have retained a Baltimore car accident lawyer. When searching for the best car accident lawyer in Baltimore, you should hire the one who will give you the attention your case deserves and have the knowledge and experience to handle an accident case. It would be best to look at experience and how past clients speak of them. This is your best insight without personal knowledge about the lawyer, whether you will receive thorough communication and calls and emails as you need.
Whether you were in a car accident five minutes ago or five days ago, you must ensure that you receive proper medical attention. This means calling paramedics or visiting your nearest hospital or family physician. Beyond the obvious medical rewards, your case’s value will also increase. This is because, under tort law, you may recover for all reasonable medical expenses related to a valid legal tort claim. This does not mean you should receive more medical treatment than is necessary to feel better. Instead, it would be best to understand the importance of adequate treatment. In turn, you will not short your physical or financial recovery.
Additionally, before consulting with counsel, some clients tell their insurance companies that they feel better than they do. Whatever the reason for this may be, we strongly encourage our clients to represent their injuries as they are and to consult counsel before speaking with the insurance companies. This step in the process may take months or even years. While it is sometimes the longest step, it can also be the most important.
Once you have completed your road to recovery, we, the law firm, begin communications with the defendant’s insurance company. Generally, the defendant does not have substantial assets, so the insurance company is from where you will obtain compensation. We send a demand letter detailing the car accident, why the defendant is at fault, and what the case is worth. Almost every insurance company takes about a month to evaluate the case. Once they assess its worth, we generally begin settlement negotiations. Ideally, the insurance company will make a reasonable offer, and we can settle your claim. However, this is generally not the case. Insurance companies like to pray in impatient plaintiffs who may need money quickly and play the odds game to see if you will accept an offer well below what your case is worth.
If we cannot get a reasonable offer from the insurance company, we file suit against the defendant. Then, the defendant’s insurance company represents the defendant in court. They have a vested interest in the prevailing defendant, so they are willing to invest resources to defend the suit. Then, depending on the value of your case and how much coverage the tortfeasor has, we obtain a judgment. Lastly, we disburse the recovery to all the medical providers who are owed out of the recovery.
Further, we disburse to Medicare and Medicaid, which may have a lien on the judgment. We are legally obligated to pay these organizations back out of the recovery. During the disbursement, the plaintiff also receives payment.
Handling a car accident case in Baltimore can be complex and confusing. Additionally, assuming the tortfeasor accepts liability, obtaining the maximum compensation owed under Maryland tort law can be challenging. So, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Baltimore car accident lawyer to discuss your options.