Anne Arundel County Personal Injury Lawyer
Our law firm, including our Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyers, is proud to have served this portion of Maryland for over 70 years.
Understanding Personal Injury Law in Anne Arundel County
Personal injury law in Anne Arundel County follows all the same rules as any other county in Maryland. What distinguishes Anne Arundel’s injury cases from cases in other Maryland counties, however, is the jury pool. When we file suit and take your case to trial in the District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County, we pool the jury from local AA County residents. While every jury is different no matter what venue we file in, some counties are known to award more than others. This typically depends on how conservative the county is. Our experienced Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyers are acutely aware of which counties to file suit in to maximize your compensation as a victim.
While you do not need to be aware of each statute and regulation unique to your county, we will advise you of one law that applies to all of Maryland. That rule bars plaintiffs who are found contributorily negligent in an accident. This rule even applies to those who are found even 1% negligent in an accident. Of course, as AA County personal injury attorneys, it is our job to dispute any allegation that you were negligent.
Why Choose an Anne Arundel County Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury attorney is estimated to increase your gross recovery by four to five times as much as you would without legal representation. The theory is that insurance companies do not expect you to file suit on your case without a lawyer. Thus, you have no leverage when negotiating your settlement. Keep reading to learn what to look for when hiring legal counsel in AA County.
Why Choose a Local Attorney
A local Anne Arundel County personal injury attorney knows the roads like US-50, Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, West Street, etc. This is particularly helpful when explaining how a car accident occurred. Moreover, if you are injured at Highland Beach or Truxtun Park, we are familiar with those landmarks, too. But beyond familiarity with local landmarks, a skilled local attorney is knowledgeable about the Anne Arundel court system. Our trial lawyers have an advantage over other attorneys from other parts of the state. So, we have you covered whether you are from Annapolis, Arnold, Severna Park, Glen Burnie, Pasadena, Odenton, or elsewhere in the county. Our firm’s expertise in handling complex injury claims in Anne Arundel County sets us apart, reflecting our deep understanding of the local community’s unique legal needs.
Anne Arundel County hosts an annual bicycle event in March to showcase scenic trails and roadways throughout our county!
Experienced Anne Arundel County Personal Injury Lawyers
Our experienced Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyers offer deep legal knowledge to clients. The practice of law takes decades to understand a given field truly. In the early stages of one’s career, hours of legal research are required to develop an adequate answer. Moreover, only an experienced and well-versed attorney knows the tricks to get you as much compensation as you deserve. Remember, insurance companies are in business not to make payouts. They have been in business for a long time and know the loopholes to avoid paying you for your injuries.
This is why expertise in legal strategy is necessary to face head on a wide array of challenges you may meet in your case. This includes knowing when to be aggressive and push the defense team hard towards your desired amount for compensation. It also involves knowing when to let up and not push so hard if we want to come to an amicable resolution via settlement.
Responsive Lawyers in Anne Arundel County
This is one of the elements of our practice that we take the most seriously. It is crucial to excellent legal representation as Anne Arundel personal injury lawyers to be responsive for our clients. Our Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyers know nothing is more frustrating than being unable to reach an attorney you are already paying for. As you can hear from past client testimonials, we consistently accomplish this. Beyond frustration for clients, a lack of responsiveness can detrimentally affect your case. There are several deadlines we must meet. Failure to meet those deadlines can result in you not receiving the compensation you deserve. One such deadline is personal injury protection, or PIP. An attorney who is slow to respond to clients might miss this deadline as it approaches faster than the standard statute of limitations.
Moreover, you have specific duties as a plaintiff that you must adhere to obtain maximum compensation. In the case of a car accident case, one such duty is to mitigate damages. So, if your car is brought to a tow lot, you cannot let it sit there for days or weeks. Instead, you have an affirmative duty to remove it from the lot within a reasonable time. Even if you cannot immediately afford to pay the bill, you must do so. And if you win your personal injury case, this cost is compensable anyway, so you must do this if your attorney advises.
Our Practice Areas
Our Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyers have a proven track record in all types of injury cases, securing compensation for victims hit in crosswalks, sidewalks, roadways, or on private premises.
Anne Arundel County Car Accidents
What are the steps to take after an auto accident in Anne Arundel County? We handle Anne Arundel County car accidents every day. Our Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyers have handled over 10,000 car accident cases since our founding in 1954. This experience has afforded us efficiency and skill. This efficiency directly benefits our clients. It can reduce the duration of legal proceedings and increase the amount of compensation you receive. Whether you collide with another car, a truck, a motorcycle, a pedestrian, or some other motor vehicle, we are happy to advise you on the next steps. Schedule a free consultation with your local Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyer today.
Wrongful Deaths in Anne Arundel County
Unfortunately, wrongful deaths occur all the time in Anne Arundel County. A wrongful death action, under the Wrongful Death Act applicable in Maryland, allows a close family member to make a claim with the assistance of an Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyer. This Act limits who may make a claim rather than enabling more plaintiffs to have a valid cause of action. This statute is designed because legislatures do not want family members coming out of the woodwork to recover compensation when they are not even affected by the death of a family member. If you have any questions regarding the statute in Maryland or whether you have a claim for wrongful death, contact our office immediately.
If you represent the estate of the decedent, you may be able to pursue a survival action with the help of an Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyer. This differs from a wrongful death action, and the damages are far more significant. The value of these cases can rest upon whether the death was instant or whether there was pain and suffering involved. For example, in one case we had, a victim suffered in excruciating pain for two months before ultimately perishing. This case rightly has more monetary value than a case where the decedent had no suffering whatsoever.
Traumatic Brain Injuries in Anne Arundel County, MD
Traumatic brain injury cases in Anne Arundel County, MD, or TBI cases, are some of the most severe cases in the field of personal injury law. These can be complex due to the complicated nature of brain injuries. Accordingly, going to trial can become expensive as we have to hire and depose expert witnesses. The flip side of this issue is the defendant has to do the same thing. And when they already know they are liable for the victim’s injuries, the problem becomes how much the case is worth. This leads to a defendant who is more willing to settle because they, too, want to avoid the cost of hiring witnesses.
Spinal Cord Injuries in AA County
Similar to TBIs, spinal cord injuries in AA County can be complex. Here, the issue is more about proving the extent of the loss of enjoyment of life. With a spinal cord injury, you likely will be unable to exercise, perform hobbies, and perhaps much more. This has significant value in personal injury law. Beyond that, if you operate in a line of work that demands physical labor, your Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyer can prove that your earning capacity is stunted. Moreover, spinal cord injuries can result in significant pain, if not paralysis. There is a strong argument to be made that this pain and suffering warrants substantial compensation.
The Process of Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Anne Arundel County
The process of filing your personal injury claim in Anne Arundel County depends a lot on your injury. However, the basics of the start remain the same for nearly any injury.
- Seek Medical Attention. When people say safety first, they are right. No matter what the cause of the injury is, this is the first step. In a car accident case, get over to the side of the road before exiting your vehicle. If you are in a fight in a bar or nightclub, get safely away from your attacker. Call an ambulance if your situation is dire.
- Collect Evidence. If you are able, collect as much evidence as you can. This involves taking pictures of damage to your vehicle if you are in a motor vehicle accident. Get the adverse driver’s name, address, insurance, and vehicle information. If you are in a slip and fall accident, management report that you fell. But at the same time, be careful with the words you use to not implicate yourself as contributorily negligent.
- Report to Police. The police will not always come, especially in a minor car accident. But if they do come and create a police report, get the police report number.
- Contact Anne Arundel County Personal Injury Lawyer.
How We Can Help: Our Approach to Personal Injury Cases
- Our Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyers’ approach to personal injury cases in Anne Arundel County is client-centric. We start by providing a free case evaluation. We advise you of the merits of your case and whether it is worth pursuing. There are times when you technically have liability by the defendant, and you may even be able to prove it, but damages are so minimal that it is not worth pursuing.
- We also provide investigation services. We frequently work with private investigators when necessary to build a more robust personal injury case. We will also speak with the police if they go to the scene and interview witnesses.
- If we cannot negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries, we will litigate your case at trial. Of course, going to trial requires a host of formalities that a layperson may not fully understand. But we have been practicing law in this field for over 70 years. We are ready to fight for you.
- We require no retainer. Instead, we operate on a contingent fee basis. This means our legal fee is contingent on whether we win your case. If we do not win your case, there is no fee.
Reach out to our office today for a free case evaluation!
FAQs: Hiring an Anne Arundel County Personal Injury Lawyer
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Maryland?
The statute of limitations for personal injuries in Maryland is three years, subject to some exceptions. See §5–101. The exception to the statute is if you did not discover the injury until later. In that case, the statute does not run until you make the discovery. Moreover, a limited number of injuries have shorter limitation statutes, whereas some others are longer.
Can you sue for pain and suffering in Maryland?
Yes, you can sue for pain and suffering in Maryland with the help of an Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyer. But first, you must be able to prove liability by the defendant. Then, you must prove the existence of some injury by a preponderance of the evidence. This may require testimony from a doctor or expert witness.
What is the maximum pain and suffering in Maryland?
There are “damages” caps and pain and suffering caps. The cap for pain and suffering is $500,000 + (current year – 1994)($15,000). Thus, in 2024, it is $950,000.
Contact Us: Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you believe you have a case or are looking for next steps, call our Anne Arundel County personal injury lawyers immediately for a free case evaluation.