Over $150 Million Recovered For Our Clients “Roger K. Gelb is one of the area’s most respected and sought-after legal minds” – Washingtonian Magazine
Annapolis Personal Injury Lawyer
Our Annapolis personal injury lawyers have been practicing law in Maryland since 1954. With our primary office in Washington, D.C., we have opened up a second office in Maryland to provide exclusive representation to Maryland residents and anyone traveling in the state. While we handle primarily negligence cases, we also have experience handling hundreds of cases involving intentional or reckless action, which results in injury to another.
The most common personal injury cases we handle include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, wrongful deaths, slip and falls, and any other conceivable accident resulting from someone’s wrongful act and causing you injury. This is true even if the tortfeasor did not intend to commit the tort. In fact, in no tort is it necessary to intend to commit the injury. Rather, in the seven intentional torts in Maryland personal injury law, the only thing required is that the tortfeasor intends the consequences of his conduct. This element is satisfied if his purpose in acting is to bring about the consequences. However, the vital distinction is that the tortfeasor need not intend the injury.
Anyone may make a claim in Maryland so long as the claim is meritorious. This is a question we receive frequently. The better question is whether the Maryland court system has jurisdiction over the defendant. A defendant is subject to be sued in Maryland in two main scenarios. Although, as is common in the law, some exceptions are not discussed here. Please get in touch with a seasoned Annapolis personal injury lawyer for information on the exceptions.
The first scenario where a defendant is subject to suit in Annapolis is if there is personal jurisdiction. This means that the state court will have jurisdiction over the person if he is domiciled in the state. There are specific requirements necessary to show domiciliary. However, the general parameters are intent and where the person currently resides. The second method to sue a tortfeasor in Maryland state court is if the injury occurred in Maryland. This is true even if the person does not live in Maryland. This method is subject to Maryland state statutes. The less likely methods include personally serving the defendant as he is in Maryland. Or, perhaps easiest, the defendant merely consents to the court having personal jurisdiction over them.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Boating Accident
We mentioned above the personal injury cases our Annapolis lawyers handle most frequently. However, boating accidents happen with, unfortunately, regularity in Annapolis. Tort law is generally the same on the water as on land. However, there are some exceptions. One such exception includes the duty owed when a child drives the family’s boat. In tort law, generally, a child owes a duty to a like-minded child of education, experience, and intelligence. However, boating is an adult activity. Thus, children operating boats are held to the same standard as adults. That standard, while perhaps not very helpful, is one of ordinary care under the circumstances. In short, it means children are still liable for their negligence. Additionally, children are subject to additional Maryland state laws.
Intentional Torts
The seven intentional torts in Maryland are battery, assault, trespass to land, trespass to chattel, false imprisonment, conversion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Intentional torts can result in wrongful deaths. Unique to Annapolis, false imprisonments occur slightly more frequently there than in other cities in Maryland. Contact an Annapolis personal injury lawyer if you want more information on intentional torts or other aspects of Maryland personal injury law.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common cases we handle in Annapolis. Whether on U.S. Route 50 or some other major highway in Anne Arundel County, car accidents are an unfortunate reality of transportation in 2023. While some tech companies like Tesla strive towards autonomous driving, we are still far away. Accordingly, having a reputable Annapolis personal injury lawyer is as important as ever if you are ever unfortunate enough to be in a car accident.
Why Choose Gelb & Gelb, P.C.?
Annapolis Personal Injury Lawyers With 70 Years of Experience
Founded in 1954, our attorneys have practiced personal injury law for the last century. Experience is essential in any industry but vital in the law. This is because it is a complex and ever-evolving field. It takes three years of law school to understand tort law fully. However, the school does not teach you your state’s laws. So, it takes practice and experience in that jurisdiction, in this case, Maryland, to understand tort law, evidence, and civil procedure. Additionally, understanding these various components of the law and how they interact is another complex yet fundamental principle.
Meanwhile, a personal injury attorney with little to zero experience practicing in Maryland will need help to learn the law and anticipate deadlines. Some deadlines occur within the first couple of months that could save or cost you thousands of dollars. A lawyer with less experience might miss these deadlines due to a lack of awareness. Moreover, a lawyer with no experience will have to spend more time researching the law than an attorney familiar and comfortable with Maryland law. The inexperienced lawyer may become overwhelmed by his or her caseload and fail to provide great legal services.
Aggressive Pursuit
Our Annapolis personal injury attorneys will aggressively pursue your claim, from settlement negotiations to mediation, arbitration, and trial. While we always respect opposing counsel and the court of law, we recognize that, as the plaintiff, aggressive action and effort are necessary to get a favorable result. Bold action by a plaintiff lawyer in Annapolis can secure more compensation for your case. Remember, the insurance companies do not want to pay you for your injuries. The two main ways to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries are either by a trial court giving a judgment or aggressive negotiation before trial.
Of course, a trial takes more precision and skillful interaction with the jury. However, aggressive pursuit with the insurance companies can be effective. For one, they like to dodge calls. Again, they do not desire to pay you for your injuries, even if their client is liable. While there is only so much we can do to get them on the phone and to the table, we relentlessly call and send letters demanding your case. If this does not work, we will file suit for you.
Annapolis Personal Injury Lawyer: Approach
Our approach involves leveling the playing field for victims of negligence. When a layperson without legal counsel is up against an insurance company, it is like David and Goliath. While you may have the law on your side, these insurance companies are masters at paying out as little as possible. They quickly point out the fine print for why they do not have to pay you anything. They will say things that the law does not support to get out of paying. But, if you need to be more knowledgeable of the law, they can and will take advantage of you.
While insurance companies have the resources to fight against a person without legal knowledge or experience, we are here to fight for your rights. You have a right to claim in any accident due to a negligent third party when you get in. We’re contacting you with the resources you need to make a claim. We apply the law to the facts that support your argument and help you build the most robust case possible.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Annapolis Cost?
One of the nice things about our fee structure is that it remains consistent no matter how complex your case is or how many hours we spend on it. At the least, this makes it simple to understand. Nearly all personal injury lawyers across the country follow the same fee structure. If we win your case before trial, we take one-third of the recovery. If we have to file suit on your case, our fee increases to 40%. This happens in a minority of cases, but it does happen. However, we do not charge you a fee if we fail on your case. This benefits society because it allows people who otherwise cannot afford an attorney to make a claim. Otherwise, you may begin to swim in a sea of debt, medical expenses, and legal fees due to a car accident or other personal injury.
Free Consultation With an Annapolis Personal Injury Lawyer
Because we do not bill clients by the hour, and our entire fee is contingent on whether we win your case, there is no fee for a consultation. No matter how many times you call or how many questions you ask, our fee remains the same. This incentivizes our clients to reach out and receive peace of mind whenever they have an issue related to their case.
Claims Process for an Annapolis Personal Injury Case
Generally, the typical claims process for an Annapolis personal injury case follows the same timeline. Of course, how long each step will vary.
Medical Treatment
These steps need to be completed before the actual claims process can begin. Once it starts, we have an idea of what your special or economic damages will be.
Send Demand Letter
Once we know your damages, we send the defendant a demand letter. Generally, this will go directly to the defendant’s insurance company as they are contractually liable for their client’s negligence. If the defendant intentionally injures you, it is less likely that their insurance will be involved. Although, if it is a bar or nightclub, then it is possible.
Negotiate Settlement
Once the adverse insurance company receives our demand letter, they will let you know they’ve received it. From there, it typically takes them 30 days to evaluate our claim. We give them 30 days as this is customary in personal injury law, and they need more resources to act faster. However, this depends on the insurer. Then, settlement negotiations can take a few days to a few weeks. The longer it takes, the better the settlement offer will be. However, sometimes, insurance companies like to waste time. We have decades of experience negotiating settlements and know both have a good idea of what your case is worth and what an acceptable settlement offer is that we recommend a client accept. Of course, ultimately, it is your choice whether to accept the offer.
File Suit
If we recommend that you decline the settlement offer or you decide to reject the offer for some other reason, we will file suit on the case with your authorization. Getting to trial can take several months to a year. But once at trial, most cases in Anne Arundel County will take just two days. However, it may take longer for a more complex case.
Contact an Annapolis Personal Injury Lawyer
Since 1954, we have handled various personal injury cases in Annapolis. We understand that excellent legal representation requires honed knowledge of the rules of law and compassionate support as you go through a challenging and complex process. Our consultations are always free. Reach out to an Annapolis personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation.