Frederick County Personal Injury Lawyer
Our Frederick County personal injury lawyers have assisted clients across Frederick, Maryland, and its surrounding areas, including Hyattstown, Walkersville, Libertytown, Middletown, Jefferson, and beyond, for over 70 years. As a leading law firm in Frederick, MD, specializing in personal injury, we are dedicated to providing top-tier representation. When researching Frederick County’s best personal injury lawyers, looking for a few key attributes is essential. First, find an attorney who is willing to fight for you. This is different from an attorney simply willing to take on your case. Legal representation goes from good to great when your attorney is passionate, compassionate, and ready to fight for their clients.
As you will read, our law firm handles car accident cases in Frederick, slip and falls, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bar assault cases, and any other conceivable act of negligence that results in injury to you. Beyond the typical negligence case, we also handle cases due to intentional conduct, such as an assault or battery. While the tortfeasor may have been prosecuted criminally, you may still have a case to pursue that person or entity civilly. When you do so, you may be entitled to monetary damages.
Seeking legal advice for accident victims in Frederick County is crucial to navigating the complexities of injury compensation claims. Our team is recognized as a top personal injury claim law firm in Frederick and brings unparalleled expertise and dedication.
Why Choose a Frederick County Personal Injury Lawyer
When you hire a Frederick County personal injury lawyer, the average recovery increase is roughly four to five times as much as if you handled the case independently. Theoretically, this is because you have no leverage in negotiating your case without an attorney. While negotiating pro se, while the insurance company likely knows you have a valid claim, they also know two other things. First, they know that you are unaware of the actual value of your claim. Second, they know you are unlikely to file suit on your case without an attorney. Thus, they are not incentivized to offer more on your case.
Local Legal Help
Your Frederick County personal injury lawyer has local knowledge and expertise in Frederick County courts. This benefits you in several ways.
- Familiarity with the judges and law clerks in Frederick County allows for more effective pleading and oral arguments in court.
- Court systems vary in their local rules. Beyond knowing judicial preferences, understanding the local rules aids efficiency as we do not have to spend time learning the rules as would a nonlocal attorney.
- We know local accident trends and local precedents. Knowing that a particular curve on the road leads to many accidents, for example, we can use this knowledge to our advantage in your case. Or, if you are explaining how an accident occurred, the fact that our Frederick County personal injury lawyers have driven a particular road many times themselves can help us understand your case.
- Since we are a local law firm, we are interested in advocating for local issues. We are invested in protecting the residents of Frederick. That includes seeking justice for victims of negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct.
Our deep understanding of Frederick County, from the busy streets of Downtown Frederick to the quiet corners of Urbana and Brunswick, enriches our legal strategies and advocacy. Navigating Frederick County’s legal landscape: our in-depth knowledge of local laws and regulations, combined with our hands-on experience with Frederick’s courts and legal personnel, sets us apart as the region’s go-to personal injury law firm.
Types of Personal Injury Cases Handled
We are dedicated to representing victims of negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts of violence that result in harm. These are vague terms, and they can apply to thousands of different scenarios. Below, we list the most common cases our Frederick County personal injury lawyers handle.
- Car accidents in Frederick County
- Motorcycle accident in Frederick County
- Frederick County truck accident
- Frederick County pedestrian accident
- Leading Legal Assistance for Medical Malpractice Victims in Frederick County
- Wrongful death in Frederick County, MD
Ready to Speak with a Frederick County personal injury attorney? Contact Us Today for a Comprehensive Case Evaluation.
Understanding the Personal Injury Legal Process in Frederick County
Every case our Frederick County personal injury lawyers encounter is different, even if slightly different. We must make other arguments based on the facts and questions presented. However, the personal injury legal process in Frederick County remains relatively consistent regardless of the facts of the case. Navigating the legal maze after an accident can be overwhelming. Our Frederick County personal injury lawyers offer personalized guidance, from understanding your rights to securing the compensation you deserve.
- At stage one is your injury. However it may have occurred, you must seek immediate medical attention and collect as much evidence as possible. Of course, if your injuries are severe enough, you should not worry about collecting evidence or information.
- Second, you must speak with a Frederick County personal injury lawyer immediately. Our firm offers free, confidential case evaluations to all prospective clients. We will determine whether you have a case worth pursuing during this process. We will discuss the applicable law and what facts point to you having a case or ruining your case. Of course, that is not the only thing that makes a case worth pursuing. It also has to be sufficiently valuable to warrant investing time and costs. For example, if the defendant is per se negligent, but your damages are de minimis, you should not pursue the case. Even if you win at trial, you may only receive nominal damages. Many courts will award damages of $1 in such cases. If we accept your case, we will set up your file and advise you on the next steps.
- Stage three should include follow-up medical treatment if necessary. Medical expenses related to your injury are compensable. This means the defendant is liable for your reasonable medical expenses. If you injure your neck or back, you may need physical therapy. If you fracture bones, you will need a host of treatments. The defendant is also liable for prescription medications you need for your injury; they are ultimately responsible for any reasonable medical expenses. And, of course, the burden is on the defense to prove that your doctor did not act reasonably in treating you if they want to argue that these expenses are not compensable. This stage can last anywhere from one week to a couple of years. Although your medical treatment may go beyond a couple of years, we must consider the three-year statute of limitations applicable in Frederick County and proceed with your case.
Settling Your Frederick County Personal Injury Case
- This step involves sending a carefully crafted demand to the defendant’s insurer. The demand includes all of your bills and records. As stated, your medical expenses are compensable. The medical records also indicate to the insurer that the treatment is what we purport it to be. It also indicates to them, typically, that you were in pain and suffered because of the injury caused by their insured. Then, we commence settlement negotiations.
- Once an insurer receives our demand letter, it can take them four to six weeks to process and evaluate your case.
- Negotiating the settlement of your case can take a couple of weeks once they have completed their evaluation. Of course, it is worth negotiating weeks because going to trial is far more expensive and takes even longer. For each settlement offer we receive, we will inform you of the offer and advise that you accept or reject the offer. As Frederick County personal injury lawyers with decades of experience, we have a good idea of what your case is worth at this stage in the process. Thus, if the insurance company makes a lousy offer, we will tell you this.
- If the insurance company makes a good offer, we will advise you to accept. It is still your choice to do so or to reject the offer. If you reject the offer, we can push for more. If you accept the offer, you must sign a release of liability contract. The consideration for this contract is the settlement money you will receive from the insurer.
Taking Your Personal Injury Case to Trial
We file suit on your case in two instances. First, if the defense denies liability. If they do this, we will prove by a preponderance of the evidence in court that the defendant is legally liable for your injuries. The second instance is if the defense team does not place as much value as we do on your case, causing their settlement offers to be below the actual value of your injuries.
After filing suit on your case in the District Court in Frederick County, your court date can take several months to arrive. Once it does, a personal injury trial typically takes two days. The downside to trial is you never know with 100% certainty what will happen. No matter how bulletproof your case is or how great your legal team is, some juries are unpredictable. Our Frederick County personal injury lawyers understand the jury pool in Frederick County. The potential jury is a factor that a good attorney considers while negotiating a settlement.
What to Expect When Working with a Frederick County Personal Injury Lawyer
When working with a Frederick County personal injury lawyer, you can expect that the process will not be quick but that you are in good hands and your case is moving. As you can see from the process breakdown above, certain stages require time. Whether it is waiting for the insurance company to process our demand letter (four to six weeks) or your case being on hold until you complete your medical treatment, certain parts are out of our control. But what you also can expect is that we are responsive. Our office is open 24/7.
We are always available to talk if you have a question or concern. Our attorneys provide their cell phone numbers to clients. This is not the standard practice in the industry, but we understand how stressful a personal injury case can be. You may have mounting bills; you may be unable to work. The ability to get in touch with your Frederick County injury attorney seven days a week is imperative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Personal Injury Cases
Below, our top-rated attorneys answer some of your most frequently asked questions.
What is the statute of limitations on personal injury in Maryland?
The statute of limitations on a personal injury case in Maryland is three years. However, there are limited exceptions. Thus, speaking with a Frederick County personal injury lawyer about your case is imperative
Can you sue for pain and suffering in Maryland?
Pain and suffering are compensable in Maryland. Pain and suffering fall under the umbrella of noneconomic damages. While there is no magic formula for calculating this, as it is ultimately up to a jury, know that the worse the injury and the more suffering you undergo due to it, the more compensation you are entitled to.
How much compensation do you get for a fall?
The amount you get for a slip and fall in Frederick County depends on your injury. No two slip-and-fall cases are exactly alike. Whether it is a defendant with deeper pockets or a plaintiff who fractured a bone compared to one with just a sore neck, the variations are limitless. This post breaks down the average settlement amount for an injury in Maryland.
What injuries take years to heal?
There is no single set of injuries that take years to heal. Some should take less time but take longer due to complications or aggravations. However, chronic pain conditions, particularly to the brain, severe burns, spinal cord injuries, particularly those leading to paralysis, and nerve damage, can take over a year to fully heal.
Contact a Frederick County Personal Injury Lawyer Today
A Frederick County personal injury lawyer can help you by communicating directly with the adverse insurer and winning your case. Call our office today for a free case evaluation.
Hear from our satisfied clients in Frederick and learn how our injury attorneys championed their cause, reflecting our firm’s dedication and results-driven approach.