Harford County Personal Injury Lawyer
Our experienced Harford County personal injury attorneys are here to support you through car accidents, motorcycle collisions, slip and falls, and other personal injuries, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Harford, Maryland, is adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay, containing a mix of rural and urban environments. Thus, Harford residents may encounter many unique dangers that can result in a viable personal injury claim. Whether in Aberdeen, Bel Air, or Havre de Grace, know that the attorneys at Gelb & Gelb are ready to fight for your just compensation.
Since 1954, our firm has been a pillar in Maryland, specializing in personal injury claims, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful deaths, and slip and fall cases. Since our founding, we have successfully handled over 10,000 cases for our clients. Beyond our impressive track record, our success boils down to our client-centric approach. You can always expect a callback when you need to speak to your Harford County injury attorney. We tailor each case specific to each client’s needs. Every case is different, and clients need a certain standard of care to feel well-represented.
Why Choose Us as Your Harford County Personal Injury Lawyer
Experienced Attorneys in Harford County
Our Harford County personal injury lawyers have over 70 years of experience practicing tort law in Maryland. Through our experience, we have developed an understanding of client needs. Thus, we can anticipate problems and provide solutions before they even arise. Additionally, we have developed high levels of risk management. We assess the probability of success for specific legal actions with a high degree of accuracy. For example, we evaluate the likelihood of your success at trial to determine how much to accept as an offer for settlement. This skill takes decades to develop and can cost or win you thousands of dollars.
Experience also teaches lawyers the medical aspects of an injury case. Law school does not cover many nuances of medical treatment and injuries. Instead, knowledge of complex medical issues is developed through decades of practice. Suppose you have a complex injury such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), paralysis, bone fractures, or some other serious injury. In that case, we will have handled similar cases hundreds of times and stand ready to assist.
Responsive Lawyers
One of the most essential attributes of any professional is to be responsive to clients. No matter the field or how proficient one is in that field if they are not responsive to clients, the representation has a fundamental flaw. This is why we have chosen to make our phone lines available 24/7. Further, our Harford personal injury lawyers provide their personal cell phone numbers to clients, so it is easier for you to get in touch if you have questions or concerns. Understanding the urgency of personal injury claims in Harford County, our lawyers are committed to providing timely and effective legal counsel, ensuring your case is handled with the utmost care and efficiency.
Injury cases often involve stress, uncertainty, and time-sensitive issues. Being unable to get in touch with your attorney is an added stressor that only results from poor representation. It leads to missed deadlines and misunderstandings. Prompt and clear communication between client and attorney ensures the two are always on the same page regarding case status, medical treatment, and case strategy. Otherwise, a client’s expectations may be led astray, which can have negative implications.
Responsiveness also leads to efficient decision-making. For example, an injury claims lawyer in Harford County must convey each settlement offer we receive on your case. If said lawyer does not act swiftly in conveying these offers, it can burn weeks. This is already a difficult time; your legal team should be working to reduce your stress.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
To be clear, we handle any case that involves injury to you due to negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct, subject to a few caveats.
Harford County Car Accidents
When searching for a car accident lawyer in Harford, know we have handled several thousands of car accidents in Maryland. This experience has given us the expertise to best serve our clients. Car accidents in Harford County can have a devastating impact, not just on the victim in the accident but on the victim’s family. And as a matter of fact, car accident cases can be complex. They can result due to speeding, running a red light, not stopping at a stop sign, a car in the driver’s blind spot, and so much more. It can be challenging to determine who is at fault. And even if we know who is at fault, how do we prove it?
We start by conducting a comprehensive investigation. This involves reviewing the police report, interviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence you have collected, such as photographs, and much more. In car accidents, victims frequently suffer from broken bones, whiplash, sore neck, sore back, and even fatalities. When going through such a stressful and traumatic time, having a team of dedicated lawyers working for you is essential.
Motorcycle Accidents in Harford County
Whether on the crowded streets of Baltimore Pike, Bel Air Bypass, Veterans Memorial Highway, I-95, or Pulaski Highway, motorcycle accidents occur with unfortunate regularity. Whether you are the rider on the motorcycle or you collide with a motorcycle, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Our legal team is adept at navigating the intricate legal landscape surrounding motorcycle accidents in Harford County. We tirelessly investigate each case that walks through our door. In working on motorcycle accident claims in Harford County, we aim to ensure maximum client compensation. This involves a compassionate approach and an indefatigable plan of attack.
If you are injured while riding a motorcycle, we know your injuries can be catastrophic. Even with necessary protection like a helmet and gloves, motorcycles lack essential safety equipment to protect you in a high-speed accident. So, immediate medical attention followed by a case evaluation with a Harford County personal injury lawyer is critical.
Harford County Wrongful Deaths
When seeking “Wrongful death compensation Harford County”, know that wrongful deaths in Harford County are the most tragic cases we handle. To qualify under the Wrongful Death statute applicable in Maryland, you must be a parent, spouse, or child of the deceased. The statute acts as a limitation on who may make a claim for damages related to the deceased. Note that a wrongful death claim is separate from a survival action brought by the estate of the decedent. Also, note that you may pursue a viable wrongful death claim against a defendant even if they are found “not guilty” in a criminal court. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you in your recovery and fight for the justice you deserve for the death of your loved one.
Slip and Falls in Harford County
Consult with a Harford County personal injury lawyer if you slip and fall and injure yourself. The law applicable to slip and falls, and premises liability in general, is complex. The law is different depending on who owns the property. There may be an applicable notice statute if you are dealing with the Harford County government. The law also differs depending on whether you are a business invitee or a licensee. Contact our office for a free case evaluation if you believe you have a case.
We advocate for our clients at every step of the legal process, from negotiating with insurance companies to representing them in court if necessary. We ensure you get proper medical treatment, review your medical providers’ bills and records, and build a robust case to deliver to the adverse insurer for a potential settlement. If the tortfeasor’s insurer remains unwilling to propose a reasonable settlement offer, we take their insured to court, where they provide representation on their insured’s behalf.
Maximizing Your Compensation: Our Approach
Discover how our Harford County injury attorneys expertly maximize your compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, ensuring a fair settlement.
Medical Expenses
In general, you are entitled to total compensation for your medical expenses causally related to your injury in Harford County. So, how do we maximize your compensation? Once we receive an acceptable settlement offer on your case and you accept it, we ask your medical providers to reduce their bills. While this does not always happen, the best Harford County personal injury lawyers always look into this. It is an excellent way for clients to maximize how much compensation they take home following their injury. Beyond that, your medical costs are mainly up to your treating doctors. We stay out of your treatment because this is not our field of expertise. We will, however, look to connect you with the doctors we have found to get the most praise from past clients.
Lost Wages
Recovering lost wages is more complex than it may appear. Many clients try to avoid going to work because they are injured. However, it is imperative that your treating physician excuses you before missing time from work. Otherwise, a judge will quickly determine that you were able to work. As a plaintiff, you must mitigate your damages. Thus, you cannot pile up as many expenses as you wish and pin them on the defendant. Our approach to maximizing your compensation as it relates to your lost wages is to ensure you are following the letter of the law such that if you miss time from work, it is only if it is compensable.
Pain and Suffering
When you are injured in an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your pain. How much compensation you receive for your pain depends on three main factors.
- The first is the amount of pain you suffer and the extent of your injury. This is the basis of your claim and the predominant factor. The other two factors, while important, merely work off of this factor.
- The second factor is the jury pool. Here, we must consider how a jury of Harford County residents would react to the plaintiff. For example, suppose the plaintiff is suing a popular defendant in Harford County, such as La Tolteca, Barrett’s On The Pike, or the owners of The Liriodendron Mansion. In that case, a jury is less likely to vote for the plaintiff.
- The third factor is your Harford County personal injury lawyer. A pain and suffering award is more arbitrary than medical expenses and lost wages. It takes skilled legal work to convince a judge or jury of the value of this part of your claim.
Understanding the Personal Injury Claim Process in Harford County
- Free Case Evaluation. Your case begins with a free consultation. You can reach us seven days a week for this consultation. We will go over all your case’s relevantin the relevant law to you facts and expla. If we determine you have a case, we will proceed to step two.
- Gather Evidence. In the rare case, this step is already completed by the client. But typically, we will request the police report, interview witnesses, and potentially much more. What evidence we need is dependent on how your injury occurred. If your injury happened in a bar, nightclub, or even a slip and fall, we may send a spoliation letter to preserve any video evidence. We will then request the footage. If the defendant rejects this request, we subpoena the evidence relating to your injury.
- Medical Treatment. While we are busy gathering evidence, you are treating your injuries. This stage can take a couple of weeks to several months or even years.
- Build Your Case. Once you complete your medical treatment, we obtain copies of your bills and records from your medical providers. This tells us your expenses and gives us an idea of your injuries. Then, we draft a demand letter to provide to the defendant’s insurance.
- Negotiation. Roughly 97% of personal injury cases are settled. If we cannot settle your case, it is for one of two reasons. The first possible reason is the adverse insurer is denying liability on the part of their insured. If we have taken your case, we believe your story and that they are mistaken. Accordingly, we would go to trial to seek justice on your behalf. The second scenario where a settlement cannot be reached is if the insurer does not value your injuries as highly as we believe a judge or jury would. Thus, we advise you to reject any settlement offers and file suit to go to trial.
- Resolution. 97% of the time, we will have reached an amicable resolution. If your case does not fall into this category, as some do, we will file suit. In Harford County, getting into court after filing can take months.
Serving The Harford County Community
Serving our community remains a top priority. We aim to assist those in need at all levels. From those seeking a college education to children needing toys during the holidays. Learn how you can help Harford County.
Schedule Your Free Personal Injury Consultation Today
If you are injured in Harford County, or the tortfeasor lives in Harford County, speak with a Harford County personal injury lawyer today to discuss your options.