Washington County Personal Injury Lawyer

Our Maryland personal injury law firm, with a dedicated team of Washington County personal injury lawyers, has been championing the rights of injury victims since 1954. If you are looking for skilled, dedicated attorneys to handle your case and earn you compensation, we have been doing so for over 70 years. These several decades of experience have taught us precisely what a Washington County jury is looking for when preparing a verdict on your case. Our goal is to maximize your compensation. That means understanding everything from the applicable tort law to the civil procedure to Washington County and its jury pool.

Countless elements go into evaluating and building your case. Our Washington County personal injury lawyers stand ready to speak with you and discuss your options. We cannot provide a one-size-fits-all approach here because of the limitless variations that may be present in your case. However, we will address our clients’ frequently asked questions and provide a basic overview of personal injury law related to Washington County and the greater Maryland area. Our expertise in injury compensation in Washington County positions us uniquely to maximize your settlement, taking into account all possible damages to secure the financial support you need for a full recovery.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

There is a theoretically limitless number of personal injury cases our Washington County personal injury lawyers would accept and litigate on behalf of the people of Maryland. We generally look for several factors to determine whether a case is worth pursuing. However, the cases we handle most frequently are detailed below. You may also use our accident settlement calculator to learn more about what makes a case worth pursuing.

As leading personal injury attorneys in Washington County, our firm is committed to guiding you through the legal maze of filing a claim. Whether negotiating with insurance companies or representing your interests in court, our attorneys are equipped to manage every aspect of your case.

Car Accident in Washington County

If you suffer a car accident in Washington County, you likely have a right to file suit in the Washington County District Court. You may also file in this court if the driver who caused the accident lives in Washington County. This is true even if the accident occurred in Washington, D.C., or some other jurisdiction. Unfortunately, Washington County residents see daily car accidents on the busy roads of East Franklin Street, East Washington Street, North Potomac Street, and North Burhans Boulevard. Our Washington County personal injury lawyers must ensure those victims get the justice they deserve.

Some car accidents lead to debilitating injuries. When you are catastrophically injured after a car accident, you likely have no means of transportation. Even if you have a means of transport, you may not be physically able to operate a vehicle. You may not be able to work and support yourself or your family. You may be unable to sleep due to debilitating headaches. We have helped clients work through these situations thousands of times before. Call our Washington County personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation if this is you.

If you’re involved in a vehicular accident, having an auto accident attorney in Washington County can make a significant difference in your case. Our lawyers excel in auto accident claims, providing skilled advice and representation to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Washington County Truck Accident

Truck accidents in Washington County are similar to car accidents, with a few distinctions. First, the obvious is that when a truck collides with a car, the effects are debilitating due to the sheer size and weight difference. Beyond the injuries, which are worse than in the typical motor vehicle accident, there are local and federal regulations that affect truckers. If a trucker appears not to be negligent but violates a regulation, they may be per se negligent. This concept can establish liability and requires legal work by a Washington County personal injury lawyer.

Due to Washington County containing I-70, I-81, and other major highways, there is plenty of highway traffic. Trucks spend much of their time on these highways. This can get monotonous very quickly for semi-truck drivers. This can lead to devastating results, especially with the high highway speeds. If you find yourself in the blindspot of an 18-wheeler, we recommend quickly yet safely getting to a safer spot on the road.

Pedestrian Injury in Washington County

Pedestrian injuries can be particularly brutal. Even if a pedestrian is struck by a bicycle, the injuries can be severe. This is due to the lack of safety technology available to pedestrians. While safety equipment for bikers has not improved in decades beyond minor improvements to the helmet, pedestrians get no protection beyond a heavy coat on a cold day. Thus, pedestrian accidents frequently lead to severe injuries like fractures, paralysis, and even wrongful death. Worse yet, while a driver in a vehicle may be able to distance himself from a reckless or negligent driver, there is little a pedestrian can do. It can feel unfair if you are already in a crosswalk or a sidewalk, and you have the right-of-way and are still injured.

Our Washington County personal injury lawyers sympathize with pedestrians’ dilemma. While there is little we can do as attorneys proactively, we are ready to investigate your pedestrian accident and hold the wrongdoer responsible.

Washington County Wrongful Death

Wrongful deaths in Washington County are subject to the wrongful death statute in Maryland. Accordingly, the same statute applies to every county in Maryland, not just Washington County. The statute for wrongful death in Maryland limits the number of plaintiffs who may recover for the death of a loved one. Because a wrongful death action is for family members of the deceased and not the deceased himself, the law limits the number of potential plaintiffs. Otherwise, dozens of family members could theoretically come out of the woodwork for a possible recovery. The statute allows only for a spouse, parent, or child to recover in a wrongful death action. Thus, siblings and cousins are ineligible under this cause of action. However, other causes of action may be available.

The cause of action that most closely relates to wrongful death is a survivor action. This is an action brought by the estate of the victim and decedent. Of course, someone eventually will inherit this estate. That person can be whoever the deceased elected for in his will. Thus, a sibling can ultimately recover through this method. Intestacy laws will govern who will recover if the deceased has no will.

The Legal Process for Personal Injury Cases in Washington County

Navigating the legal process with a Washington County injury lawyer by your side can significantly influence the outcome of your case. Our experienced lawyers are well-versed in the complexities of Maryland’s personal injury laws, ensuring your rights are protected at every step.

While every case is different, almost all follow the same general timeline.

1. Injury. This stage marks the start of your case and of the legal process in Washington County.
2. Hospital Visit. Not every injury victim goes directly to the hospital, which is okay. Whether you should go depends on the severity of your injuries. If you go to the hospital, your personal injury lawyer in Washington County will ask you where you received treatment, which is a critical element of your case. In the eyes of a jury, it generally adds credibility to your injury claim. They believe that if you took the time to go to the emergency room, your injury must have been as bad as you claim. Meanwhile, if you did not go, the reverse is true. The injury probably was not that bad, and you are exaggerating, leading to potentially a lower recovery.
3. Consultation. At this stage, our Washington County personal injury lawyers provide a free, confidential case evaluation to determine whether you have a case worth pursuing. Sometimes, the law supports your rights, but the value of your claim does not support pursuit. This can be unfortunate to hear in the short term, but it can save time and expenses in the long run. For example, by pursuing a case with no value where the defendant is technically liable, you may be awarded $1 in nominal damages by a judge or jury. This is not worth the time of your attorney or you. It takes a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer to identify these cases from the outset and the professionalism to tell you plainly that your case is not as valuable as one might hope.
4. Medical Treatment. If we proceed with your case, our Washington County personal injury lawyers will ensure you receive medical treatment for your injuries. The amount of treatment you receive directly correlates with the ultimate value of your case. While we discourage receiving more treatment than is necessary, we want clients to understand that missing the treatment you need because of other things going on in life, while understandable, damages the value of your case.
5. Negotiation. Once you complete treatment, we request the bills and records from your medical providers, evaluate the records, determine the value of your case, and send a demand letter to the adverse insurance carrier for settlement. It takes them about four to six weeks to evaluate our demand. Then, settlement negotiations can take another couple of weeks, depending on the insurer’s efficiency.
6. Resolution. Most of the time, we can settle your case. If that happens, we will receive a settlement check, and you likely will have to sign a release of liability, promising not to sue the defendant for the same injuries after accepting the settlement check. We will file suit on your claim if we cannot settle your case. If the claim is against the defendant, we will file suit in Washington County, where the accident occurred, or where the defendant lives. We will choose a venue that is more favorable for your case. If you are making an uninsured motorist claim, we will file a breach of contract action against your insurance carrier in the county where you signed the contract. This should not raise your rates, and your insurance carrier is prohibited from doing so.

Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

The best personal injury lawyer in Washington County is one who has experience. While experience alone does not guarantee results, it is a strong indicator of competence in the field. Experience provides a nuanced legal knowledge of the relevant caselaw. Maryland has state-specific laws with thousands of cases to understand. Only experience in the field can teach the necessary components of outstanding legal representation. Our Washington County personal injury lawyers have over 70 years of experience. Further, our unique mentor models ensure that a senior partner works hands-on with every case that walks through our doors.

With decades of experience comes robust negotiation techniques. Seventy years have taught us precisely how to evaluate the value of your case. We thoroughly understand what a judge or jury will award you based on your injuries. Accordingly, we can leverage this understanding to earn you a higher settlement amount and maximize your compensation.

What to Expect with Your Washington County Personal Injury Lawyer

When you hire a Washington County personal injury lawyer from Gelb & Gelb, P.C., you can expect experienced, dedicated, and responsive legal services. As one of the region’s oldest personal injury law firms, we have seen the field of personal injury law evolve over the decades. Our Founding Partner and current Managing Partner are both lifelong residents of Maryland. As we have cemented our firm in D.C. and Maryland, it has become our mission to serve our community. Third, our team makes responsiveness to clients a top priority. We know that being unable to get in touch with your attorney can be frustrating and jeopardize your case. Responsiveness is vital to a personal injury case; we are proud to offer that to our clients.

Contact a Washington County Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Our Washington County personal injury lawyers offer free case evaluations to anyone in Maryland who believes they may have a case. Call today to gain valuable insights and determine whether you have a case worth pursuing.