Best Car Accident Lawyer in Maryland

If you've been in a car accident in Maryland and suffered serious injuries, you definitely need legal representation. That said, finding the right attorney can be challenging. Here are some tips to guide you.
You need an attorney with experience handling car accident cases. This is because Maryland has complex car accident laws, as you're about to find out, and you want someone who can navigate them on your behalf.

You also need an attorney with a proven track record of winning such cases. To determine this, ensure you ask about the outcomes of cases they have handled in the past and precisely the amount of compensation they've helped their clients recover. If they haven't won any case, chances are they'll want to settle for less when they handle your case, looking for that all-important confidence-boosting win. But that's not what you need. You deserve an attorney who won't use your case as an experiment.

Additionally, look for an attorney with a positive reputation. If possible, read their reviews online and ask for referrals from friends or family members who may have worked with them. You want an attorney (or injury firm) with a reputation for providing excellent legal representation.

Lastly, look for an attorney with powerful legal resources to handle car accident cases. This is because car accident cases are complex, especially in Maryland. You'll find out why shortly.

Without powerful legal resources, such as expert witnesses, medical professionals, and accident reconstruction specialists, the attorney will likely settle for less than you deserve.

Now that you know what to look for in a lawyer, let's discuss the 'why.' For starters, representing yourself in a car accident case can be a costly mistake.

Unfortunately, for such mistakes, you may not get the chance to make things right once the case has been settled. Here are some reasons why you should never try to handle such a case on your own:
In Maryland, many factors will determine the value of your case. These include but are not limited to:

• the severity of your injuries;
• the accident's impact on your daily life;
• the cost of medical treatment; and
• your contribution to the accident.

Without a car accident attorney's knowledge and experience, you may not be able to accurately calculate the compensation you are entitled to.

Secondly, court procedures can be complex and confusing. Even worse, the other party will want to face you in court if they find you do not have legal representation. This is because you have a higher chance of losing than winning, even if they were responsible for the accident.

Sometimes, as unfair as it sounds, car accident cases are won on legal technicalities, not necessarily on who was at fault. That's the last thing you want to happen to you or your loved one.

A seasoned attorney can also help you weigh the pros and cons of settling versus going to trial. Ultimately, this will influence the trajectory of your case.

Keep in mind that negotiating with insurance companies isn't always an easy thing to do. This is because these companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters skilled at negotiating settlements and lowballing accident victims. Without legal representation, you may not receive the compensation you deserve.

Lastly, car accident cases involve complex paperwork. These include but are not limited to police reports, witness statements, insurance information of all parties involved, medical bills and records, and repair estimates. As a car accident victim, handling the complex paperwork while trying to recover from your injuries can be difficult.

Generally, you should contact an attorney immediately after the accident or as soon as you can. Keep in mind that such cases have strict deadlines, known as the statute of limitations. For example, in Maryland, the statute of limitations for car accidents is generally three years from the accident date. If you miss the deadline for filing a lawsuit, the court may dismiss the case. As a result, you may lose the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.

Now, here comes the most critical part; Maryland is one of the few states in the U.S. that use the contributory negligence doctrine. This legal principle can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation after an accident. Here's why.

Under contributory negligence laws, you cannot recover any compensation from the other driver if you contributed to the accident in any way. This rule applies even if the other driver was primarily at fault for the accident. For context, you may not be able to recover any compensation for your injuries and damages even if the other driver was 99% responsible for the accident and if you were only 1% liable.

For example, let's say you were driving through an intersection and got hit by a driver who ran a red light. However, it is later determined that you were talking on your cell phone at the time of the accident. That's distracted driving, a traffic violation.

As a result, under Maryland's contributory negligence laws, you may be barred from recovering any compensation from the other driver, even though the other driver was primarily at fault for the accident.
 
Unfortunately, insurance companies take advantage of this law to try and find ways to blame the claimant for the accident. They know they only need to prove at least 1% contributory negligence to avoid liability. That's yet another reason to seek legal representation after a car accident.

You don't need to worry about not being able to afford a lawyer. This is because most attorneys handle such cases on a contingency basis. Here's how this payment system works.

You do not pay any upfront fees to your attorney. Instead, they only get paid if you receive compensation for your injuries and damages.

For instance, at Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys typically take between 30% to 40% of the settlement to cover attorney fees and other legal costs involved in your case. To put things into perspective, let's say you receive a settlement of $100,000. In that case, your attorney may receive between $30,000 to $40,000, depending on the agreed-upon percentage.

This payment system allows you to hire a car accident attorney without worrying about upfront costs or hourly fees. In addition, it motivates your attorney to fight harder on your behalf to secure the highest possible settlement. This is because their payment depends on your success.

Generally, you can recover three types of damages in such a case: economic, non-economic, and punitive. Let's take a quick look at what they entail.

Economic damages cover the financial losses you have suffered due to the accident. Some examples of economic damages in a car accident case may include:

• Medical expenses (such as hospital bills, doctor's fees, and medication costs)
• Lost wages and income
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Cost of rehabilitation and therapy
• Other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries

Non-economic damages cover non-financial losses deriving from the accident. Examples include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Loss of consortium or companionship

Lastly, punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for their reckless or intentional conduct that led to the accident. Examples of conduct that may warrant punitive damages in a car accident case may include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Aggressive or reckless driving (such as speeding, running red lights, or weaving in and out of traffic)
• Texting or using a cell phone while driving
• Engaging in road rage or other intentionally harmful behavior

A skilled car accident attorney in Maryland can help determine the damages you may be entitled to. As mentioned earlier, this is where the importance of powerful legal resources comes in. With such resources, the attorney will conduct thorough investigations and build a solid case to maximize your damages.

You may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party in such a case. It's important to note that the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit in Maryland is still three years from the accident date. However, the "clock" starts counting on the date of the person's death, which may differ from the accident date.

This means that if a person dies several months or even years after the accident, their family may still have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit as long as it is within three years of the date of the person's death. 

Maryland has some exceptions to the three-year statute of limitations on car accidents. When it comes to minors, they have until their 21st birthday to file a lawsuit. And if they were born on February 29 and the 21st birthday is not in a leap year, the deadline to sue is March 1. 

No doubt that Maryland is home to many car accident law firms. However, there's only one Morgan & Morgan.  

At Morgan & Morgan, our size means we have access to vast resources, including a team of experienced attorneys well-equipped to handle even the most complex car accident cases in Maryland. One of the significant advantages of hiring a Morgan & Morgan attorney is that insurance companies know we don't settle for less than what our clients deserve. We always strive to negotiate the best possible settlement offer, but we are not afraid to take a case to trial if necessary. This reputation can be a powerful asset in your case.

Moreover, Maryland has some of the harshest contributory negligence laws in the country. These laws can make it challenging to recover damages if you are even partially at fault for the accident.
At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys can help fight these laws and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. With over 35 years of experience fighting for the injured, you can count on us to navigate these complex and plaintiff-unfriendly laws in your favor.

Another benefit of working with us is that we operate on a contingency fee basis. This payment arrangement provides peace of mind and helps alleviate some of the financial stress that often comes with a car accident.

Lastly, our track record of success speaks for itself. With over $20 billion recovered for our clients and a reputation for filing more cases than any other injury law firm in the country, Morgan & Morgan is your best chance to maximize your claim.

The legal process can be complicated and overwhelming, especially when your time and energy should be focused on your recovery and moving forward with your life after an accident. That’s why the best accident lawyer in Maryland can be a life changer for your case.

Morgan & Morgan can help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more about your options at no cost to you.