Germantown, Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys

Helping Injured Victims Fight for Fair Compensation

Being hurt in an accident that was not your fault is a difficult and stressful experience. The situation can sometimes be aggravated by the incessant calls from insurance adjusters and the growing stack of bills that just keep coming. Injured victims of an accident caused by someone else may be eligible for damages compensation. Our attorneys assist countless personal injury victims in Germantown, MD, and offer some important answers to questions about personal injury cases.

Can I Sue for My Accident in Maryland?

The first step to determine whether you have a case is to pinpoint which party was at fault for the accident. Maryland is only one of five other states in the nation that does not use the comparative negligence rule. Instead, it follows the old-school contributory negligence rule, which bars the victim of an accident from recovering damages if that victim had any percentage of fault for the accident. This means that even if you were just 1% to blame for what happened, you may not be able to receive any payment.

For that reason, you need to build a strong case to protect your side of the story and prove that the other party was fully responsible for your damages. You will want to work with a personal injury attorney to determine if you have a case and what kind of damages you may be eligible to recover. Some cases may end up settling without the need for a court trial, but if a trial becomes the only viable way to settle your case, your attorney will be well-equipped to represent you and defend your right to compensation.

Who Is Financially Liable for My Losses?

Maryland is a tort or “at-fault” state. In other words, the party that bears the responsibility for causing the accident will likely be the one responsible for compensating the victim. Certain types of accidents may have more than one at-fault party, such as a trucking accident (for example) requiring victims to file more than one claim. By working with an attorney, you will be able to determine exactly who is at fault for your accident and whether you need to file a single claim or multiple claims.

Because Maryland follows the contributory negligence rule, a victim who is partially at fault may be barred from receiving any compensation. It is crucial for accident victims to build a case with plenty of evidence to point out that the other party was entirely to blame for the accident. This is why it is so important to work with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who can help conduct a thorough investigation of your accident and come up with the evidence you need to seek compensation.

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

Personal injury attorneys practice tort law, providing representation to victims injured in accidents typically caused by another person’s negligence. In addition, personal injury attorneys handle a variety of tasks on behalf of their clients. That includes filing the appropriate forms, completing an investigation of the scene of the accident, answering insurance adjusters’ phone calls, and gathering enough evidence to build a strong case for their client.

At Paré & Associates, LLC, we are passionate about representing personal injury victims, and we know how hard it can be to be hurt and unable to go to work. Our goal is to give each client individualized attention and knowledgeable advice so they can be confident in taking the right steps to receive compensation for their losses. When you decide to work with us, our team will carry out a thorough investigation of your accident, gather important evidence (such as medical records and data recovered from the scene of the accident) and do whatever it takes to settle the case in your favor – even if that means going to trial.

Personal injury attorneys can be fundamental for the success of your claim, acting as an ally and assisting you to overcome the many obstacles of a personal injury case. If you are at home and unable to work due to your injuries, you do not need to worry about putting additional stress on your finances in order to hire an attorney. Like many personal injury attorneys, our firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay any upfront attorney fees until you are given a favorable settlement and compensation is paid to you. Your attorney may only require ⅓ of your total settlement amount, and if you don’t win your case, no money is owed.

What Kind of Damages May I Be Eligible to Recover?

In most personal injury cases, your final settlement includes payment for what is called economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are tangible, quantifiable losses such as property damage, medical bills, and lost income due to being unable to work, for example. Economic damages are easy to prove because they usually have a financial nature.

Non-economic damages are the intangible consequences of the accident – usually referred to as “pain and suffering.” Pain and suffering are the psychological and physical distress victims may face as a result of the accident. Aspects such as the physical pain caused by the injury as well as the trauma or emotional distress of the accident and subsequent medical treatment may all be considered non-economic damages. In order to prove the extent of your non-economic damages, your attorney may recruit the help of expert witnesses and rely on your medical records to show how the injury has affected your quality of life in more ways than one. Your attorney may be able to provide an estimate on how much your case may be worth.

Should I Accept the Insurance Settlement Offer or Should I Go to Trial?

For starters, if you are talking to the at-fault party’s insurance company, be very careful with what you tell them. On the surface, they may seem friendly and caring, but the truth is they are simply looking for ways to record you saying something that can be twisted and used as an admission of guilt on your part. Understand that insurance companies are businesses focused on protecting their own bottom line, which means frequently giving out large settlement awards is not in their favor.

When they cannot find a way to deny your claim, they may try to settle your case as quickly and cheaply as possible by trying to convince you to accept a low-ball offer for your accident. Their first offers are usually not adequate to cover the true extent of your damages. There is no reason you should give in to their pressure tactics and accept their low offer, regardless of what they may lead you to believe.

It is best to let your attorney handle all insurance adjusters’ calls and settlement negotiations on your behalf. Our attorneys at Paré & Associates, LLC are skilled negotiators and know how to speak to the insurance company and secure the fair payment you deserve. While many cases settle without going to trial, our legal team is no stranger to representing clients in the courtroom and we will take your case to trial if it becomes clear the insurance company is not willing to cooperate.

Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney for My Case?

As you can see, personal injury victims in Maryland may have a hard time receiving compensation due to the state’s contributory negligence rule, which may bar a victim from receiving any payment if the victim even slightly contributed to the accident. Trying to put together a strong case, dealing with insurance calls, and figuring out how to make ends meet while you are unable to work can all seem like an uphill battle.

At Paré & Associates, LLC, we understand how a personal injury can leave you in a tough spot. We treat every client that comes to us with respect and compassion. You can rely on our legal team to give you the right advice while fiercely representing you before insurance companies or in a trial.

Our attorneys can handle every aspect of your case for you, so you can focus on healing and getting back on your feet. We will work hard to fight for the compensation you deserve. If you have been hurt by another person’s negligent acts and want to know if you have a case, contact our Germantown, MD office and request an initial consultation. There is no need to fight it all by yourself. We look forward to assisting you and answering any questions you may have. Call Paré & Associates, LLC today at (301) 962-2492 to schedule a free consultation.