PERSONAL INJURY CASE SETTLEMENT RESULTS
As experienced personal injury lawyer in Maryland, we understand what our clients are going through and know that recovering from a serious accident can be overwhelming.
It’s a lengthy process that starts at the accident scene and can take many turns as you deal with insurance companies, medical providers, repair shops, and others.
To learn more about how our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve, contact us today at 410-753-4611. Taking care of our clients is our top priority and we take all cases seriously.
What Is a Maryland Personal Injury Case?
Under Maryland law, a personal injury case occurs when someone suffers harm or injury due to the negligent or intentional actions of another party within the state of Maryland.
Most personal injury claims arise from situations common in daily life like a car accident, slip and fall incident, medical malpractice, or workplace injury.
In a personal injury case, the injured party, known as the plaintiff, seeks compensation, typically in the form of monetary damages, from the at-fault party, known as the defendant.
Compensation may cover medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the injury.
Personal injury cases in Maryland are governed by state laws and regulations, which can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
To succeed in a personal injury case, the accident victim must establish that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached that legal duty through contributory negligence or wrongdoing, and directly caused their injuries.
What Type of Compensation Is Available in Maryland Personal Injury Claims?
While there is any number of damages that can be incurred at fault party, in such an incident, some of the damages a Maryland personal injury lawsuit may include are:
- Medical expenses (past, current, and future): Compensation for mounting medical bills related to the injury, including past treatments, ongoing care, and estimated future medical bills.
- Lost wages and income: Reimbursement for earnings lost due to time off work for recovery or medical appointments.
- Property damage: Compensation for damage to personal property, such as a vehicle in a car accident.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional pain of debilitating injuries including spinal cord injuries, amputations, and TBIs.
- Emotional distress: Additional compensation for psychological and emotional trauma or mental anguish resulting from the injury.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact on a spouse’s relationship or companionship due to the injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for the inability to participate in activities or hobbies enjoyed before the injury.
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs: Compensation for expenses related to physical rehabilitation and therapy sessions.
- Disfigurement or scarring: Additional compensation for visible injuries that result in disfigurement or scarring.
- Loss of earning capacity: Compensation for reduced ability to earn income in the future due to the injury.
- Permanent disability or impairment: Compensation for long-term or permanent physical limitations resulting from the injury.
- Home modifications or accommodations for disabilities: Compensation for changes made to a home to accommodate disabilities caused by the injury.
- Loss of household services: Compensation for the inability to perform household tasks or chores due to the injury.
- Punitive damages: Additional compensation awarded in cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm to punish the responsible party.
- Legal fees and court costs: Reimbursement for Maryland personal injury lawyer fees and expenses incurred during the legal process.
- Diminished quality of life: Compensation for the overall decrease in the quality of life experienced as a result of the injury.
- Loss of future earning potential: This personal injury matter offers financial compensation for reducing the ability to earn income over the long term due to the injury.
- Vocational retraining expenses: Compensation for the cost of retraining or education necessary to pursue a different career due to the injury.
- Transportation expenses for medical treatment: Compensation for the cost of transportation to and from medical appointments related to the injury.
- Loss of parental guidance or support: Compensation for the impact on children due to the injury, such as the loss of parental care or financial support.
What Proof Do I Need to Recover Compensation
In personal injury lawsuits, proving that compensation is due typically involves demonstrating several key elements to establish liability and quantify damages.
First, it’s essential to establish that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, meaning they had a legal obligation to act reasonably and avoid causing harm.
Second, it must be shown that the defendant breached this duty through negligent or intentional actions, such as reckless driving, medical malpractice, or premises negligence.
Third, it’s necessary to establish a direct causal link between the defendant’s actions and the plaintiff’s injuries, demonstrating that the harm suffered was a foreseeable consequence of the defendant’s conduct.
The burden of proof falls on the plaintiff, who must present sufficient evidence to convince the court or jury that compensation is warranted.
This typically requires the assistance of experienced personal injury attorneys who can gather evidence, prepare persuasive arguments, and advocate effectively on behalf of the plaintiff.
It’s also important to note that the contributory negligence doctrine may impact your insurance claim. Talk with an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine if you have a viable case.
What Situations Warrant a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
You may need a Maryland personal injury attorney for any number of reasons. Zirkin & Schmerling Law has attorneys that are ready to fight for you no matter what type of personal injury lawsuits you’re facing.
The most common types of personal injury cases include:
- Dog Bite Injuries: Cases involving injuries caused by dog bites or animal attacks, where the owner may be held liable for damages.
- Car Accident: Cases involving injuries or damages resulting from a car crash. Liability may be attributed to negligent drivers, road conditions, or faulty equipment that led to the car crash.
- Semi-Truck Accidents: Cases involving accidents with large commercial trucks, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Cases involving collisions or accidents involving motorcycles, which can result in serious injuries due to the lack of protection for riders.
- Wrongful Death: Legal claims brought by the surviving family members of individuals who have died due to contributory negligence or wrongful actions of another party.
- Medical Malpractice: Cases involving injuries or harm caused by the negligence (medical mistakes) or misconduct of healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or hospitals fall under medical malpractice.
- Birth Injury Cases: A birth injury that could give grounds for a personal injury lawsuit typically involves harm to the infant during the birthing process due to medical negligence or malpractice.
- Product Liability Cases: Cases involving injuries or damages caused by defective or dangerous products, where manufacturers or sellers may be held liable for the harm suffered.
- Pharmaceutical Injuries: Cases involving injuries or physical harm caused by prescription drugs or pharmaceutical products, often due to defects, side effects, or inadequate warnings.
- Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse: Cases involving injuries, neglect, or abuse suffered by residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities, often due to inadequate care or mistreatment by staff.
- Workplace Injuries: Injuries or illnesses suffered by employees while on the job, where liability may fall on employers, contractors, or third parties responsible for maintaining a safe work environment may fall under personal injury claims.
- Public Transportation Accidents: Cases involving accidents or injuries occurring on public transportation systems, such as buses, trains, or subways, where operators or transportation authorities may be held accountable for contributory negligence or inadequate safety measures.
Why Would I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Filing a personal injury lawsuit without a lawyer can be a risky choice. Personal injury law is complex, with strict rules and procedures that can be hard to navigate without legal expertise.
Mistakes in paperwork or missed deadlines could harm your case or even lead to its dismissal.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit without expert legal help can add stress to an already difficult situation.
While it might seem like a way to save money or assert independence, the risks of going without legal representation in a personal injury case are significant.
With a lawyer, you can focus on your recovery while knowing your case is in capable hands.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can provide you with the legal expertise, support, and advocacy you need to navigate the complexities of your case, pursue fair compensation, and help each injury victim achieve the best possible outcome.
How Will a Personal Injury Lawyer (Maryland) Help Me Win My Case?
- Case Evaluation: A lawyer will assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case, determining its viability and potential for success.
- Understanding of Your Rights: A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options after an injury, including the potential to recover compensation and the steps involved in pursuing a claim.
- Legal Expertise: Maryland personal injury lawyers have a deep understanding of personal injury law, including statutes, regulations, and case precedents. They can apply this knowledge to build a solid legal strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.
- Investigation: Experienced injury lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident that caused your injury, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing relevant documents to establish liability.
- Evidence Gathering: Your lawyer will collect and organize all necessary evidence to support your claim, including medical records, accident report, photos, and expert testimony.
- Damage Assessment: Maryland personal injury lawyers can accurately assess the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs, ensuring that you seek appropriate compensation for all your losses.
- Negotiation Skills: Accomplished personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators who can engage with insurance companies or the at-fault party’s defense attorneys on your behalf, advocating for fair compensation and protecting your rights throughout the negotiation process.
- Maximizing Compensation: An experienced lawyer can assess the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. They can then work to maximize your compensation and ensure that you are adequately compensated for all your losses.
- Litigation Representation: If negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory outcome, your lawyer can represent you in court proceedings, presenting your case before a judge and jury and advocating vigorously for your rights and interests.
- Courtroom Experience: Experienced Maryland injury lawyers have extensive courtroom experience and are adept at presenting compelling arguments, cross-examining witnesses, and navigating complex legal procedures during trial.
- Legal Guidance: Throughout the legal process, your lawyer will provide guidance, support, and reassurance, keeping you informed of developments, answering your questions, and advocating for your best interests at every stage.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Most personal injury cases require negotiating insurance claims for the best compensation package. Insurance companies often employ tactics to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. A lawyer can handle communications with insurers, advocating for your rights and ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
- Greater Resources for Investigation: Maryland personal injury lawyers have access to resources and networks that can aid in the investigation of your case, including experts such as accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and investigators. These resources can help strengthen your case and provide compelling evidence to support your claim.
How to Choose Your Personal Injury Attorney
As you select a Maryland personal injury lawyer, ask questions about their past cases and the results they’ve secured for their injured client. Maryland’s accident and dog bite laws are highly complex. The injury victim isn’t always the highest priority.
Unfortunately, the injured person does not have the time to fully research their rights after an accident since there is a statute of limitations to file a lawsuit.
In fact, the insurance company and at-fault party’s attorneys will try to take advantage of your inexperience and exploit your lack of knowledge about the laws.
Not all law firms have the skills and experience to give you the support you deserve.
This is why you need an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney on your side. Below are a few things to assess when deciding which law firm to retain for your case.
Experience
While an attorney of any background can defend you in Maryland court, an experienced personal injury lawyer must present the best case. Does the attorney have experience and familiarity specific to Maryland’s tort laws?
Results
A reputable attorney has a solid history of getting positive results for their clients. They should be able to present past cases and the verdicts they attained for clients involved in personal injury cases. Each Zirkin & Schmerling Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer has an established reputation and proven track record.
Reputation
Referrals from outside sources speak louder than any attorney’s pitch. Talk to people you know who have used various attorneys. You’ll find that the name Zirkin & Schmerling Law is well-known throughout Maryland for experience and success with personal injury claims.
Contingency Fee Basis
When an attorney works on a contingency fee basis, they only get paid when you receive compensation. This ensures that your attorney is motivated to secure the best possible outcome for you. It’s crucial to discuss the specifics of the contingency fee agreement upfront to understand what percentage of the settlement or award will go to your attorney and any additional costs associated with your case.
Zirkin & Schmerling | Personal Injury Lawyers
Without an experienced personal injury lawyer, many injury victims are pressured to settle for less than they deserve.
At Zirkin & Schmerling Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys, we care about giving injury victims harmed by someone else’s negligence the best possible representation. Call the law offices of Zirkin & Schmerling at 410-753-4611 or contact us online for a free case assessment.
We’ll start by providing an evaluation of your personal injury case entirely free of charge. We can’t change the past, but we can give you excellent representation and advocacy moving forward.
Determining whether you have a case or not can be quite difficult in most personal injury cases. It is even more difficult to determine the value of your claim.
To file a personal injury claim in Maryland you need to know the laws and how to present your case.
You will also need to be familiar with the legal process and all of the paperwork that goes with it. Whether you have a valid accidental injury claim and how much your claim is worth will depend on several factors.
You deserve the best legal representation in Maryland for your injury, wrongful death, or car accident case. We’re here to help you reach the best possible outcome.
If you’ve been injured, make the call to Zirkin & Schmerling Law Offices at 410-753-4611 as quickly as possible or contact us online for a free case assessment.
