How to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or suffered some type of personal injury, it is critical to seek the help of a Maryland personal injury attorney. A personal injury lawyer will need substantial documentation to prove the negligence of the party who caused your injury. Accident reports and other documents can be extremely valuable in proving the negligence of a party. Fortunately, the internet can help you find a personal injury attorney in Maryland who is familiar with the laws and procedures surrounding these cases.
Contributory negligence doctrine
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you may be eligible for compensation under the contributory negligence doctrine. The doctrine states that a person is partially at fault for the accident if he or she puts himself in danger or has a fresh opportunity to avoid the accident. Contributory negligence can prevent you from collecting damages in full if you did not take appropriate precautions.
In addition, Maryland has adopted the Second Restatement of Torts’ definition of contributory negligence. This doctrine allows plaintiffs to receive compensation even if they were partially at fault for the accident. A drunk driver, for example, may have been partially responsible for an accident despite avoiding a traffic lane and failing to yield to pedestrians. The defendant may also not be responsible if he or she is 99% at fault.
Non-economic damages
In Maryland, the cap on non-economic damages affects personal injury claims. The amount of non-economic damages depends on the type of accident that caused the injury. In general, non-economic damages are harder to calculate than economic damages and may include physical pain, mental anguish, or loss of consortium. An attorney can assess these damages for you. In some cases, attorneys will negotiate on your behalf to get you the maximum compensation possible.
In Maryland, pain and suffering damages are calculated using the per-diem method. This method allows for a higher award in cases where pain and suffering are a substantial part of the injury. In general, Maryland’s pain and suffering cap are $860,000, while the cap on wrongful death cases is $1,290,500. However, plaintiffs may seek an additional $830,000 for a survival action.
Statute of limitations
There are strict time limits to file personal injury lawsuits in Maryland. These deadlines are known as the “statute of limitations” and differ for different types of lawsuits. If you do not file your lawsuit within this time limit, you will be barred from filing the lawsuit. If you need help filing a lawsuit, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today. We offer free consultations, so contact us today!
To determine if you qualify for an extension of the statute of limitations, contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Maryland. The time limits for filing a personal injury claim in Maryland begin the day of the accident date, but there are a few exceptions. A lawsuit may be extended if the injured person is a minor or suffers from a mental disability. You should also consult a Maryland personal injury attorney if you have any questions regarding the validity of your case.
Cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer
There are a variety of fee structures when it comes to hiring a personal injury lawyer in Maryland. The most common fee structure is the contingency fee, where the client owes nothing unless the lawyer wins the case. There are other fee structures, too, including flat fees and hourly billing. In Maryland, a contingency fee is generally less than the cost of hiring a lawyer who bills by the hour.
While personal injury claims are common, they are often a complicated process that requires extensive legal expertise. Hiring an experienced Baltimore personal injury attorney will help you establish which party is responsible for the accident, what damages are appropriate, and how much you can recover. Additionally, a Maryland personal injury attorney will file a claim within the three-year statutory deadline, except for a few exceptions. The Maryland Code SS 11-504 specifies exceptions, which can extend the time limit for filing a claim.
Elan Rafael
Elan B. Rafael, LLC, a personal injury law firm in Baltimore, Maryland, represents injured clients in a variety of personal injury matters. Elan Rafael, Esq., is a former public defender and has been practicing law since 2003. He has extensive experience representing clients who have suffered from the negligence of another. He focuses his practice on motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, and other personal injury cases.
When you’re hurt, the insurance company that represents the defendant may contact you while you’re in the hospital. They may attempt to settle your case before you’ve even met with your lawyer, and offer you a low settlement to avoid the costs of a trial. If you don’t want to accept this low offer, it’s important to hire a personal injury attorney right away. They’ll be able to help you determine whether you’re being unfairly compensated or not.