While the majority of Maryland car accident cases settle or are otherwise disposed of in the pre-trial phases of litigation, some matters do go to a full trial. However, the proceedings are quite different from what you may have seen in the movies or on TV. Your attorney will take the lead in representing your interests if your car accident case is headed for a trial, but the anatomy of a typical personal injury case will help you understand what to expect.

A work-related injury can be aggravating. Even a minor incident may leave you out of work for medical treatment and recovery. At a time when you’re dealing with pain and immobility issues, you’re also losing wages until you can return to your job. Maryland workers’ compensation law is intended to help you get back to work as soon as possible, so the system is a no-fault concept: You don’t have to prove your employer was responsible for the injury. You can prevail on a workers’ comp claim by showing that you were hurt while on the job, and sustained losses as a result. Under certain circumstances, the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) will award sufficient benefits to compensate you for your losses until you return to work.

Other times, it may be necessary to attend a hearing before the WCC if there are disputed issues with your claim. A Maryland workers’ compensation attorney can assist you through the hearing process, which is relatively complex.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety statistics, there were 472 fatal car accidents in Maryland during 2015; another 41 people succumbed to their injuries at a time after the collisions occurred. These deaths impacted many families, leading to potential liability for parties that may have been negligent or reckless in causing the crashes. There are two different theories of liability for the damages that result from accidental death under state law, and both are intended to compensate the victims who suffer losses. You should discuss wrongful death cases and survival actions with a Maryland attorney if you’re the family member of someone who’s died in a car accident.

First of all, in order to have a case at all we must find that the other driver was negligent and that our client did not contribute to the accident. In Maryland, for example, if one is found to be 1% negligent they would be barred from any recovery via contributory negligence. Thus, once negligence is established we look at the accident itself and the injuries sustained.

Statistics show that the majority of Maryland car accident cases involving injuries are settled before they go to trial. The victim and the responsible party’s insurer usually come to an agreement on the amount intended to compensate for all losses, including medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages. However, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes as the parties approach the settlement process: It’s not as easy as one side making a demand, reviewing a possible counteroffer, and reaching an agreement somewhere in between. You must have a strategy in place for settlement negotiations to obtain the highest possible amount available under the law, and your personal injury attorney knows about these best practices for the process.

Not all car accident cases in Baltimore County go through the full trial process, as many are resolved through settlement agreements intended to compensate the injured party for his or her losses. In a typical scenario, the attorney representing the accident victim…

Maryland police have always been tough on drunk drivers, but the penalties for a DUI/DWI conviction are even more severe since Noah’s Law went into effect October 1, 2016. Now, in addition to potential prison time, fines, and driver’s license suspension, some offenders will be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on their vehicle. You need a strong defense when you’re facing such harsh punishment, and one strategy is the use of motions to weaken the prosecution’s case against you. A Maryland DUI/DWI lawyer can tell you more about presenting these motions during the pre-trial phases of your case.

We made this handy infographic to use as an emergency checklist in case you are involved in an accident. Feel free to share or print a copy and keep it in your glove box!

Every year, the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission releases an annual report that covers such data as claims filed by industry, awards according to disability and body part, the demographics of claimants, fatalities by industry, and other important information. From these details and facts gathered by workers’ comp agencies in other states, certain patterns emerge, including the most common types of workplace injuries. If you’ve been hurt on the job under any of these scenarios, consult with a workers’ comp lawyer about your rights and filing a claim.

In July 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report on Traffic Safety Facts involving passenger vehicles. The numbers on car accident cases were staggering: Collisions involving vehicles and light trucks caused injuries to 2,074,000 people in 2014, though that number represented a decrease as compared to 2013. Still, the accident report shows that accidents do happen despite a motorist’s exercise of care when driving. If you’ve been hurt in a Baltimore County, MD car accident case, talk with an attorney about the different categories of injuries for which you might be entitled to compensation.