If you’re arrested for DUI/DWI in Maryland, the offense will result in criminal charges that may lead to jail time and a fine; you may also receive a driver’s license suspension and be forced to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on your vehicle for a minimum of six months. Under the newly effective Noah’s Law, drunk drivers must implement the IID technology, which prevents your car from starting if your breath reveals a blood alcohol concentration higher than the designated percentage.

There are many instances where an employee causes a car accident or an injury to another while they are working. It could be that a worker is responsible for creating a slip and fall hazard that a customer falls victim to, or a worker could be out making a delivery in a company car and causes an automobile accident. Whatever the case may be, the law provides for vicarious liability, also referred to as respondeat superior, which holds an employer accountable for the actions of its employees while they are on the clock.

Maryland, like all states, requires motorists to maintain a certain minimum amount of liability insurance, i.e. $30,000 bodily injury coverage, $60,000 for two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage. Nonetheless, the Insurance Research Council estimates that as many as 12 to 15% of Maryland drivers do not maintain any insurance coverage at all, despite downward trends in uninsured motorists over the past several years. In car accidents with drivers who do not maintain the required insurance coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can help compensate you for any losses that you might have.

If you’ve been charged with drunk driving in Maryland, you’re probably aware that the offense has implications for your driving privileges and criminal penalties. Because DUI/DWI is a crime, your case will proceed before a criminal court to determine guilt and sentencing. However, the case involving your ability to drive is not criminal in nature: This proceeding goes before the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) where a hearing will determine your driving privileges.  

Drunk driving laws in Maryland have been around for years, but a new one inspired by a police officer will soon be taking effect. On October 1, 2016, Noah’s Law will require all motorists convicted of DUI or DWI to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicles. Police officer Noah Leotta was struck and killed by a drunk driver in December 2015 while patrolling as part of a DUI task force. According to reports, the offender had been drinking beer and whiskey for several hours prior to the incident, and had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .22 percent – almost three times the legal limit. Officer Leotta was 24 years old.

A very typical occurrence in Maryland, and most other states, is the use of underinsurance, (“UIM”), in an auto accident case. For the sake of this discussion let’s assume that our client has been struck in the rear causing considerable injury. Let’s also assume that the injury requires significant treatment and that I conclude that the case is worth something over $100,000. 

You have probably heard the ads on TV, radio, or online: A lawyer offers to take your case for free, and you do not pay unless you win. This is what is known as a “contingency” fee arrangement and it applies to certain cases in Baltimore County, MD. However, the billing structure is not as simple as the advertisements suggest. Plus, contingency fees are only available in matters where it is suitable for both lawyers and their clients. Here are some of the details on how Baltimore County personal injury lawyers handle contingency fee arrangements.

If you’ve suffered injuries due to a car accident in Maryland, there are a few factors to consider when calculating the amount you may receive for compensation. You are entitled to payment for medical treatments to recover from your injuries, and reimbursement for the wages you did not earn because your injuries prevented you from working. However, there is another aspect of compensation, termed “pain and suffering.” A personal injury attorney in Baltimore County can tell you more on the topic, but some general information is helpful.

If you suffer work-related injuries, Maryland workers’ compensation laws may allow you to take action against your employer. These laws provide certain benefits intended to assist with your recovery and return to work. The workers’ comp system is somewhat complicated, but here are the basic details you need to know if you may have a claim.

Workers’ compensation statutes are set up to help a person who’s been injured on the job by providing benefits intended to assist with recovery and returning to work. Under Maryland workers’ comp laws, you would be paid weekly benefits to cover such losses as medical bills, lost wages, and job training. However, if your injuries are severe and you cannot return to your job, you may qualify for disability payments.