Below are answers to the most common questions we hear from injury victims and their families in Baltimore and across Maryland. We keep this straightforward, practical, and grounded in how Maryland injury claims really work.
What Should I Do Immediately After An Accident To Protect My Injury Claim?
Your first steps matter. Get medical help as soon as possible, even if you think you’re “okay.” Many serious injuries show up later, and early records connect your condition to the accident. Call the police so there’s an official report, and don’t leave the scene without basic information from everyone involved.
If you’re able, take photos or videos of the vehicles, the damage, the road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get names and contact details for witnesses. Notify your insurance company promptly, and be careful about what you say to the at-fault insurer. It’s fine to report the basics, but don’t give a recorded statement until you’ve talked with us.
How Long Do I Have To File A Personal Injury Claim In Maryland?
In most Maryland personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Miss that deadline and the court will usually dismiss your case, no matter how strong it is.
There are exceptions, including some claims involving minors and certain medical malpractice situations, so don’t assume the clock is always that simple. If you’re unsure, talk to us early, and we’ll confirm the correct deadline.
How Do Insurance Companies Calculate Settlement Amounts?
There isn’t one magic formula. Insurers look at liability (who caused the accident and whether they can blame you) plus damages (what the injury has cost you financially and personally). Then they try to pay as little as possible.
They’ll consider your medical bills, future treatment needs, lost wages, and any reduction in earning ability. They also factor in pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, or scarring. Policy limits matter, too; coverage caps can shape negotiations. The stronger the evidence and the more trial-ready the case is, the greater the pressure on the insurer to pay fairly.
What Evidence Is Most Important In Proving Fault After An Accident?
The most persuasive evidence is objective and collected early. That includes the police report, photos or video from the scene, medical records tying your injuries to the accident, and witness statements.
In some cases, surveillance footage, vehicle damage analysis, phone records (for distracted driving), or expert testimony can be decisive. We move fast to preserve this evidence because insurers won’t do it for you, and some of it disappears quickly.
What Types Of Compensation Can I Recover In A Maryland Personal Injury Case?
Maryland allows recovery for both financial losses and personal harm. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost income, future earning losses, rehabilitation, and other out-of-pocket costs related to the injury. Non-economic damages cover the human side: pain, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, and disfigurement.
In wrongful death cases, families may also recover funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. Maryland places a cap on non-economic damages, adjusted annually, but that cap does not limit medical bills or wage loss. We’ll explain how the cap affects your specific claim.
What If I Was Partially At Fault: Can I Still Recover Compensation?
Maryland follows contributory negligence. If the insurer proves you were even 1% at fault, you can be barred from recovering anything. Because of that, insurers often try to twist the facts to push some blame onto you. Our job is to build the evidence clearly, shut down those arguments early, and protect your right to recover.
How Long Does A Personal Injury Case Take To Settle?
It depends on the injuries, the evidence, and the insurer’s conduct. Cases typically take longer when treatment is ongoing, future procedures are possible, fault is disputed, or multiple parties are involved.
Settling too quickly can leave you paying for future care out of pocket, so timing must be strategic. We push cases forward aggressively, but we won’t recommend a settlement until we understand the full medical picture and long-term impact.
Do I Need A Personal Injury Lawyer For My Case?
Some minor claims can be handled without a lawyer. But if you have serious injuries, missed work, disputed fault, a denied claim, or any hint that the insurer is blaming you, legal representation usually makes a major difference.
Insurance companies do this every day. Most injured people don’t. We know how to properly value claims, build evidence, and counter tactics that shrink settlements.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Us?
We handle injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. You don’t pay up front. You don’t pay hourly. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. We also go over case costs, such as filing fees and expert expenses, up front and in writing so you know exactly how it works.
What Should I Avoid Doing After An Accident?
A few common mistakes can quickly hurt claims. Don’t skip medical care or delay treatment. Don’t downplay symptoms to doctors. Don’t post about the accident or your recovery on social media.
Don’t accept a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. And don’t give a recorded statement to the at-fault insurer without legal guidance. If you’re unsure whether something could affect your case, ask us before you act.
What If The Insurance Company Calls Me Right Away?
That’s standard. They often want a recorded statement before your injuries are fully understood. You’re not required to speak with the at-fault insurer. You can tell them you’re getting legal counsel and end the call. If your own insurer needs information, we can help you respond in a way that protects your claim.
How Do We Prove Pain And Suffering?
Pain and suffering are proven through documentation, not speeches. We use medical records describing severity and duration, therapy notes, diagnostic imaging, work restrictions, and evidence of how your day-to-day life changed.
In some cases, statements from family, employers, or experts help illustrate what you’ve lost. We build a clear, credible record so insurers and juries understand the real impact.
What If I Didn’t Feel Hurt Until Days Later?
Delayed symptoms are common, especially with whiplash, concussions, and back or neck injuries. Still get checked out immediately once symptoms appear. Insurers love gaps in care because they let them argue your injuries came from something else. Quick treatment closes that door.
What If The At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance Or Not Enough Insurance?
We look beyond the obvious policy. Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply. We also investigate whether other parties share liability, like an employer, vehicle owner, or property owner, and whether additional insurance layers exist. A “low coverage” driver doesn’t automatically mean a low-value case.
Can I Still File A Claim If The Accident Involved A Truck Or Commercial Vehicle?
Yes, and those cases are often more complex. They may involve federal safety rules, company maintenance records, driver logs, and multiple insurance policies. Evidence like black-box data and logbooks can disappear quickly, so early action matters. We know what to preserve and how to pressure companies to turn it over.
What If My Injury Happened On Someone Else’s Property?
Property owners in Maryland must keep premises reasonably safe. If you were hurt because of unsafe conditions, like a fall hazard, poor lighting, negligent security, or a dog bite—you may have a premises liability claim. These cases rely on fast evidence preservation, including incident reports and surveillance footage. We step in early so that proof doesn’t vanish.
What If I Lost A Family Member In An Accident?
We handle wrongful death cases for Maryland families. These claims can recover funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and damages related to the suffering your loved one experienced before passing. We know how heavy these cases are, and we handle them with both urgency and care.
What Makes Our Firm Different?
We’ve represented Baltimore injury victims since 1966. We prepare every case for trial, negotiate from strength, and stay directly involved with our clients. You won’t be treated like a file number, and you won’t be pushed into a settlement that doesn’t protect your future.
Ready To Talk?
If you’ve been injured, time matters—for evidence, deadlines, and protecting your position under Maryland’s strict fault rules. We’re here to listen, evaluate your options, and fight for the outcome you need to move forward.
