Damages in Baltimore Car Accident Cases

Typically, an injured person can recover both economic and non-economic damages when they are involved in a car accident in Baltimore. Economic damages refer to medical bills and lost wages. These are the objective monetary damages. Non-economic damages refer to the more subjective portion of the damage’s claim. This portion of the claim is commonly referred to as pain and suffering, inconvenience, or any other subject of complaint the injured person may have that the jury is allowed to consider. A Baltimore car accident lawyer can help ensure that the injured party receives the appropriate damages in a Baltimore car accident case.

Responsibility for Paying Property Damages

It is typical that the at-fault party’s insurance company will pay for property damage in a car accident case. If there is a dispute as to who is at fault for the accident, then the insurance companies will resolve the property damage claim independently and on their own. The fact that one person’s insurance company pays the property damage claim is not admissible and is not considered in a civil case seeking reimbursement for bodily injuries.

Damages Covered by Auto Insurance

Usually, the damages for both property damage and bodily injury claims are paid by the at-fault party’s insurance company. There are insurance policy limits to consider when evaluating the claim and if a person is uninsured or does not have adequate insurance to compensate the injured person for their injuries, then the injured person can consult with an experienced Baltimore car accident attorney and evaluate if any additional recoveries may be made through initiating a claim with another insurance company.

Role of a Baltimore Car Accident Lawyer in Recovery Process

An attorney plays a very important part in recovering damages on behalf of an injured person. The injured person should feel comfortable consulting with the attorney and providing them with as much information as possible. Likewise, the attorney should be able to evaluate an injured person’s claim and determine the best course of action based upon the facts of that case.

Steps in the Damage Recovery Process

The first step that a Baltimore car accident attorney will take in recovering damages is to investigate how the accident occurred. The initial step in evaluating a claim is determining liability, or who is at fault for the accident. This is typically done by interviewing the injured person to fully understand the specifics of that individual’s accident. Likewise, the attorney will make contact with anyone else involved in the accident and any witnesses to the accident.

Assuming that one person is undoubtedly at fault for the accident, the claim will then turn to damages. Damages in a Baltimore car accident case will primarily stem from the recovery of medical expenses incurred, so the attorney will then investigate the nature and extent of the injuries and follow along with the injured person’s course of treatment. Once the injured person has either fully recovered from their injuries or reaches maximum medical improvement from their injuries, the attorney can collect all of the pertinent information regarding how the accident occurred and the medical treatment that was incurred because of the accident. The Baltimore car accident attorney will then present it to the at-fault party’s insurance company in order to try and negotiate a positive settlement of the claim. If the claim is not settled satisfactorily, then the injured person has to determine whether they want to file a lawsuit.

There is nothing that can be done to force an insurance company to pay the claim besides filing a lawsuit. The threat of a lawsuit can cause an insurance company to pay the claim before a lawsuit is filed. Once a lawsuit is filed, the attorney can advise the client as to how that claim will progress through litigation and discuss the unique factors and issues in that case.