Potomac Car Accident Lawyer
Getting involved in an auto accident can be a traumatic experience even if you ultimately walk away without sustaining any serious injuries. When a collision between motor vehicles causes harm that will last for months or even years after the dust at the accident scene settles, comprehensive civil recovery can be a crucial way for victims of that incident to protect their own best interests and seek accountability from the party truly responsible for the crash.
A knowledgeable Potomac car accident lawyer could serve as your ally throughout this kind of litigation, from an initial investigation to a final settlement or court verdict. Even if it seems manifestly obvious who is to blame for your injuries and ensuing losses, having a qualified personal injury attorney’s help could make all the difference in how much compensation you can recover in the end.
Proving Someone Else at Fault for a Car Wreck
Like virtually all other forms of personal injury litigation, settlement demands and lawsuits based on car accidents revolve around the injured “plaintiff” accusing one or more “defendants” of negligence. In legal terms, “negligence” entails someone owing a duty to someone else requiring them to act reasonably and safely, violating that duty, and subsequently causing an accident as a direct and proximate result.
Every Maryland resident who gets on the road in a motor vehicle automatically takes on such a duty, so that element of a car accident claim is never in dispute. What can be much harder to prove, however, is that another driver actually did something negligent behind the wheel, and that their irresponsible behavior was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. Relevant evidence may include the accident report filed by a responding law enforcement officer, witness testimony, surveillance and dashboard camera footage, physical debris, photos and videos from the scene, and even input from accident reconstruction experts.
Through a successful case, a dedicated Potomac car accident attorney could help a crash victim recover restitution for losses like:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Car repair/replacement costs
- Lost wages and/or earning capacity
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Physical pain from injuries
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Lost consortium
Potential Obstacles to Effective Recovery
Importantly, state law limits the amount of compensation a personal injury victim can recover for “non-economic” damages, meaning losses like physical pain and emotional anguish that do not have objective fiscal values. Under Maryland Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings §§11-108 and 109, the cap on non-economic recovery for cases filed after October 1, 2020 is $890,000, with an increase of $15,000 scheduled to come into effect on the same date in each subsequent year.
Furthermore, MD Code, C&JP §5-101 sets a filing deadline of three years for almost all car accident victims, with very limited exceptions that only apply under unique circumstances. Assistance from a qualified auto accident lawyer in Potomac is often critical to navigating around these possible roadblocks and effectively pursuing maximum recovery.
Consider Working with a Potomac Car Accident Attorney
Recovering after a serious car accident can be complicated in multiple respects. On top of physical harm that may take months or years for you to fully heal from, you may also find yourself dealing with expensive car repairs and medical bills, missed work income, substantial physical and emotional pain, and more.
Representation from a Potomac car accident lawyer could put you in a much better position to demand the compensation you deserve for the damages you should not have had to suffer. Call today to learn more.
