Randallstown Personal Injury Lawyer
Treating others how you would like to be treated may seem like a simple “Golden Rule” to follow, but far too many Maryland residents every day engage in reckless or careless behavior that puts others around them at risk of serious harm. When these kinds of irresponsible actions lead to an accident, the consequences can often be dire for everyone involved, including people who were acting responsibly and following all the rules.
Fortunately, as experienced attorneys can affirm, situations like this often constitute grounds for personal injury litigation that could lead to significant civil recovery. By talking to a Randallstown personal injury lawyer, you could get a better understanding of what might be possible in your circumstances and what damages you could hold a negligent individual or entity accountable for.
Potential Grounds for a Personal Injury Claim
Whether an accident occurs between two motor vehicles at a busy intersection, inside the aisle of a retail store, on someone’s private property, or even on government land, any ensuing civil claim will almost always revolve around the principle of legal negligence. In a nutshell, a person is negligent in the context of civil law when, instead of adhering to a duty of responsible care, they do something reckless or careless and directly cause an accident as a result.
Importantly, the standard of proof for personal claims based on negligence is less strict than that applicable to criminal cases. Instead of proving negligence “beyond a reasonable doubt,” the plaintiff in a civil claim must only prove their case against the defendant(s) through “a preponderance of the evidence.” In other words, they must show that it is more likely than not that the defendant’s negligent conduct directly caused the losses for which they are seeking financial restitution.
There are a few types of personal injury lawsuits that revolve around different legal concepts when it comes to proving fault. For instance, dog owners may be strictly liable for injuries their pet causes to another person, in accordance with Maryland Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings §3-1901. A Randallstown personal injury attorney could discuss in further detail what legal principles and strategies might play into a particular case during an initial consultation.
Recovering for All Available Losses
No matter what legal theories or instigating circumstances play into a personal injury claim, the ultimate purpose of such a case is to compensate an injured plaintiff for specific losses that the defendant’s misconduct caused them to suffer. These losses—known as “damages” in legal vernacular—can have objective economic values or subjective non-economic values, and may include losses such as:
- Emergency hospital treatment costs
- Expenses for future medical services like rehabilitative care and prescription medications
- Personal property damage
- Past and future income loss
- Physical pain
- Emotional and psychological anguish
- Future losses of consortium, ability to participate in hobbies, and/or enjoyment of life
However, since MD Code, C&JP §5-101 sets a three-year filing deadline for personal injury claims, plaintiffs who suffer severe injuries may not be able to wait until the exact financial values of future losses become apparent. For this and many other reasons, assistance from an experienced personal injury lawyer in Randallstown is often a crucial component of a successful case.
Discuss Legal Options with a Randallstown Personal Injury Attorney
You only have a limited amount of time after getting hurt in an accident you did not cause to take legal action and pursue compensation. However, navigating Maryland civil law and effectively seeking a fair case outcome can be extraordinarily difficult without support from a seasoned legal professional.
A Randallstown personal injury lawyer could go over your circumstances with you during a private consultation and offer guidance about the legal options available to you. Call today to set up a meeting.
