Reisterstown Personal Injury Lawyer
It is perfectly understandable for filing a lawsuit to be the last thing on your mind after an accident resulting in serious injury. After all, you are likely dealing with not only extensive medical bills, but significant personal and professional losses as well, so adding a prolonged court battle to your plate might seem like an unnecessary step to take.
In reality, though, successful civil recovery can be essential to ensuring your full recovery after an accident borne of someone else’s negligence, and assistance from a qualified attorney is often key to achieving case success. Once retained, a knowledgeable Reisterstown personal injury lawyer could be the ally you need to effectively pursue the compensation you deserve.
Establishing Fault for a Personal Injury
Thousands of accidents of one kind or another occur in the state of Maryland every day, not all of which justify civil litigation. In order for someone to have grounds for a personal injury claim, they must be able to prove that someone else is legally liable for their injuries and subsequent losses, a process which usually involves demonstrating legal negligence.
In the context of personal injury litigation, “negligence” entails a reckless or careless violation of a “duty of care,” which is an implicit or explicit obligation to act as a reasonable person would in the interest of protecting others from harm. For instance, the “duty” assumed by every licensed motor vehicle driver requires them to remain observant and obey the law while driving, while the “duty” assumed by retail store owners might include regular property inspections and notifying customers of known hazards.
If a “breach of duty” is the direct cause of an accident, a person injured in that accident could hold the party who acted recklessly or carelessly financially accountable for every form of harm they—the injured plaintiff—suffered due to that incident. As a Reisterstown personal injury attorney could explain further, recoverable damages in a typical case might include but are not restricted to:
- Medical bills
- Lost work income
- Lost ability to earn ability
- Personal property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and/or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What Deadlines Apply to Personal Injury Claims?
As a matter of practicality, Maryland state law limits the amount of time an injured person can wait to file suit after an accident occurs. According to Maryland Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings §5-101, the applicable filing deadline in most situations is three years after when the plaintiff learned they were hurt because of someone else’s negligence, or when a reasonable person should have discovered that fact.
However, certain situations serve as exceptions to this rule. For example, under MD Code, C&JP §5-203, the statutory filing period may be “tolled”—meaning “paused”—for any period of time in which a defendant knowingly engaged in fraud so they could keep the injured party from finding out about their actions. A personal injury lawyer in Reisterstown could clarify what deadlines might apply in a particular situation, as well as what other legal obstacles could potentially get in the way of recovery.
Talk to a Reisterstown Personal Injury Attorney About Civil Recovery
Unfortunately, recovering compensation for a personal injury is often a complicated and time-consuming process, especially if you are unfamiliar with the intricacies of state civil law. In order to give yourself optimal chances of a successful case result, you should strongly consider retaining counsel from a legal professional who has handled cases like yours before.
An initial consultation with a Reisterstown personal injury lawyer could offer answers to all your questions and a clear direction for your potential claim. Schedule your confidential meeting by calling today.
