White Marsh Personal Injury Lawyer

Acting reasonably and safely around other people is not just a matter of personal courtesy. If someone causes you physical harm through their reckless or careless actions, they may be liable under civil law to compensate you for your damages—but of course, knowing someone else is responsible for your injuries and actually proving that they are in court are two very different things.

If you want to maximize your odds of achieving a successful outcome with your personal injury claim, retaining a White Marsh personal injury lawyer is likely a crucial first step for you to take. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney could ensure you are aware of all your rights, work to collect evidence of fault for all your recoverable losses, and help you navigate around legal roadblocks that could hinder your pursuit of fair financial recovery.

Recoverable Damages from a Typical Personal Injury Claim

Rather than providing an arbitrary sum that a negligent person owes someone else who got hurt because of their misconduct, personal injury litigation allows injured parties to seek restitution for specific losses that they include in their settlement demand or lawsuit. These losses may be economic or non-economic in nature, meaning that they may have objective values supported by bills and receipts or subjective worth based on the unique experiences of an injured plaintiff.

On the economic side of things, comprehensive personal injury cases may seek compensation for all past and future medical expenses, the costs of replacing or repairing damaged personal property, lost income and/or earning capacity at work, and costs for in-home assistance necessitated by catastrophic injuries. Recoverable non-economic damages are often grouped under the broad term of “pain and suffering” damages, but more specifically may include physical pain, psychological trauma, lost personal opportunities, and lost consortium.

It is rare for civil courts in Maryland hearing personal injury cases to award punitive damages, which are meant specifically to punish a defendant for egregious misconduct rather than reimburse a plaintiff for a specific loss. A White Marsh personal injury attorney could explain in more detail what damages could be available given a particular set of circumstances.

Potential Legal Obstacles to Recovery

A relatively unique element of Maryland personal injury law that makes it uncommonly hard for accident victims to recover for their losses is the pure contributory negligence system that courts follow. Under this system, any plaintiff found at all responsible—even as little as one percent—for causing or contributing to their own injuries is ineligible to recover any compensation whatsoever, regardless of whether someone else was still primarily to blame for the incident in question.

Additionally, Maryland Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings §3-2A-09 sets various caps on non-economic recovery for different types of personal injury claims, with most such cases being subject to a cap of $890,000 as of 2021. Making the most of a claim in spite of these restrictions could be much easier with guidance from a seasoned personal injury lawyer in White Marsh.

Consider Working with a White Marsh Personal Injury Attorney

Seeking comprehensive civil recovery is far from a simple prospect, even if it seems obvious that someone else is to blame for your injuries and associated losses. There are plenty of ways in which state law and the efforts of defense counsel and insurance adjusters could block you from getting the compensation you need, especially if you try to pursue your case without skilled legal representation of your own.

A dedicated White Marsh personal injury lawyer could serve as your steadfast and tenacious ally throughout every part of your personal injury claim. Call today to set up a consultation.