Columbia Car Accident Lawyer

Columbia Car Accident Attorney

Serious car accident injuries can include soft tissue injury, broken bones, amputation and scarring — and sometimes they result in wrongful death. This can be personally, emotionally, and financially devastating. At the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, our Glen Burnie & Columbia car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping our clients recover the compensation they need and deserve after an accident.

A car accident can affect your health, family, and livelihood. We know how important fair compensation is to you. Email us, or call 410-766-0113 to learn more about how we can help.

Advocacy After an Accident: Your Rights and Your Recovery

While monetary compensation may not make up for all of your losses, it can be an important step towards recovery. You may face mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. In many cases, victims and their families must address the reality of long-term personal care.

Our lawyers take a comprehensive approach that will fully evaluate your claims and your personal losses. We will review your case, deal directly with insurance carriers on your behalf and help you move forward.

Our personal injury attorneys are experienced in claims involving:

• Drunk driving accidents
• Highway rollovers
• Truck accidents
• Intersection collisions
• Cell phone driver negligence
• Rear-end collisions
• Serious injury and wrongful death

How Long Do Most Car Accident Cases Take in Maryland?

As is the case with any type of personal injury claim, there are a number of different variables that ultimately factor into determining just how long your car accident case can take. Because every car accident and every victim’s resulting injuries are unique based on the severity and general circumstances involved, each case is going to vary in the exact settlement amount and total length of time that it takes to reach an agreement.

One of the more obvious factors that play into the length of any car accident claim is whether or not the case ends up going to trial. For claims that receive minimal resistance from the defendant’s legal representation or that of their insurance provider, a settlement can be reached in as quickly as 90 days, which is a much more ideal outcome for all parties involved, but this is not guaranteed.

That being said, the insurance company and defendant’s legal representation are more than likely to fight back as much as they can. Whether that’s with the goal of minimizing the total settlement amount or even attempting to claim that the plaintiff shares liability for the damages that occurred, the opposition rarely accepts defeat without pushing back.

Statute of Limitations

Before you even get started with your claim, it’s vital to understand the statute of limitations for car accident claims in Maryland. Since car accident claims are categorized as a type of personal injury claim, the statute of limitations for filing a claim is three years after the date of the accident under Maryland state law.

This is incredibly important because some other states carry a statute of limitations of two years for similar personal injury cases, and aside from a few exceptions, failing to submit your personal injury claim from a car accident within the established statute of limitations will result in your claim being denied by the state’s courts. This is why it is crucial to the success of your case that you contact a Maryland car accident attorney and file your claim as soon as possible after the accident occurs.

Maximize Compensation After an Injury

Most car accident claims will begin with an immediate investigation by police officers and insurance carriers. Having a personal injury attorney working on your side is important so that appropriate evidence is collected and preserved. We will collect accident reports, medical records, and police reports and work with experts to build your case.

We are also experienced with complex car accident claims against negligent manufacturers for defective tires, seat belts, air bags and other auto parts and products. Our attorneys will identify all appropriate defendants and aggressively pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Can You Sue for Pain and Suffering Damages in a Maryland Car Accident Case?

In the state of Maryland, a car accident victim is legally able to sue for emotional distress, which includes pain and suffering, in personal injury claims. According to Maryland state law, there is a cap for the total amount of compensation that a victim can claim for pain and suffering. The cap on which the victim is able to claim as much as $935,000 for an injury case and $2,262,500 for a wrongful death case with two or more survivors.

As is the case for physical injuries, the plaintiff in a car accident case will be required to prove that they have or will suffer long-term emotional repercussions as a direct result of the accident, which can be extremely difficult to do. It should be noted as well that you cannot sue for pain and suffering in workers’ compensation claims, however.

In terms of calculated emotional distress damages, there are two methods that are typically used in personal injury cases:

• The Multiplier Method: This method adds up all of the accident-related financial costs (medical bills, lost wages, etc.) and then multiplies that total number by a designated multiplier that can range anywhere from 1.5x to 5x, depending on the overall severity of the injuries obtained from the accident.
• The Per Diem Method: This particular method assigns a specific daily rate or dollar amount to every day that the accident victim experiences emotional distress (pain and suffering), then multiplies that daily rate by the number of days that the victim expects to continue suffering.

Quantifying pain and suffering is much more difficult than quantifying the extent of physical injuries, property damages, and lost wages, so it is highly recommended that you consult with a trustworthy personal injury lawyer who has prior experience handling car accident cases involving emotional distress settlements.

This will help give you the most favorable chance of securing compensation to the fullest extent that you’re entitled to so that you can properly recover from your physical and emotional injuries with peace of mind.

FAQs About Columbia, MD Car Accident Law

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Maryland?

In Maryland, the average settlement amount for a car accident claim where the victim or plaintiff suffered moderate injuries is around $20,000-$25,000; however, most moderate cases can fall anywhere between $15,000-$75,000, depending on the specifics. In general, the settlement can vary depending on the overall severity of the victim’s injuries and other related damages resulting from the car accident.

Can You Sue for a Car Accident in Maryland?

Yes, you can sue for a car accident in Maryland. You can file a claim against any negligent party whose actions or lack thereof were the direct cause of your car accident. Maryland is a fault state, which means that accident victims are able to sue the at-fault drivers, their insurance company, and any other third-party organizations liable for the accident, as long as the victim is not proven to share any partial responsibility for the incident.

Is Maryland a Fault State for Car Accidents?

Yes, Maryland is a fault state for car accident claims. The state’s personal injury laws allow for car accident victims to sue the at-fault driver, their insurance company, and any other liable third party. However, if the victim is proven to have also been partially responsible or at–fault for the accident, then they would not be able to sue the other negligent party for damages.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Car Accident in Maryland?

In Maryland, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim is three years from the date of the accident in most cases. For car accidents that result in a fatality, the families would have a three-year statute of limitations from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.

Consult Our Columbia Car Accident Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in car accident in Glen Burnie, Columbia, or the surrounding areas of Maryland, we’re here to help. We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation at either of our locations, so you can learn more about your rights as an accident victim, and about how we can advocate for you. To get started, complete our intake form or call us at 410-766-0113.