Towson Car Accident Attorneys
Motor Vehicle Accidents in Maryland
Have you been in a car accident in Towson, Maryland? Having to deal with serious injuries, damage to your vehicle, and the insurance company can be a lot to handle. Working with a Towson, Maryland auto accident lawyer can greatly impact your recovery.
No matter the type of accident you have been involved in, we can help. Here at Albers & Associates, we have extensive experience in helping both victims and those who cause accidents in Maryland.
Here are some of the types of Towson, MD accident cases we can help with:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- RV accidents
- Commercial driver/ CDL accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Vehicle-pedestrian accidents
If you have been involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, reach out to our team today to learn how we can help. We proudly offer highly personalized, compassionate legal representation; we are ready to advocate for you and your rights.
Request a free consultation today. Call (443) 665-8030 or contact us online to get started.
Steps to Take Following an Accident
Following an accident, you may be feeling shocked and frightened—this is normal. Car accidents are often sudden and when they happen, they bring unfortunate repercussions whether you were responsible for the accident or not.
There are several things you should do as soon as possible after the accident:
- Call 911/Seek Medical Attention: Immediately following the accident, you should call the police and seek medical attention right away. This is very important not only for your health but for your potential case as well. Call 911 if necessary to have your wounds addressed, and be sure to contact the police to report the accident.
- Document the Crash: If you are able, you should exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Do your best to document all aspects of the accident, including the officers who responded, which vehicles were involved, the damages that occurred, your case number, your injuries, what treatment you received, and more.
- Contact a Car Accident Attorney: As soon as you can, call a Towson, Maryland car accident lawyer. You should avoid speaking to the insurance company if you can, and never sign anything or agree to a settlement without first speaking to an attorney. The insurance company may try to offer you a lowball settlement, but a lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
When to Call the Police After an Accident
In some states, you must call the police following an accident, no matter how serious. This isn’t entirely true in Maryland.
Here in the state of Maryland, you must call the police in the following circumstances:
- An unattended vehicle or property is hit, and the owner cannot be located
- Anyone involved is injured or killed
- A hit-and-run occurs
- A driver refused or cannot provide insurance information
- A dog, cat, or other domestic animal is hit
- A vehicle cannot be moved safely
- A drunk driver is involved
When one of these situations occurs, you should contact the police to report the accident right away. In fact, for incidents involving bodily injury or death, you have just 15 days to report the accident to the Motor Vehicle Administration.
Common Types of Car Accidents & Their Causes
Some of the most common types of car accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-impact or “T-bone” collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Vehicle rollovers
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multiple-vehicle accidents
All of these different types of accidents can be devastating—and most are the result of negligence.
When it comes to car accidents, “negligence” can take many forms. Some examples include:
- Using a cellphone or texting while driving
- Driving while otherwise distracted
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding, including driving too fast through work zones
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Violating traffic laws
- Running red lights, stop signs, or other traffic control devices
- Merging, passing, changing lanes, or turning unsafely or unlawfully
- Failing to keep a lookout for other vehicles, such as motorcycles
- Driving while fatigued
- Reckless or aggressive driving, including road rage
These and other acts of negligence can have devastating—or even deadly—consequences. If you were harmed in an accident caused by someone else’s careless or reckless conduct, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your resulting damages. Reach out to our team at Albers & Associates today to learn more during a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
How Is Liability Determined in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
Liability—or the legal responsibility of one party to pay the damages of another—is one of the most important aspects of your claim. In Maryland, it is absolutely crucial that you establish liability in your car accident claim by proving the fault of another driver or a third party, such as an auto manufacturer. Because Maryland follows a contributory negligence rule, you cannot file a claim or recover any compensation if you were even slightly at fault for the accident. Instead, you must prove that someone else, whether it was the driver of the other vehicle involved or some other party, was to blame. If the insurance adjuster argues that you were partly at fault, you may need to take your case to court.
To determine liability, the court will look at the facts and evidence of the case. For example, evidence that proves that the other driver was distracted, such as cellphone records showing them sending or receiving a text message at the time of the crash, can help establish liability. The court will hear evidence from both sides and then determine who is responsible for the accident and the victim’s damages.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Maryland?
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for most car accidents is three years from the date of the crash. This means that you usually have just three years to file your lawsuit; if you wait too long, you will almost certainly lose your right to recover compensation for your accident-related damages.
If the accident resulted in the death of your family member, you have three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you were injured and were under the age of 18 at the time, you may have until your 21st birthday to file a personal injury lawsuit.
In any case, the sooner you reach out to an experienced Towson car accident attorney, the better. When you call Albers & Associates, we can immediately begin investigating the accident and building a case on your behalf. We work quickly when it comes to preparing cases, communicating with the insurance company, and initiating litigation, if necessary.
Do You Need a Lawyer After an Auto Accident in Towson, MD?
Though insurance companies have a duty to the people they represent, they often do what they can to avoid paying out hefty sums on claims. They often use “deny, delay, defend” tactics to ensure that, even if you are able to file a claim, you won’t get paid. This is why you want to consult with a Towson, Maryland auto accident attorney—for help taking on the insurance company and seeking the fair compensation you are owed.
Depending on the specific details of your case, you could be entitled to compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income/wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Lost or diminished earning ability
- Physical and mental pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anguish
- Out-of-pocket expenses associated with the accident
- Punitive damages (in some, rare cases)
At Albers & Associates, we can help you understand what types of damages you may be entitled to receive, as well as the potential overall value of your case. We do not charge any fees for initial consultations and only get paid if you do.
Call us today at (443) 665-8030 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.