Howard County Car Accident Lawyer

Howard County Car Accident Attorney

Sustaining injuries from a car accident is enough to alter your life. You may be out of work or have hospital bills to deal with. Some injuries may even result in wrongful death. These events add stress physically, emotionally, and financially when you need it the least. At the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, you can have the support of an experienced Howard County car accident lawyer. Our firm is skilled at getting the compensation our clients need and deserve for their recovery.

How We Support Our Clients

As one of the most valuable resources after an auto accident, our attorneys can make a complicated time easier. They can offer help in many ways that you have yet to think of.

Legal Guidance

While it is expected that your attorney should provide you with legal guidance, our attorneys have experience in more than just litigation. They have spent time absorbing personal injury and insurance law, offering more than you could find in a book or online search.

Evidence Gathering

Although you may have gathered evidence after your accident, exhausting all avenues is critical to a successful claim. A skilled lawyer can strengthen your case by combining your evidence with witness testimony, relevant documentation, and other evidence that you may not have access to.

Liability Determination

By using the facts of your case, a car accident lawyer can identify and prove liability. They can also determine who is at fault and use that to seek your appropriate compensation.

Insurance Company Negotiations

Attorneys can communicate with the insurance company, so you do not have to. Insurance companies have a history of attempting to make low settlement offers when they feel they can. However, an experienced attorney can help you seek maximum compensation.

Litigation Representation

Although this usually only happens when parties do not reach a fair settlement in the negotiation stage, lawyers can represent you before a judge and jury when necessary.

After an Accident: Time and Space to Recover

Monetary compensation cannot heal your body for you, but it is still a significant part of recovery. When faced with rising medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages, you need help to recover these losses.

Our lawyers are trained and experienced in taking a well-rounded approach to evaluating your claims and personal losses. We can help you move forward. Our lawyers can review your case and search for the right strategy to deal with insurance carriers.

Injuries from a car accident can stay with you for years. When you are in an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately if you feel pain or suspect any abnormalities. Even minor injuries can end up being serious. Some of the most common auto accident injuries are:

• PTSD
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Chest injuries or thoracic trauma
• Concussions
• Back injuries
• Broken ribs
• Whiplash
• Cuts or lacerations
• Complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries
• Facial scarring
• Eye damage
• Heart attacks

What to Do After Your Accident

When you are in an accident in Howard County, Maryland, stay calm and remain at the scene when you can. If you are severely injured, do not try to move more than necessary. Call or wait for medical assistance. If you are not hurt, attempt to remove yourself from harm’s way. When you are in a busy intersection, try to relocate if you can.

If law enforcement or medical personnel have arrived, follow their instructions, as they will know how to keep everyone safe.

If no one has contacted emergency personnel, call 911 and seek medical assistance.

The operator will want your location, the number of people in the accident, details of any known injuries, and details about the situation. After providing them with the information you know, it can help you later if you exchange contact and insurance information with everyone involved in the accident. Include witnesses because their testimonies may be helpful in future insurance negotiations.

In Maryland, you need to exchange specific information with any others involved, and they need to do the same with you. The crucial information to exchange includes:

• Contact details (name, address, and how to reach you)
• Driver license number
• Any license plate numbers for vehicles involved
• Applicable auto insurance information

Additionally, it is wise to take photographs of the accident, such as license plates, road conditions, weather conditions, relevant traffic markers or signs, and the state of all vehicles involved.

Most car accident claims start with an investigation by police officers. If no one has contacted the police, call them. Any knowledge you have will be vital to the police report. Refrain from admitting fault or saying things that can be interpreted as guilty statements. Later, get a copy of the police report for your records.

When you have fully settled after the accident, seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney. This step is consequential so that they can record appropriate evidence, and you can start getting the help you need. We collect accident reports, medical records, officer reports, and any extra information to ensure that we have the information required to build your case.

Types and Causes of Car Accidents

The typical car accident resulting in injuries or death involves multiple vehicles. There are many types of accidents, and they all have the potential to cause severe injury or death. Some of the most common are:

• Rear-End Collisions: Rear-ends commonly cause serious injuries. Usually, the person tailing is either distracted or performing a negligent act that causes them to crash into the vehicle in front of them. While many rear-end accidents occur at low speeds, a high-speed collision can cause severe injuries to everyone involved.
• Side-Impact Crashes: These collisions often take place at intersections. Someone runs a red light or a stop sign and crashes into the side of a vehicle. These crashes are extremely dangerous because this area of the car typically least protects passengers.
• Sideswipe Incidents: These commonly occur when one vehicle passes another on a narrow road or a driver does not check their blind spots before merging or changing lanes. These accidents are often minor but can cause serious injuries, especially when motorcycles are involved.
• Head-On Collisions: Accounting for some of the highest fatality rates in car accidents, head-on collisions can be devastating. Fault in these cases is usually with a driver who crossed a median, drove in the wrong direction, or excessively sped in a busy area.

Negligent acts cause many car accidents. Whether drivers were distracted, impaired, drowsy, reckless, or without experience, most car accidents could have been avoided by using more caution and care when behind the wheel. To better understand the specific trends and impacts within Maryland, examining local data can be enlightening, such as exploring Maryland’s auto accident statistics.

Determining Fault in Maryland

Maryland is an at-fault state for car accidents, which means that if you are involved in an accident and the other driver or drivers are to blame, you can pursue a legal claim against whoever is responsible for the collision. Even for minor injuries, you have the legal grounds to do so.

While other states are no-fault states, requiring drivers to buy Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to recoup their losses, Maryland does not follow these rules.

FAQs

Q: How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in Maryland?

A: In Maryland, you have three years from the date of your car accident to file a claim against the party or parties responsible. This time is called the statute of limitations. After this period, you will have no legal grounds to sue the responsible party.

When you are in a car accident, it is imperative to contact an attorney as soon as possible. This can give you the opportunity to fight for your maximum compensation.

Q: Is Maryland a No-Fault State for Auto Accidents?

A: Maryland is not a no-fault state for auto accidents. It is an at-fault state, which means that any driver or organization at fault for an accident is responsible for the damages caused. If you are in an accident in the state, you have the right to seek compensation for injuries you sustained.

Q: What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Maryland?

A: After a car accident in Maryland, you should stay calm and safe. It is important to ensure that anyone involved is not experiencing pain. If someone is in physical pain, call 911 immediately for medical attention. Listen to law enforcement and medical personnel, as they will know how to navigate the stressful situation.

Exchange necessary contact information with everyone involved in the accident, including witnesses. Additionally, it would help if you documented as much of the scene as you can.

Once you are safe and ready, you should find and contact an attorney who can help you file your claim.

Q: Is the Registered Owner of a Car Liable for an Accident in Maryland?

A: In some instances, the registered owner of a car can be held liable for an accident in Maryland. Under vicarious liability and negligent entrustment, loaning your vehicle to someone who is inexperienced or a reckless driver means that you can be held liable for any accidents or damage to your car that may happen.

Also, under the Family Car Doctrine, parents are liable for any damage caused by their driving minor, meaning that parents should use caution when letting their children drive.

Securing Compensation After a Howard County Car Accident

If you were injured in a car accident in Howard County or the surrounding areas of Maryland, the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA can secure compensation for your losses. We leverage our expertise to navigate the complexities of your case. Our initial consultation can help you understand your rights as an accident victim and how we can advocate for you. To get started, contact the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, or complete our intake form.