Auto Accidents

What Should I Do if I’ve Been in an Auto Accident and I’m Not Liable?

You may think that you’ll never be involved in a car accident, but unfortunately the statistics tell a different story. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates there are more than 17,000 car accidents in the United States every day. If you’ve been a victim of a car accident, whether as the driver or a passenger, it is critical to work with a Maryland accident injury lawyer who has an assertive approach and a proven track record of success. If you aren’t liable for the auto accident, our team of dedicated accident attorneys will: 

• Ensure that you don’t pay any medical bills incurred from the accident.  
• Recover any wages that were lost due to the accident. 
• Help you get compensation for any property damaged during the accident. 
• Help you recover money for vehicle repairs or replacement. 
• Get you reimbursed for money spent on required car rentals. 
• Help you secure punitive damages, depending on the circumstances. 
• Fight the insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.
• Take your case to court or, if you prefer, simply help you file all the necessary paperwork on time.
• Negotiate with the insurance companies to hammer out settlement details. 

The aftermath of an auto accident can be an overwhelming, painful and costly time. You need an accident lawyer who will look out for your interests and help you navigate the often muddy waters of filing accident claims with insurance companies. Even if you have spent thousands of dollars in auto insurance premiums over many years, your insurance company could fail to pay your auto accident claim. 

If you’ve been in an auto accident in Maryland, contact our auto accident attorneys immediately so that you can get the most out of your coverage and ensure that the insurance company will be held accountable. 

To recover costs resulting from a Maryland car accident, you must file for no-fault medical benefits with your insurance provider within one year. If you file a legal claim, you have up to three years to file the claim. However, if you have been the victim of an automobile accident, you should not wait to file a claim! Costs stemming from an auto accident can tally up quickly, so it’s important that you get reimbursed just as fast.  Our team of experienced auto accident attorneys can assist you in taking a claim to court or simply help file the necessary paperwork by the due dates. We will fight for your rights if you’ve been in an accident due to a negligent driver.

Common Types and Causes of Car Crashes

Our experienced accident lawyers can help you if you’ve been involved in any of the car accidents below, all of which can cause physical or emotional damage to you, your loved ones and your property. 

• Rear-end collisions, or collisions at intersections and medians. 
• Highway and freeway accidents. 
• Head-on collisions. 
• Accidents resulting from a failure to obey traffic signs or signals. 
• Multiple-vehicle accidents. 
• Fender-benders. 
• Parking lot accidents. 
• Large vehicle or truck accidents. 
• Accidents involving drug or alcohol impaired drivers (DWI). 
• Accidents involving drunk drivers or those driving under the influence of controlled substances (DUI). 
• Accidents involving distracted drivers, including drivers who were talking on their cell phone or texting while driving. 
• Sleeping or drowsy driving. 
• Aggressive drivers, including drivers who did not obey the speed limit. 
• Hit-and-run accidents or hit-and-skip accidents. 
• Dangerous roadways. 
• Fatal accidents.

Common Injuries or Damage from Car Accidents

Drivers or passengers who are involved in a small auto accident or fender-bender may walk away with no major injuries, but sometimes serious injuries are not immediately obvious. And, in the case of more serious auto accidents, injuries may be truly life-altering. Some injuries that our accident attorneys frequently see include: 

• Back injuries, such as herniated or bulging discs. 
• Traumatic brain injuries. 
• Broken bones, ribs or fractures. 
• Severe burns, cuts or abrasions. 
• Paralysis or spinal cord injuries. 
• Chronic pain from whiplash. 
• Loss of limbs. 
• Internal bleeding or internal trauma. 
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

If you have been involved in an auto accident – even a minor one – it is important to be evaluated by a doctor to assess any potential injuries. Once you have done this, contact a Maryland vehicle accident attorney who can help ensure that you are appropriately compensated for any damages. 

Our auto injury lawyers serve Baltimore and the surrounding areas including Pasadena, Rosedale, Reisterstown, Cambridge, Essex, Glen Burnie, Middle River, Perry Hall, Severna Park, Towson, Owings Mills, Westminster, Annapolis, Columbia, White Marsh, Ellicott City, Easton, Bel Air and more. Call 410-687-7111 or contact us today online for a consultation. 

What Should I Do if I’ve Been in An Auto Accident and I AM Liable?

No one ever wants to be liable in an auto accident, but in truth it happens to many people. According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, there are upwards of 100,000 car accidents in Maryland each year, and in most accidents someone is deemed the responsible party. If this scenario applies to you, it is imperative that you find a Baltimore area accident lawyer who can offer you comprehensive legal representation. 

At Waldman, Grossfeld, Appel & Baer, we offer professional and comprehensive car crash legal representation for anyone who needs it. We will work to help you in the case of victim’s civil suits and charges of negligence. If you are deemed to bear the responsibility for an auto accident, even if you did not intend to cause the accident or to hurt anyone, it will result in money out of your pocket, or a possible increase in your insurance premiums. An accident attorney at Waldman, Grossfeld, Appel & Baer can conduct a free review of your case to determine if they think you are liable and if so, attempt to mitigate your financial burdens due to the accident. 

In order for someone to find you at fault for an accident, they must be able to prove that:

• You had a legal obligation to follow certain rules of the road. 
• You, as the driver, failed to uphold this obligation and caused the accident.
• The victim suffered financial damages as a result of the accident. 

The burden of proof for the victims, however, can be a bit more complicated, and much of it rests on Maryland liability laws. If the fault of an accident is not obvious, or you are unsure if you will be held responsible, our attorneys can review your case to: 

• Determine if it is feasible to negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies. 
• Evaluate your car insurance to determine what portions of coverage may cover money owed for being at fault.
• Assess the availability of evidence to support your case. 
• Review the possibility of uncovering negligence by the other driver. 
• Educate you about your rights and provide legal guidance if you are being sued due to an auto accident in Maryland. 

How Can I Get My Driver’s License Reinstated?

There are many reasons why individuals may lose driving privileges: traffic offenses, unpaid parking tickets or being caught driving on a suspended license or driving without a license. Sometimes licenses are suspended for an administrative reason (e.g. failing to maintain auto insurance, failing to pay a traffic ticket or other fines or failing to pay child support) without the driver ever receiving proper notification. In this type of situation, an individual may be completely unaware they are driving with a suspended or revoked license. The legal team at Waldman, Grossfeld, Appel & Baer can assist in the reinstatement of driver’s licenses, often by clearing the underlying charge. We will also represent out-of-state drivers who were ticketed and cited while driving in or through Maryland. In some cases, we are able to appear in court on an out-of-state client’s behalf, saving them the time and expense of returning for a hearing.

What Should I Do If I’ve Lost Driving Privileges Due to a DWI or DUI?

In Maryland, driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs (DWI) or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) are serious offenses with the potential for significant fines, points against a driver’s license and even jail time. A blood alcohol level as low as 0.04% can result in a DWI, and drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.8% or higher will be charged with a DUI. The attorneys at Waldman, Grossfeld, Appel & Baer have extensive experience with legal defense for DWI and DUI and can provide representation at Motor Vehicle Association (MVA) hearings as well as during misdemeanor criminal proceedings.

Why Work with the Car Crash Attorneys at Waldman, Grossfeld, Appel & Baer?

Car crash lawsuits and claims are often overwhelming and confusing. Our experience and track record, along with our intimate knowledge of car crash laws in Baltimore, mean that you get the best representation possible to recover money owed from being a victim, or mitigating risk if you’re liable. Our auto accident attorneys will give you access to detailed research, careful analysis and expert knowledge of any rules and regulations that pertain to your case. Our accident attorneys have nearly 150 years of combined experience in private practice and are committed to getting the very best outcomes for clients and their families.

With auto accidents, insurance providers should be held liable for payment, not you and your family. Insurance companies aren’t good neighbors, they’re not on your side and don’t put you in good hands. A highly experienced, local car accident lawyer will provide you with the advice that you need and the legal representation that you deserve. Our attorneys work diligently to ensure our clients get the compensation they deserve. At Waldman, Grossfeld Appel & Baer, we’ve made these our goals for 50 years.

Our lawyers for accidents serve Pasadena, Rosedale and Reisterstown, Cambridge, Essex, Glen Burnie, Middle River, Perry Hall, Severna Park, Towson, Owings Mills, Westminster, Annapolis, Columbia, White Marsh, Ellicott City, Easton, and Bel Air. Call us today.

Car Accident Statistics in Maryland

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Car accidents happen everywhere, no matter where you reside. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 33,000 fatal car accidents across the United States in 2018. Maryland alone accounts for some 500 fatal car crashes annually. According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, there are over 100,000 car accidents reported to the Maryland police each year. 

In comparison to the rest of the United States, the rate of fatalities per 100,000 population is lower in Maryland, averaging about 11%, while the U.S. averages about 14%. The number of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled is also lower in Maryland, at about 1.15 compared to about 1.4 in the U.S. overall. 

If you’re a victim of a car crash or have been found at fault in an car accident in Pasadena, Rosedale, Reisterstown, Cambridge, Essex, Glen Burnie, Middle River, Perry Hall, Severna Park, Towson, Owings Mills, Westminster, Annapolis, Columbia, White Marsh, Ellicott City, Easton, and Bel Air, our car crash lawyers can help. Call 410-687-7111 or contact us today online for a consultation.