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Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers

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Skilled Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers

In Maryland, roughly 100,000 car accidents occur every year. In Baltimore City, you are more likely to get into a car accident than almost anywhere else in the United States. Unfortunately, car accidents have become a part of life in modern times. Under many circumstances, these accidents are largely unavoidable. Every day, innocent people in Baltimore become car accident victims due to the negligent driving of others. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, call the Law Office of Hyatt & Goldbloom today. Our experienced Baltimore car accident lawyers are available 24/7, and consultations are always free of charge.

What to do After a Car Accident In Maryland?

A car accident can be a terrifying experience. It’s natural for anyone involved to feel shaken and confused about what to do after a car accident in Baltimore. However, the moments directly after a car accident hold some of the most crucial decisions a car accident victim must make to protect their right to recovery.

First and foremost, after a car accident, your priority should always be to make sure you are safe and that you receive immediate medical care if necessary. Depending on the accident’s circumstances and severity, you may not have the ability to complete some or all of these steps. Nonetheless, whenever possible, you should take action to preserve your legal right to recover damages for the harm caused by the other driver’s negligence.

You can significantly increase the strength of your car accident claim by knowing the proper steps to take after a Baltimore car accident. The Hyatt & Goldbloom App has a post-car accident tool that provides a complete checklist of the steps detailed below. In addition to gathering the correct information, it is always in the interest of a car accident victim to speak with a Baltimore car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our experienced car accident lawyers have handled Baltimore car accident claims for over thirty years. After an accident, the Hyatt & Goldbloom legal team can handle the stressful aspects of dealing with insurance companies so that you can focus on your recovery.

Preserving Information at the Scene of the Accident

Overall, the most important thing to do after a Baltimore accident is to gather and document as much information as possible to the extent that the circumstances allow. That being said, every accident is different. Depending on how the accident happened and the severity of your injuries, you may be limited in the amount of information you can gather. However, remembering to document even a portion of the information discussed below can significantly strengthen your case.

Call 911 and Seek Medical Assistance

After a Baltimore car accident, you must first determine the extent of your injuries and any passengers’ injuries in your vehicle. If you or anyone else in the accident was hurt, you should call 9-1-1 and ask for emergency medical assistance and police as soon as possible. In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, it may be challenging to determine the severity of injuries. For this reason, it is better to call an ambulance whenever there is an injury involved, even if it does not first appear serious.

While you may or may not need an ambulance after a car accident, you should always call the police. Doing so will provide proof of the accident. The responding officer(s) will conduct an immediate investigation of the accident scene, which they usually document in their police report. The police will also help gather the other driver’s insurance information, which you must have to make a personal injury claim later on.

Also, the police will advise whether you should move the crashed vehicles from traffic. An investigating officer will take statements of the drivers, the passengers involved, and any witnesses, which may help support your version of the facts during the insurance company’s liability determination. While the police report may not declare who was at fault in the car accident, it will provide a diagram of the accident scene. Again, this may help establish which driver was at fault in the event of a liability dispute.

Take Pictures and Get Witness Information

If you’re physically able and it’s safe to do so, you should take pictures after the car accident. You want to take photos of your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the accident. It is essential to get clear photos of the other vehicle’s license plate. If possible, you should take pictures of the cars in the same position they were in immediately after the accident.

Further, in addition to documenting the accident scene and the vehicles involved, you should also take photos of any visible injuries you sustained due to the accident. These photos help demonstrate the extent of the vehicles’ property damage, how the accident happened, and the nature and degree of your injuries. Over the years, we have repeatedly seen the difference that well-documented accident photos can make for a car accident case. Good pictures can even be the difference between a car accident case settling and going to court.

Finally, if your injuries become more visible in the days or weeks after a car accident, you should continue to take photos and document the progression. Pictures of your injuries will always carry more weight than a doctor’s report or a verbal description. These photos will help our experienced Baltimore car accident lawyers maximize the value of your case.

Here is a list of all the information you should try to gather after a Baltimore car accident. You can obtain most of this information by taking photos or videos with your cell phone. The police should also record this information in their accident report, or if they don’t complete a full report, in an “information exchange.” The officer should provide you with this information at the scene of the accident. However, if the police do not respond to the accident, you should gather as much of this information as possible.

Drivers’ name of all vehicles involved
Drivers’ license numbers, addresses, and phone numbers
Drivers’ insurance company and policy number
License plate number, year, make, model, and color of all vehicles involved
Registered owners’ names and addresses of all vehicles involved
Full name, address, and phone number of occupants in any of the vehicles
Full name, address, and phone numbers of any pedestrians or other parties involved
Full name, address, and phone number of any witnesses to the accident
Police officer’s name, department, phone number, and badge number
The actual location and any intersecting road

Another important factor after a car accident is when there are independent witnesses. If there are witnesses to the accident, it is crucial that you get their name(s) and contact information. An independent witness’ statement that supports your version of events can be the most significant indicator of a successful car accident claim. Our Baltimore car accident attorneys have seen time and time again the direct effect of a supporting witness statement on a favorable liability decision.

Insurance companies may try to use the absence of specific information to support an argument against their insured’s liability. They can also attempt to use the lack of information to argue against damages, the severity of your injuries, etc. It is not rare for an at-fault driver to apologize at the scene or even explicitly admit fault, only to tell their insurance company the opposite story. The more information you collect to later submit as part of your claim, the less likely it is for disputes such as these to arise. That’s why it’s so important to understand how to deal with an insurance adjuster after a car accident. If there are any gaps for the insurance company to exploit to avoid paying or avoid paying the proper amount for your personal injury claim, they will likely attempt to do so.

At Hyatt & Goldbloom, when we take a case, we commit to fighting on your behalf to the furthest extent permitted by law. Many lawyers will accept a car accident case, then refer the client to a different lawyer if liability is denied. The Baltimore car accident lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom never have and will never represent a client halfway. We pride ourselves on seeing every case through to the end and doing everything in our power to achieve a favorable outcome for our client.

Types of Car Accidents in Baltimore

The type of car accident, and events that led to the accident, are important details of your Baltimore car accident claim. Various types of car accidents occur in Baltimore; however, there are several types we frequently encounter. Our experienced car accident lawyers have a proven track record of representing clients injured in each of these types of accidents, amongst others. Below are some of the most common types of car accidents our Baltimore auto accident lawyers routinely face.

Vehicle Rollover

There are two types of rollover car accidents: tripped and untripped. The majority of rollovers are tripped accidents that occur when a vehicle slides sideways, striking an object like another car, off-road terrain, a guardrail, or a curb. Untripped rollover accidents are much less common and only account for about 5% of rollover car accidents. Untripped rollovers often involve top-heavy vehicles such as semi-trucks. These accidents typically occur when the driver swerves to avoid a collision, and their top-heavy body combined with the vehicle’s momentum causes the driver to lose control and roll over. If you or someone you know was injured in an untripped rollover accident, an experienced Baltimore truck accident lawyer could help ensure they receive proper compensation for their injuries.

Rear-End Collision

Approximately one-third of all rear-end accidents occur when one car follows another car too closely while not paying attention. This type of car accident is commonly referred to as a “whiplash accident” due to its tendency to cause soft tissue neck injuries. Although rear-end collisions are the most common car accident, they can also be the most severe. In some cases, these types of car accidents can cause serious injuries such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury. It’s not uncommon for a rear end accident settlement to be worth much more than most people realize.

Single Car Accidents

There are two kinds of single-car accidents: run-off-the-road (ROR) and on-road (OR) crashes. The more common type of single-car accident is a run-off-the-road crash. In this type of accident, the vehicle leaves its lane of travel and crosses over the median or shoulder, striking another object. On-road accidents usually involve a driver attempting to avoid a collision with a vehicle, pedestrian, or hazard in the roadway.

Side-impact Collision

Side-impact collisions are commonly known as “T-bone” car accidents. These types of accidents tend to occur at intersections when one car runs a red light or does not yield the right of way to another vehicle. It’s common for those struck on the side of their vehicle to suffer serious or potentially life-threatening injuries.

Head-on Collision

Fortunately, this type of accident represents a small percentage of all traffic crashes. However, head-on collisions account for more fatalities than many other types of car accidents. Head-on collisions are so vicious due to the velocity at which the vehicles collide with one another. The impact of a head-on collision is twice as powerful as a collision between a moving and stationary car. Auto accidents exert brutal and unexpected force on anyone involved and cause a wide variety of injuries depending on the crash’s severity.

In addition to knowing common types of Baltimore car accidents, it is helpful to understand the common types of injuries Baltimore car accident victims sustain. The nature and extent of your injuries are the most significant determining factor when it comes to the value of your car accident claim.

Common Injuries From Baltimore Car Accidents

The sheer force that an auto accident exerts on an individual can cause a variety of injuries. While more severe car accidents tend to cause more severe injuries, it is also possible for a seemingly low-impact collision to significantly injure an individual. Understanding the types of common car accident injuries can help you determine the amount of damages and compensation you are entitled to.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Any car accident injury that fractures or penetrates the skull or causes the victim’s brain to hit the skull is considered a traumatic brain injury or TBI. Car accidents cause more than half of all reported traumatic brain injuries. Due to the severity and long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries, those who sustain a TBI from a car accident should immediately consult with an experienced Baltimore auto accident lawyer.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries sustained in a car accident may cause loss of feeling and function below the area where the damage occurred. These injuries pose a serious risk of leaving the victim paralyzed or resulting in death. A spinal cord injury caused by a car accident can damage the spinal column, spinal cord, vertebrae, ligaments, or discs. Spinal cord injuries are severe and often affect the accident victim long after the car accident.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries can result from a car accident due to the brute force of the two or more vehicles colliding. Internal injuries can manifest as internal bleeding, organ damage, or broken ribs. A car accident victim may not notice an internal injury right away. Unlike external injuries that are readily visible, internal injuries might be invisible to the naked eye. Internal injuries pose a severe risk to car accident victims and can result in permanent, catastrophic injuries if left untreated.

Broken Bones

Broken bones caused by sudden impact or twisting during a car accident are among the most common car accident injuries. Broken arms and legs are frequently experienced in car accidents.

Whiplash

Car accident whiplash is a soft tissue neck injury that results from the sudden, forceful back and forth jerking motion caused by the collision. Car accident victims in rear-end accidents often experience whiplash-related injuries. While most people find that their car accident whiplash symptoms go away within a few weeks, the pain can linger for months or even years. It’s critical to receive a post-accident evaluation and consult with your Baltimore car accident lawyer to determine the best course of action.

Damages in a Baltimore Car Accident Case

Under Maryland law, a negligent driver who causes an automobile accident can be held liable for all the harm caused by the accident. Below are some common types of damages a car accident victim can potentially recover from the negligent driver:

Property Damages

Recovery for property damage covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle after an accident. Also, the property damage portion and bodily injury portion of the insurance claim is entirely separate. Any payments that cover your property damage are independent of your recovery from bodily injuries. We will not take any attorneys’ fees associated with the property damage portion of your car accident claim.

Lost Wages

As the plaintiff, you are entitled to recover the income you lost due to injuries sustained in the car accident. A Baltimore auto accident lawyer can help victims of accidents demand lost wage compensation. Lost wages will replace any unearned income that resulted from your inability to work after the accident.

Medical Expenses

Plaintiffs are entitled to recover damages for the medical expenses and treatment that resulted from the car accident. Depending on the severity of the accident, recovery can include past and/or future medical expenses.

Pain and Suffering

Plaintiffs are entitled to recover damages for the mental and physical suffering sustained due to a car accident. The amount of pain and suffering a car accident victim will receive largely depends on the severity of the accident and injuries.

When liability is not in dispute, a Baltimore car accident lawyer will discuss all relevant damages with the at-fault driver’s insurance company during settlement negotiations. Alternatively, if liability is contested or the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable offer, the case will likely proceed to trial. Depending on the amount of damages at issue, the dispute will be decided by a judge in district court, or a jury in circuit court.

Insurance Details for Baltimore Car Accidents

One of the crucial functions of an experienced Baltimore car accident lawyer is their ability to navigate the insurance claims process. At Hyatt & Goldbloom, we handle all correspondence to and from the various insurance companies involved in any car accident. We have spent decades developing our approach to personal injury. We take care to keep our clients informed throughout the entire process while making the experience as hassle and stress-free as possible.

Depending on the circumstances of an accident, the role of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, your insurance policy, or a resident relative’s insurance policy will differ. Here are some common insurance aspects that will play a role in the personal injury claims process:

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Most people have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) included in their auto insurance policy. PIP is an insurance policy that will help pay for, up to the policy limits, medical bills, and lost wages (at 85% of your regular wage rate) after a car accident. PIP is a no-fault policy, which means you are entitled to coverage regardless of which driver caused the accident. PIP policy limits are usually $2,500 and can be as much as $10,000. Also, if you carry PIP coverage, it is illegal for your insurance company to increase premiums for filing a PIP claim. If you do not have PIP, there are other avenues we will investigate to try and obtain coverage. The Baltimore car accident attorneys at Hyatt & Goldbloom will handle every stage of the PIP claim to make the process as easy as possible.

The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance

After the accident, we will locate the other vehicle’s insurance policy and file a bodily injury claim on your behalf. In doing so, we will confirm whether the other vehicle has valid insurance coverage. Under circumstances where the other vehicle is uninsured, we will take the steps necessary to establish alternate coverage – usually through your vehicle’s uninsured motorist (UM) policy.

Your Insurance

The degree of involvement of your insurance company will largely depend on whether the other vehicle has insurance. If the other vehicle does not carry insurance, we will file an uninsured motorist (UM) claim with your carrier. Additionally, if the other vehicle’s insurance is unable to fully cover your medical bills and damages, we may be able to file an underinsured motorist (UIM) claim through your insurance policy.

At each stage of the insurance claims process, a Baltimore car crash lawyer at Hyatt & Goldbloom will regularly provide you with status updates for your case. Our goal is to create a balance – so you remain informed about the details of your claim, but leave the bulk of the busy work to us.

Timeline of a Baltimore Car Accident Claim

It is important to understand that all car accidents and their respective claims are different. The facts of an accident, degree of property damage, injuries sustained, and insurance companies involved – amongst numerous other factors – collectively affect the course of a particular car accident claim. There is no way to perfectly predict how long a claim will take or the value of a potential future settlement. If another auto accident lawyer tells you they can predict these things, they are lying.

That being said, the Baltimore car accident lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom have operated in the Baltimore personal injury field for more than thirty years. We have successfully filed claims and obtained settlements for well over ten thousand clients. Although no two accidents are the same, our extensive experience allows us to confidently provide a general timeline for the average car accident claim:

Stage 1: Case Intake and Investigation

The injured party (or parties) call Hyatt & Goldbloom to discuss the car accident circumstances. If the client can, he/she will come to the Hyatt & Goldbloom Office to meet with one or both of our Baltimore car accident lawyers and founding partners: Todd Hyatt and Brad Goldbloom.

The client and lawyers will discuss injuries, emergency medical treatment, and any continuing treatment or physical therapy the client may need.

Depending on the case’s circumstances, the insurance companies will investigate to determine how the accident occurred. The results of the investigation allow the insurance company to make a liability decision. If the other insurance company “accepts liability,” it means that they determined the other driver caused the accident. Under this circumstance, the at-fault insurance company agrees they are liable to pay for your injuries, medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The requirements of an insurance investigation will vary and may involve a written or recorded statement. Should either of these apply, your lawyer will reach out to discuss the statement in further detail.

Just because the insurance company accepts liability does not mean they will make a reasonable settlement offer. We will always inform you about negotiations in your case and provide our professional opinion as to whether the insurance company’s offer is fair. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we are always willing to file suit on your behalf and pursue the recovery you deserve in court.

If you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, we will communicate with the insurance carrier and help you submit the necessary documents.

Stage 2: Treatment and Medical Requests

You should continue checking in with your Baltimore car accident attorney about medical treatment and injury status. You’ll also want to handle any property damage (for more information, see our property damage FAQ) your vehicle sustained due to the accident.

Hyatt & Goldbloom will request all medical bills and reports from hospitals or other medical providers after you finish treatment.

Stage 3: Discharge and Sending Specials

After achieving maximum physical recovery, your doctor will discharge you from treatment. Now Hyatt & Goldbloom will have all the information needed from your accident, including medical documents and lost wages. We will send everything to the liability carrier to review and make an initial offer on your case. We call this step “sending specials” or sending your “demand packet.”

Once we send your specials to the insurance company, the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim will review the file. When ready, the adjuster will contact your Baltimore car crash lawyer to discuss settlement on your behalf.

Stage 4: Negotiations, Settlement, and Bill Payment

When the insurance company is ready, your Baltimore car accident lawyer will negotiate to get you the best settlement possible. If we are able to reach a fair settlement offer, your lawyer will contact you to review the numbers and ask for your final approval to accept.

If you decide to accept the settlement, you and your Baltimore car accident attorney will discuss payment of your medical bills.

Stage 5: Making You Whole Again

After settlement, your Baltimore auto accident lawyer will provide you with your settlement check. The settlement is designed to make you whole again after the pain and suffering you experienced due to the accident. Also, because the settlement is not income but compensation for your trouble, the money is entirely tax-free.

Note – not every claim follows this timeline, and many involve additional steps/stages. ALSO, not all claims reach an out-of-court settlement. Should the insurance company deny liability or refuse to make a fair settlement offer, the Hyatt & Goldbloom litigation team will prepare and file a lawsuit against the other driver.

Contributory Negligence in Maryland

For the driver of another vehicle to be liable for your injuries sustained in a car accident, the other driver must have been at fault or caused the accident. Sometimes liability is clear. For example, in a rear-end collision. Other times, however, liability is not so clear. For instance, when two cars collide while traveling side by side and they each accuse the other of changing lanes.

The legal rules for determining liability differ depending on the state. Maryland is one of the few states that still uses the standard of contributory negligence. Under Maryland’s standard of contributory negligence, for an injured party to recover for injuries sustained in a car accident, the other party must be 100% at fault. In other words, if a car accident occurs between you and another driver, and you are found to be even 1% at fault, the other driver is not liable and you cannot recover damages for your injuries. Maryland’s strict negligence standard is why it is imperative to have an experienced Baltimore car accident lawyer on your side when pursuing damages after a car accident.

Due to Maryland’s contributory negligence standard, it is essential to gather information after an accident. Insurance companies are aware they only need to show that you partially contributed to the accident. No matter how small a contribution.

This is a problem when the other driver tells a false story to their insurance company, as they often do. The other insurance company has a duty to protect their insured’s interests. Suppose the only proof against their insured’s story is your own version of events. In that case, the insurance company will almost always deny liability.

We often deal with unique car accident cases at Hyatt & Goldbloom, including Uber and Lyft accidents. Luckily, there is no case too complex for us to handle. We encourage anyone who has been in a car accident to reach out to the top Baltimore auto accident attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your case.

In general, you should always follow Maryland’s traffic rules to promote safe roadways for yourself and others. Nonetheless, failing to obey traffic laws can also preclude you from recovering damages after a car accident. This is true even when the violation had little or nothing to do with causing the collision itself.

Baltimore Car Accident Statistics

In every state, there is a risk of being involved in a car accident. But some cities tend to be more dangerous than others. Baltimore has continually ranked high year after year for its number of car accidents. A recent NerdWallet study found that Baltimore, Maryland ranked in the top 5 for most dangerous cities for auto accidents. Not only is Baltimore prone to car accidents, but it also increases the average rate of auto insurance for those who live in or near the city of Baltimore.

Residents of the Baltimore area are more likely to be involved in a car accident multiple times within 4.7 years. And the fatality rate for Baltimore car accidents hovers around five deaths per 100,000 people. Due to the alarming Baltimore car accident statistics, Baltimore residents can pay up to 113.9% for auto insurance compared to safer areas of the United States.

Many Baltimore car accident statistics indicate this large city is one of the most likely places to get into a car accident. NerdWallet found that drivers located on the East Coast have the highest rate of auto accidents.

Baltimore car accident statistics infographic

Contact an Experienced Baltimore Car Accident Lawyer at Hyatt & Goldbloom Today

If you or someone you know was injured in a car accident in Baltimore, Hyatt & Goldbloom can immediately begin preparing your claim and pursuing the compensation you deserve. We dedicated our careers to representing injured clients in personal injury claims and lawsuits. While Hyatt & Goldbloom handles all types of personal injury cases, over the past three decades, the number of car accident cases far outnumber any other type of case.

Simply put, we are confident in our ability to help you recover the compensation you deserve after a Baltimore car accident. Our approach to car accident claims is tested and proven. The many years we’ve dedicated to practicing personal injury allowed us to develop specific methods and recognize the most efficient ways to navigate the insurance claims system.

Lawyers don’t last this long in Baltimore’s personal injury market by simply being good at handling claims. At Hyatt & Goldbloom, it is our priority to take care of every client that steps through our doors. Our firm is here to serve your best interests. And just as importantly, we treat every person we encounter with the honesty and respect they deserve.

No matter the severity of a car accident, it can result in injuries and other consequences that strongly impact your life. If you or someone you know has suffered injuries due to another’s negligent driving, call Hyatt & Goldbloom today. We will aggressively fight to obtain the maximum recovery you deserve.