What Is the Timeline for a Personal Injury Case?

Like most people, this may be your first personal injury claim. Even if this is not your first personal injury claim, you may be unsure how the process works. The timeframe of any given claim will differ depending on the circumstances. That’s why it’s recommended to speak with a Maryland personal injury lawyer to understand your claim better and the legal steps needed to obtain compensation.

How Much Is Your Personal Injury Case Worth?

The Maryland courts and insurance companies will award compensation to injury victims according to each case’s unique circumstances. Although every personal injury case is different, a handful of common factors can determine the amount of compensation you may receive after an accident. A Baltimore personal injury lawyer at Hyatt & Goldbloom can assess your unique case and explain whether we believe you have grounds for a lawsuit. We can then discuss your legal options and how to best proceed with the personal injury claim.

What is a Personal Injury?

The term “personal injury” refers to the harm caused by the negligent act of another. In a typical personal injury case, the injured person and their Baltimore personal injury lawyer will pursue compensation from the at-fault party or their insurance company. Further, companies and other entities, such as a business, can be responsible for serious injuries it causes. If you were injured in an accident, contact a Maryland personal injury attorney at Hyatt & Goldbloom right away. Our experienced injury lawyers can answer all your questions and help pursue your claim.

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If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in Maryland due to someone else’s negligence, there are legal remedies available for you. An accident can have a severe impact on your life, beyond just the injury, including missed work, unemployment, and healthcare expenses. Luckily, at Hyatt & Goldbloom our Maryland personal injury lawyers can provide you with the necessary assistance in such a situation and help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact our office today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.

Personal Injury Definition: What You Need To Know

When someone is harmed because someone else acted carelessly, it’s called a “personal injury.” If this happens to you, it’s important to speak with a Maryland personal injury lawyer. Together, you and your personal injury attorney can make sure that the person who caused your injury or their insurance company is held accountable for any costs or losses you experienced. Sometimes, a company or other organization can also be held accountable for injuries it causes.

If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident, you can contact Hyatt & Goldbloom, a prestigious law firm with over 400 5-star reviews from happy clients that specializes in handling personal injury cases. Our experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys can assist you in addressing all of your concerns and help you with your case. We handle a range of personal injury claims including:

Most Common Injuries In Maryland

There are several types of accidents that may lead to a legitimate personal injury claim, but not all injuries automatically mean someone is legally responsible. To establish a personal injury claim in Maryland, it’s crucial to consider the events that led to the injury. Our Maryland personal injury lawyers often handle cases related to the following common types of personal injury accidents:

Lacerations
Bone Fractures
Neck, Back, and Spine Injuries
Concussions
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Internal Organ Damage
Nerve Damage

Soft Tissue Damage
Joint Injuries
Hip Injuries
Loss of Limbs
Burns
Disfigurement
Scarring

How To Prove A Maryland Personal Injury Case: The 4 Elements of Negligence

To succeed in a Maryland personal injury case, the victim and their attorney need to prove the four elements of negligence. Negligence, which is the basis of all personal injury cases, involves four specific elements:

Duty of care
Breach of duty
Causation
Damages

Understanding Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Laws

Maryland follows the traditional standard of contributory negligence, which means that in order for someone to receive damages for a personal injury sustained in an accident, the other party must be fully at fault. This means that even if you were only 1% responsible for the accident, the other driver would not be held liable for any of your damages.

For decades, lawyers in Maryland have been opposing this law. Those who are against the law frequently mention that most other states have abandoned the traditional negligence rule. Despite ongoing efforts to change the law, it will probably remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Timeline For A Personal Injury Case

After an accident, it’s likely that you are uncertain about the process of making a personal injury claim. The duration of the process will vary depending on the situation. That is why it is advisable to consult a Maryland personal injury lawyer to gain an understanding of the legal process and steps needed to receive compensation. Although every personal injury case is unique, there are common elements that most cases follow to ensure successful compensation.

Medical treatment.
Hiring a Maryland personal injury attorney, investigation, negotiation.
Filing a lawsuit, discovery, mediation, and trial.

Medical Treatment

It’s crucial to get medical treatment promptly after your accident to avoid any suspicions from insurance adjusters and courts. You should inform your doctor that the injuries were from an accident so that they can document it in their medical records. Keeping track of all medical expenses and procedures is essential. Your personal injury lawyer in Maryland will use this information to help you get complete compensation for your case.

Hiring a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney

Choosing the appropriate personal injury lawyer in Maryland is crucial for any personal injury case. A competent lawyer will conduct investigations on your case, ensure that you’re adhering to your treatment plan, and take the required steps to recover compensation through claim settlement or lawsuit filing. When selecting a lawyer, it is advisable to check online reviews and ratings of past client experiences. At Hyatt & Goldbloom, we take great pride in our work and client testimonials. You can see feedback from our clients about the work we’ve done by checking out their experience with Hyatt & Goldbloom.

Investigation

After you hire a personal injury attorney in Maryland, they will initiate an investigation of your accident which involves collecting any probable evidence such as medical bills and records of your post-accident treatments. Additionally, all the statements that describe your injuries and accident given to medical practitioners or law enforcement will also be gathered. The next step involves contacting the insurance company of the negligent party and initiating negotiations after all the information has been collected.

Negotiation

After contacting a Maryland injury lawyer, they will negotiate with the insurance company of the at-fault party to reach a settlement. Any settlement offer will require your explicit permission. Your lawyer will make an initial settlement request, and the insurance company will respond with its own offer. Negotiations may take several weeks and require communication between both parties. A skilled personal injury lawyer can increase the likelihood of reaching a favorable settlement.

Filing a Lawsuit

If the other party and their insurance company do not agree to your settlement demands or argue that they are not responsible for the accident, you may need to file a lawsuit during your personal injury claim. It is normal for insurance companies to offer unreasonably low amounts or deny liability, particularly in serious personal injury cases. Insurance providers will take significant measures to avoid paying large settlements, such as dragging out the personal injury claim in court.

Discovery

The legal discovery process permits both parties involved in a dispute to collect and study the evidence related to their claims. Although this step can take several months or even years, it offers sufficient time for both sides to build their arguments based on the available evidence.

Mediation

Mediation is a process where both parties involved in a lawsuit attempt to settle the case before it goes to trial, with the help of a mediator. It’s similar to a settlement negotiation, but with additional assistance from the mediator. If the parties are unable to reach a settlement during mediation, the personal injury case will proceed to trial.

Trial

If your personal injury case proceeds to trial, a judge or jury will evaluate all the evidence and make a decision on the outcome of the case. Your Maryland personal injury lawyer will typically have to establish both negligence and damages relating to your accident during the trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Claim in Maryland?

In Maryland, there is a statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, which means you have a certain amount of time to file a claim after an accident. For most personal injury cases in Maryland, this timeframe is three years from the date of the accident. If you were involved in a car accident, slipped and fell on someone’s property, or experienced any other type of injury, it’s best to consult with a Maryland personal injury attorney to explore your options for recovering damages.

What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

If you are injured and seek compensation, the Maryland courts and insurance companies will evaluate your case and determine the amount of compensation you may receive based on a variety of factors. While every personal injury case is distinct, there are some common factors that could influence the amount of compensation you receive.

Consulting with a Maryland personal injury lawyer at Hyatt & Goldbloom can help you understand whether you have a valid lawsuit. Afterwards, we can talk about what legal choices you have and how we can proceed with your personal injury claim. Factors commonly considered in personal injury cases to determine the extent of damages include:

Pain and suffering
Exemplary or punitive damages
Medical expenses
Property damage repairs
Lost wages

If you’ve suffered a personal injury in Maryland, our experienced lawyers can help you negotiate a settlement with insurance companies or take your case to court. We’ve been successful in getting impressive results for our clients for over 30 years. The amount of compensation you’re entitled to will depend on your losses as a result of the injury. Contact Hyatt & Goldbloom, the best personal injury lawyers in Maryland, to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what your case might be worth.

Contact Our Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers Today

If you have been involved in an accident, it’s important to realize that you have the right to seek compensation for any injuries or damages sustained. While the circumstances surrounding an accident may be difficult to navigate, it’s important to know that if someone’s negligence caused harm to you, you may be entitled to receive compensation.

If you’re dealing with a personal injury claim, Hyatt & Goldbloom can provide guidance through the process. Our firm has a track record of success with tens of thousands of clients. A Maryland personal injury lawyer is always on call to answer your questions, day or night. We offer free consultations by phone, video chat, or in-person to help you get started.