After a car accident, you should immediately look into retaining a top Howard County car accident attorney. In addition to word of mouth, identifying an experienced and qualified lawyer is easy by checking online; look for the four R’s: five-star reviews, past results, ratings, and recognition.
At Portner & Shure, P.A., we have earned a reputation as one of the leading personal injury law firms in Columbia. Our car accident attorneys can help you understand your legal options and begin building a case designed to maximize your recovery.
On This Page:
- Four Things You Should Do After a Car Accident
- Damages in Your Columbia Car Accident Case
- Two Things You Should NOT Do After a Car Accident
- Attorneys Who Also Speak Spanish, Chinese & Korean
- Columbia Car Accident FAQ:
Contact us online or call to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
Four Things You Should Do After a Car Accident
If you were involved in a car accident, there are some important steps you should take.
Before contacting a Columbia car accident lawyer, you should:
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Leave your vehicle where it is and (a) take pictures immediately following the impact (b) take pictures of the property damage to the vehicles involved.
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Identify any witnesses and get their statements regardless of the type of collision. You would be surprised how often stories change after the fact. A good witness statement makes it difficult for the insurance company to deny liability later. Believe it or not, we see liability disputes arise in rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and failure to yield accidents.
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Gather as much documentation as possible, including but not limited to the other driver’s information and the name of passengers in other vehicles.
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Seek medical treatment, even if you sustained a seemingly minor injury, like a neck or back strain. It is important to seek medical attention so there is documentation of your injuries. Of course, in cases where there is a serious injury—such as herniated discs, broken bones, or a head injury (which often occurs with a loss of consciousness)—you should go to the emergency room. Thereafter, you will likely need a follow-up with a specialist. Our results often depend on what your medicals show:
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With respect to when you went to the doctor (how soon after the accident);
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As to how long you required medical treatment and whether there were gaps in treatment;
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As to who is the treating doctor (is he/she a reputable source);
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With respect to doctor’s bills and repair bill (fair and reasonable).
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Damages in Your Columbia Car Accident Case
Every case is different, meaning the damages you may be able to recover could differ based on the specifics of your situation. However, most car accident victims find that they sustain certain economic and non-economic damages after an accident.
Your damages—in addition to your property damage, towing, and loss of value to your vehicle—will likely include the following:
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Medical expenses immediately following the car accident (once fault/liability is agreed upon): Medical expenses must be fair and reasonable! Our car accident lawyers in Columbia will review your medical bills and ensure you are not excessively billed and/or the liability carrier does not take unwarranted medical bill reductions. In cases where you sustained a permanent injury, such as a brain injury, an estimate of future medical expenses may also be recovered. Here, a detailed report must be obtained from the doctor outlining all your expected future treatment in detail with costs.
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Lost wages: In order to recover lost wages, our paralegal working with you on your case must obtain documentation from your employer and an “off work” slip from your doctor. Accurate documentation is critical to prevailing in this claim. This will be time-consuming, but it is an important element of your recovery.
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Inconvenience/pain and suffering damages: This depends on the injury sustained, the length of treatment, and future expectations. In addition, the reputation of your car accident lawyer in court may affect this amount. Our Columbia car accident lawyers have a track record of success in Howard County courts.
Two Things You Should NOT Do After a Car Accident
In addition to important steps to take after a car accident, there are certain things you should not do in order to protect your rights and your ability to recover compensation.
Here are two things to NOT do after a car accident in Maryland:
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Do not talk to the insurance company for the at fault driver. In Maryland, the liability adjuster may look for ways to find you contributorily negligent. Maryland law is harsh in this regard; if you are as little as 1% at fault, the carrier may deny the claim.
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Do not entertain any extensive discussions without retaining a car accident lawyer. The value of your case cannot be determined until you are done treating. So, if an adjuster calls and offers a quick settlement, SAY NO!
Negotiations should be conducted by an experienced car accident lawyer after they review all the medical bills and medical records and discuss all aspects of the case with you. The top Howard County car accident lawyers have leverage that you don’t have. In other words, if the offer is not fair, our accident attorneys can file a lawsuit in the district court and, in larger cases, in the circuit court for Howard County. Further, an experienced Columbia car accident lawyer will know how to properly apply for PIP (personal injury protection), health insurance, and obtain doctor and lien reductions. The ultimate goal is not to just obtain an excellent recovery from the carrier but to put as much of that recovery in your pocket. We are pretty good at this, as our hundreds of five-star reviews show.
Columbia Automobile Accident Attorneys Who Also Speak Spanish, Chinese & Korean
Howard County has a diverse make up. In fact, many of our neighbors in Columbia and Ellicott City speak only Korean, Chinese, or Spanish. The language barrier could cause difficulty when dealing with police, adjusters, and even law firms for injured Hispanic, Korean, and Chinese car accident victims. Portner & Shure, P.A. doesn’t just use interpreters but employs numerous bi-lingual paralegals who can assist clients in need of non-English services. In fact, our Spanish-speaking auto accident paralegals are considered some of the best in Maryland.
As set forth in yosotuabogado.com we have hired, trained, and retained over 15 Spanish-speaking paralegals and/or legal assistants for auto accident cases. One of our Columbia Chinese car accident paralegals, Christine Phong, has been recognized in both the World Journal and the Washington Chinese News for excellence . Lastly, in the Korean community throughout Ellicott City, Columbia, and Rockville, Grace Chung is known as one of top Korean-speaking car accident paralegals. Grace and Christine help our Chinese- and Korean-speaking car accident clients communicate their stories and obtain great success.
Please call our office at or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our Columbia car accident lawyers today.
Columbia Car Accident FAQ:
How can a car accident lawyer help me win my case?
Our car accident lawyers can help you win your case by utilizing their legal expertise, conducting investigations, establishing liability, negotiating with insurance companies, representing you in court, and assessing your damages. We can navigate the complexities of personal injury law and advocate for your rights to secure a fair settlement or favorable court outcome.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Columbia, MD?
The statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit in Columbia is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, it's essential to consult with a personal injury lawyer to understand the specific time limits that apply to your case, as certain factors could affect the deadline. Failing to file within the prescribed time frame may result in the loss of your right to seek compensation. Therefore, it's crucial to act promptly and seek legal advice to ensure compliance with the applicable deadlines.
