Greenbelt, Maryland Car Accident Lawyer

After a Crash, Come to Our Law Office

Automobile collisions frequently occur in Greenbelt, and Prince George’s County Maryland. Car accidents cause innocent victims to suffer terrible injuries which require extensive medical treatment. Unfortunately, insurance companies often deny or minimize claims made by car accident victims.

At Portner & Shure, P.A., our attorneys have spent more than 30 years fighting insurance companies on behalf of car accident victims. We can work with you to build a successful case and obtain the justice and compensation you deserve.

For a free consultation, call us at (410) 995-1515 or contact us online.

Things You Should Do Following After A Car Accident

People very often think that they will never be involved in a car accident. As such, it is a jarring and confusing event when it happens. Most people do not know what to do.

Following a car accident, they should:

• Seek medical treatment: Injuries require medical treatment, especially those that are life-threatening. Medical treatment should be an immediate priority.
• Contact the police: If a car accident victim is taken from the scene via an ambulance or if one of the vehicles is not drivable, police officers in Maryland are required to write a report.
• Photograph the vehicles: Taking photographs can provide a victim with credible evidence of how an accident occurred.
• Identify potential witnesses: Independent witnesses can provide an unbiased account of how a collision occurred. As such, it is essential to obtain the names and contact information of any potential witnesses.
• Exchange insurance information: Maryland State law requires drivers who were involved in an accident to exchange insurance information. It is also advisable to obtain the other driver’s contact information.
• Obtain sick slips: Documenting the time a car accident victim misses from work allows a victim to claim lost wages as part of their damages.
• Consult a Greenbelt car accident lawyer: Insurance companies would prefer car accident victims not to consult an attorney. Compensation in accident cases is significantly less for unrepresented victims. Do not talk to an insurance company until you have consulted and retained a Greenbelt car accident lawyer.

Common Questions Regarding Property Damage

People often wonder what will happen with their property damage after a car accident. If the other driver’s insurance carrier accepts fault, they will repair a victim’s property and pay for a rental vehicle. If the other driver’s insurance carrier denies fault, a victim will have to pay for their property damage repairs and a rental vehicle out of their own pocket or use their own insurance (assuming property damage and rental reimbursement are provided).

Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents

Depending on the severity of the impact, car accident victims suffer a variety of injuries.

Common injuries include:

• Muscle sprains and strains
• Contusions
• Broken bones
• Concussions
• Head and neck injuries

Car accident victims may require emergency medical treatment along with rehabilitative care such as physical therapy to recover from their injuries. Victims who do not require hospitalization can obtain treatment at an urgent care facility or with their primary care provider. Some car accident victims do not obtain medical treatment because they lack health insurance. Many people are unaware that they have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage through their own automobile insurance policy. PIP can be used to pay for a victim’s medical treatment and physical therapy.

Compensation from a Car Accident Case

Many car accident victims are left with outstanding medical bills and other expenses as a result of their car accidents. Maryland law allows them to seek compensation for their injuries. Specifically, a car accident victim can claim economic damages for the cost of their medical care and lost wages. Car accident victims can also claim other out-of-pocket expenses such as towing costs, rental costs, and property damage if a victim personally paid for their own repairs. Finally, car accident victims can claim non-economic damages for the pain and suffering they endured.

Litigation & Defenses Used By Insurance Companies

To obtain compensation, a car accident victim must win their case. To win, a car accident victim must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence, i.e., 51%. A victim must prove that the other driver caused the collision and their injuries. For example, if a victim provides evidence showing that the other driver failed to stop at a stop sign or entered an intersection in violation of red light, this may help a victim meet their burden.

Insurance companies use a variety of defenses to defend car accident lawsuits. Their attorneys frequently raise the defense of contributory negligence. This defense prevents a victim from recovering anything. To successfully use this defense, a civil defendant must put forth evidence showing that a car accident acted negligently and that their negligence contributed to the accident. For example, if a civil defendant generates evidence that shows a victim failed to observe their surroundings, this may make a victim contributorily negligent.

How a Greenbelt Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You

The attorneys at Portner & Shure, P.A. have been fighting insurance companies for more than 30 years. Our attorneys know how to build a successful case. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the facts of your case and obtain police reports, photographs, witness statements (if any), photographs, and your medical records to prepare an effective demand package. Our demand packages thoroughly explain why our clients are entitled to compensation and why it is in an insurance company’s interest to settle a case.

If we are unable to settle your case, our attorneys know how to prepare successful cases for trial. Our award-winning litigators have obtained successful judgments for our clients in court. Insurance companies and their attorneys know who we are and the results we have obtained in court. They know that we are not afraid to fight for our clients.

All personal injury representation is performed on a contingency fee basis. This means Portner & Shure, P.A. receives no fee unless our client obtains a settlement or judgment in court.

To schedule a free consultation regarding your Greenbelt car accident case, call us at (410) 995-1515 or contact us online. Our staff speaks English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese).