Recovering Damages in Car Accident Cases

Leonardtown Car Accident Lawyer: Helping You When You Need It Most

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death nationwide, including in Maryland. According to the most recent statistics available, there were a total of 117,750 motor vehicle crashes in the state in 2018. This resulted in 49,912 injuries and 513 deaths. While no two car accidents are exactly alike, there are several very common types of car accidents, as well as similar conditions that lead to them. If you believe you would like to pursue a claim or need assistance negotiating with an insurance company, please contact a Leonardtown car accident lawyer. 

The Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Maryland

Some of the most common car accident scenarios our Leonardtown car accident attorneys see on a regular basis include: 

• Front-end collisions: This accident occurs when a vehicle strikes an object in front of it, which can be either an item, such as a tree or stop sign, or a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction (known as a head-on collision) 
• Sideswipe collisions: These accidents can happen in a few scenarios, but the most common occurrence is when two vehicles traveling parallel to each other — either in the same direction or in opposite directions — strike each others’ sides 
• Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions happen when one vehicle strikes the bumper or back end of the car in front of it — normally because the striking driver did not stop in time to avoid a collision
• Broadside collisions: Occur when one vehicle strikes another vehicle perpendicularly
• Rollover accidents: These accidents happen when a vehicle rolls over onto its side or its roof as a result of turning too quickly or without enough traction. These are most common for heavier vehicles, such as SUV’s and trucks, but can also happen at high speeds or on wet roads 

There are many factors that can increase or decrease the risk of injury with any type of accident. For example, accidents that occur at high speeds tend to cause more severe injuries than those that occur at low speeds, while wearing a seatbelt can significantly decrease the chances of fatalities. Fault is considered for all of these accidents and impact how much a victim can recover. 

What Causes Car Accidents in Leonardtown? 

While some car accidents are caused by factors outside the driver’s control, such as mechanical failure and weather conditions, most car accidents occur due to human error. Some of the most common causes of car accidents include: 

• Distracted driving: Distracted driving occurs when the driver engages in activities that take her eyes off the road, including smartphone usage, eating and drinking, adjusting the radio or climate controls, losing focus due to “highway hypnosis,” and other behaviors. 
• Speeding: Speeding is one of the most frequent dangerous behaviors drivers engage in and can significantly increase the risk of getting into an accident. 
• Reckless driving: While distracted driving and speeding are often unintentional, reckless driving refers to intentionally dangerous driving behaviors, such as tailgating, break checking, cutting other drivers off, and running stop stop signs and lights. 
• Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increases the user’s chances of causing an accident due to the physiological effects these substances have on drivers, including blurred vision, lowered inhibition, and reduced reaction time. 
• Drowsy driving: Drowsy driving, like drunk driving and distracted driving, takes the driver’s attention off of the road, reducing his alertness and decreasing his ability to react to changes in the environment. 

Common Car Accident Injuries

If you were injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the costs of your injuries. To ensure that you can collect this compensation, you should see a doctor promptly, and you should also talk to a Leonardtown car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

If you have an injury claim, you can seek compensation regardless of the nature of your injury. All car accident injuries are covered—even if you had a pre-existing condition. At The Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles, we have decades of experience helping accident victims recover just compensation for injuries such as:

• Back Injuries – Back injuries can range from herniated discs to spinal fractures, and long-term effects can range from chronic lower back pain to paralysis. In all cases, securing just compensation is critical to comfort and recovery.
• Broken Bones – Car accidents can result in all types of bone fractures, from broken ribs and collar bones to broken ankles and toes. If someone else was at fault, you can seek compensation for your broken bone regardless of its location and severity.
• Burns – Burns from car accidents can include burns from friction, heat and fire. We handle cases involving everything from seatbelt burns to severe fourth-degree burns.
• Facial Injuries – Facial injuries from car accidents can include broken noses, broken teeth, eye and ear injuries, severe lacerations, and other forms of trauma. Treatment can be painful and expensive, and scars and disabilities can last a lifetime.
• Internal Bleeding – Internal bleeding can be a sign of a potentially serious injury, and it is not always immediately apparent in the aftermath of a car accident. This is one of many reasons why it is always important to seek medical attention after a vehicle collision.
• Neck Injuries – Whiplash is among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. The recovery process can last anywhere from weeks to months, and, in some cases, car accident victims can experience permanent limitations or complications.
• Organ Damage – The forces involved in a car accident can damage organs throughout the body. While organ damage is of particular concern with any severe blunt force trauma, organ damage can result from twisting, stretching and other traumatic movements.
• Severe Cuts, Bruises and Swelling – Severe cuts can lead to significant scars, and severe bruises and swelling can be indicative of a variety of different types of injuries. In all cases, prompt medical attention is extremely important, and you need to make sure you have a clear understanding of your injuries’ long-term effects.
• Soft Tissue Injuries – Muscle, ligament and tendon injuries can be extremely painful, and, in many cases, they will require surgery and rehabilitation. If you experience any type of physical pain or limitations after a car accident, you should consult with your doctor about whether you may have a soft tissue injury and call your Waldorf car accident lawyer after that conversation to discuss your legal options.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries – Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are among the most significant concerns for anyone involved in a serious collision. Depending on its severity, a TBI can potentially have debilitating long-term consequences. 

Our Leonardtown Car Accident Lawyer Explains Who Will Pay Your Medical Bills

If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle collision that wasn’t your fault, ultimately the negligent driver will be responsible for your damages which will include medical bills and lost wages. However, during that time before your case settles or you take your case to trial to get a favorable verdict, your healthcare providers will want to be paid. If you have personal injury protection (PIP) with your insurance company, you will apply for the PIP benefits. Usually, most people carry up to $2,500.00. However, if you check with your insurance carrier you can get greater coverage if you desire.

Those who have health insurance should attempt to run the medical bills through their health insurance carrier. Ultimately, your insurance carrier will want to have an offset from any recovery made through a third party. We have had great success in getting health care liens reduced. There is one way to look at the effects of having your health insurance carrier pay. They usually pay at a reduced rate and with an experienced personal injury attorney they can get the carrier to take a lesser portion.

Your lost wages are a bit different. Usually, if you are not involved in a workers compensation claim, you will have to seek compensation through your PIP carrier. However, if you have been involved in a work related accident you would want to exhaust your PIP benefits first and then apply for workers compensation. In either case, you should contact a Leonardtown car accident law firm to protect your right to compensation. 

Can I Recover Compensation for the Damage to My Car?

A diminished value claim is a property damage claim where you are asking the at fault drivers’ insurance company to pay the difference of the amount your vehicle was worth prior to the accident versus the condition your car is in after repairs have been made. It is a claim worth pursuing, especially if you have a relatively new vehicle or one that is close to market value. It is also a claim you should pursue if your vehicle is more of an “antique” stature that you have paid to restore and can prove the value before versus the value after the collision and repairs.

If you are having your car repaired and it has not been totaled, you will need the mechanic to act as your expert for a diminished value claim. He/she will have to prepare an evaluation of your car attesting to what they believe the worth of your vehicle was prior to the accident and what it has decreased to since being restored to functional condition. The body shop will have to state a value of the present worth and the prior worth, the difference would be the amount you would seek in a diminished value claim.

Speak With a Skilled Leonardtown Car Accident Lawyer

If you have suffered an injury in a car accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation through a personal injury claim. For more information, please contact a Leonardtown car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles by calling 301-475-0101 or filling out our online form.