Bowie Car Accident Lawyers

Q: What Are Common Injuries Associated With Car Accidents?

Back and neck injuries. Head injuries. Internal injuries. Rib and torso injuries. Lacerations and burns. Broken bones.

Q: What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Move your vehicle. Call 911. Call the police. Gather evidence. File an insurance claim.

The city of Bowie, Maryland has a modest population and is located in Prince George’s County. Given the city’s close proximity to the nation’s capital, it is an ideal place for tourists to use for lodging accommodations for vacationing. Another major draw in the city is Bowie State University, a school that has more than 6,000 students which adds to the city’s already overwhelmed highways.

Getting in a car accident, no matter where it occurs, can be a traumatic experience, and you might not know your legal options. Reaching out to a Bowie car accident lawyer can help you determine the best path.

What Are Common Injuries Associated With Car Accidents?

When in a car accident, injuries are bound to occur. Depending on the type of accident you experience can indicate the injury you suffer and its severity. A few of the more common car accident injuries include:

Back and neck injuries: You could suffer whiplash from a sudden change in direction during an accident, or you could suffer a severe injury to your spinal cord.
Head injuries: Head injuries can be deceiving, as they might not be apparent right away. Severe brain trauma is serious and could have a lasting impact on you and how you live.
Internal injuries: Suffering from lacerations in your internal organs can lead to internal bleeding or other damage. These might not be easily apparent, which is why it is so important to have a doctor examine you right away.
Rib and torso injuries: Your ribs protect your vital organs and are prone to injury when you suffer a significant impact to your torso.
Lacerations and burns: During a car crash, metal can get bent, causing sharp tips that can easily cut a person. Fires can erupt and cause burns.
Broken bones: A common injury associated with car crashes. Your bones are fragile, so it does not take significant force to break them. Limbs such as arms and legs can get caught in the impact, causing them to break.

When you are involved in a car accident, not all injuries are apparent. It is essential that you have yourself evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. Failure to accurately diagnose an injury could delay any treatment you might receive and could also impact any potential for a personal injury claim in the future.

What Are My Options if I Get in a Car Accident in Maryland?

Maryland is an at-fault state, meaning if you get hurt in a car accident, you have the option to file a legal claim against the at-fault driver. That driver’s insurance has the most financial burden.

When you file a claim against an at-fault driver, you might see financial and non-financial compensation for the injuries you have experienced. Those include:

Medical expenses: Any medical expenses that you incurred because of the accident and any future expenses that you anticipate can be included in your claim. That can include visiting the doctor, tests, surgery, or any ongoing or long-term treatments.
Lost wages: If you are forced out of work because of your injuries, you can include the wages that you would have earned. This includes if you returned to work at a diminished capacity.
Pain and suffering: If you sustained any catastrophic injuries because of your car accident, you could seek a specific amount to compensate you for your injuries. This amount is different than compensation for the medical bills you incurred. The amount requested will depend on the severity of your injuries.

After a collision, it is best to get in touch with a Bowie car accident lawyer as soon as possible, as the state of Maryland has a three-year statute of limitations which begins on the date of your accident. While this may seem like a long time, if you miss your window, you will not be able to recover any compensation.

What Factors Can Impact My Car Accident Settlement?

When considering the amount of compensation you could receive in the wake of your accident, there are a few factors you should consider ahead of time. Initially, it is important to note that Maryland is one of four states that practices a contributory negligence rule. Under this strict rule, you are only eligible to collect compensation for your accident if you do not share any responsibility for the accident.

During your case, fault will be assigned to the parties. Even if you are found to bear only one percent of fault, that is enough to disqualify you from collecting any compensation.

The final amount you receive will also depend on the method you go through. If you have a trial, it will depend on how persuasive your argument is to the jury or the judge. If you do not get to a trial, your final amount will be determined by your negotiations with your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance.

There are other factors that will impact your total amount of compensation:

Property damage to each vehicle.
Severity, extent, and duration of injuries.
Whether the injuries can be related to the car crash.
Credibility of each driver.
Mechanism of injury.
Whether injuries are permanent or temporary.
Pre-existing injuries.
Subsequent injuries following the crash.
Time lost from work.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

The moments immediately following a car accident can be harrowing. However, the steps you take following the accident are important toward your overall health and the future of your legal case. After a car accident, you should do the following:

Move your vehicle. If you are able, you should move your vehicle off the roadway and out of traffic. This protects your vehicle from further damage and prevents the possibility of another accident occurring.
Call 911. Your priority should be to ensure that you receive immediate medical treatment after your accident. If you can transport yourself to the hospital, do so immediately after the accident. If not, call 911 to have an ambulance come to treat you and anyone else injured at the scene.
Call the police. The police will arrive along with emergency services. The officer will be able to provide an objective report of the accident. Be sure to cooperate with the police officer and provide basic facts about the case, but do not admit to any responsibility.
Gather evidence. If you are physically able, you should gather evidence surrounding your accident, including taking pictures of your vehicle and any other cars involved, as well as any conditions that contributed to the collision. You should contact any eyewitnesses and get their contact information.
File an insurance claim. You should file a claim as soon as possible with the insurance of the at-fault driver. When you speak with an insurance representative, be careful what you tell them, as they might use what you say against you.

You should contact a Bowie car accident lawyer as soon as possible who will be able to manage your case and provide you with legal advice on how best to proceed. A car accident lawyer will protect your rights throughout the entire legal process.