Prince George’s County Car Accident Lawyers

At Miller Berman, we understand the confusion and distress that follows a car accident. The physical pain, the mounting medical bills, the emotional stress, and lost wages all add up. That said, if you’re reading this, you’ve come to the right place. Contact our knowledgeable and dedicated Prince George’s County personal injury lawyers for comprehensive assistance through every step of your car accident case.

Maryland’s Fault-Based Insurance System

In Maryland, the system for compensating car accident victims is based on fault. That means the person who causes the accident bears responsibility for the resulting damages. If another driver’s negligence resulted in your injuries or property damage, you have the right to hold that driver (or their insurer) accountable.

Fault-based insurance means that an insurance company cannot simply pay out because the accident happened. First, liability must be established. Once fault is clearly established, a claim can move forward.

Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Rule

Maryland follows what is known as the contributory negligence rule. That is a somewhat unusual doctrine compared with many other states. Under contributory negligence, if you, the injured party, are found to be even partially at fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation at all.

This rule makes a dramatic difference. Even partial fault can block your case. Because of that, insurance companies often look for any hint that you made a mistake, and even a minor error on your part can be used to argue contributory negligence.

This is why it’s so important that you have an experienced team of car accident lawyers in your corner who can effectively establish liability in your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents arise from a wide variety of negligent behaviors, but some of the most frequent causes that we see are as follows:

• Distracted driving: Texting, using a phone, adjusting the radio, eating, or anything that draws attention from the road can cause a driver to miss critical signals or react too slowly.
• Speeding: Driving above the posted speed limit or too fast for conditions reduces a driver’s ability to stop or steer in time.
• Failure to yield: Not giving the right of way, for example, at intersections, yield signs, or when merging, often leads to dangerous side-impact or T-bone accidents.
• Running red lights or stop signs: Disobeying traffic signals is a leading cause of intersection collisions, often resulting in serious injuries.
• Tailgating: Following too closely behind another vehicle leaves no room to brake safely if the car in front slows or stops suddenly.
• Driving under the influence: Alcohol, drugs, or certain medications that impair judgment or reaction time are a major cause of accidents.
• Fatigued or drowsy driving: Especially on long drives or for commercial drivers, falling asleep at the wheel or being too tired to react quickly can have tragic consequences.
• Unsafe lane changes or improper turns: Failing to use signals, not checking blind spots, or turning across traffic without proper caution can lead to collisions.

Common Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some immediate and obvious, others delayed and subtle. Among the most common are as follows:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Injuries to neck muscles, ligaments, and the spine due to sudden impact or jarring motion. Pain may emerge hours or days afterward.
• Broken bones and fractures: Limbs, ribs, or even the spine may fracture depending on the force and angle of impact.
• Head injuries: Even a collision at low speed can jostle the head. Injuries like concussions and TBIs can lead to dizziness, memory loss, chronic headaches, or more serious neurological issues.
• Spinal cord injuries: The impact may damage vertebrae or discs, possibly causing nerve damage, paralysis, or long-term disability.
• Internal injuries: Organs may be damaged even without evident external wounds, making prompt medical evaluation important.
• Facial injuries, lacerations, and dental injuries: Deploying airbags or striking surfaces inside the car can cause cuts, broken teeth, or trauma to the face.
• Psychological injuries: The mental and emotional impact of a crash is often overlooked but real. Fear of driving again, nightmares, anxiety, or depression can sometimes accompany physical injuries.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement: In severe accidents, injury may result in lasting impairment, disfigurement, or permanent loss of mobility.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Maryland

If you are involved in a car accident, what you do (or fail to do) in the hours and days afterward can profoundly affect your ability to recover compensation. That’s why, after an accident, you should try to take the following steps:

1. Ensure safety and call for medical help. Your first priority should always be medical care. Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not surface immediately.
2. Call the police. Ask for law enforcement to respond so that an official report is generated, which will document the scene and facts, such as any traffic law violations that may have caused your accident.
3. Exchange information. Gather the other driver’s name, insurance information, license plate number, make/model of vehicle, and contact details. Also, get contact and witness information from anyone nearby.
4. Take photos. Document vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, vehicle positions, and anything else relevant, and particularly from multiple angles, if you can.
5. Keep all documentation associated with your accident and injuries, such as medical bills, repair estimates, lost wages, therapy receipts, and any other expenses related to your accident.
6. Contact a knowledgeable team of car accident lawyers who can help you deal with insurance companies and overall fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.

Do I Need to Report a Car Accident in Maryland?

Yes, in some cases, reporting a car accident to police or state authorities is required under the law. A police report is often essential because it both provides objective documentation of the crash and ensures you’re legally compliant.

As a general rule, you should always call the police if someone is injured, if there is significant property damage, or if any driver appears impaired. Law enforcement will document the scene, take statements, and prepare a report with details such as who was involved, the time of day, and any observed traffic violations.

Additionally, insurers rely heavily on police reports. Without an official report, a carrier may challenge your version of events or argue that fault is unclear. That can jeopardize your ability to recover damages.

PIP Coverage in Maryland

Unlike some states, Maryland does not require first-party, no-fault “personal injury protection” (PIP) coverage for every driver. That means if you’re injured in an accident, you generally must rely on the fault-based insurance coverage of whoever caused the crash, rather than tapping your own PIP.

However, you may have supplementary coverage through your own policy, such as medical payments coverage, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or optional PIP-like coverage, depending on the terms of your policy. These coverages sometimes help with medical bills or lost wages, particularly when fault is disputed or when the at-fault party lacks enough evidence.

Economic and Non-Economic Damages

If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident due to another party’s negligence, you may be able to recover a variety of damages that fall into two broad categories: economic and non-economic. Among the typical recoveries are as follows:

• Medical expenses, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, emergency care, surgeries, and medication.
• Compensation for income lost because you could not work while recovering.
• If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit future employment, you may be compensated for diminished earning potential.
• Costs to repair or replace your vehicle, plus any other damaged property.
• Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or loss of enjoyment of life.
• Loss of consortium, meaning if your injuries affect your relationship with a spouse or loved ones, you may recover for impaired companionship or support.
• If your injuries cause lasting impairment, disfigurement, or disability, you may be compensated for long-term effects.

Statute of Limitations

After an accident, time is of the essence. For most personal injury claims in Maryland, the deadline is three years from the date of the crash to file. If you wait any longer than three years from the date the accident occurred, you will most likely lose your right to seek damages entirely. That’s why it’s crucial to act as soon as possible.

Contact Our Maryland Car Accident Lawyers

Ultimately, if you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Prince George’s County or anywhere in Maryland, you need a team of lawyers who can effectively fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled. Contact the dedicated Prince George’s County car accident lawyers here at Miller Berman for a free initial consultation today.