When Should You File a Baltimore Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Personal injuries occur due to others’ reckless and negligent behavior. When you suffer a slip and fall or get hurt in a Baltimore car, truck, pedestrian, or motorcycle crash, you have the right to hold those at fault liable. Insurance is often available to cover your costs, but there are situations where filing a personal injury lawsuit is the better option.

Our experienced Maryland personal injury lawyers explain when a lawsuit makes sense and what you need to know about the process.

When Filing a Baltimore Personal Injury Lawsuit Makes Sense

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that they make over $160 billion each year. One way they protect their profits is by paying out as little as possible on claims.

When settlement negotiations break down or an insurer acts in bad faith, going to court may be the only way to get the compensation you need to recover. Situations in which filing a Baltimore personal injury lawsuit makes sense include:

• The insurer denies your claim outright, disputes liability, or claims coverage doesn’t apply.
• A settlement offer fails to cover your full medical expenses and lost income.
• Your injuries are severe or permanent, and the true value of your claim exceeds the at-fault party’s insurance policy limits.
• Maryland’s statute of limitations deadline is approaching, and you still haven’t reached a fair settlement.

Under the Maryland Statutes, you must file most personal injury lawsuits within three years of the date of the accident.

What Baltimore Injury Victims Should Know Before Filing a Lawsuit

Filing a personal injury lawsuit is a major decision. It requires a close review of the situation, the laws that apply, and the likely outcome of your case. The following are key facts every Baltimore injury victim should know about the process:

• Litigation takes time, and personal injury lawsuits in Baltimore can take anywhere from one to several years to resolve.
• Filing a lawsuit does not necessarily mean going to court, as most cases settle before trial.
• Compensation available in a Baltimore personal injury lawsuit can include medical expenses, future care costs, lost income, diminished future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
• Maryland’s contributory negligence rule means that if the defense can prove you are partially responsible for the accident, you may be denied compensation.

Working with an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer from the beginning puts you in the strongest possible position, whether your case settles or proceeds to trial.

Contact Our Experienced Baltimore Personal Injury Lawyers Today

When personal injuries in Baltimore happen due to the reckless behavior of others, filing a lawsuit may be the best way to get the total compensation you need to recover. At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we give our clients honest, straightforward guidance about when litigation makes sense and what it takes to win.

Call or contact us online today. Request a consultation with our experienced Maryland personal injury lawyers to discuss the options and the next steps.

Sources:

iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-industry-overview

mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=5-109