If you have been injured in an accident, you may need the help of a personal injury lawyer. Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time, and if someone else is responsible for your injuries, they should be held accountable.
The personal injury lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C are dedicated to helping injury victims get the compensation they deserve. We have decades of experience fighting for our client’s rights, and we know what it takes to win a case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
What to Do If You Are Injured in a Frederick MD Accident
If you are injured in an accident, there are a few things you should do:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Do not wait to see if the injury will go away on its own.
- Contact one of our Frederick personal injury lawyers as soon as possible. The sooner you seek legal advice and representation, the better your chances of winning your case.
- Keep a journal of all your expenses related to the accident. This could include medical bills, lost wages, and transportation costs.
- Do not talk to the insurance company without an attorney. The insurance company will try to get you to sign away your rights, but you do not have to speak with them without legal representation.
Filing Personal Injury Claims in Frederick MD
If you have been injured in an accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. This is a legal action taken against the person or company responsible for your injuries.
Several things need to be considered when filing a personal injury claim:
The statute of limitations. In Maryland, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
The type of injury. Not all injuries are covered by personal injury law. You will need to speak with an attorney to determine if your injury is eligible for compensation.
The amount of damages you are seeking. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The liable party for the injury. This could be the driver of the car that hit you, the manufacturer of a faulty product, or the property owner where you slipped and fell.
Who Can I Sue for a Personal Injury?
When you are injured in an accident, there may be several parties you may be able to sue. This includes the driver of the vehicle that hit you, the manufacturer of a defective product, or a hospital where you were not adequately treated.
What Types of Claims Can I File?
There are several types of claims that can be filed in a personal injury case, including:
Negligence: When someone fails to use the reasonable care expected and, as a result, causes an injury. For example, if you are hit by a driver who ran a stop sign, they may be liable for negligence.
Product Liability: When a defective product causes an injury. For example, if a recalled toy injures you, the manufacturer may be liable for product liability.
Medical Malpractice: When a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional provides substandard care, which results in an injury.
Workers’ Compensation: The goal of workers’ compensation is to provide employees with financial assistance for medical expenses and lost wages without having to file a lawsuit against their employer.
Wrongful Death: These claims are brought by the family or estate of an individual who has died due to someone else’s negligence. The damages claimed in a wrongful death case are meant to compensate the family for their loss, including funeral expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Frederick MD Personal Injury Lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers and law firms work on a contingency basis. This means that you do not have to pay anything unless your lawyer wins your case.
There are also no upfront costs or fees for hiring a personal injury lawyer. You will only need to pay for legal services if your case is successful.
Determining Fault in Frederick MD Personal Injury Cases
One of the most important things a personal injury lawyer will do is determine who is at fault for the accident. Unfortunately, it is not as clear-cut as one might think in many cases.
Several factors need to be considered when determining fault:
- The type of accident. Some accidents are more likely to result in a personal injury than others.
- The negligence of the parties involved. Was one party more responsible for the accident than the other?
- The evidence available. This could include witness statements, police reports, and photos or video footage of the accident scene.
- A personal injury lawyer will help you gather any evidence you need.
Pure Contributory Negligence in Frederick MD
Maryland is a pure contributory negligence state. This means that if you are found to be even the slightest bit negligent, you will not recover damages from the other party.
This can be difficult for injury victims who may have been only mildly at fault for the accident. For example, if you were crossing the street and were hit by a car, but you were not in the crosswalk, you may still be found to be negligent.
A personal injury attorney can help you argue that you were not at fault for the accident and should be able to recover damages from the other party.
Do I Need an Attorney?
You are not required to have an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, but it is highly recommended. An experienced personal injury attorney that is familiar with personal injury law will be able to navigate the legal system and will be able to get you the best possible outcome for your case.
What to Expect from Your Frederick MD Personal Injury Lawyers
When you work with our law firm, Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., you can expect the following:
- We will take care of all the paperwork for you.
- We will contact the insurance company on your behalf.
- We will keep you updated on the progress of your case.
- We are dedicated to getting you the compensation you deserve.
What Types of Injuries Can I Sue For?
Many types of injuries can be the basis for a personal injury lawsuit. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Head injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
How Much Money Will I Get If I Win My Case?
There is no set amount of money you will receive if you win your case. The amount of damages you are awarded will depend on the severity of your injury, the amount of medical expenses incurred, and other factors.
An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to give you a better idea of how much money you could potentially receive.
Why Should I Hire Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. for My Frederick MD Personal Injury Case?
The Frederick, MD personal injury lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to perform thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence needed to establish liability and negligence.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the most respected attorney-ranking service organization in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
How We Can Help
For more than 50 years, the Frederick MD personal injury lawyers of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented individuals and families who have been injured or lost loved ones as the result of someone else’s negligence. Here is a small sample of some of our successful verdicts and settlements:
- $15 million for a woman who was permanently paralyzed from the neck down as a result of being struck by a stray bullet.
- $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury as a result of a rear-end collision.
- $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury as a result of a doctor’s inappropriate use of a chemical product.
- $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan.
- $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk.
See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “Case Results” page.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Cover
At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our personal injury attorneys represent injured victims in a wide variety of cases, including:
- Bicycle accidents
- Scooter accidents
- Bus accidents
- Car accident injuries
- Truck accidents
- Train accidents
- Brain Injury
- Whistleblower cases
- Medical malpractice
- Motorcycle accidents
Contact Our Frederick MD Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.