What Happens If You Sustain a Concussion or TBI in a Maryland Automobile Accident ?
15% of people sustaining concussions in a car accident will develop severe, permanent symptoms. Within the last few years, the prevalence and potential severity of head injuries have moved to the forefront of public awareness. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of concussions. 1 The Mayo Clinic tells us that “[a] concussion is a traumatic brain injury that... Read more »
Can An Insurance Company Deny My Claim and Say Their Driver was Not Negligent or At Fault ?
We discussed in another chapter that proof of a violation of law, ordinance or code can be presented, and may be considered as some evidence of negligence in a Baltimore personal injury case. However, unless the conduct that constituted the violation was also a negligent act that directly caused the injury, there is no responsibility.... Read more »
Am I Responsible if My Child Causes a Baltimore Car Accident?
Usually a parent is not automatically responsible just because the driver is their child. The real risk is that the facts may support a claim based on the parent’s own conduct, such as knowingly putting an unsafe driver behind the wheel or otherwise creating the problem. The next issue to evaluate is not the family... Read more »
When Is It Legal to Pass a Car in Maryland?
Personal injury lawyers in Baltimore can tell you some of the basic rules about passing, and attorney Eric T. Kirk will tell you. You’ve got to do it on the left. You can’t in a no passing zone. You can’t do it if a hill or curve obscures your view. You’ve got to get back... Read more »
Is It Legal To Pass A Car on the Right In Maryland?
Personal injury lawyers in Baltimore know the general rule that passing is allowed only on the left. More than a few car and motor vehicle accidents have been caused by one vehicle trying to pass another on the right. Of course, as with anything else, there exceptions to the general rule of passing only on... Read more »
Can An Insurance Company Put Used Parts in My Car?
Although it’s not directly related to the value of the injury component of a personal claim, Baltimore personal injury lawyers know the amount an injury victim gets for the damage to their vehicle is certainly a component of the overall value of the claim- although there is no scientific or medical evidence that supports this... Read more »
Are There Rules For Baltimore Insurance Claims Adjusters?
Many states and localities have enacted rules that govern what an insurance claims adjuster does, says, and how they act. Baltimore does not have a comprehensive set of rules for insurance claims adjusters. Maryland has chosen not to enact a specific training or experience requirements that govern claim adjusters. An ethical rule in effect in... Read more »
What is Insurance Policy Stacking?
What is insurance policy stacking in a Maryland injury case? Insurance policy stacking means trying to combine available coverages to increase the total amount recoverable after a crash. In Maryland, standard uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage generally cannot simply be stacked together that way. That is why policy limits, coverage elections, and whether enhanced underinsured... Read more »
Can I Recover More Than The At Fault Driver Has For Insurance? What is an Excess Judgment?
Yes, you can recover more than the at-fault driver’s insurance limits—but it is often difficult and sometimes not collectible. The key issues are whether there is another source of payment, whether the at-fault driver has assets, and whether the insurance company’s handling of the claim creates additional exposure beyond the policy limits. The real problem... Read more »
Can I Collect That Judgment? What is a Garnishment?
Can you collect a Maryland judgment through garnishment? Sometimes, yes. A garnishment is a court collection procedure used after judgment to reach wages or, in some situations, money held by a bank or another third party for the judgment debtor. But a judgment does not pay itself, and a large verdict can still be difficult... Read more »
Can I Collect on My Judgment? (Execution, Levy, and Real Recovery)
Winning a judgment does not guarantee payment. The main issue is whether the defendant has income or assets that can be reached. The next issue is choosing the correct enforcement method, such as garnishment or execution against property. TL;DR — Collecting a Judgment in Maryland Why a Judgment Does Not Guarantee Payment A judgment is... Read more »
Do I Report My Car Accident Claim and Who Do I Report It To?
Yes. After a Maryland car accident, you should usually report the incident to your own insurance company promptly, speak with the police if law enforcement is involved, and consult a personal injury attorney if you were injured. The biggest risk is giving unnecessary or poorly framed statements too early, especially to the other side’s insurance... Read more »
