Baltimore Car Accident Lawyer

Auto Accident Attorneys in Baltimore, MD

The Baltimore region has some of the most congested roads in the country. In addition, those that frequent these thoroughfares often face aggressive, careless, and reckless drivers as they navigate the area. Whether we are driving cars, trucks, motorcycles, or any other street-legal vehicle, we are susceptible to danger because of the conditions on the road and the actions of others.

While most accidents are mitigated by our vehicles’ safety features, others are not. Depending on the speed and size of the vehicles involved, some accidents can be devastating. The effects can be life-altering, leaving people reeling with the physical and financial impact.

Motor vehicle accidents can include but are not limited to car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, and train accidents. Even those not behind the wheel can be seriously affected by a motor vehicle accident, including pedestrians, passengers, and cyclists.

If you were injured by another’s negligence, it is important to discuss your legal matter with a Baltimore car accident lawyer possessing significant experience with personal injury law. For decades, Albers & Associates has been a legal resource for clients across the state of Maryland.

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Negligence

Regardless of the vehicle involved, personal injury cases stemming from motor vehicle accidents need to satisfy the burden of proof. This is a legal standard that asks the victim of a serious injury to prove their case. Maryland is one of few states that follows the principle of contributory negligence. This means that if you were at fault in any way for the accident, you would not be able to sue for damages.

When it comes to proving negligence, the first and most important thing you can do is contact the police and file a report. If you are injured because of an accident, seek medical attention. While the police officer will investigate the accident, contacting a medical professional will help document your injuries or the possibility of future injury. With this help, you may be able to make a case for negligence. There are numerous examples of driver’s negligence, including:

Distracted driving
Using electronic devices without hands-free technology
Drunk driving
Reckless driving
Drugged driving
Running stop signs or otherwise disregarding traffic signs
Failure to yield
Driving while tired
Excessive speed

That said, not all accidents are caused by driver negligence. There may be a range of liable parties to consider. For instance, your accident could have resulted from a defective auto part. Your accident could have been caused by Mother Nature. In some cases, road conditions or unaddressed other hazards are at fault. Investigating a serious injury or wrongful death caused by a motor vehicle accident is complex and deserves the attention of an experienced attorney.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are common. They are often small incidents where, with an exchange of insurance, things are handled with ease. In Maryland, like many other states, a driver pays for personal injury protection, commonly known as PIP. It must be a part of every insurance policy unless otherwise expressly waived by the policyholder. PIP is “no-fault” insurance, providing financial support for injured drivers regardless of who was responsible. This allows people to get the help they need directly after an accident without concern for overwhelming medical bills and lost wages. Even if the victim of a car accident files a PIP claim, it is not their only option. Maryland is unique in the fact that even if you file a PIP claim, you can still take legal action against a negligent party.

Right after an accident, it is important to contact the police and file a report. A police report will establish fault for possible future legal action. If you are injured, seek medical attention. If the accident caused serious injury or wrongful death, it is important to discuss this matter with a lawyer.

Mass Transit Accidents

As the passengers of buses and trains around the Baltimore area, we trust in the care provided by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and its transportation options, including the MARC train service and BaltimoreLink. When these government entities fail to provide an adequate level of care, people can be seriously hurt. Negligent operation of trains and buses are a large part of serious injury cases, stemming from, but not limited to:

Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Operator fatigue
Distracted driving
Excessive speeding

Mass transit accidents can also be a case of premises liability or product liability, including poorly maintained waiting areas, elevator and escalator accidents, faulty equipment, and defective auto and train parts.

If you are seriously injured on a train or bus, you may need to take legal action against a municipality. In order to do so, you must file a Notice of Claim, stating your intention to take legal action and giving the MTA the opportunity to answer the claim. While most personal injury claims have a statute of limitation of three years, municipal lawsuits have only one year to file the notice. It is important to discuss this matter as soon as possible with a personal injury attorney.

Truck Accidents

Some of the worst accidents occur when a truck is involved. Because of their weight, many regular passenger cars do not have the capacity to take the brunt of the force. Trucks are large, hard to maneuver, and can weigh upwards of 80,000 lbs. Because trucks are commercial vehicles, there can be one or more negligent parties involved, demanding a thorough investigation.

Truck accidents happen for various reasons. For one, driver’s negligence can be the main factor, including aggressive driving, driver fatigue, substance abuse, and more. One rarely discussed issue that leads to truck accidents is the pressure of the job. Over the years, the federal government has regulated the truck industry in hopes to protect drivers by restricting work and daily driving hours. With that in mind, drivers’ employers want no change in productivity, leading to dangerous working conditions.

Another underlying reason for truck accidents is the truck itself. There are countless cases of defective auto parts and poorly maintained vehicles leading to serious accidents. When this is the case, a range of parties could be at fault for the accident. These parties can include the company, the owner of the truck (cab or trailer), and the manufacturer or designer of the truck’s parts, just to name a few.

With that in mind, it is important to contact an attorney to discuss this matter and to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are a bit different than other motor vehicle accidents. For one, motorcycles provide little to no protection. Serious injury is more likely after a motorcycle accident than most other accidents because of the speed traveled and the exposure. In addition, motorcycles are inherently dangerous and insurance companies are well aware. While car accidents are usually covered by PIP insurance, motorcycle insurance policies generally do not provide this protection because of the risk. If you have been seriously injured on your motorcycle, your medical bills, lost wages, and other financial impacts may be unaddressed unless you can prove the fault of the other party. Assigning fault and proving negligence is quite the same as in other forms of motor vehicle accidents. Take the proper steps to protect yourself, your rights, and your future.

Bicycle Accidents

It is rare for someone to think of a bicycle in the category of a motor vehicle accident. Within the City of Baltimore and across the country, more and more people are taking to bikes to commute or for leisure. Because cyclists must share the road with motor vehicles, there is a danger involved when navigating city streets. With little to no protection, a bicycle accident can be quite serious. Medical bills and lost wages after a bicycle accident should be covered under the driver’s personal injury protection coverage. If they do not possess PIP insurance and your car insurance does, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance.

If you are seriously injured, you should consider taking legal action, even if you filed a PIP claim. In these situations, it may be best to discuss your case with an attorney. With a thorough investigation, an experienced personal injury attorney may be able to uncover multiple parties.

Pedestrian and Passenger Accidents

Even if you are not operating a vehicle, you could be involved in a motor vehicle accident. Pedestrian accidents have been on the rise. Unfortunately, as more people navigate the streets of Baltimore and other cities and towns in Maryland, they are being struck by more drivers as they cross the street or pass through parking structures. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, we are ready to assess your case, find the responsible party, and fight for maximum compensation. If you lost a loved one, our firm is ready to guide you through your options.

Passengers’ safety is in the hands of the driver. If the driver turns, so does the passenger. If the driver is involved in an accident because of his or her actions or the actions of others, so is the passenger. If this accident causes serious injury or the wrongful death of a loved one, it is important to discuss the situation with an attorney. As discussed before, you may have to file a PIP claim with the faulty driver’s insurance company. If your loved one or friend was the party at fault and you were seriously injured, you may need to file a lawsuit. It is important to note that if you were to win, the insurance company will have to pay, not the person you know.