Auto Accident Attorneys
Serving Baltimore, Frederick and all of Maryland
Ingerman & Horwitz, LLP is a top law firm in Baltimore (with offices throughout Maryland) that focuses on automobile accident cases including those involving cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractor trailers.
Overview of Automobile Accident Cases
Automobile accidents are the most common type of personal injury case pending in our court system today. After all, someone in the United States is involved in a car accident every 10 seconds. This is just as true in Maryland. These cases are typically governed by the law of negligence, which is a failure to use reasonable care. The negligent party may be required to pay for any damages, either to a person or property. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, seek immediate legal counsel from a personal injury attorney who is familiar with auto accident cases.
Who is at Fault?
As with other types of accidents, determining who is at fault in a traffic accident really comes down to one thing: who was negligent? An experienced accident attorney will look to police reports, state traffic laws, and witnesses, to help determine who exactly was at fault. Currently, courts look to a number of factors in determining whether an automobile driver was negligent, including:
- Disobeying traffic signals or signs
- Not signaling while turning
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Driving below or above the posted speed limit
- Disregarding traffic or weather conditions
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Causes of Auto Accidents
It's not always the other guy’s fault. A driver may be liable for an accident due intentional or reckless conduct behind the wheel. Reckless driving is defined as driving unsafely, with "willful and wanton disregard" for the probability that the driving may cause an automobile accident.
13,000 people had been injured or killed since 1990 in crashes caused by aggressive driving. Law enforcement is renewing efforts to identify and penalize aggressive drivers across the country. Unlawful driving actions include:
- Speeding, as in driving too fast for the conditions faced with or exceeding the posted limit
- Excessive or improper lane changing
- Not signaling intent
- Not seeing that movement can be made safely
- Improper passing such as passing on the shoulder, using an emergency lane to pass, or failing to signal intent
Ways to avoid an accident with a reckless driver include getting out of the way first, not challenging the aggressive driver by trying to hold-your-own in your lane or by speeding up, and avoiding eye contact and gestures. Finally, report any aggressive driving you see to the police, and don't hesitate to consult a lawyer if you believe you are in need of legal help.
Drunk Driving & Accidents Not Caused By The Drivers
Alcohol-related crashes can be devastating. Last year alone, over one million people were injured in these types of accidents.
Auto accidents may also occur due to a defect in your car. The manufacturer would be responsible for the defect under product liability law. Other accidents may be caused by a mechanic who failed to repair the vehicle. Of course, poorly maintained roads or non-working traffic control signals can contribute to cause an accident as well.
The bottom line? Accident victims need to preserve evidence, investigate if possible, and have injuries looked at by a doctor. If you have been a victim of an automobile accident, do not hesitate to call upon a personal injury or auto accident attorney.
test
Motor Vehicle Injuries and Compensation
If you were in an automobile accident, you may sue to recover expenses associated with medical costs, property damage, economic damages, as well as emotional and physical pain and suffering. Be aware that this type of litigation can be very complicated. Consulting with an experienced lawyer familiar with motor vehicle accident damages will serve you well as you try and make your case.
What Damages Include
In automobile accident cases, the injured party may recover for a variety of things: medical and rehabilitative expenses, permanent injuries, pain and suffering, lost income, and possibly even future lost income. It’s probably a good idea to keep a daily journal in order to document your injuries and to see how the injury affects you over time.
There's also another area that many people are not aware of: the accident victim’s spouse may be able to recover for damage to the marital relationship. The claim, called "loss of consortium," can be either temporary or permanent and is usually brought by both the husband and wife.
Insurance and Recovery Amount
In most cases, an insurance company compensates the victim for damages. Under an uninsured or underinsured motorist law, victims may be able to receive compensation from their own insurance company if the other driver has no or insufficient insurance.
How much you receive from an automobile accident case depends on a number of factors, whether the other party's fault can be established, the extent of damage to your vehicle, the seriousness and type of the injuries, the kind of medical treatment needed, and the amount of insurance coverage available.
If there's one thing that can be said, it’s that injuries received in a motor vehicle accident can be life alerting. Even small injuries can result in lost time from work and have a big impact on a family. If you are an automobile accident victim, contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer (preferably an auto accident attorney) to assist you.
Maryland's Trusted Auto Accident Attorneys
Ingerman & Horwitz, LLP has
an impressive record of successful settlements for clients who were injured
or killed in car, truck and motorcycle accidents in Maryland. Alan Horwitz,
a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, leads our team
of experienced and aggressive attorneys who have successfully represented
thousands of motor vehicle accident victims.
Our auto accident lawyers will assist you in recovering the cost of repairing or replacing
your vehicle, medical expenses, and lost wages, as well as compensation
for your injuries. Our pledge to you is that we will strive to make sure
you get the highest possible recovery.
Click the following links for more specific information on motorcycle or truck / 18-wheeler accidents.
Serious injuries or death can result from, but are not limited to:
- Faulty Seatbelts & Restraints
- Defective Airbags
- Tire Blowout / Failure
- Post Collision Fires / Explosions
- Defective Doors / Component Parts
- SUV and Van Rollovers
- Car Roof Crush
Ingerman & Horwitz, LLP understands the importance of a swift resolution
to your case, either through negotiation or litigation, in order to secure
the necessary funds to support your family while you heal and return to
normal life. We promise personal service, including frequent case updates
and promptly returned phone calls, to keep you up-to-date on every aspect
of your case, ensuring the decisions you make will always be in the best
interest of you and your family.
Initial consultations on auto accident cases are FREE and there
is NEVER a fee until there is a settlement or jury verdict in your
favor.
Contact the Maryland car accident lawyers
of Ingerman & Horwitz, LLP today
to discuss a legal strategy that will preserve your rights and provide for
the future of your family.
> FAQ's
Proudly serving the needs of auto accident victims the Baltimore region, Washington DC area, Western Maryland
and the Eastern Shore of Maryland... including Salisbury, Frederick, Cumberland, Annapolis, Hagerstown, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Towson, Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Laurel and other cities throughout the state of Maryland.
Our personal injury law firm also handles cases for accident victims who are located in various counties throughout the state of Maryland, such as Montgomery County, Baltimore County, Frederick County, Howard County, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County and others.
