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Frequently Asked Questions about Motor Vehicle Accidents

Q: I have been in a motor vehicle accident. Should I go to a doctor?

A: If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should see a doctor right away. Firstly, you should see a doctor for your own well-being. You may not be able to discern the extent of your injuries yourself; a small ache could be something significant, or it could be nothing at all. Only a doctor can tell you for sure. Secondly, you should see a doctor because if you decide to bring a legal claim against the at-fault driver or another party, you will need documentation of your injuries and what you did to fix them.

Q: Do I have to go to court if I want to recover monetary damages?

A: Maybe. Your case may settle even before your attorney files a lawsuit; on the other hand, it may go all the way to a trial and a jury verdict. The majority of lawsuits are settled before they get to trial, but what happens in your case depends on the facts, the law and the parties involved.

13,000 people have been injured or killed since 1990 in crashes caused by aggressive driving. If you have been a victim of aggressive driving, click here to tell us about your case.

We in the Washington, DC area live and work amid some of the most heavily traveled roads in the United States. These include the streets and highways in and around Baltimore, as well as Prince George's, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties. Whether you are commuting to and from work or just going to the grocery store, you're bound to see automobile accidents (as well as motorcycle and trucking accidents) almost daily. Fortunately, most of them are minor "fender benders." But what happens when they're not? Moreover, what happens when you or a family member is involved? Worse yet-what happens if the result is a severe injury? Brain trauma, paralysis, spinal injury, and chronic pain are debilitating, and can completely change your life. Learn more below about what you should do if you are involved in an auto accident.

If the unthinkable happens, let our experienced attorneys help you. Contact the personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Schultz & Trombly, PLLC anytime, 24 hours a day, for immediate help.

Motor Vehicle Accidents - An Overview

Motor vehicle accidents cause the loss of time, property, health and even life. Such accidents occur because of elements including driver error, negligence, manufacturing defects and dangerous weather. No matter what the specific cause or result, a crash can turn a normal day into a prolonged struggle. Speaking with a lawyer can help you sort out your rights, your options and your future. Contact an attorney to find out more.

When you have been in an auto accident, you may have a sense of who caused it. Issues of fault, however, can be complicated by who acted when and which laws governed the situation. If the other driver was negligent, you may have to prove that the driver breached a duty of care to you and that the breach caused your damages. The assistance of an attorney can be immensely valuable at this time, whether you are battling an insurance company, seeking compensation for your injuries or defending yourself in court.

Auto Accident Injuries and Compensation

An individual who has been injured in an automobile accident may be able to seek monetary compensation for injuries and damages. Cases are fact specific, typically with complex issues of proof and fault in dispute. Working with an experienced attorney will help you sort out your legal options.

Insurance Claim Dos and Don'ts

When you need to make an auto insurance claim, you should proceed with care. Your actions may have a significant influence on the amount of compensation you receive. Contact an attorney to learn more.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists

When a driver refuses or is unable to carry proper motor vehicle insurance, that driver puts more than just him- or herself at risk. If the driver injures another person, the insurance will be inadequate to cover the damages. Injured parties, however, may be covered by their own insurance policies; uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects accident victims in these cases. If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it is important to contact an attorney to create a plan of action.

No-Fault Insurance

When a driver has been in an accident, no-fault auto insurance allows the driver to collect from his or her insurance company no matter who was at fault. Not every state has a no-fault insurance structure, but those that do have very specific laws governing when, how much and for how long the injured party may collect. Consult with an attorney to discuss how your state views fault and to determine how the laws may affect your right to recover damages for injuries.

What to Do If You Are in an Accident

When you are in an accident, you have immediate, important decisions to make. For the crucial decisions you have to make later on, consult with an attorney.

Motor Vehicle Accidents Resource Links

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The NHTSA is a government agency dedicated to making American roads safer for travelers.

National Safety Council
The National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization, provides links and articles on topics like seat belt use, safe driving for teenagers and reducing motor vehicle crashes.

US Department of Transportation (DOT)
The Department of Transportation is a federal agency focusing on policy and lawmaking to ensure safer US travel.

MedlinePlus: Motor Vehicle Safety
This Web site, from the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, offers information on preventing motor vehicle crashes, stating that about every 12 minutes, someone in America dies from a motor vehicle accident.

If you or a family member is in a serious accident involving physical injury, it is usually not advisable to talk to anyone who is or may be associated with the individual that caused the accident. This would mean that you should not permit yourself to talk about the case or the condition of an injured party with a representative of the other party's insurance company. It is also important, in most cases, to obtain photographs of the damage to the vehicle in which you were traveling, before the vehicle is repaired. If a defect in the car in which the injured party was traveling (such as a defective seatbelt) is suspected, the vehicle should be retained in the condition in which it was left after the accident.

Particularly in light of the impact of District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and federal laws in many of our cases - given the unique nature of the DC metropolitan area - we are also keenly aware of the interplay between the various laws and regulations that can affect such a case and the choice of the proper forum for bringing the claim.

Our lawyers work with clients who have auto accident claims in Washington, D.C., Baltimore City, throughout Maryland including Prince George's County, and, with the assistance of local counsel, in Virginia and other jurisdictions. Contact us to set up a free initial consultation with one of our firm's attorneys.

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