Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers

We Serve Injury Victims with Care & Compassion

Whether it’s a major crash or just a minor fender bender, every kind of car accident is an unfortunate incident and a potentially arduous process. Unfortunately, car accidents are common occurrences in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. If you should happen to be the victim of a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need to retain legal representation right away.

At Ashcraft & Gerel, we have extensive experience representing car accident victims who are paying the price for someone else’s mistake or carelessness. You do not have to face this situation alone – our Baltimore car accident attorneys are here to help.

Contact us at (410) 983-6833 for a free consultation today.

What to Do in the Aftermath of a Car Accident

After an accident, make sure you, your passengers, and the other driver(s) are safe. Seek medical attention right away if need be.

If no one sustained any serious or life-threatening injuries, call the police. Having a police report on file can help your case and can help facilitate the exchange of insurance information between you and the other parties involved. Be sure to take plenty of photos and make notes of all the damage you and your property have sustained.

Even if you do not feel severely injured after an accident, it is a good idea to seek medical attention after leaving the scene of the accident. Some injuries take time to show up, and having a medical professional’s opinion can only bolster your case later on.

Dealing with Insurance Matters

Perhaps the most frustrating part of a car accident is the back-and-forth you will inevitably face with the car insurance companies. This process can be incredibly frustrating. Though you can handle your claim on your own, it is wise to retain an attorney who can help you navigate the process.

At Ashcraft & Gerel, we have extensive experience negotiating with insurers and assessing the intricacies of every case to ensure that our clients receive the fair compensation to which they are entitled. For your convenience, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Car Insurance Requirements in Maryland

Though we all hope never to need our car insurance coverage, it is important that you have insurance in the event of an accident.

In Maryland, your coverage must include:

• At least $30,000 to cover the injury or death of one person – you or someone else – in a car accident. For example, if you hit someone and they need medical treatment for their resulting injuries, this minimum amount will cover their medical expenses.

• At least $60,000 to cover the injury or death of more than one person. For example, if you injure two people in a car accident, this coverage will go toward their medical bills.

• At least $15,000 to cover any property damage, most often to the vehicles involved in the accident

Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents

In Maryland, there is a three-year statute of limitations on car accident claims, starting at the time the accident occurs. Because of this statute of limitations, it is important that you give the other driver’s insurance company notice that you are filing a claim.

Once you get an attorney involved, he or she will follow up with a notice of their own. Generally, it is best that you do not provide any recorded statements to insurance companies until you have consulted with an attorney. This will protect you from saying anything that can be used against you later.

Determining Fault & Contributory Negligence

In Maryland – a “fault” state – you can file a claim against any driver who hurts you or damages your car in an accident, so long as they are at fault.

Maryland is also one of the few states that follows a contributory negligence policy. With this policy in place, you cannot recover money if you are even 1% responsible for a car accident. Quite often, insurance companies will try to allege contributory negligence to avoid paying you the full amount you are owed.

Uninsured & Underinsured Motorists

UIM insurance protects you in the event that you are involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the extent of the damage. In Maryland, UIM coverage is mandatory in all car insurance policies.

Call Ashcraft & Gerel

At Ashcraft & Gerel, our Baltimore car accident attorneys are ready to guide you through the complexities of your case. We understand how overwhelming a car accident can be. For over 65 years, our firm has been fighting for the victims of personal injury in Baltimore, MD. Our firm is confident that we can represent you effectively.

Call (410) 983-6833 to get started on your case.