Can You File a Personal Injury Claim Without the Help of a Lawyer?
Even though you can file a personal injury claim without the help of a personal injury lawyer Frederick, MD residents can rely on, it is not often recommended that people do this.
If you were harmed in some way by someone else, or on the premises of a business, you may be aware that by submitting a personal injury claim with the negligent party that caused your injuries, you might receive a settlement. A personal injury lawyer typically charges a percentage of the settlement in lieu of charging upfront or by the hour.
At Cohen & Cohen, if we do not recover a settlement or award for a client, we do not charge them anything at all. We also do not charge for the first consultation. When you meet with our personal injury lawyer you can learn about the steps involved in pursuing a personal injury claim and decide if you are comfortable doing this on your own.
The information below is a general overview about the process that you may find helpful but it is not intended to replace the advice of a Frederick personal injury lawyer who is licensed to help people throughout the state of MD.
What is a personal injury claim?
A personal injury claim is a demand for compensation for damages that a victim (usually with the help of a personal injury lawyer) submits to the at-fault party or to their insurance carrier.
What is included in a personal injury claim?
To ensure the highest probability that the claim will be accepted and paid in full, the injured party should include detailed information about the following:
- How the accident or incident occurred, and what led up to it. Our Frederick,MD personal injury lawyer has the experience and skills necessary to investigate and document how and why the at-fault party is liable for our client’s injury.
- The nature of the injury you sustained as a result of your accident and its severity. Medical documentation and proof of injury should also be included. At Cohen & Cohen, our personal injury lawyers works with medical professionals who can provide testimony that is admissible in court about our clients’ injuries.
- A detailed accounting of all injury-related damages, as well as costs that many victims do not realize can be included. For example, did you know that your damages can include the cost of future surgeries? Without a full list of your injury related damages, you could lose out on a significant amount of money. A Frederick, MD personal injury lawyer who is experienced at successfully defending the rights of personal injury victims, can help you to compile this.
The Negotiation Process
Once the personal injury claim is submitted, if it is accepted, then the insurance carrier will often offer a settlement that is far less than the amount of your damages. Our personal injury lawyer at Cohen & Cohen is familiar with insurance agency protocols as well as current and typical medical costs for a wide range of injuries. This provides a firm understanding of what the insurance company should pay out. Cohen & Cohen has a successful record of negotiating substantial settlements on behalf of our clients. If your injury occurred on the premises of a business, that company may employ lawyers in addition to the insurance company lawyers to fight your claim, particularly if it is for a large sum of money. Cohen & Cohen fights aggressively on behalf of our clients in order to protect their right to a fair settlement. If we do not have a personal injury lawyer on our team who is particularly suited to the needs of your Frederick, MD case, we would like to help you to find one who is.
As you are reading this, you may be wondering if it’s time to consult with a Frederick, MD personal injury lawyer. Ultimately, if there was an incident where you were injured and someone else is responsible, then it could constitute filing a case against them. You may have endured losses related to medical bills, property damage, missing work, and more. What a personal injury lawyer can do is help you seek compensation for the losses that you experienced. If you have questions about this, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Cohen & Cohen for more information. Until we hear from you, here are just a few examples of personal injury events that may warrant taking legal action. However, we do suggest getting individualized advice on your specific circumstances, so please reach out to our office right away.
Workplace Accidents
If you were seriously injured on the job, then you may want to have a lawyer guide you through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim. You could be entitled to benefits that repay you for medical expenses that resulted from the workplace accident. In most situations, necessary medical care will be covered. But sometimes injured workers do not receive the amount of benefits they need. Contact us so that we can watch out for your best interests at this time.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors are bound by certain standards when providing care to patients. When a doctor or other healthcare professional commits an oversight or mistake, it can lead to patient harm or death. We want to trust that the doctors who treat us are doing their very best and won’t make a mistake that negatively impacts our health. Most doctors get into the profession because they want to save lives and help reduce suffering. But this doesn’t mean that they may not at some point make a crucial mistake that leads to a patient’s worsened condition. Examples of medical malpractice could be related to prescription medication, surgery, treatment plans, diagnosis, and more. Contact our law from today if you think that a doctor may have committed medical malpractice.
Car Accidents
One of the most common types of personal injury accidents is car collisions. Usually, there is one driver who is mostly responsible for what happened. After that, it becomes a negotiation between insurance companies about who is at fault and will be paying for the injury and damages that ensued. But all too often claimants are taken advantage of by the system, and are not provided the fair compensation that they deserve. To ensure that you are maximizing your restitution, contact our dedicated personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Cohen & Cohen
Other examples of personal injury accidents can include slip and falls, wrongful death, product injury, asbestos exposure, and Metro train accidents, among others. If you have questions about whether your situation gives you a reason to file a lawsuit, contact Cohen & Cohen immediately. Our Maryland personal injury attorney is ready to take on your case.
What Questions Should I Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer?
FAQ: What is considered a personal injury case?
As any good Frederick, MD personal injury lawyer will tell you, there are different types of accidents that can occur which may be categorized as a personal injury claim. When you seek a law firm to help you, it is advised that you find a firm that has helped numerous clients receive fair compensation because of someone else’s negligence causing them harm. The cases the law firm should have worked with include:
- Slips and falls
- Car accidents
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Intentional assault
If your injuries fall within one of these categories, consider contacting a trusted personal injury lawyer near you to further discuss your specific situation.
FAQ: I do not understand negligence or how is it proven?
Negligence is when an individual or company, fail to take reasonable care to avoid causing loss or injury to another person. In order for negligence to be proven, four steps must be taken. According to a trusted Frederick, MD personal injury lawyer, these steps are:
- Prove that there was a breach in the duty of care which caused damage to another.
- Prove that the inaction or actions of the defendant, in this circumstance, did not meet the standard of care that a reasonable person would have meet in the same circumstance.
- Prove that a reasonable person would have suffered loss or injury in that same circumstance as the plaintiff.
- Prove that the damages were caused by the negligence or breach of duty of the individual or company.
FAQ: How is the value of my claim determined?
The value of your claim is determined by the totality of your accident. Everything must be considered, such as, medical bills, lost wages, damages to personal property, and physical or emotional damage. A Frederick, MD personal injury lawyer may help you get an idea of how much your claim is valued at and suggest when a fair compensation is meet. It can take some time to determine what your case is worth since some injuries can have lasting effects that need to be treated.
FAQ: What should I take into consideration before filing an injury claim lawsuit?
Before taking your claim to the lawsuit level, a skilled attorney may suggest taking the settlement from the insurance company as long as it is fair for the injuries received. Some injuries deserve the need for a lawsuit but minor injuries may not be worth the stress or money and the insurance company may offer a reasonable amount of compensation or smaller injuries. However, if your lost wages and injuries accumulate to a large amount, hiring a trusted Frederick, MD personal injury lawyer may help you receive compensation that you deserve and higher than what the insurance company may offer.
FAQ: Will the responsible party be punished for causing my injuries?
Personal injury cases are typically categorized as a civil action cases and the defendants are not typically punished with criminal fines or jail time for their negligence. However, a “punitive damage” sentence that could be used to punish defendants that have behaved outrageously recklessly against the public’s best interest. For example, a drunk driver that caused an accident could receive a punitive damage sentence.
FAQ: Do you offer free consultations?
At Cohen & Cohen, we offer free consultations and highly encourage you giving us a call. We are here to help you receive the compensation that you deserve and to let us provide you with the necessary legal guidance. Call us today to speak to a skilled Frederick, MD personal injury lawyer ready to help you.
What is the Benefit of a Frederick Personal Injury Lawyer Representing Me?
There are many benefits to having Frederick, MD personal injury lawyers represent you if you have been injured in Frederick or someplace else in Maryland.
Coming to the realization you need a personal injury lawyer can be overwhelming. By the time victims call Cohen & Cohen they are often already dealing with a serious injury and being pressured to settle with insurance companies.
It can be a confusing and difficult time. Cohen & Cohen has helped many victims just like you. We’re here to be a shoulder to lean on and an advocate for your rights. Here are some of the common questions we get from victims.
What can Frederick, MD personal injury lawyers do for me?
If you or a loved one has been injured because of the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to more than just getting your medical bills covered.
The at-fault party’s insurance company will do everything they can to get you to settle right away. But their offer may not consider all the ways this injury has affected your life. Their goal is to protect the insurance company and pay out as little as possible.
By working with Frederick, MD personal injury lawyers from Cohen & Cohen, we can advise you of your rights and avoid falling for the typical tactics insurance companies deploy. Our goal is to advocate for you and you alone. We won’t do anything unless it’s in your best interest.
Often these cases require a close attention to detail on various court and insurance company filings. Not only must they be completed accurately but also on time. This is something your lawyer from Cohen & Cohen will personally handle. We want you to focus on your recovery and your family. Let us do the rest.
When should I call a lawyer?
It’s critical to call a trusted lawyer as soon as possible. Our team is ready to request police reports, medical records, and track down witnesses just as soon as you call us.
These are all important pieces to securing the compensation you deserve. Not to mention, you may be be up against insurance or court deadlines to file a claim.
The team at Cohen & Cohen is skilled at working efficiently to gather all the information and documents that will make a difference in your case. We can quickly assess your case and devise a plan for the next steps.
How much will it cost to work with lawyers at Cohen & Cohen?
The Frederick, MD personal injury lawyers from Cohen & Cohen, work on a contingency basis. This means paying our fees is contingent upon us winning the case.
You won’t pay us anything unless we’re able to secure a settlement or jury award for you. This means you can also trust that we won’t take on a case we don’t think we can win.
Right from the beginning, your consultation will be free. There are no out of pocket expenses and no pressure to select our firm over another. You can trust we will provide realistic advice on how you should move forward.
Get started on your legal strategy today.
For highly rated Frederick MD personal injury lawyers contact Cohen & Cohen to schedule your free consultation and to help you put your life back together.
Different Types Of Serious Personal Injuries
At Cohen & Cohen, our Frederick, MD personal injury lawyer understands that personal injuries can vary widely in severity and impact. Serious injuries not only affect your health but also your daily life and financial stability. Attorney Wayne Cohen has dedicated his career to helping the injured through representation and he can speak with you about your claim.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Traumatic brain injuries are among the most severe types of injuries. They can result from a variety of incidents, such as car accidents, falls, or sports-related activities. TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive impairment, memory loss, and emotional disturbances. The recovery process is often lengthy and expensive, involving extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
- Spinal Cord Injuries. Injuries to the spinal cord can have life-altering consequences, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often occur in motor vehicle accidents, falls, or due to violent acts. Individuals with spinal cord injuries may require lifelong medical care, physical therapy, and modifications to their living environment to accommodate their condition.
- Severe Burn Injuries. Burn injuries can be devastating, causing intense pain, disfigurement, and long-term physical and emotional trauma. They can result from fires, explosions, chemical exposure, or electrical accidents. Severe burns often require multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, and extensive rehabilitation. The impact on the victim’s quality of life can be profound, affecting their ability to work and engage in daily activities.
- Fractures and Broken Bones. Our personal injury lawyer in Frederick knows that while fractures and broken bones might seem common, severe cases can lead to significant complications. Complex fractures may require surgery, the insertion of metal plates or screws, and prolonged physical therapy. Such injuries can limit mobility, cause chronic pain, and impede an individual’s ability to perform everyday tasks.
- Internal Organ Damage. Damage to internal organs is often less immediately apparent but can be life-threatening. Such injuries may result from high-impact accidents like car crashes or falls. Internal bleeding, punctured lungs, or damaged kidneys or liver require urgent medical attention and can necessitate extensive surgery and recovery time. The long-term effects can be severe, impacting overall health and wellness.
- Amputations. The loss of a limb is a catastrophic injury that drastically alters a person’s life. Amputations can occur due to severe trauma in accidents or as a medical necessity following an injury. The physical and psychological impact of losing a limb is immense, often requiring prosthetics, ongoing medical care, and substantial adjustments to the individual’s lifestyle.
- Psychological Injuries. Not all serious injuries are physical. Psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, can result from traumatic events like accidents, assaults, or witnessing a horrific incident. These conditions can significantly affect a person’s ability to function normally and may require long-term psychological treatment and support.
Why Many Choose Our Firm
We are committed to providing compassionate and effective legal representation for individuals who have sustained serious personal injuries. We understand the profound impact these injuries can have on your life and are dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you need to recover and rebuild.
Getting The Right Help
If you or a loved one has experienced a serious personal injury, it’s crucial to seek legal advice promptly. Contact Cohen & Cohen to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorneys. Let us help you understand your rights and navigate the path to recovery, ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. Attorney Cohen has been called one of the best lawyers in Washington, so you know you can trust him with your case. Consult with our trusted Frederick personal injury lawyer now.
Call Us Today
To learn more about the process of filing a personal injury claim, call us today. We provide victims a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer who will fight for your rights. For a highly rated personal injury lawyer Frederick, MD personal injury victims and their families can trust, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation any time of the day or night, any day of the year.
