FAQ Personal Injury Claims
If you were injured as a result of somebody else, you may be asking yourself “who are the best injury lawyers in Baltimore, MD?” No matter how you were injured – in a car accident, work accident, or slip and fall – if the incident was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, the laws in your state allow victims to pursue claims against the at-fault party for the financial and other losses the injuries have caused them to suffer.
What elements are needed in order to file a personal injury claim?
Because a personal injury claim or lawsuit is a legal claim, there are procedures and rules that must be followed, as well as certain factors of the incident which must be present in order for the claim to be valid. The best injury lawyers in Baltimore, MD will tell you that these factors include:
- The injury must not have been self-inflicted by the victim
- The victim must have suffered a physical suffering and/or financial losses
- The injury must have occurred within the statute of limitations set by the laws of the state the incident occurred in
What types of compensation can a victim pursue damages for?
There are many types of damages a victim can pursue damages for and your personal injury attorney can determine which ones are appropriate in your case. In general, the following losses can be included:
Economic damages: Economic damages are ones that have a quantifiable amount attached to them.
- Medical expenses
- Emergency care
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Doctor visits
- Physical therapy
- Prescription and over-the-counter medication
- Medical devices and equipment
- Transportation costs to obtain medical treatment
- Loss of income and benefits from being unable to work
- Loss of future income if victim left with a permanent disability
- Vocational therapy and training if the disability leaves the victim unable to work in their chosen profession
Noneconomic damages: Even the best injury lawyers in Baltimore, MD know that these damages do not have quantifiable amounts and need to be calculated a different way. This is usually done based on the extent of the victim’s injuries and the total amount of the economic damages.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of the ability to perform daily activities
- Permanent disability
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
Punitive damages: In some cases, the victim may also be awarded punitive damages. This usually happens when the behavior of the at-fault party was so egregious that it goes beyond negligence. For example, a fatal crash where the at-fault driver was under the influence of alcohol. The point of punitive damages is to both punish the at-fault party and send a message to society that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. The best injury lawyers in Baltimore, MD will help you take this stand.
What types of information do I need in order to file a personal injury claim?
When you are going to meet with your personal injury attorney for the first time, the more information and evidence you can provide, the stronger your case will be. Information such as the contact information for the parties involved in the incident, as well as any witnesses should be given to your attorney. Having photographs of the scene of the accident can also help bolster your case.
It is critical to your case to keep all your medical records and expenses, police reports, and any correspondence from medical personnel and insurance companies. You also want to keep records of any missed time from work and all transportation costs to get to medical appointments, as well as any other expenses the injuries have caused.
If you are asking yourself “who are the best injury lawyers in Baltimore, MD?” it may be in your best interest to reach out to Cohen & Cohen to set up a consultation to discuss your injuries.
