Often, we are reminded that life teaches us to expect the unexpected—and nothing can be a more painful reminder of that than an unexpected car accident that results in injury, property damage, or in extreme cases, death. Although no one ever plans for or is able to be fully prepared when these incidents take place, understanding what potential next steps are available for you or for someone you know or love when they run into these accidents can make a huge difference in your road to recovery and compensation.
According to a recent local news report, a tractor-trailer accident resulted in one individual injured and another dead. Troopers responded to a report of a four-vehicle crash, where a tractor-trailer collided with a Dodge caravan, which pushed it off the road and into the jersey wall. The tractor-trailer then crashed into a Hyundai and sideswiped a Toyota. The driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where she later died. In addition, the driver of the Hyundai was also transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries. The accident remains under investigation by local authorities.
Following a significant accident, you may be considering filing a lawsuit for monetary and compensatory damages, especially if significant injury or property damage was involved. In Maryland, time is of the essence when choosing to move forward with a legal claim. Maryland adheres to a three-year statute of limitations, which means that if your case is not filed before the three-year window closes, it is likely the court will refuse to hear your lawsuit. For claims involving a Maryland government agency, the statute of limitations is one year for a formal claim, and three years for a formal lawsuit.
When deciding whether to file a lawsuit, it is also important to understand that Maryland’s auto insurance laws are based on an “at-fault” model, which means that injured parties can file claims with their own insurer, the other party’s insurer, or go to court to establish fault and seek compensation.
What Happens if an At-Fault Driver Doesn't Have Enough Insurance Coverage?
In some cases, Maryland auto insurance coverage requirements are enough to cover your claim. However, because Maryland requires drivers to have a minimum of $30,000 in auto insurance coverage for bodily injury per person and $60,000 per accident, this may be enough for injuries or property damage incurred in some accidents. If it is not, you may be considering pursuing a personal injury lawsuit for higher compensation. It is important to note, however, that compensatory damages are not unlimited. In Maryland, the state places maximums, or “caps,” that limit certain types of compensation. For example, there is a $755,000 cap on non-medical malpractice injuries arising from the same accident, and a $1,132,500 limit on non-medical malpractice wrongful death lawsuits with more than two beneficiaries.
Do You Need a Maryland Injury Attorney?
If you or someone you know was recently injured or killed in a Maryland truck accident, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen today. Our lawyers have years of experience representing individuals in all types of personal injury claims and have collected more than $55 million on behalf of our clients thus far. To schedule a free initial consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.