When unexpected accidents occur as a result of another party’s negligence or recklessness and result in injury, you may feel overwhelmed or unsure of where to start. Understanding the basics of how to move forward on a personal injury claim can prepare you for any situation that results in an injury or death—no matter what life unexpectedly throws at you.
According to a recent news report, a man stole an unoccupied school bus and struck more than a dozen parked cars before he was apprehended. After stealing the bus, authorities subsequently tracked it moving through multiple precincts before taking the man into custody. Before he was stopped, the man struck 15 to 20 parked vehicles along the way, as well as a building. One witness stated that the man crashed into every single car on a block he passed through. The man also repeatedly rammed into a car repeatedly while trying to get away. After the man was apprehended, local authorities reported that he had at least 12 prior arrests, including robbery.
Following an unexpected incident such as the one described above, you may not know exactly how to proceed if you suffer an injury from a similar accident or event. One of the options you should consider is filing a personal injury lawsuit, which could potentially get you monetary compensation for your injuries and any resulting property damage from the accident.
To file a successful personal injury claim after a truck or bus accident, an injury first must have occurred. This means an injury to either your body physically, or to your mind emotionally or mentally.
Second, Maryland laws require that the at-fault party did not take reasonable care to avoid injury to another party. This usually means that you have to prove that the potential defendant should have done something and failed to do it, which resulted in the injury. To establish this, potential plaintiffs must prove that the at-fault party had a duty to protect the plaintiff, the defendant breached that duty, the plaintiff was injured, and the at-fault party’s actions were the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury.
Once this is established, potential plaintiffs may want to consider how much to request in damages, or monetary compensation, if the claim is successful. Depending on the context and circumstances surrounding your claim, you may be eligible for compensation for hospital bills and expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Case in Maryland?
If you are considering filing a personal injury claim in Maryland, time is of the essence. Maryland, like other states, has a strict statute of limitations for personal injury claims. For most personal injury lawsuits, potential plaintiffs must file their claims three years from the date that the injury or events giving rise to the claim take place. For some specific claims such as assault or slander, however, the statute of limitations may be shorter than three years. This is why potential plaintiffs considering filing a personal injury lawsuit are advised to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer before moving forward on their claim.
Do You Need a Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you or someone you know was recently injured in a Maryland truck or bus accident, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen for assistance today. Our lawyers have collected more than $65 million on behalf of our clients and will provide you with the support and advocacy you need in the course of filing your claim. To schedule a free initial consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.