According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in three accident-related deaths are caused by drunk drivers.
Now that you are in the recovery phase of your accident, there are things that you can do to help yourself recover in different ways. One of those may be to hire a Baltimore drunk driving accident lawyer to file a lawsuit against the person that caused your accident. If you win, you may be awarded compensation to help deal with your expenses. That can take a lot of stress away from accident victims so that they can focus on the recovery.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the person that caused your accident. To find out if you have a viable case, discuss your accident with a Baltimore drunk driving accident lawyer to see what your legal options are. You can contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 for your free consultation.
Determining Liability
A lawsuit revolves around determining who is responsible for the accident and who is liable for the damages. Liability means that a person or company is financially responsible for the damages that they cause. In this case, the liable party will most likely be the driver that caused your accident. However, there are cases where a company may be held liable as well. If the car that caused your accident is a work vehicle and the driver was working at the time of the accident, the company may also be sued. To know who is liable for your expenses, discuss your case with your lawyer.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving lawyer serving Baltimore, call (844) 730-0233
Drunk Driving Laws in Maryland
Maryland has a variety of laws focused on reducing drunk driving as much as possible. One of the ways that it does this is by implementing ignition interlock systems. It is a system that locks the ignition of your car so that you cannot start until you take a breathalyzer test. Maryland uses these on a regular basis to try to bring down the number of drunk driving accidents. The Drunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016 expanded the use of interlock systems significantly. Now, all drivers that are convicted on drunk driving charges have to have an interlock system installed in their vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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Settlement vs. Trial
After any type of car accident, insurance companies will likely be involved in handling settlements. This may mean that your lawyer will negotiate a settlement with the insurance company for the other driver. Insurance companies prefer settlements over going to trial because they can resolve cases faster and negotiate the amount of compensation that they pay. For you, this means that you can negotiate as well and get terms that you prefer while collecting compensation sooner.
You are not required to accept a settlement agreement and can let your case go to trial. It is up to you and your lawyer whether or not a settlement agreement meets your needs. When trying to determine whether you should accept, make sure that you include an estimation of your long-term compensation needs. Some injuries require ongoing medical care, such as physical therapy, to recover from. Make sure you include these costs in the amount that you ask for, so you have enough compensation to cover all of your expenses. This will prevent serious financial issues for you in the future and help you get your life back on track with less stress.
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Expenses
Your accident likely left you with a lot of unexpected expenses, which can put a serious strain on your finances. You can deal with those expenses by filing a civil lawsuit. Some of the expenses that you can file claims for include:
- Medical expenses: You can file claims for all of the medical expenses related to your recovery. This includes emergency care and ongoing care options.
- Car repairs: The repairs to your car related to your accident, and you should be able to claim the full cost of those repairs.
- Car replacement: If your car needs to be replaced, you may be able to claim the full cost of replacing your vehicle.
- Other property damage: Any piece of property that is damaged or destroyed in the accident can be claimed in the lawsuit. This includes things besides your car, such as your clothes, cell phone, laptop, purse, or any other personal items in the vehicle.
There are other types of expenses that you can claim that are not covered on this list. Make sure that you and your lawyer identify as many related expenses as possible so that you can cover the majority of your expenses and minimize the impact on your finances.
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Seeking Compensation
The goal of a civil lawsuit is to collect financial compensation. Being the victim of a drunk driving crash likely left you with a lot of unexpected expenses that are hurting your finances. Medical bills, car repair costs, lost wages, and other expenses can pile up quickly and put you into significant debt just to try to stay afloat. Fortunately, taking legal action can help you protect your finances over the long term.
If you do decide to file a lawsuit, do so as soon as possible. In Maryland, you only have three years to file your lawsuit starting the date of the accident according to the Maryland General Assembly. Do not miss your opportunity to take legal action and recover your finances by waiting too long. Reach out to a lawyer’s office as soon as possible for legal advice and to start the process.
Contact Us for a No-Risk Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a drunk driving accident, you may be able to take legal action to recover compensation for your expenses. Discuss your case with the office of a Baltimore drunk driving accident lawyer to see what your legal options are. You can also call the Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 for free consultation about your case.
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