Getting into an accident with an uninsured driver can be devastating, especially if you suffer considerable injuries and damages. Unfortunately, this happens more frequently than we would like to think. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 12.4% of drivers had no insurance in Maryland in 2015.
You may wish to turn to your own car insurance for help as you will have some coverage. According to the Maryland Insurance Administration, “Maryland law requires that you purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury liability insurance.” Your liability insurance can help you with any medical costs and damages incurred in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. As per Maryland law, you also have to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance covering at least $2,500 in damages.
However, the amounts that you could recover from your insurance might not be enough to cover your expenses and other damages if you suffered from serious and life-changing injuries, or if you are unable to return to work for some time. In this case, you may consider taking legal action.
Contact your Baltimore uninsured car accident lawyer, Ben Crump Law, PLLC today for a free, no-obligation review of your case at (844) 730-0233.
Driver-Related Reasons for Car Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most car crashes happen due to driver error. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in an accident with a driver who made an error or broke the law, you might have legal recourse and could recover compensation. Some driver-related accidents arise due to:
Excess Speed
Speeding caused almost ten thousand deaths in the U.S. in 2018, according to the NHTSA. A driver might also be speeding when they drive at the posted speed limit, but weather conditions or road conditions are not suitable for such a speed. When a driver speeds excessively, they may lose control of their vehicle entirely. Driving at excessive speed means the distance needed for the car to stop increases also. Crashes are typically more severe at higher speeds.
Drunk Driving
The NHTSA also states that one person dies every 50 minutes due to drunk driving in the U.S. Being under the influence of alcohol can severely impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle. Drunk drivers tend to have a much slower reaction time and impaired judgment.
Drug-Impaired Driving
Much like drunk driving, driving under the influence of illegal drugs or certain prescription drugs can have a detrimental impact on a person’s ability to operate a car safely.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can have terrible consequences. The NHTSA reports an estimated 400,000 persons suffered injuries due to distracted driving in 2018. Distracted driving is not just texting or using the phone. In fact, anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, such as interacting with other passengers, eating or drinking, or listening to loud music, is distracted driving.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving claimed almost 800 lives in 2017, according to the NHTSA. Severe fatigue can cause a driver to fall asleep at the wheel, putting themselves as well as other road users at grave danger.
There can be other driver-related reasons for accidents. In some cases, drivers behave carelessly or even recklessly when on the road. Reckless driving can include extreme speeding, racing other cars, ignoring traffic signals and signs, tailgating, passing unsafely, and other dangerous actions.
If you got hurt in an accident because someone broke the law or put others’ lives at risk willingly, you could potentially sue for damages. Find out how to go about legal action by contacting a Baltimore uninsured car accident lawyer today.
Your car accident lawyer could help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and others. However, do not wait and start with the process of getting justice as soon as you can.
For a free legal consultation with a uninsured cars lawyer serving Baltimore, call (844) 730-0233
How a Baltimore Uninsured Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Contacting a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after getting into an accident with an uninsured driver can help you protect your rights. There are several practical ways in which a lawyer can help.
Insurance Negotiations
Sometimes dealing with your own insurance can be a hassle, especially if you are recovering from injuries and do not know where to start to get your due.
Having a car accident lawyer by your side can help you navigate the insurance issues and decipher complicated policy documents. A lawyer knows your legal rights and can defend them.
Initiating Legal Action
If you have legal recourse against a negligent driver, your car accident lawyer can take charge of your case and leave no stone unturned in the fight for justice and compensation. Your lawyer can thoroughly research your accident and gather the necessary documents and evidence needed for your claim.
Calculating Your Damages
Calculating your damages correctly is pivotal but can be challenging, especially if you do not have any legal experience. Accident victims often concentrate on their immediate losses and expenses. They tend to forget the long-term financial, physical, and emotional consequences of an accident. Your lawyer will consider the long-term impact of your injuries and any expected future medical expenses or losses of income. They will also be able to calculate your non-economic damages adequately, including any emotional distress and physical pain and suffering you endured.
Representing You in Court
When your case goes to court, your lawyer knows how to represent you professionally and strongly. Although some accident victims choose to represent themselves, having a lawyer by your side can reduce the stress and worry of a lawsuit considerably. With a lawyer representing you, you will not have to worry about the technicalities of a court case or about the other side taking advantage of you.
Baltimore Uninsured Cars Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Call Us Today
Contact your Baltimore uninsured car accident lawyer as soon as you can for help with your case. If another driver acted recklessly or carelessly, they should pay for your damages, not you. We can determine whether you have a case against a negligent driver, and what your best course of action is.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC now to find out whether you could recover compensation: (844) 730-0233.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
