Rockville, MD Car Accident Lawyers Who Fight for Crash Victims
Our attorneys can handle your injury claim or lawsuit
Car accidents caused by other drivers in Rockville, Maryland can quickly become complex legal matters. You may be experiencing whiplash after getting rear-ended by a distracted driver on Rockville Pike. Or maybe you’re dealing with a concussion due to another driver running a red light and colliding with your car on East Jefferson Street. Whatever the circumstances of your crash, it's important not to assume that you will automatically receive fair compensation just because the other driver was at fault.
In many cases, you have to demand the money you deserve, whether it’s negotiating the best-possible settlement offer or filing a car accident lawsuit seeking damages. Regardless of the approach you choose, our Rockville, MD car accident attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan are here to help you navigate Maryland's legal system.
Whatever approach you decide to take, our Rockville car accident attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan can help you navigate your way through Maryland’s legal system. Years of experience have taught us how to find the evidence you need to build a strong legal case. When you have the facts on your side, you have the power to demand the compensation you deserve.
Common types of car accidents in Rockville
Car accidents caused by other drivers in Rockville often cover a wide range, including:
- Rear-end accidents, especially on busy streets like Old Georgetown Road.
- Head-on collisions on Wootton Parkway or another busy road.
- Intersection accidents on Maryland Avenue.
- Truck accidents, including car crashes caused by tractor-trailer accidents on I-495 and other major roads and highways.
Why do collisions occur in Rockville?
In most cases, car accidents in Rockville occur due to the negligent actions of another driver. This includes:
- Speeding drivers.
- Drunk drivers or drivers under the influence of drugs.
- Distracted drivers, especially texting drivers, even though texting while driving is against the law in Maryland.
- Tired drivers who fall asleep at the wheel.
- Aggressive or reckless drivers, including drivers who run a red light or don’t stop at a stop sign.
What should I do after a car crash in Rockville?
You need to act fast after a serious car accident. Each crash is different. But often, many of the steps you should take include:
- Call 911 and tell the police you have been in a car accident. Depending on where your accident took place, the dispatcher can send the appropriate law enforcement officials, which often include either a local police officer from the Rockville Police Department or a state trooper from Barrack N in Rockville of the Maryland State Police.
- If you or anyone else appears injured, ask the dispatcher to send an ambulance.
- Stay at the scene of your accident. It is against the law to leave the scene of an accident, even a property damage one, according to Maryland Code, Public Safety 13A-1039.
- If possible, take pictures of your accident before moving either vehicle. Also take photos of nearby traffic signs, skid marks caused by the accident and lighting conditions. The more photos, the better.
- If someone saw your accident, get their name and contact information before they leave the scene of your accident. Eyewitness statements can make your case stronger.
- Exchange information with the other driver. This includes your name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
- Don’t talk about your accident with anyone. Anything you say could be used to reduce or deny your injury claim.
- Don’t post anything on social media about your accident. Insurance companies carefully monitor such posts in search of details they can use to deny your accident claim.
- Soon after your car crash, call your insurance company and tell them you have been involved in an accident caused by another driver. You don’t need to say too much during your first call. You can always tell them more later.
- If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, don’t talk to them. Even if their questions seem simple, what they’re often doing is hoping you will say something they can use to deny your claim. You don’t have to talk to them.
- Even if you were already examined by a medical professional at the scene of the accident, schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor. Many car accident injuries have delayed symptoms, such as whiplash or a concussion. You might even have a life-threatening internal injury and not even realize it. Don’t take chances with your health. See a doctor as soon as possible.
- Contact a Rockville car accident attorney at our law firm to learn more about your legal rights.
How much is my car accident worth?
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to certain types of car accidents. If you were involved in a rear-end crash or head-on collision, your accident claim or lawsuit could be worth far more money than similar accidents in Rockville.
The bottom line is you should be paid for all your accident expenses. What you might not realize is just how many expenses this often includes. And when you add all these expenses up, your injury claim or lawsuit could end up being worth thousands of dollars or significantly more.
What expenses can I be compensated for?
As explained above, you should be financially compared for all of your accident expenses, now and in the future. Such expenses often include:
- Medical care, including future medical treatments, follow-up doctor’s appointments and future surgical procedures due to your accident, if necessary
- Money to repair your car or buy a new one if it is beyond repair due to your collision.
- Replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your injury.
- Lost income if you cannot return to work, can only work in a reduced capacity, or need to do a different, lower paying job due to a permanent disability sustained in your car accident.
- Pain and suffering in certain circumstances.
Who’s responsible for paying for my accident?
Maryland has an at-fault car insurance system. This means the at-fault party must pay for all your accident-related expenses. So, if another driver caused your crash, often it’s the at-fault driver’s responsibility to pay for your accident.
But just because the other driver’s insurance company should pay for your accident does not mean they will automatically do so. Often, insurance companies will look for any excuse to reduce or deny your claim.
This is especially true in Maryland due to its pure contributory negligence rule. Under this rule, a car accident claim can be denied if the injury victim was even slightly at fault. This is why it’s critical that you have a lawyer who understands how Maryland’s car accident compensation system works handling your case.
What are my options after my car accident?
In most cases, you often have three options after your Rockville car accident:
- Accept a one-time settlement offer from the at-fault driver’s car insurance company to pay for your accident.
- Negotiate a better settlement offer with the other driver’s insurance company.
- File a car accident lawsuit seeking damages, the legal term for financial compensation.
In each case, having an attorney can often improve your ability to obtain the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your accident. This is especially true if you want more money than an insurance company’s first settlement offer, which can often be far less than what you deserve.
Remember, if you agree to accept a settlement offer for your accident, that’s it. Your case is settled, and you cannot ask for more money in the future. This is why you should carefully consider all your options after your Rockville car crash.
Why should I hire a Rockville car accident attorney?
The more you learn about car accident claims, the more you realize just how complicated such legal cases can be for crash victims. This is why it’s important that you have an experienced attorney who understands how the legal system works in Rockville if you or a loved one was injured in a collision caused by another driver.
Our Rockville car accident lawyers at Goldberg Finnegan thoroughly understand how the legal system works in Montgomery County and throughout Maryland. This is because we have dedicated our legal careers to helping injury victims in our community when they need our help the most.
Your accident is more than just a legal case. At Goldberg Finnegan, we take your car accident injury claim personally. You’ll notice the difference right away at our law firm. We’ll take the time to find out what happened. And we will carefully craft a legal strategy that suits your specific case.
This is your opportunity for justice. Seize it. Contact our law firm today and schedule your free case evaluation with an attorney from our Rockville law firm.