Maryland Accident Law Blog
A Maryland car accident can have significant consequences on a victim’s financial, medical, and psychological standing. Under Maryland’s “at-fault” model of recovery, the “at-fault” party is responsible for compensating the victim for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other economic damages. However, in many cases, the at-fault party refuses to take responsibility for the accident. In those situations, the injury victim’s insurance company is responsible for any property damage. The injured party’s insurance company will attempt to collect from the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, like every aspect of a car accident, unexpected issues often arise, and collecting damages can be a challenging experience.
One of the most frustrating aspects of an accident occurs when insurance coverage does not cover the extent of a person’s losses. This tends to occur after particularly catastrophic accidents. In these cases, the injury victim or their loved ones may go after the at-fault party directly. It is imperative to retain an attorney to assist through this process. An attorney can ensure that their clients recover the damages they deserve.
This is especially important with the rising costs of healthcare in the country. The New York Times recently reported on a tragic case that highlights the impact medical bills can have on a family’s livelihood. In that case, a family with seemingly good health insurance lost their premature daughter after contracting an infection while in the neonatal intensive care unit. A few months after their daughter’s death, they received various medical bills and debt collection notices from insurance companies. The insurance company inadvertently paid the hospital for care and turned to the family to cover their losses. Experts explained that these instances speak to the unpredictability of the American healthcare billing process. In many cases, patients and their loved ones do not understand what their medical costs are until they receive a bill.
In response to this growing concern, Congress passed a ban on these types of unexpected and surprising medical bills. However, the ban will not go into effect until 2022. The bill will prohibit specific surprise bills, such as those that consumers and patients receive from an out-of-network provider that provides care. However, consumers argue that the bill fails to address many similar types of medical expenses, leaving families to fight for financial recovery after an accident or medical event.
How Is Fault Determined in a Maryland Car Accident
The judge or jury overseeing a personal injury case will determine who is at fault. Often, judges and juries consider whether a motorist was distracted, impaired, or violated a traffic law in the moments leading up to the accident. However, proving that another driver was negligent isn’t enough to recover compensation; accident victims must also prove that the at-fault party’s actions caused their injuries.
Have You Experienced Damages After a Maryland Accident
If you or someone you know faces hefty medical costs and other damages after a Maryland car accident or any other type of accident, contact Lebowitz & Mzhen for assistance. The personal injury lawyers at our firm have their hand on the pulse of the various issues that affect Maryland injury vicitms. We handle cases stemming from Maryland car accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, premises liability, wrongful death, and other types of personal injury claims. We fight for victims’ rights and work to ensure that they obtain the compensation they deserve for their losses. Contact our office at 800-654-1949 to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney on our legal team.