Frederick personal injury attorney for injury claim in MarylandThe value of a personal injury claim varies widely from one case to the next and depends on the severity of the injuries. A minor personal injury might result in only hundreds of dollars in damages while a serious injury could lead to damages in the millions. Some examples of accidents for which you might need the assistance of an experienced Frederick personal injury attorney are:

If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person, you’re entitled to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party for damages. The amount of compensation you receive depends on the type and severity of your personal injury. But those aren't the only factors that can determine the financial outcome, as an inexperienced Frederick, MD, lawyer will not produce the same outcome as an experienced Frederick personal injury attorney.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are established to compensate the victim for all expenses incurred due to the accident. It provides financial reimbursement for all monetary losses. They are generally divided into economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

According to our Frederick personal injury attorney, because economic damages can be determined monetarily, you can figure out the amount you’ve paid by adding up your receipts and bills. Economic damages include:

  • Property damage. If your vehicle or other personal property is damaged or destroyed in an accident caused by someone else, you’re entitled to the cost of repairing or replacing your property. If you use a rental car to travel to work and medical appointments while your car is being repaired, you’re entitled to reimbursement for the rental fee.
  • Medical expenses. You’re entitled to reimbursement of all past, current, and future medical bills resulting from your personal injury claim. These include:
  • ER visit
  • Hospital stays
  • X-rays
  • Surgery
  • Medication
  • Physical therapy
  • Referrals to specialists
  • Home modifications/cost of adaptive equipment (wheelchair, crutches, walker, etc.)
  • Cost of a home-care nurse or assistance with daily activities
  • Temporary or permanent disability care
  • Lost wages. If you cannot work while recovering from your injuries, you’re entitled to compensation for your lost wages.
  • Future earning capacity. If your injuries impact your ability to work and earn money in the future, you’re entitled to future wages you would have earned had you not been injured. An experienced lawyer can help to calculate your future lost earnings and can bring in an economic specialist or expert witnesses to determine this aspect of your damages.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are not financial losses, but they are real damages for which you’re entitled to financial compensation. These can include:

  • Pain and suffering. If you suffer physical pain and/or mental distress as a result of your injury, you’re entitled to compensation. Your physical pain might be mild and temporary or severe for the long term, perhaps indefinitely. Injuries to the brain, spine, and nervous system can result in lifelong:
    • Soreness/stiffness
    • Decreased mobility/range of motion
    • Numbness in hands, feet, or legs
    • Headaches
    • Muscle spasms
    • Blurred vision
    • Vertigo
    • Permanent scars or disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life/consortium. If your personal injury leaves you unable to interact normally with your spouse and/or family, you’re entitled to compensation for the loss of normal pleasures your injury has cost you. An experienced Frederick personal injury attorney knows how to quantify your non-economic compensatory damages.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are non-compensatory damages meant to punish the at-fault party and deter others from behaving in a similar manner. In Maryland, an award of punitive damages “can be based on nothing less than actual malice, in the sense of conscious and deliberate wrongdoing, evil or wrongful motive, intent to injure, ill will, or fraud.” It’s rare that a Maryland court awards punitive damages unless the evidence in the case is clear and convincing that the responsible party acted with actual malice.

The Role of Your Frederick Personal Injury Attorney

Only a small number of personal injury claims actually go to trial. Most are settled out of court by the plaintiff’s attorney and the defendant’s insurance company. With so many factors affecting the value of a personal injury case, the best way to find out the worth of your claim and get the award you deserve is to consult an experienced Frederick personal injury attorney who can:

  • Evaluate your case
  • Organize and present your evidence convincingly
  • Demand a fair settlement
  • Fight for you in court if your case goes to trial

If You Suffered a Personal Injury in Frederick, Contact Our Team Today!

The experienced Frederick personal injury attorneys at Poole Law Group can determine the worth of your case and fight to get you fair compensation. Please contact us online, start a chat, or call us to schedule your free consultation. You pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.