Car crashes can be painful, expensive, and life-altering. But, if you sustain injuries from a car crash in Annapolis caused by another, you don’t have to bear the costs. Instead, you can recover financial compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company with the help of a car accident lawyer in Annapolis.

There are several resulting consequences of collisions in Annapolis. Damage ranges from costly medical care, emotional harm, property damage, etc. This is why you must fight for fair compensation.

Unfortunately, accident victims shy away from their rights to compensatory damages. As a result, many are unaware of their eligibility to pursue a personal injury claim for their wounds. This article discusses damages and the types of damages you can recover after a car crash in Annapolis.

Car Accident Lawyer in Annapolis, MD Explains Damages

Damages are remedies in the form of monetary awards. It is paid to you as compensation for loss or injury caused by another party. Generally, every motorist owes a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely.

As a result, when a car crash in Annapolis occurs due to negligence, the at-fault driver breached that duty. However, you must prove the at-fault driver’s liability to be entitled to damages.

Proving Liability in a Personal Injury Claim in Annapolis, MD

Maryland is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means you can sue another driver for compensation after a car crash in Annapolis. You must prove liability to support your demands. Evidence that can help you establish liability are:

• The police report
• Statement from all parties involved in the crash
• Medical reports from the doctors who treated you
• Video footage of the crash
• Eyewitness testimony
• Photos of the accident and injuries sustained, etc.

Furthermore, to succeed in your claim, you must establish the four elements of negligence:

• Duty of Care: The other party owed you a duty of care.
• Breach: They breached their duty of care by acting or failing to act in a certain way.
• Causation: It was their action or inaction that caused the accident.
• Damages: You suffered injury and damages as a result of their actions.

Proving liability after a car crash in Annapolis can be complicated. It is best to hire an Annapolis car wreck lawyer to handle your case. A lawyer will thoroughly investigate your claim to show the other party was at fault. In addition, they will calculate the total damages and fight to get you maximum compensation.

Also, the State of Maryland operates a strict doctrine called contributory negligence. Under this law, if you had any fault in the crash, you would be unable to recover compensation. So, work with a lawyer who will establish evidence that places the entire blame on the party responsible.

What Are the Types of Damages Recoverable After a Car Crash in Annapolis, MD?

There are different types of compensation in a personal injury case. The damages entitled depend on the circumstances surrounding your case. Several factors like the severity of your injuries, property damage, etc., will be considered.

In Annapolis, MD, injury victims can recover two types of damages. These are compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are further divided into two types: economic and non-economic damages. We discuss them below.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are also called special damages. Special damages are out-of-pocket expenses you incur from the car crash in Annapolis. They are awarded for the quantifiable burdens you suffer due to a collision.

Its essence is to restore you to the position you would have been had the crash not happened. You must prove your losses with documentary evidence to be entitled to special damages. Examples include:

1. Medical Expenses

Personal injury claims always include costs of medical care for current and future estimated treatment. Your medical expenses must be connected to the crash for which you are making a claim. Your lawyer can work with experts like doctors, accountants, etc., to determine your medical costs.

Medical treatment costs can include the following:

• Doctor and hospital visits
• Surgery
• Diagnostic tests
• Prescription medications
• Rehabilitative therapies
• Follow-up visits
• Any other expenses related to your physical recovery.

2. Lost Income/Earning Capacity

Lost wages can also make up a substantial part of your claim. You can request compensation for the time away from your work. To succeed, your wages must be actual and specific. In addition, you must prove that your injuries prevented you from working. You can also get compensation for loss of future earning capacity if your injury keeps you from working or continuing with your previous employment.

3. Property Damage

Your injury claim can include the cost of repairs or replacement for your property damage. In addition, you are entitled to a fair market value of any property lost.

Non-Economic Damages

These are also called general damages. Non-economic damages do not have a specific monetary value. Hence, these damages compensate you for intangible losses. Examples include the following:

1. Emotional Distress

Accidents can be traumatizing. Non-economic damages compensate you for the non-physical effects of your injury. This can include anxiety, fear, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

These damages are harder to obtain because they are not quantifiable. You cannot assign a specific dollar amount. Instead, you need a lawyer to help you establish your claim.

2. Loss of Consortium

Loss of consortium generally applies to the injured party’s loved one. It is awarded to compensate you for loss of support roles such as:

• Loss of affection
• Deprivation of emotional support
• Disability makes you unable to participate in household responsibilities
• Losing companionship
• Loss of ability to rear children

3. Loss of Enjoyment of Life

You can claim loss of enjoyment of life following a car crash in Annapolis. If you are injured to the extent that you lose the capacity to enjoy things you like, you will get a settlement. These activities can include walking your dog, playing with your kids, sports activities, etc.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are also termed exemplary damages. It is unusual for the court to award them. Also, they are not compensatory. Instead, it is awarded to punish or deter future misconduct of the negligent driver. You must prove actual malice, which can be unlikely in a car accident.

Maximize Your Damages With the Help of Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Annapolis

You can file your personal injury claim yourself. However, you maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation with legal representation. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car crash in Annapolis, our legal team at Pinder Plotkin, LLC, will file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.

We will get you the compensation you deserve while focusing on your physical recovery. In addition, you do not pay us until we win your case. Schedule a consultation with our personal injury attorneys in Annapolis today.