If you suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligence, the last thing you need is more confusion and pain. At Trollinger Law LLC, our personal injury lawyers understand you’re coping with a lot. You also probably have legal questions about whether you can receive compensation for your injuries. Read our personal injury FAQ below for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions in Maryland and the DC Metro Region. For personalized answers specific to your case, contact us for a free consultation with a skilled personal injury lawyer.
Why Choose an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney?
After an accident, hiring a personal injury attorney who knows what to expect and can handle the process from start to finish is helpful. If you have never filed a personal injury claim before, you’re at risk of leaving money on the table — or worse, coming away with nothing at all. Hiring an attorney gives you the advocate you need to deal with stubborn insurance companies and unfair tactics that could deny you the fair compensation you deserve.
Trollinger Law LLC’s dedication to individualized service, combined with our aggressive pursuit of maximum compensation, sets us apart from other law firms in Maryland and Washington, D.C. We work tirelessly to fight for our clients’ best interests, an approach that has helped us secure millions of dollars on behalf of survivors like you.
How Does the Personal Injury Claims Process Work?
All personal injury cases differ, but generally proceed similarly:
- Meet with a prospective personal injury attorney – Bring any documents and papers you have about the circumstances of your injury with you. Good information can include medical records, a police accident report, and relevant insurance policies. At Trollinger Law LLC, we offer free initial consultations.
- Learn your legal options – The attorney reviews your situation and makes an initial assessment of who is at fault. They can give you an idea of the compensation you could pursue based on the laws in your area.
- An investigation begins – If the lawyer takes your personal injury case, they will start collecting evidence to determine exactly what happened, who is responsible, and how much it cost you. Evidence could include photos, videos, witness statements, documented medical expenses, expert testimony, and more.
- Insurance claim submission – The attorney files a claim with the other party or their insurance company. The at-fault party could respond with a settlement offer or deny liability altogether. Be aware that initial settlement offers are almost always too low to cover your injuries and additional associated costs. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can negotiate for full and fair compensation for you.
- Settlement reached – If both parties can agree to a fair settlement, your personal injury attorney facilitates the settlement, and you get paid. If no settlement can be reached, your lawyer may advise on the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit.
- Trial – Sometimes, the threat of going to court is enough to encourage a better settlement offer. Otherwise, your lawyer can prepare your case to present before a judge or jury.
The vast majority of personal injury claims are settled out of court.
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Does Trollinger Law LLC Handle?
Our personal injury lawyers handle various types of injury cases, such as:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Premises liability
- Pedestrian injuries
- Slip and fall cases
- Wrongful death cases
We also take workers’ compensation cases, which are generally separate from personal injury in most cases.
Is Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Expensive?
One of the most common questions we get is, “How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?” At Trollinger Law LLC, we don’t want to add more stress to your life during this upsetting time. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis. That means we charge no upfront or out-of-pocket fees. You only owe us money if we win your personal injury case. No recovery, no fee.
What Should I Do Immediately After an Injury?
It can be overwhelming to move forward after a serious injury. Always seek medical help first. The sooner you begin treatment, the better your prognosis. A timely diagnosis also goes on your medical record, which helps link the accident to your injuries. Otherwise, the insurance company might argue something else caused your injury.
Keep track of all your doctor’s appointments, new prescriptions, medical expenses, pay stubs, and any communications from your insurance company or employer. Place them in a folder to share with your personal injury lawyer.
How Is Personal Injury Compensation Calculated?
Generally speaking, the greater the injuries (and the greater their consequences), the more compensation you could be entitled to receive. For example, a person with extensive head injuries and lifelong disabilities is likely to recover more compensation than a victim with a broken arm.
Personal injury compensation may include money for:
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Long-term care, such as home health services, assistive medical equipment, and rehabilitation
- Lost quality of life
- Pain and suffering
Maryland and Washington, D.C. have very different laws for awarding compensation in personal injury cases. Speaking with an attorney is crucial to understanding how those laws apply to your claim.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
Several things can impact whether a case goes to court or settles beforehand. These include the amount of evidence in the case, how many parties might be liable, and their willingness to negotiate. Unfortunately, even what seems like “black and white” cases, such as a rear-end collision, may require a trial if an insurance company adjuster is not treating the injuries seriously of an injury victim. In fact, there are some insurance companies that almost require you to file a lawsuit before they take your claim seriously. An experienced personal injury lawyer can discuss the potential for trial after reviewing the unique facts of your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
In Maryland and Washington D.C., you have three years to file a personal injury claim. This is called the statute of limitations. The clock starts ticking on the date of the injury. While three years seems like a long time, get started as soon as possible. Your lawyer needs time to build a persuasive personal injury case while the evidence and witness’s memories are fresh.
How Long Will My Personal Injury Case Take?
It is important to make sure that the insurance company for the at-fault driver fully compensates you for your injuries. Often this means that the appropriate approach is to wait until all of your medical care is complete to negotiate with the at-fault insurer. On a bodily injury claim, they only pay one time, and you want to make sure all of your medical bills, lost time from work, and the impact the injury has had or continues to have on your life are taken into account. Yet there are situations where, in serious injury cases, an at-fault driver may not have much insurance coverage, and the process may be much quicker.
What Can I Expect During the Free Consultation?
Our free consultation is our chance to get to know you and your case. Your experience is new to us, so we will ask many questions about the incident. Please bring any relevant documents or papers you have so we can look them over to give you the best possible assessment. It’s OK not to have all the answers — we can help you find them if we take the case.
Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
At Trollinger Law LLC, we believe in providing individualized legal representation from the minute a prospective client walks through our door. If we’re able to take your case, you will be our top priority, and we won’t rest in our pursuit of the justice and compensation you deserve.
Ready to get started? Reach out now for a free consultation with our personal injury attorneys.
