Prince George’s County Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or your loved one were seriously injured by the actions of another party, Lightfoot Law, PLLC, may be able to help. Contact our experienced Prince George’s County personal injury attorneys for a complimentary, confidential case evaluation.

At Lightfoot Law, PLLC, our personal injury attorneys are:

• Communicative and responsive to all client inquiries;
• Professional and service-oriented in all of our actions; and
• Goal-driven and successful in both negotiations and litigation.

Lightfoot Law, PLLC, will protect your rights and aggressively pursue every avenue of financial compensation available to you.  We provide personal representation and attention at every step of your case.

Insurance companies often deny or devalue valid claims for injuries.  Let Lightfoot Law, PLLC’s personal injury attorneys fight for your legal rights and hold any negligent parties responsible for the injuries they have caused you.

There is a deadline to file a personal injury claim in Maryland, so we urge you to contact us as soon as possible after any serious accident.

A Prince George’s County Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

When you are seriously injured due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person or company, you can file a personal injury claim to recover your accident-related expenses and other losses. Though you are not required to hire an attorney to handle your personal injury case, it is prudent to do so for several reasons, including, but not limited to the following:

• They are knowledgeable and objective;
• They make sure claims and filing deadlines and met;
• They are trained negotiators and litigators;
• They can help you find the medical care you need;
• They can provide you with more than one legal option for recovery;
• They can take your case to court;
• They can speed up the claims process;
• They can provide evidence to support your claim and refute the claim of the opposing side;
• They increase your chances of a successful recovery; and
• They save you the time, expense, and stress of handling your own personal injury claim allowing you to focus on healing.

To discuss the other benefits of having a personal injury attorney in your corner when pursuing a claim, contact Lightfoot Law, PLLC. One of our attorneys will gladly meet with you to answer your questions, discuss your personal injury case goals, and provide you with your best available legal options for recovery.

The Personal Injury Claims Process

Personal injury cases are civil legal disputes that arise when one person suffers harm from an accident or injury, and another person or company is responsible for that harm.  The responsible person’s insurance company pays money to the injured person for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other ongoing medical expenses.

There is a process any victim must go through after a personal injury accident to recover compensation for their injuries.  Generally, this process can be broken down into eight steps.

These are as follows:

1. The initial consultation with a personal injury attorney to discuss the details of the case, the nature of the accident, and the extent of the victim’s injuries;
2. Filing of any claim and court documents if necessary, service of a complaint on the other party including the nature of the accident and injuries, the legal basis for holding the defendant liable, and the types of damages that are sought;
3. After both sides file and serve any initial documents, the parties will enter a formal evidence-exchanging process called discovery.  The attorneys send lists of questions, or interrogatories, to one another and requests for documents.  There may be depositions or sworn statements taken by both sides;

The attorneys may hire and consult with experts at this time for case assessments and potentially for witness purposes if the case goes to trial;

1. Pretrial motions are filed to compel the other side to provide evidence or to move for summary judgment.  This is a motion stating that the facts in the case are undisputed and that the judge should grant an immediate judgment;
2. The attorneys for both sides try to reach a settlement before a case goes to trial.  The negotiation process starts with the victim making a demand for compensation and the defendant replying with a counteroffer.  The parties may go back and forth several times;

Most personal injury cases are resolved through settlements;

1. If the parties fail to reach a settlement, a personal injury case will go to trial;
2. After reaching a settlement with the other side or the court entering a judgment in the victim’s favor, the victim’s attorney will proceed to collect and distribute the funds, including the funds owed to the victim;
3. If the court enters a judgment in the victim’s, the defendant may file a post-trial motion seeking to set aside the judgment or reduce the amount of damages that the jury awarded.

The defendant could also pursue an appeal.  While the case is on appeal, the parties may resume settlement negotiations to bring closure to the case.

Common Personal Injury Cases in Prince George’s County

The most common personal injury cases in the United States are those relating to car accidents.  Millions of Americans sustain injuries from car accidents each year.  The next most common personal injury cases are due to slip and fall accidents.  These regularly result in brain injuries and hip fractures.

Other frequently cited personal injury cases in the United States include:

• Medical malpractice by nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals. Medical malpractice may include any range of mistakes from surgical errors to birth injuries, misdiagnosis, improper treatment, or pharmacy errors;
• Generally, an assault will involve an additional criminal case against the perpetrator;
• Workplace accidents. These are filed by employees who are hurt while on the job. Workplace injuries may occur due to unsafe working conditions, malfunctioning equipment, or insufficient training;
• Premises liability accidents. These accidents happen on other people’s properties.  The property owner may or may not be aware of the dangerous condition on their property.  These accidents can happen anywhere from grocery stores, restaurants, or swimming pools, to apartment complexes and private homes;
• Product liability. When defective products find their way into the marketplace and harm consumers, a product liability case can be filed; and
• Construction injuries. The construction industry is inherently dangerous with grueling physical demands.  Construction workers work with hazardous materials, equipment, and substances and are subject to falling objects and debris.

Personal Injury Compensation

Compensation in a personal injury case depends on several factors, foremost being the severity of the victim’s injuries, their prognosis for recovery, and the overall impact of the accident on their life.  Compensation may be negotiated during an insurance claim settlement or awarded at a trial.

Types of damages available to a personal injury victim include:

• Current and future medical bills;
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation;
• Psychological counseling;
• Lost wages;
• Loss of earning potential;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental and emotional trauma;
• Loss of consortium; and
• Wrongful death.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Prince George’s County

If you would like to learn more about compensation in a personal injury accident and your claim potential, call Lightfoot Law, PLLC.  Our personal injury attorneys will discuss your legal options with you and help you decide whether to pursue a claim.

At Lightfoot Law, PLLC, our Prince George’s County personal injury attorneys get results for victims of preventable accidents.  Whether you live in one of the many cities within Prince George’s County or Washington, D.C., we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.  There is no risk in consulting with Lightfoot Law, PLLC, so contact us at your earliest convenience.