In 2008, soccer player Kyle Coleman sustained injuries when a crossbar crashed into his face, crushing the bones around his eye and requiring the insertion of three titanium plates in his head. Although the soccer association was recently found liable for failing to secure the goal post, when the jury decided that Coleman had contributed to his injuries, he was denied damages.
You have to do very thorough research to determine whether you can win a personal injury case in Maryland, which is one of only a handful of states that deny money damages if a judge or jury concludes that you contributed to your injury by as little as 1%.
This is only one of the many reasons people hire attorneys for personal injury claims. These cases require that you prove the following:
Duty of Care. You must first prove that the defendant had a duty of care to you
Breach of that Duty. You next need to prove that the defendant breached that duty by either acting or failing to act under the circumstances
The breach caused you to suffer an injury. The existence and extent of your injuries will need to be proven, as well as the fact that the defendant was responsible for causing them
There are usually insurance questions involved which can be complicated. For example, in the usual auto accident case, PIP, liability and Uninsured Motorist coverages may apply. Additionally there may be issues with repaying your health insurer for medical bills it has paid. Having an experienced attorney to deal with these insurance issues can be invaluable. The lawyer will also be able to evaluate your case and make an appropriate demand for damages – something the victim can’t do.
You also need to make sure that you are filing your case on time, and this varies depending on the cause of action. It is best to consult with a lawyer as soon as you experience an injury or as soon as you discover that you have been harmed. If you miss the deadline, the court will not hear your case regardless of its merits.
Your personal injury case may be accepted by our office with no money up front. We take these cases on contingency, meaning that we are paid a percentage and only if we win. Feel free to call our personal injury attorneys for a consultation.
