Persons who are injured in car accidents in Charles County, Maryland, are entitled to make insurance claims for compensation for their injuries (and damage to their cars). The process and the legalities can be complicated, so it is best to hire experienced auto accident attorneys like those here at the Law Office of Robert Castro. Call us at (301) 870-1200 or use our contact page. Our motto: relentless advocacy, maximum compensation. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about car accident settlements in Maryland.

How Do I Know if I Have a Claim?

If you have been injured in a Maryland auto accident through no fault of your own, very likely, you have a claim. The process starts with a claim being made on the at-fault party’s insurance company. If the claim cannot be settled, then the process continues with the filing of a personal injury lawsuit in Maryland courts.

How Long Does it Take to Settle a Maryland Car Accident Claim?

Some claims can be settled quickly, in as little as a month. Those tend to be cases where

• The facts are undisputed
• The “what happened” in the accident is clear and
• The medical records and diagnoses are also clear about the nature of the injuries and causation

Typically, the “limiting” factor for the timing of a settlement is how quickly the relevant documents and evidence can be accumulated, including medical bills, wage loss documents and repair estimates.

What if I Cannot Afford to Wait for My Money?

If your need for money is urgent, one option is to take whatever the insurance company will offer. However, we advise against that since there are other options. One alternative is to seek a loan — from third party financing companies — based on the amount of the recovery you expect. It is usually a very small percentage of what can be expected. The loan is repaid when the settlement is finally finished.

How Much Does it Cost in Attorneys’ Fees?

At the Law Office of Robert Castro, our policy is “no fees unless we win.” We take Maryland car accident claims on a contingency fee basis. We will not be owed any attorneys’ fees unless and until there is a paid settlement. In most cases, our contingency fee is 33.3% of the final settlement after expenses are deducted.

How Long Do I Have to Make a Claim?

Maryland law says that a victim has 3 years to file a lawsuit from the date of the accident.

What if the Insurance Company Will Not Settle?

While most car accident claims are settled through the insurance claims process, if a fair, full, and just settlement cannot be reached with the insurance companies, then victims can file lawsuits in the courts. As just noted, this must be done within three years from the date of the accident. Thus, there is plenty of time, but the deadline is very strict. A lawsuit is a much longer process than obtaining an insurance settlement. Many cases will take 1-2 years to complete, and others might take longer.

What if the At-Fault Party Has No Insurance?

In cases where the at-fault party has no insurance, then victims must rely on their own insurance. The process is similar to what is described above. However, the negotiations are with your own insurance company.

Contact Waldorf, MD Personal Injury Attorney Robert Castro Today

This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer at (301) 870-1200. We are Waldorf, MD, Personal Injury lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD 20601.