Collateral Source Rule in Maryland (Part B)

After a serious car accident in Maryland, one of the first questions you may ask yourself is, "Who's going to pay for this?" If your accident was caused by another driver's negligence, then the law states that if that person's negligence can be proven, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages you sustained. The collateral source rule in Maryland provides some protection to you if another source pays for some of your medical expenses before a settlement is reached.

How the Collateral Source Rule in Maryland Protects You After a Crash

If you have been injured in a car accident in Maryland, your medical bills won't wait for your claim to be settled and your settlement funds to be dispersed to you. In some cases, your medical payments coverage, health insurance, or another form of coverage or compensation will pay for part or all of your expenses.

It is sometimes the case that after your settlement has been awarded to you, the health insurance company will impose a lien against your settlement in an effort to recoup payment for what they paid for your medical bills. This is called subrogation, and you have to pay back the insurer before you collect any of the recovery damages for yourself.

By preventing defendants from introducing evidence that your bills have already been paid, you are protected against under-compensation for your injury. For instance, if the jury was told that some of your medical bills had already been paid for and decreased your settlement amount by that much, and then the insurer attempted to recover the value of the initial payments, you will ultimately be the one paying for your injuries, despite having the law on your side.

If you have been injured in a car accident and don't know what to do, a Maryland accident attorney may be able to help. Contact a lawyer today.

Contacting a Maryland Accident Attorney

Maryland's contributory negligence statute makes it more difficult for victims of a car accident in Maryland to recover sufficient compensation when someone else is at fault for your accident. This doesn't have to spell the end of your case! Protect your rights and give your Maryland personal injury case the advantage of experienced legal counsel by teaming with a Maryland accident attorney from Jimeno & Gray. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation - 1-410-590-9401.