Settle Your Howard County, Maryland Car Crash Claim on Your Own (Part B)

Contributory Negligence Without a Lawyer in Howard County, Maryland

If you're thinking about going it alone in your Howard County, Maryland car crash claim, there's at least one more thing to consider when deciding whether or not to use a personal injury lawyer in Howard County, Maryland, and that is the nature of personal injury laws in the state of Maryland and how those laws will affect your chances of a successful Howard County, Maryland car crash claim.

In the United States, there are 2 standard ways in which negligence cases are handled. These different protocols set the expectations and burdens for the plaintiff and defendant of the case. The most common type is called comparative negligence. Under the comparative system, a plaintiff's liability is subtracted from his or her overall damages award.

For instance, let's say Jack and Jill are in an accident, and Jill files an accident claim for $10,000 in damages, alleging the accident was Jack's fault. If a jury finds that the accident was 90% Jack's fault but 10% Jill's, her damages will be reduced by 10%, or $1,000, leaving her with $9,000.

That's the comparative system. Maryland is one of 4 states (plus Washington D.C.) that uses a system called contributory negligence.

Under the system of contributory negligence, if the plaintiff in any way contributed to the cause of the Howard County, Maryland car crash - even just 1% - he or she is completely barred from being awarded any damages. Under this system, even though the accident was clearly mostly Jack's fault, Jill would receive nothing for her injuries.

For this reason, personal injury cases are especially difficult for victims in Maryland, even after a devastating Howard County, Maryland car crash. A personal injury lawyer in Howard County, Maryland has the knowledge and experience to determine if your case is sufficient to meet the high standards of the contributory system.

Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer in Howard County, Maryland

Maryland's contributory negligence statute makes it more difficult for the victim of a Howard County, Maryland car crash to recover sufficient compensation when someone else is at fault for your Howard County, Maryland car crash. 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 personal injury lawyer in Howard County, Maryland from Jimeno Gray. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation: 1-410-590-9401.