The laws in Maryland regarding car accidents can be confusing and many drivers misunderstand key facts and regulations. Before you get behind the wheel in Baltimore, learn which commonly held beliefs about car accidents are fact and which are fiction.

1. Fact or Fiction: Drunk drivers cause most accidents. Since you don’t drink and you’re rarely on the road after “happy hour,” you have nothing to worry about.

Fiction: According to the Maryland State Highway Administration, car accidents caused by inattentive or distracted drivers outnumbered those caused by drunk or impaired drivers — by almost five-to-one. So don’t assume that because you drive responsibly and don’t drink, it can’t happen to you; driver distraction occurs at all hours of the day and in all kinds of driving conditions.

2. Fact or Fiction: If another driver hits my car, their insurance company will pay for my damages and injuries.

Fiction: Auto insurance is mandatory — but the reality is that not everyone on the road is covered. In fact, auto insurance within Baltimore is typically much more expensive than other cities in Maryland. As a result, low income drivers who rely on their cars to get to work may skimp on insurance to save costs. The bottom line — just because you obey the law and have insurance for your vehicle does not mean the other driver does.

3. Fact or Fiction: You don’t need to pay for Maryland Personal Injury Protection because you already have health insurance that will help cover my costs if you are injured.

Fiction: Maryland Personal Injury Protection or PIP is a type of coverage you can purchase with your auto insurance policy that pays medical bills and lost wages caused by car accident injuries. While coverage only extends to the amount your policy covers, it is worth purchasing. The benefits included in PIP are available regardless of what other benefits you may receive from other sources (including the other driver, if he or she is at fault), and your health insurance won’t pay for lost wages. PIP also covers medical costs for your passengers in addition to you.

4. Fact or Fiction: Responsibility in a car accident is pretty cut and dry; anyone can tell who was to blame.

Fiction: Determine responsibility in a car accident can actually be quite complex. Police reports, witnesses and detailed accident scene investigations can all play an important role in evaluating the cause of an accident and who was at fault.

5. Fact or Fiction: If you’re injured in a car accident, you need an attorney.

Fact: An experienced attorney can help protect your rights following a traumatic injury. You can concentrate on your recovery while your legal counsel investigates your claim, determines who was at fault and prepares a case with your best interests in mind.

Come to the lawyers who handle only personal injury cases. Let the Law Offices of Plaxen & Adler put the expertise to work for you!

With 9 convenient offices and over 50 years of combined legal experience, the firm is one of the most recognized personal injury law firms in Maryland. Since 1982, the Law Offices of Plaxen & Adler has been helping victims just like you. Unlike most law firms, the firm only handle personal injury cases.

Big insurance companies have lawyers who are paid to make sure you receive little or no money for your injuries. If you don’t hire the right lawyer, you could lose some or all of your legal rights. The Law Offices of Plaxen & Adler will work hard to protect your interests and get you the best result possible.

A majority of personal injury attorneys in Arizona work on a contingency basis and do not charge their clients unless the case is effectively resolved in their favor. Personal injury attorneys usually advance the legal expenses, and they are recovered when the case is settled. They do not ask for payment if they lose the case.

Personal injury attorneys or firms generally have agreements with medical facilities that will wait for payment until the case is settled. This alternative is especially beneficial for victims who do not have health insurance and cannot afford medical expenses.

The amount of recovery that can be obtained depends on a several factors. The most important factor to think about, is the nature of the injury – whether permanent or short-term injury. Next, expenses incurred by the injured party, such as medical expenses are taken into consideration. If the person has experienced any loss of salary or wages due to the injury, this can recovered as well. Damage to property is also sometimes compensated under personal injury. Victims can also claim compensation for pain and suffering.

A qualified personal injury attorney will make an impartial judgment of the case, and predict a probable verdict for the client. The attorneys can then suggest if the client should go for a settlement or go to trial. In cases of personal injury, generally out of court settlements are preferred due high litigation costs.

When you are involved in an accident and suffer serious injury, you need help. Tobler & Associates is here to help you. The top priority is to use the legal experience and expertise to get you well, get your bills paid, and get you compensated.

Tobler & Associates is a personal injury law firm located in Mesa, Arizona. This firm is your Accident & Injury Team, focusing exclusively on personal injury and medical malpractice cases. The team of lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, and other experienced staff are dedicated to easing the financial, physical, and emotional burdens of unexpected injury. With aggressive representation, Tobler & Associates helps the clients get the compensation they deserve.

Not knowing your legal rights or how to deal with insurance companies can be overwhelming, especially when you are struggling with pain or disability. Tobler & Associates has also become very familiar with the adjusters and the legal staff of insurance companies. When you seek legal help at Tobler & Associates, you benefit not just from the efforts of your lawyer, but from the efforts of everyone on the team.