Personal Injury Lawyer Cumberland MD 
How do you know you should contact a personal injury lawyer in Cumberland, Maryland? Not all injuries warrant the involvement of a personal injury lawyer, but if you’re certain your injury was due to the negligence of someone else, you may have a strong chance of winning financial compensation for your pain and suffering. It’s important to understand whether your case is strong enough before seeking damages. This means knowing who might be held responsible for your injury, whether there is more than one party responsible, and whether there is evidence that proves that your injury can be traced to negligence. A lawyer can help you with all of those things and more. Reach out to a skilled personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your situation and determine if you have a valid case.
The following examples are common personal injury scenarios. There are many types of accidents that a person may be able to file a personal injury claim for, ranging from vehicle accidents, dog bites, assault, product liability and medical malpractice. If you believe that your injury was due to the actions of an individual or company, a lawyer may be able to prove that negligence was the cause of your injury. The examples below are just a few kinds of personal injury cases. If they seem familiar at all, you should consider contacting a qualified personal injury lawyer to help with your case.
- Slip and Fall
Millions of people go shopping every day, largely without incident. For this scenario, let’s imagine you’re shopping in a retail outlet, looking for something to buy. Everything is going well – until you slip on wet tile and land flat on your back. This is what’s known as a “slip and fall”, and while it may seem innocent enough on the surface, you should never underestimate how dangerous these can be. A sudden slip, trip or fall can result in serious injuries such as a concussion or fracture. Vulnerable people with weaker bones such as elderly individuals are more prone to experiencing life-threatening injuries. Many slip and falls can develop into serious health problems later on, and should be treated as soon as possible. A fractured hip for example, can lead to a bacterial infection if it is not treated in time. If you have been hurt after a slip and fall incident that could have been prevented if it wasn’t for someone’s negligence, you may be able to take legal action.
But who’s at fault in this situation? Responsibility can fall on the business – especially if they failed to put a “wet floor” sign on the tile to warn you and other shoppers. Without sufficient notice, a wet tile is a hazard that can lead to serious injury, and you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket if a business didn’t warn you properly. A slip and fall might seem like a minor incident, but they can have serious consequences. Do not dismiss a hazard such as a pool of water. If you have been injured because of a slip and fall, you are encouraged to report the accident and file a claim, especially if you have been seriously injured. The manager or property owner should be pursue
Slip and fall incidents can result in serious injuries such as bruises, fractures, broken bones, concussions and even permanent brain damage. They often occur in places such as restaurants, grocery stores and hotel lobbies. If a property owner is aware of a hazard that can lead to a person becoming injured but fails to remove and clean up the hazard, they may be held liable for negligence.
- Workplace Injury
Slip and falls aren’t the only source of personal injury claims. For our next scenario, let’s take a look at a construction site. You could be performing any number of dangerous tasks here, and it’s an employer’s responsibility to make sure all safety protocols are followed to avoid injury. They have to make sure that you are in a safe environment and that you are not exposed to hazards that could put you at risk.
Consider what would happen if you’re told to perform some work near a scaffolding, and the scaffolding collapses. Suddenly, heavy equipment is raining all around you, and you’re injured. While this might seem like a strict worker’s compensation issue, you should also think about the scaffolding manufacturer: If they designed some equipment so poorly it could collapse and injure workers like you, should you contact a personal injury lawyer in Cumberland, MD?
A construction site is a hazardous environment for many reasons, but if a construction company does not adequately secure the area or ensure that people in or near the location are safe, then you may be able to bring a claim against them.
- Car Accidents
Car accidents are a common cause of personal injuries. There are always people who don’t follow the rules of the road and put other people’s safety at risk. You could be driving to work, or coming home from some shopping, when suddenly a drunk driver rams into your car. The injuries from a car accident can be devastating and life-changing. It takes lots of time to recover from a severe car accident, and you shouldn’t be footing the bill by yourself. You have the right to pursue the negligent driver who caused the accident and recover the damages. If the other person was drinking and driving, they should be held accountable for your injuries. Additionally, if there was a blind corner on the road – or any other fault in the layout of the street – you could possibly even hold a city accountable for some of your injuries.
Vehicle accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury claims that a lawyer helps clients with. Luckily, it is possible for victims who were injured in car accidents to recover a potentially large amount of financial compensation with the help of a skilled lawyer. They have the skills and experience to fight for your rights and obtain the compensation that you deserve.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Injury Cases
If you suffered an injury because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to file a personal injury claim. However, before you do so, you should learn about the common mistakes people make in these cases so that you can avoid them yourself.
- Waiting too long to file a claim. Suffering an injury can be a traumatic experience, so it’s understandable that you need time to regain your composure. However, that doesn’t mean you should wait too long to file a personal injury claim. In Maryland, you have three years from the time of your injury to file a legal claim. After that deadline has passed, you will not be able to pursue compensation anymore.
- Believing your injury is too minor. Some people are reluctant to file a personal injury claim because they assume their injury is too minor. However, even if your injury is not causing you too much discomfort right now, you don’t know if it will worsen in the future. For example, a whiplash injury may not be too bad at first, but it may lead to chronic neck pain without extensive treatment.
- Failing to hire a lawyer. Too many accident victims don’t hire a personal injury lawyer in Cumberland MD because they don’t think they need or can afford one. Even seemingly simple personal injury claims may include complexities, so legal assistance is important. A skilled lawyer knows the true value of your injury can improve your chances of getting a fair settlement. Additionally, most personal injury lawyers don’t charge upfront fees.
- Only pursuing compensation for physical injuries. If you were in an accident caused by someone else, you should not just consider your physical injuries. You may have also suffered emotional distress, which you can pursue compensation for.
- Brushing off your doctor’s advice. After a doctor evaluates your injury, he or she will recommend the appropriate treatment plan. It is important to listen to your doctor’s instructions to ensure a full recovery. Stopping treatment prematurely can jeopardize your health and legal claim.
- Not considering other liable parties. In some personal injury claims, there is more than one negligent party. For instance, if the driver who hit your vehicle was driving with defective brakes, the vehicle manufacturer may be an additional liable party your personal injury lawyer in Cumberland MD will consider.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
These accidents can be expensive, and recovery can be difficult. You may find yourself bouncing between hospital stays, appointments with specialists, and phone calls with insurance companies. This comes at a price, and if you’re facing severe injuries, you shouldn’t be focusing on paying bills when you’re trying to get better.
At Seigel & Rouhana, LLC we’re committed to our clients. We’ll fight for you and help you get the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on getting the medical help you need. Reach out to a qualified personal injury lawyer in Cumberland, MD, and contact Seigel & Rouhana, LLC today.