Maryland Car Accident Legal Questions

In Maryland, a person has 3 years to settle an auto accident claim or file a lawsuit.  If you have not already done so, you need to turn over the lawsuit papers to the auto insurance company that insured the vehicle you were driving on the date of the collision.  That auto insurance company will hire a lawyer to defend you and will pay any judgment awarded against you up to the liability policy limits that were purchased on that vehicle.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

If you were not injured and are only trying to get the property damage taken care of, then you likely do not need an attorney.  It does not matter that both drivers have the same insurance company as that happens often.  Make arrangements to have the at fault driver's auto insurance property damage adjuster examine your vehicle.  Also, take your vehicle to a body shop of your choice and have a property damage estimate done so that you can compare it to the one that you will get from the at fault driver's property damage adjuster.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

A diminished value claim has a better possibility of being successful the new the vehicle.  Also, you should try to make the claim against the person's auto insurance company.  You need to obtain written documented proof that you vehicle has a diminished value as a result of the collision with the tractor trailer.  This needs to be obtained from a property damage appraiser.  Try to find a company in your area that is willing to provide written documented proof or I suggest the following company: Reed Appraisers (301) 946-6116 www.Reedappraisers.com Keep in mind that some auto insurance companies will consider diminished value claims and others will not.  Also, some auto insurance companies are of the belief that you cannot have a diminished value claim until you sell your vehicle and then prove to the auto insurance company that the vehicle sold for a lesser price because of the vehicle having a diminished value.  But most insurance companies will consider a diminished value claim once you obtain a written report from a company like Reed Appraisers.  Good luck with this matter. ... Read More

I am not aware of any way for you to require someone to take a lie detector test for this type of incident. If Travelers refuses to pay your claim, you can either pursue your property damage through your own auto insurance company if you have the type of coverage that will cover this type of claim or you can pursue a lawsuit against the construction company and try to prove your claim in court.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

Request that the owner of the car wash turn over your contact information to the insurance company for the car wash.  You could also try to make a claim through your own personal auto insurance company if you purchased the type of coverage which would cover this type of damage to your car.  A third option is that you can pay for the repairs on your own and then sue the car wash to try to recover the money you spent fixing the damage to your car.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

You might want to consult with an attorney who defends people who are at fault for motor vehicle collisions to discuss all your options.  Because your insurance lapsed, you could be personally responsible for the injury/damages incurred by the hurt individual.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

The statute of limitations in MD is generally 3 years but the longer you wait to seek medical attention from the date of the collision the harder is will be to prove that the injury/treatment is related to the accident.  I suggest that you consult with an attorney in the city/county where you reside or where the collision occurred.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

Under the law in Maryland, the insurance company only has to pay you the fair market value of your vehicle if it is a total loss.  You can try to provide documentation (e.g advertisements in the newspaper or on the internet as to comparable vehicles being sold, internet sites that list the value of comparable vehicles, receipts showing recent work done on the vehicle other than normal maintenance work) as to why you feel the vehicle has a higher value.  You could also negotiate with the insurance company to get some money but at the same time keep your vehicle (which is called retaining the salvage) and then repair the vehicle so that you cold continue to drive it on the road.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

Sometime matters can take many years to resolve.  You have not told us the reason your lawyer is giving you as to why this matter has not yet settled.  It sounds like you do not believe your lawyer.  Since the statute of limitations is typically 3 years in Maryland for an auto accident, your lawyer should have filed a lawsuit on your behalf against the at fault driver within the 3 years if the matter had not settled.  The Maryland Judiciary has online court records.  You can find out in which courthouse your lawsuit is pending by checking that website and putting in your name.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

If you can find a body shop and/or mechanic willing to relate in writing that all the problems you are currently having with the Audi is due to your car being backing into then you can try to get the at fault driver's insurance company to pay for fixing the related repairs.  If you cannot get a body shop and/or mechanic to relate the problems in writing, you will have a very difficult time getting the at fault driver's insurance company to voluntarily pay for all the repairs you are currently having with the Audi. If you have collision coverage, you can try to take up this matter with your own auto insurance company.  Otherwise, you will need to litigate this matter in court if you cannot get the at fault driver's insurance  company to pay for the related repairs.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

Are there any witnesses that support your version of the accident?  Is there a police report that supports your version of the accident?  If the answer to both questions is no, I would not worry too much because it appears that your insurance company does not think you were at fault.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

If you have collision coverage on your auto policy, you might want to consider using it and then your auto insurance company will go after the other driver's insurance company to try to get back their money and your deductible. If you do not have collision coverage on your auto policy, then I suggest that you try to find an auto accident  attorney in the city/county where the collision occurred to represent you in a property damage claim against the other driver.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

I am not clear as to who "they" are that are saying it is your fault. Since you were injured in the accident, I suggest that you consult with at least one auto accident lawyer to get an opinion as to who was at fault for the collision.  If you contributed to causing the collision, under Maryland law you will not be able to recover any money from any other drivers involved in the accident. Check with your auto insurance company to see if you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits on your policy which would cover up to $2,500.00 in medical bills and/or loss wages.  PIP can be used even if the accident was your fault. As to your vehicle, if you are at fault for the accident you can still use your collision coverage assuming that you purchased that coverage on your auto policy.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

You will find answers to some of your questions on the MD Motor Vehicle Administration website.  I also suggest that you hire an attorney who regularly appears in traffic court in the city/county where you received your citations to represent you.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

Depending on the exact charge(s), you could be facing a number of consequences (e.g. fine, jail, points).  I highly suggest that you consult with an attorney who regularly handles traffic offenses at the courthouse where your hearing will take place.  Good luck with this matter. ... Read More

Based upon the limited facts that you presented, you could possibly face traffic charges and/or civil responsibility for death of your passenger depending on whether or not you were at fault for the collision.  As to possible traffic charges, if you have not already done so you should consult with a traffic court attorney.  Also, if you have not already done so you should report the collision to your auto insurance company so that a claim representative can investigate the accident and discuss with you whether or not you were at fault for the collision.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

Yes.  If the uninsured driver was an adult, the collision occurred in Maryland, the uninsured driver lives & works in Maryland, then you would have three years from the date of the collision to sue that driver.  Also, keep in mind that any money you collect from the uninsured driver might have to be turned over to your own auto insurance company since they paid you Uninsured Motorist benefits.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

I presume you mean that your customized rims are not covered under your auto insurance policy.  I believe the auto body repair shop and/or its insurance company should be responsible for the vandalized damage to your customized rims while the vehicle was in the possession/control of the auto body repair shop.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

Yes, I believe the auto body repair shop and/or its insurance company should be responsible for the vandalized damage to your customized rims while the vehicle was in the possession/control of the auto body repair shop.  In addition, if you believe the customized rims should be covered under your auto insurance, then you can also include your insurance company as another Defendant in the lawsuit against the auto body repair shop.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More

If you were injured in the collision, I highly suggest that you hire a lawyer.  You do not mention any injury so I presume you were not injured. If the 3rd vehicle was uninsured, then you can make a claim under the Uninsured Motorist (UM)portion of your auto insurance.  Your auto insurance company will then have the option to go after the uninsured driver to get back their money and any UM deductible that your were responsible for to get your vehicle repaired. If you did not play any role in causing the collision, then vehicle 1 should be making an Uninsured Motorist coverage claim with the auto insurance company for vehicle 1. Good luck with this matter.... Read More

If your auto insurance carrier is going to cover any potential judgment even if it is over and above your liability policy limit, then you probably do not need personal counsel.  If you auto insurance company is NOT going to cover any potential judgment over and above your liability policy limit, then you should consider hiring personal counsel or at least go meet with personal counsel to discuss what your options (e.g. filing bankruptcy, etc.) if there is a judgment over and above your liability policy limit.  Good luck with this matter.... Read More