Maryland Accident Lawyers
If you are looking for an accident lawyer in Maryland it is important to find a lawyer that is familiar with your type of situation. Most lawyers specialize or have a higher case load in what they are most familiar with. Some lawyers have more auto accident cases, some more truck accident cases, some more motorcycle cases and others more cases related to defective products. For any lawyer, review what their specialty is before you chose them.
All of the Maryland lawyers will follow the same steps in filing the lawsuit, but there are some areas where they will need to have a better knowledge of the type of case.
If an insurance company will not settle on a case filing a lawsuit may be your only option. Cases can be resolved at anytime if a lawsuit is filed, but it may hasten the progress of the case.
The first step in filing a lawsuit is to file a Complaint. The Complaint will set out the case and support factual allegations to support the complaint being brought before the court.
The second step is waiting for the accused to file an Answer. The Answer will either be that the accused admits guilt or denies guilt. This process usually takes around 30 days. The answer also provides the defense that the accused will use against the claim.
The third step is the Discovery. After an Answer has been filed this time is spent by both parties' lawyers to look at and discover all that happened. Some lawyers file this with the Complaint to sped the process along.
The fourth step is Interrogatories. Interrogatories are questions each side is allowed to ask. Each side gets 30 Interrogatories.
The fifth step is a Request for Production Documents. In Maryland each side is allowed to ask for 30 different categories of documents from either side. Medical document are generally requested at this stage.
The sixth step is the Depositions. Depositions usually take place in the lawyers office and is done under oath, the same as it would be in the court room. The deposition is the first opportunity to confront the other party. The answer a person gives in the deposition will be the answer that a person is stuck with in all future trial aspects. It is important for lawyers to know their clients history and medical treatment.
The seventh step is a Request for Admissions of the Fact. This time helps to get procedural problems resolved when trying to get a document admitted to the trial. This time is important as well, because it can force the other party to admit critical evidence to the case.
The eighth step is getting the Experts. Expert witnesses play an important role in the case. They are the eye witness to what the accident victim has gone through.
The ninth step is the Independent Medical Exam. The insurance company is allowed to have a medical expert examine the injured as well during this phase.
The tenth step is the Pre-trial Settlement Conference or a Mediation. In Maryland, this is the time that both parties meet with a Judge (or retired Judge) or another court assigned mediator who tries to mediate the conflict. This time is usually the time where the case is resolved. But if it is not the case continues.
If the case goes to court it follows the following order Trial, Jury Selection, Opening Statements, Evidence, Jury Instructions, Closing Arguments, Jury Deliberation and if the answer the Jury gives is not acceptable an Appeal.
This process can take a long time and a lot out of person having a expert Maryland Lawyer in the type of accident you were involved will save you from a lot of stress.