
Phone: 1(888) 4-MD-LAWS
(410) 335-3800
or (410) 676-0456
Fax: (410) 335-3096
Maryland Law Offices
Lawyer / Attorney at Law
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY HIRE A LAWYER?
Insurance adjusters often tell people not to hire a lawyer. They will tell you that you will not receive any benefit from a lawyer’s services and that you have to share your award with counsel. These adjusters know that if a lawyer gets involved, the cost to the insurance company will go up and that the eventual settlement that you receive will be greater. It is in their monetary interest to persuade you to go unrepresented.
What, then, does a lawyer do for you?
- The lawyer gathers information necessary to pursue and litigate your claim. This includes gathering witness information, expert’s reports, medical information and reports, wage loss information, etc.
- Your lawyer also handles day to day conduct of the case which includes discussions with adjusters regarding accident benefits, advances, work problems, therapy, etc. This frees you up to spend your time getting better.
- Most importantly, a lawyer is best situated to assess your claim. He will evaluate medical evidence in relation to previously decided Court cases in order to properly quantify your damages. This is a process where most individuals would have difficulty if they were pursuing this case on their own.
- A lawyer uses negotiation skill to affect a settlement. In many cases, these skills are developed by acquiring knowledge and experience over time.
WHAT DAMAGES AM I ENTITLED TO?
Presuming the accident is not your fault, you may be entitled to but not limited to the following damages:
- Compensation for your bodily injury commonly known as pain and suffering.
- Repair or replacement value of your automobile.
- A car rental while your car is being repaired.
- Reimbursement for you medical expenses.
- Reimbursement for lost wages.
- Reimbursement for any other consequential damages arising as a result of the accident.
HOW MUCH AND WHAT TYPE OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE SHOULD I CARRY?
At Parker & Pallett, we recommend that individuals carry $100,000 uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage In the event you are involved in an automobile accident with an uninsured driver or an insured driver with minimal coverage your insurance company would provide adequate insurance coverage (i.e. if your damages are $100,000 and the defendant has no insurance, you could file a claim against your insurance company for the $100,000). Or, in the event that the defendant has only an $20,000 insurance policy (which is all Maryland requires) you could claim the difference from your insurance company. Through our practice, we do find that thousands of Maryland drivers do not carry insurance at all or only carry the required $20,000 policy.
We also recommend that you carry maximum Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, so your insurance company will be required to pay medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, etc., without any claim for right of repayment out of your personal injury settlement.
WHAT IS THE DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
A Durable Power of Attorney is a written legal document signed by the person making the Durable Power of Attorney, known as the Principal.
A Durable Power of Attorney appoints one or more persons, known as the Attorney-in-Fact(s), to manage some or all of the business affairs of the Principal. For example, the Attorney-in-Fact could pay rent, mortgages, medical bills, or taxes. The document must comply with the laws of the state where prepared.
Any person who is competent under the law to sign a contract can make a Durable Power of Attorney. It is valid until revoked by the Principal, or upon the death of the Principal. There are many types of Durable Power of Attorneys. Make sure that your attorney understands what is to be included in your document. Remember, there are no “standard” or “general” forms. The document must be specific about what powers it grants.
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.
You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
All trademarks are property of Parker & Pallett, LLC, unless otherwise noted.
With law offices in Harford County and Baltimore County, the attorneys at Parker and Pallett serve clients
throughout the Greater Baltimore
area of Maryland, including residents in White Marsh, Abingdon, Bel Air, Joppatowne,
Edgewood, Aberdeen, Churchville,
Upper Falls, Kingsville, Joppa,
Perry Hall, Nottingham, Forge Acres, Germantown, and Green Spring Hills.
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