Annapolis, MD Car Accident Lawyer

If you get injured in a car accident in Annapolis, MD, the injuries you sustained could cause you to miss work.  Also, you could have high medical bills.  If the accident was no fault of your own, you may be able to get compensated for your injuries.  Trying to fight the insurance companies on your own can be a mistake.  They are in the business of making money and will try to get you to settle for a lower amount than you deserve.

Annapolis, MD car accident lawyer Steven H. Heisler always fights hard for his clients.  He has been going after insurance companies for over 40 years and knows what it takes to get you a fair settlement.  After a car accident, you may not know where to turn for legal help.  Steven H. Heisler will work hard defending your rights and help make you whole again.

Why You Need an Annapolis, MD Car Accident Lawyer

It is normal to feel confused after a car accident.  You may not know what to do or what the next steps should be.  Your injuries may be severe and the medical bills will start piling up.  Also, you may not be able to work for a while after the car accident.  Recovering from your injuries should be the highest priority.  You shouldn’t have to think about the legal ramifications of what to do next.  Hiring an experienced and knowledgeable Annapolis, MD car accident attorney is next.  There are many reasons to hire an attorney to file your claim.  An attorney will:

• Meet with you to discuss your injuries and get all relevant information to get your case started.
• Speak with first responders and witnesses to the accident.
• Read over your medical reports and police reports.
• Hire expert witnesses to help prove your case in court.
• Fight the insurance companies so you don’t have to deal with them.
• Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance companies.
• File a claim in court if a settlement is not reached.
• Try your case in front of a jury.

A good car accident lawyer will fight for you every step of the way and will work hard on your case.  Steven H. Heisler is that lawyer.  Call him at (410) 625-4878 if you are in an accident.  He has been a fighter all his life and will fight for you until the very end.

Why Choose Us?

There are a lot of car accident attorneys in Annapolis, MD.  Also, there are many factors that go into choosing who you hire to take on your case.  You are going to want an attorney with experience, who fights for his clients, and who knows how to take on the insurance companies.  Steven H. Heisler has all those qualities and more.  Here are some reasons why Steven H. Heisler should be your Annapolis, MD car accident attorney.

• Steven H. Heisler is literally a fighter.  He won the 1979 Central Pennsylvania Novice Golden Gloves and the 1980 South Atlantic AAU bantamweight title.  He takes that fighting spirit into the courtroom and his battles against insurance companies.
• Steve fights for people.  Before law school, he was a an organizer for the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, Local #7.
• His clients provide glowing testimonials.
• He gets results for his clients, in and out of the courtroom.
• He cares about his clients, their well-being, and their rights to compensation.

If you have been in a car accident and don’t know where to turn first, give Steven H. Heisler a call at (410) 625-4878.  Steve works on a contingency fee basis, which means he doesn’t get paid unless you are compensated.  That makes him work harder for you!

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Annapolis, MD?

There are many steps to take after a car accident.

• First, get medical attention as your health is top priority.  Other steps to take after a car accident include:
• Speak to any eyewitnesses to the accident and get their contact information.  Your lawyer may need to speak with them and get a written affidavit.
• Take as many pictures and videos as possible to document the scene of the accident.  Take pictures of your injuries because they may fade days or weeks after the accident.  Furthermore, take photos of the other driver’s damaged vehicle, your damaged vehicle, and the other driver’s tag number.
• Do not discuss specifics with the other driver.  Even if you think the accident was your fault, do not tell the other driver.  Only exchange insurance information.
• The insurance company may contact you a few days after the accident with a settlement offer.  They want to give you the lowest possible settlement while you are most vulnerable.  Do not speak with them.  Refer them to your lawyer.
• Get in touch with an experienced Annapolis, MD car accident lawyer to discuss your case.
• Do not post anything on social media.  The insurance companies will try to use social media posts against you.

Annapolis, MD Car Accident Damages

There are two types of monetary damages available to car accident victims.  They are economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include the compensation that is quantifiable.  In car accident cases, these damages includes the following:

• Medical Expenses – You can claim damages for many types of medical expenses.  Medical expenses include emergency room treatment, medications, doctor and physical therapy treatment, and stays in the hospital.  This also can include any future medical expenses.  Medical damages are easy to calculate because you will have medical bills.  Add up the medical bills that were necessary for your treatment after the accident.  This is part of your economic damages.
• Lost Wages. – Lost wages for economic damages include the amount of wages you would have earned if not for the accident.  Tit is advisable to ask your doctor for an off-duty slip if you are kept off work.  This is usually for missing for a short period of time.   Lost wages can also include time that you need to take off to attend medical appointments.
• Earning Capacity Loss. Economic damages can also include loss of earning capacity if you are permanently injured, or if you are not able to do the same work as before the accident.  Damages for lost earning capacity differ based on the person injured in the accident, such as education and age.
• Property Damage – You can also receive compensation for any damages to your personal property.  This usually includes the costs of replacing or repairing the damaged property, usually the automobile.

Non-economic damages are more difficult to estimate because they do not have a specific dollar amount attached to them.  Non-economic damages can include the following:

• Pain and Suffering. Damages for pain and suffering involve physical and emotional distress from a traumatic event.  In some cases, your pain and suffering last a short period of time.  In other cases, it can last a long time.  Pain and suffering can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or scars.
• Loss of Consortium.  Damages for loss of consortium occurs when a car accident victim cannot give the same amount of love and support as before.  This will usually happen when the injuries to the victim are severe and long-term.

It is important to note that Maryland has placed a cap on the amount of non-economic damages you can get.  This cap changes every year.  For 2023, the cap for non-economic damages is $935,000.  If the car accident results in death, the cap for wrongful death cases is $1,402,500 in 2023.  There isn’t a cap on economic damages.

Determining Fault in a Car Accident Case in Annapolis, MD.

Maryland is an at-fault state when it comes to car accident cases.  This means that whoever is deemed to be at fault for the accident, their insurance company will pay damages.  We know that insurance companies are in the business of making money.  So, the two (or more) insurance companies will try to make the other party be liable for the accident.

It is also important to note that Maryland, unlike most states, follows a contributory negligence system.  This is important because, if you are found to be at least 1% at fault for the car accident, you may not be able to get compensated for your injuries.

As you can see, hiring a seasoned and knowledgeable Annapolis, MD car accident attorney is very important.  Since you may have sustained severe injuries and may miss work, you want to make sure that you were not at fault for the accident.  Steven H. Heisler will work hard in fighting for compensation.

How Fault Is Determined in a Car Accident in Annapolis, MD

Since liability is very important in car accident cases in Maryland, you should understand how fault is determined.  There are three parts to proving fault in car accident cases.  They are:

• Duty of Care – Every driver on the road is obligated to operate their vehicle in a safe manner.  They must follow all the rules of the road.  To prove that the other driver was at fault, you must show they breached their duty of care by driving recklessly.
• Actions Led To The Accident – Next, you need to prove that the driver’s breach of their duty of care caused the accident.
• Your Injuries Were Caused By Their Actions – Last, you need to prove that the other driver’s actions caused your injuries.

You will need to prove these parts completely to file a claim and be compensated for your injuries.  While doing this, the other insurance company will be attempting to prove that you were completely at fault for the accident.  In Maryland, only one driver is determined to be at fault in a car accident.  You should work closely with an Annapolis, MD car accident attorney to help prove your claim.

Annapolis, MD Car Accident Attorney Steven H. Heisler Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions

We know that every car accident case is different.  There will be different severity of injuries with sometimes multiple drivers involved.  But, there are some general questions that we get during our initial meetings with clients.  Here are a few of those questions:

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Maryland?

Three years is the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim in Maryland.  We do advise, however, that you file your claim as soon as possible after the accident.

I was in a car accident, but I don’t have many injuries.  Should I still speak with an attorney?

Definitely.  Some injuries from car accidents take a few weeks or months to take form.

Should I speak with the insurance company if they call me?

No.  Have them contact your attorney.  They are trying to get you to settle your claim for less money than it is worth.  They also want to have you give a recorded statement that they might try to use against you if you don’t take their crappy settlement offer.

How long will my case take?

It depends on the complexity of your case as well as how willing the insurance company is to settle your case for a fair settlement.  Some cases last 1 year, some much longer.

We hope that these FAQs were helpful in answering some of your basic questions about car accident claims.  If you would like more specific answers to your questions, make an appointment with Steven H. Heisler today.

Steven. H. Heisler Is Your Annapolis, MD Car Accident Attorney

Being involved in a car accident is stressful enough.  Your injuries may be severe and you might miss work.  Thinking about your financial situation following a car accident should not be first and foremost on your mind when you have to focus on recovering from your injuries.  Once you can catch your breath, call the car accident attorney Steven H. Heisler.

Steve has been fighting for people throughout his entire career.  First in the boxing ring, then for the unions, and now for victims of car accidents.  Steve is a guy that you will want on your side to take on the difficult insurance companies.  His past work and testimonials from his clients speak for themselves.  Don’t fight the insurance companies alone.  Call Steven H. Heisler at (410) 625-4878.  The consultation is free.  Steve doesn’t get paid unless you get compensated for your injuries.

Attorney Steve Heisler

Steve Heisler decided in 1996 that he was going to focus his law practice exclusively on injury cases. Since then, he has been representing injured people against insurance companies, disreputable medical practitioners and Big Pharma, and doing it with compassion, honesty and level-headed rationality. [ Attorney Bio ]