College Park Maryland Auto Accident Lawyers
If you've been involved in an auto accident in College Park, Maryland, you need a dedicated and experienced legal team by your side to protect your rights and help you navigate the complex legal processes that follow such incidents. At Farmer & Klopfer, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that auto accidents can take on victims and their families. Our mission is to provide unwavering support and legal expertise to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws in Maryland
Drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage are required to report the accident to law enforcement authorities. Failure to report an accident can result in penalties.
Maryland follows a fault-based system, meaning the person who is determined to be at fault for the accident is responsible for compensating the other parties involved. This is typically determined by investigating the circumstances of the accident and establishing who acted negligently or recklessly.
But what if the at-fault party claims that you were partially at fault for causing the crash? Maryland follows the doctrine of pure contributory negligence, which is one of the strictest forms of this doctrine in the United States.
Under this legal principle, if a person's own negligence or fault contributes to an accident or injury in any way, even to a very small degree, they are generally barred from recovering any compensation from the other at-fault party, regardless of how much more at fault the other party may be. In other words, if the injured party is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they may be completely barred from recovering damages.
Handling All Types Of Traffic Accidents
An auto accident, also known as a motor vehicle accident (MVA) or traffic accident, is an event involving a collision or crash between one or more vehicles or a vehicle and a pedestrian or cyclist. These accidents can result in various degrees of damage to vehicles, injuries to individuals, and, in some cases, fatalities. Auto accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including driver error, adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, or other factors.
Here are common types of auto accidents:
- Car Accidents: Car accidents involve collisions between passenger cars. They are the most common type of auto accident and can result from factors such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, running red lights, and more.
- Truck Accidents: Truck accidents involve large commercial vehicles like tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and delivery trucks. These accidents can be particularly severe due to the size and weight of the vehicles. Causes can include driver fatigue, overloading, and mechanical failures.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle accidents involve collisions with motorcycles, which can lead to serious injuries or fatalities due to the lack of protective barriers for the rider. Common causes include failure to yield right of way, distracted drivers, and road hazards.
- Bicycle Accidents: Bicycle accidents occur when a motor vehicle collides with a bicyclist. These accidents can result from drivers failing to see or yield to cyclists, dooring (when a driver or passenger opens a car door into a cyclist's path), or unsafe road conditions.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrian accidents involve collisions between motor vehicles and pedestrians. They can occur at crosswalks, intersections, or along roadways. Common causes include distracted or inattentive drivers, failure to yield, and impaired driving.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
If you've been involved in an auto accident in College Park, it's essential to take the following steps:
Seek Medical Attention: Your health and well-being should be your top priority. Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem.
Contact Law Enforcement: Call the police to report the accident. An official accident report will provide valuable documentation for your case.
Gather Information: Collect information from all parties involved, including names, contact information, insurance details, and witness statements.
Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. These photos can be crucial evidence.
Avoid Speaking with Insurers: Before speaking with insurance companies, consult with an experienced College Park auto accident attorney. Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim.
Consult an Attorney: Reach out to Farmer & Klopfer for a free consultation. We can provide you with expert legal guidance and help you understand your rights and options.
Ready to Fight for Your Compensation
Farmer & Klopfer is a well-established law firm with a proven track record of success in handling auto accident cases in College Park, Maryland. With more than 37 years of experience, we have earned a reputation for providing compassionate and effective legal representation for our clients. Our commitment to excellence and our dedication to each client sets us apart in the legal community.
Call (301) 265-2220, and let us handle the insurance company.
The opinions that matter Most
Read our 5-Star Reviews-
A winning team of confident, knowledgeable and successful attorneys
“I am so pleased with the staff at the James F. Farmer firm. They are true professionals, ready and willing to fight on your behalf. When you retain their services, you are joining a winning team of confident, knowledgeable, and successful attorneys, like Mr. Melvin Allen, who helped me. Thank you!!!”
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Truly cared about my case and how the accident affected me.
“I have used James Farmer office for two accidents I have been in; both times they were exceptional.”
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Showed me true dedication that goes far beyond a paycheck
“James Farmer and his team exceeded all expectations! I had a very serious criminal case and his firm was recommended to me by a family member. I was incarcerated during this time and he and his associate Stephanie came to update me on multiple occasions on the progress of my case. They were not only professional but the amount of time and energy they put into my case showed me true dedication that goes far beyond a paycheck! They prepared for trial, but in the end was able to work out a plea deal that did not include any jail time. I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney. I highly recommend Mr. Farmer and his team for any criminal case!”
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A family member was in a bad situation and they resolved it with ZERO drama.
“Don’t mess around when it’s your money on the line. Go with these guys if you want excellent, competent attorneys.”
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Kind, sympathetic, reassuring and more importantly, very knowledgeable
“I couldn’t be happier with the service I received from this law firm. I felt comfortable from the minute I first walked through the door. I had less than two weeks before the expiration of my personal injury filing date and was overwhelmed. My first appointment was with Elizabeth who took my huge stack of papers with a smile and said, “Let me take care of this for you.” Although all of the staff that I encountered were wonderful, my main experience was with Mr. Farmer and Elizabeth who were both kind, sympathetic, reassuring and more importantly, very knowledgeable. My case was handled professionally and in a timely fashion. My case was recently concluded and I am very happy with the outcome and would not hesitate to use them again or recommend them to my friends and family in the future. Need a good law firm, no need to look further.”
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Committed to Improvement
We take pride in learning the latest strategies for maximizing damages, preparing our clients for trial & mounting an effective case.
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A Record of Results
Our firm has won tens of millions of dollars in financial compensation for individuals & their families.
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Renowned in Our FieldWe are well-regarded in the legal community & are even known & respected among insurance companies.
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Fearless AdvocacyWe are not afraid to confront negligent medical professionals, hospitals, nursing homes or their insurance companies.
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Valuable InsightWe know how to skillfully navigate government bureaucracies to help our clients obtain workers’ compensation benefits.