Can I Recover Monetary Damages for Pain and Suffering Following a Maryland Car Crash?
Yes. Here in Maryland, the victim of a traffic collision has the ability to collect money damages based on our state’s legal statutes encompassing what is know as “pain and suffering.” A claim of pain and suffering is one type of non-economic damages that Maryland residents are allowed to recover as part of a personal injury lawsuit. This kind of claim is related to the physical, mental and/or emotional distress that the victim of an automobile accident can often experience as a result of his or her injuries. It is important to stress that pain and suffering is a very broad category of damages due to the wide range of possible physical and mental consequences that can result from a severe traffic collision.
If injuries sustained in a Maryland auto accident are serious enough to merit complicated treatment and extended recovery time, the likelihood of recovering monetary damages for pain and suffering is typically better. In situations where the plaintiff suffered much less serious injury, after which he or she resumed normal activity within a relatively short period of time, then pain and suffering damages will most likely be less.
At Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the law and its application in serious automobile and trucking accident cases. If you or someone you love has suffered a debilitating injury as the result of a negligence-related traffic collision, the personal injury statutes in the state of Maryland provide for non-economic compensation, including damages for pain and suffering, as well as inconvenience, facial or bodily disfigurement, physical impairment, loss of consortium and/or some other non-pecuniary injury.
In cases of wrongful death, non-economic damages claimed by the victim’s loved ones may also include compensation for mental anguish; emotional pain and suffering; loss of companionship, protection, care and/or comfort; parental or filial care; counsel, advice and/or training; or some other non-economic damages that are authorized by Maryland statute.
It is important to note that non-economic damages are not unlimited. Maryland, as well as many other states, has placed a cap on the amount of non-economic compensation that a plaintiff can recover as part of a personal injury lawsuit. This means that any monetary damages a jury may award on the basis of pain and suffering, for instance, will be limited by the legal statute governing such compensation. In cases of wrongful death, where there are two or more named plaintiffs, the law allows damage awards of up to 150 percent of the non-economic damage cap.
It is always advisable to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney before making any decisions to settle with an insurance company following a serious personal injury accident. The skilled legal professionals at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, are well equipped to help you understand your options in the wake of a debilitating personal injury accident. Contact us today to arrange for a free, no-obligation initial consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers.