Rockville Personal Injury Lawyer
Rockville, Maryland is located in the center of the state and is known as the home of several major software and biotechnology companies, in addition to a number of key federal government facilities. These companies include Lockheed Martin and Quest Software. The city also serves as one of the major retail centers for the surrounding area. The injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have provided capable legal counsel to Rockville accident victims for over two decades.
Take Legal Action to Hold A Negligent Party ResponsibleThere are many situations in which an accident can occur, such as those involving motor vehicle collisions. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore traffic laws or cause accidents as a result of distracted driving. Harm also frequently arises in the context of medical treatment. Although we place trust in our health care providers, sometimes they fail to provide necessary and appropriate treatment, resulting in a medical malpractice case. If you or someone you know has been injured as the result of someone else’s carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation.
To assert the right to damages, a plaintiff in a personal injury case usually seeks to establish that the defendant acted negligently. This involves proving four separate elements. The first element of negligence is called duty. Under negligence law, each of us has a duty to act with the same ordinary care and skill that a reasonably prudent person would use under the same or similar circumstances. The second element is called breach, and it requires the plaintiff to show that the defendant failed to act according to the appropriate standard of care for the situation. In the context of a prescription error and pharmacy misfill case, for example, a breach of the standard of care might involve a failure to provide a patient with the correct type or dosage of medication.
The third element of negligence is called causation, and it requires the plaintiff to prove that his or her injuries would have occurred but for the defendant’s negligence and that the harm he or she sustained was foreseeable. Finally, the plaintiff must prove that he or she suffered specific, quantifiable damages as a result of the breach. These can include physical pain and suffering as well as financial expenses, such as medical costs, physical therapy bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage. In cases of severe accidents, like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, the victim may be unable to return to the workforce and will often require long-term assistance and care. An expert can help determine the average future cost of these expenses.
Maryland Residents Hurt in Beltway CollisionsHundreds of people needlessly die each year because someone did not take the time to use care and good judgment when operating a motor vehicle. In many situations, it is the careless actions of a single individual that causes great harm to one or more other innocent victims. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, we understand that different kinds of traffic accidents present different legal challenges to pursuing a personal injury claim against another party.
Chain reaction trucking accidents, multi-car collisions in busy intersections and numerous other types of motor vehicle crashes can make placing blame a complicated task. Hit-and-run accidents, in particular, can leave an injured victim without a defendant against whom she can sue for damages, such as hospital stays, doctor bills and physical rehab. In such instances, the injured party may have no choice but to seek compensation from her own insurance company.
Rockville Motor Vehicle Accident AttorneyIn the aftermath of a Maryland car or truck crash, it is so important to understand one’s rights under Maryland law. When it comes to determining financial liability following a Rockville automobile collision, it is essential to know that Maryland is an “at-fault” state. Based on this, the driver who is determined by the police to have caused the accident will generally be considered legally to blame for the collision, and hence be responsible for any monetary costs for the victims’ injuries and any property damage.
At Lebowtiz & Mzhen, LLC, our legal team knows that, in order to recover damages following a severe traffic collision, not only must a victim show that the other motorist was at fault, but he or she must also be prepared to prove that their own actions did not contribute to the accident. This is because, in Maryland, if a court finds that the victim was himself in some way responsible for the accident in which he was injured — by either an error in judgment or some other failure to take necessary action to avoid the crash — he could actually lose his personal injury case against the other driver.
Since determining fault is critical in any personal injury case, finding the police accident report is of paramount importance. Potentially large monetary damages may hang in the balance based on the information contained in such official documents, which is why it is important to obtain the responding police officer’s report as soon as possible for one’s auto injury claim.
Obtaining a Rockville, MD, Police ReportContact the particular Montgomery County Police District Station either by phone or in person and be sure to have your police report number with you. It takes three to five days to process a request for a Rockville police report, therefore it is best to call ahead to ensure that the report is ready before going to the district police station. Each report is $10, payable by cash, check, credit card or money order.
Rockville police accident reports are also available at Police Headquarters, Information Management and Technology Division (located at 100 Edison Park Drive in Gaithersburg) open Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm. It is important to call ahead of time (240-773-5330) to make sure that your report is ready.
The Rockville Police Department requires verification that a person requesting a police accident report is an involved party in the incident. Furthermore, under the Maryland Public Information Act, certain information may be redacted from police reports before it is issued to any individual.
Enlist a Rockville Attorney after an Accident to Protect Your Rights If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident or another unexpected incident in the Rockville area, the experienced lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to help. We have handled numerous personal injury actions of all varieties and know what it takes to put together a solid case. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation, so you have nothing to lose. Call us at (800) 654-1949 or contact us online to set up an appointment.