A truck accident can be a traumatizing event that leaves victims with serious personal injuries. If you have been involved in a truck accident, you should first get the medical care you need and then immediately contact a personal injury lawyer in Annapolis .

If your injuries are not severe, you should try to document the accident as soon as possible. That means taking photos of any damage to your vehicle and property and speaking to any witnesses on the scene who can verify what happened. You should also obtain the name, license plate number, and insurance information of the driver who caused your personal injury, as well as contact information for the witnesses.

You will need to inform your insurance company of what happened, as well. But when you speak to your insurance company, you should always have your attorney present. Also, never admit fault or sign any papers without talking to your lawyer.

If you have been hurt in an accident and have a personal injury claim in Annapolis , your first step should always be to contact a personal injury lawyer who has extensive experience with the Maryland court system. After you meet with your attorney, he or she will initiate a case on your behalf, conduct fact-finding and discovery, decide whether or not to go to trial, and help you collect any damages. Read on to find out more about the different stages of a personal injury case.

Initiating a Case

After you explain your accident and injuries to your lawyer, she will create a contract explaining the terms of your agreement and allowing her to represent you in court. Next, she will file a personal injury claim, or complaint, with a judge. The complaint explains all your charges against the individual or company and the legal basis for those charges. It also provides the defendant with notice that he is being sued.

Preparing for Trial

Next, your lawyer will gather evidence, including medical records, police reports, and other important documents. She will also ask the defendant to produce documents that pertain to your case and may request written admissions to certain questions called interrogatories. These answers can help the court get a better idea of how the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries.

Considering the Options

When the fact-finding process is complete, your lawyer will meet with you to discuss whether or not to proceed to trial. While some cases go to trial, many plaintiffs and defendants are interested in settling to avoid the lengthy and sometimes expensive process of litigating a case. Sometimes, clients with serious personal injuries prefer to settle and have their medical and other expenses paid rather than risking a jury trial.

Collecting your Damages

If there is a judgment in your favor, the defendant is usually punished by having to pay damages. This money is also intended to cover your current and future medical bills, reimburse you for any time you had to take off work due to your injuries, and compensate you for general pain and suffering.

When you meet with a criminal lawyer near Annapolis, you’ll likely have a lot of questions about your case. The questions you should ask depend in part on whether you’ve already retained the services of the criminal lawyer or whether you’re meeting the attorney for an initial consultation. If it’s the latter case, your questions will probably be geared toward finding out more information about the credentials of the criminal lawyer . If it’s the former case, you’ll likely ask more questions about the charges against you.

Do You Have Experience with Cases Similar to Mine?

During an initial consultation with a criminal defense attorney, it’s always a good idea to ask if he or she has previously handled cases that involved the charges you’re facing. When you hire a criminal attorney with this specific type of experience, you can rest assured that he or she will be very familiar with the applicable laws and defense strategies.

What is Your Approach to Case Management?

Case management pertains to the logistics of your case. For example, case management involves which attorneys or support staff will work on your case, how often you’ll be updated, and how you should get in touch with the law firm if you have questions. Many people who are facing criminal charges prefer to work with law firms who have the resources and experience of a large firm, but the personal touch of a small firm.

Which Defense Strategies Might You Use?

After you hire a criminal lawyer, he or she will delve into the details of your case. You can expect your lawyer to review all of the evidence against you, interview you, and interview possible witnesses. During the course of the investigation, your criminal lawyer will determine which defense strategies might be most effective.

Should I Accept a Plea Deal?

Only you can make the decision whether to accept a plea deal. This means that you would plead guilty, presumably in exchange for a reduced sentence. Some defendants prefer to plead guilty to avoid a harsh sentence that may be handed down if they are convicted at trial. Talk with your criminal lawyer about the strength of the evidence against you, the merits of your case, and whether the prosecutor is offering a favorable plea deal.

Unfortunately, both residents and criminal lawyers near Annapolis know that being stopped by the police is no longer a rare event in Maryland. If you are stopped by a police officer on the street, you do need to provide your name and should give a form of identification if you have it on you.

To ensure your own safety and prevent being charged with a criminal offense, cooperate as much as you can. But you should also make sure to get the police officer’s name and look around to see if there are any witnesses. That way, you can call upon people later on if you need someone to corroborate your story of an illegal interrogation or unnecessary police violence. Remember to remain calm, avoid confrontation, and always keep your hands where they can be seen.