Your Privacy Rights After an Accident

So After an Accident- I No Longer Have Privacy Rights?

When you make a personal injury claim, many people are frequently angry and upset by the invasions of privacy that insurance companies commit while investigating your claim.

They do have the right to examine your medical records and bills.

Surprisingly, if you have depression or anxiety you may also have to turn over mental health records! If you’ve had prior injuries, the insurance company may refuse to settle your claim without seeing your prior medical records.

While this may seem upsetting, insurance companies are entitled to inspect relevant records. They are not entitled to medical information that cannot possibility relate to your claim. In the context of a lawsuit, a set of rules called discovery rules become applicable, entitling the insurance company to ask you to formally produce a few direct items.

At attorney can be useful in getting the best offer your case, while limiting disclosure of your personal information. 

Contact Portner & Shure, P.A. 

Case Result- June

Recently, Portner & Shure settled a case in Harford County, Maryland for $42,500. Our client was hit by a dump truck that swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with her head-on. As a result, she was rushed to shock trauma and sustained numerous injuries, including a severe strains, contusions, airbag burns, lacerations, and whole body aches. Our client required physical therapy, MRIs, and orthopedic visits.

After lengthy settlement negotiations with the insurance adjuster, Mr. Portner and our paralegal, Pamela Brown, managed to settle the case for $42,500.  Our client was extremely pleased with the result in her case.  

Litigation News

In our March newsletter we mentioned a recent policy change by Geico.

This shift was towards opening settlement negotiations with a low offer and then refusing to increase it unless the Plaintiff’s attorney can justify more compensation. Amazingly, even after the need for an increase he been explained, Geico’s offer goes up only a fraction of what is fair.

For us, this manner of negotiating is unacceptable. This month our attorneys were successful in a few major accident trials against Geico. Firstly, in a rear end collision where liability was clear, but they failed to make an offer! The end result of this trial was a $5,231.00 verdict for our client. We will continue to litigate in all cases where Geico refuses to offer our clients proper compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and inconvenience

June Employee Spotlight

We are thrilled to introduce our new legal intern Alissa. June was her very first month at the firm!

She recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Franklin & Marshall College with a bachelor’s degree in Government. 

She was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society, Pi Sigma Alpha Government Honors Society, and the John Marshall Pre-Law Honors Society.

She spent the spring of her senior year interning in the Juvenile Court Unit at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. She will be helping our litigation department this summer and managing our social media.

Ali is headed off to University of Maryland Law School in fall, but until then we are excited to have her on our team! 

Live Fast, Die Young

                Tuesday (08/07/2016) three teenage boys were killed in a fatal car accident around 11:30 pm in Montgomery County. Just twelve hours before the schools graduation, the boys were headed south on Burnt Hill Road when control of the vehicle was lost due to speed. When the 1989 Ford left the road it made contact with a tree killing two of the boys instantly, the third boy was taken to Suburban Hospital where he later subdued to his injuries. It was reported that no drugs or alcohol were involved, the accident was purely caused by inexperience and negligence.  It was a tragic loss for the families involved and to the community of Clarksburg High School. The boys were charismatic and very well liked.

Events like this are hard to bear. Speeding is one of the top causes of vehicular death. Parents, stress the dangers of driving over the speed limit to your children. However, even if the boys were not speeding, when a car hits a tree or another stationary object head on at about 35 MPH there is a high likelihood the accident will be fatal. The posted speed limit is set to help maintain the safety of yourself and others for the physical conditions of that road. The road the boys were driving on is fairly windy and high speeds caused them to lose control of the truck while rounding a bend. Always remember to drive responsibly and to adjust your speed accordingly.

                If yourself or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland vehicular accident and would like to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney for a free consultation, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our locations throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

Your Recklessness is Another Family's Worst Nightmare

After many drivers witnessed a Chevy Impala speeding excessively down MD 198, police were called to the scene of a head-on collision around 10 AM Tuesday morning in Laurel.  The accountable driver blew through a red light causing a fatal accident as he skidded across the dividing line and collided with a Toyota Camry. Unfortunately the accident killed both of the drivers, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver at fault was flown to shock trauma where he died upon arrival. It is still unknown if he was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol, but it is known that he should not have been speeding in the slightest bit on account of his suspended license.

              

             Drivers, it is important to consider not only the safety of yourself, but to think of other drivers on the road as well. In the state of Maryland statistics show that car accidents kill approximately 580 people every year. In addition to that number, there are about 36,680 who are injured annually in result of an accident. Always remember to watch your speed; driving 20 MPH over the posted speed limit is reckless driving. If you are going faster than 20 MPH over, the police officer does have the option to take your license and charge you with intent to kill. A reckless driving offense may leave you with a misdemeanor, as well as a fine of over $500, and caries 6 points. Never speed so fast you are finding it difficult to maintain control over your vehicle.

  If you have a suspended license, you should not be driving at all unless you have been granted permission to drive within certain hours of the day. In this case it is crucial that you follow all traffic signs and signals to prevent revocation of your license. If you are caught driving and you have a class “H” suspension, this could add 3 points to your license, up to 60 days in jail, and a $500 fine. If you are caught driving with a class “C” suspension you could face up to a year in jail, 12 points added to your license, in addition to a $1000 fine.

                If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland motor vehicle accident and would like to speak with an experienced attorney free of charge, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/