Does an insurance company use video surveillance in automobile accident cases in Maryland or Virginia?

Absolutely. In serious accident cases you need to be aware of the fact that if you are claiming a permanent injury the insurance carrier becomes more concerned about its exposure. If the adjuster has received medical reports where you claim such a disability the adjuster may hire an investigator to follow you and video your activities. This is often done on the day you have a scheduled doctors appointment with the insurance company's doctor for an evaluation. Amazingly, Maryland and Virginia personal injury lawyers will inform their client of the questions the doctor for the insurance carrier may ask, yet forget to tell them their activities for the day may be videoed. This certainly is a home run for an insurance carrier when a client is shown raking leaves on the same day she told the doctor she was basically confined to her bed (this happened to a well known Baltimore accident attorney).

Many insurance companies, like the Hartford are known to conduct video surveillance in injury cases where a permanency is claimed once a lawsuit if filed.

I inform all of the injury clients I meet in my Columbia, Maryland office, and tell all of the accident lawyers who work for the law firm in Maryland and Virginia, to instruct all accident clients, with respect to video surveillance in this fashion:

1. If you are not claiming a permanent injury odds are there will be no video surveillance;

2. If the insurance policy for the defendant driver is 25,000 or less video surveillance is not likely;

3. If you are seeking large permanent damage and are claiming you can no longer work, walk, drive, enjoy leisure activities or working outdoors, beware of video surveillance;

4. If you have a scheduled deposition, or any meeting with a doctor for the defendant, expect video surveillance.

6-year Old Student Dies After Jumping from Bus in Baltimore County, MD

Who should be responsible for the death of a 6-year old who jumps from a moving bus?  On Thursday, December 13, 2010, at approximately 3:00 p.m. a 6-year old special needs student was being transported from  the Villa Marie School in Timonium to his home in Baltimore City when a fight ensued between the 6-year old and another student. 

According to authorities, an aide attempted to break up the fight between the two students, when the 6-year old ran toward the back of the bus and jumped out.  The child was transported to Johns Hopkins in grave condition and succumbed to his injuries early Friday morning.



The 6-year old attended a non-public school in Baltimore County and was traveling on a bus contracted by City Schools to transport the student.  While authorities continue to investigate this tragic accident, questions remain unanswered for the family of this 6-year old. 

How do you compensate parents for this type of loss?  Special needs means just that and what was in place to prevent this unfortunate accident from happening?  How could a 6-year old just jump off the back of a moving bus?  These parents need answers and where should they look to get these answers?  They should contact a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney who is familiar with the laws in Baltimore County where this accident occurred.     

If you, a family member or someone you know has been involved in a bus accident or car accident or you need more information on bus or car accidents, please visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com or contact one of our Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.