Employee Spotlight January 2018

Please join us in welcoming one of our newest Attorneys, Mr. Guy Saint Pol Maydieu. Guy is a Maryland native having grown up in Montgomery County and graduating from Thomas S. Wootton High School in 2002.  He received his Bachelors of Science Degree at Old Dominion University in 2007.  Following his graduation from Old Dominion University, he served in the United States Army.  While on active duty, he deployed overseas from 2010 to 2011.  Guy left the United States Army in 2012.  He then entered the University of Baltimore School of Law in the Fall of 2012.

While in law school, Guy was a member of the Brand Names Moot Court Team.  He also worked as a Law Clerk for the Office of the Public Defender.  In his final year of law school, Guy worked as a Legal Assistant for a Private Criminal Defense Attorney in Baltimore City.  He received his Juris Doctorate, with Honors, in the Spring of 2015.

Since graduating from law school, Guy has been in private practice.  His practice areas include personal injury and criminal defense.  In his spare time, Guy enjoys watching movies and television shows, reading, and running.

What Clients are Saying November 2018

My case was handled by Attorney Jonathan Portner and his staff, Grace. They provided personal attention and prompt responses throughout the whole process. They were professional and knowledgeable. I was pleased with the outcome. I would highly recommend the attorneys of Portner and Shure, and Grace.

This case was handled our Paralegal, Mrs. Grace Chung, out of our Columbia, MD office.

Litigation News November 2018

In October of last year one of our clients was involved in a rear end accident while yielding for an oncoming vehicle. The person behind him failed to pay proper time and attention to the ahead traffic conditions, leaving him with a sore neck and back. Although the property damage to his vehicle was not extensive, he still sustained injuries as people often do after their bodies have been unexpectedly jolted. Although the liable insurance carrier accepted responsibility for the accident and was willing to pay for the damage done to his vehicle, they were not willing to accept liability for the injuries sustained. Therefore, once our client was through with treatment, his case was transferred to our litigation department and he was prepped for court. After our attorney, Ms. Theresa Teixeira, presented the case to Prince George’s County District Court, she received a verdict of nearly $12,000.00 plus court costs. Our client was very pleased with his final result and was thankful he had Portner & Shure as an advocate.

Recent Case Results November 2018

In early March of this year, one of our clients was involved in a very serious accident involving another vehicle and a snowplow. She sustained intensive injuries, but luckily she was alive. Due to the severity of her injuries, she received consecutive medical treatment for almost four months and accrued about $45k in medical expenses. Once she was feeling well enough again, and her doctors agreed she was okay to be cleared from treatment, it was time to have her case evaluated for settlement. Our Sr. Claims Paralegal, Mrs. Christine Airey, was able to obtain policy limits of $100k for our client’s recovery. Although this accident was the scariest experience of her life, our client was happy she had Portner & Shure to guide her through it.

Have a Safe Holiday Season

The beginning of our holiday season has officially started, bringing together family and friends to celebrate. Statistically, Thanksgiving holds the highest traffic rates, and DUI arrests are the highest through Thanksgiving weekend to the end of New Year’s weekend. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns no other holiday leads to more fatal accidents than Thanksgiving week. Be smart and stay safe this holiday season. If you’re going to be traveling, keep a fair distance between you and the vehicle ahead, try to keep away from distracted or aggressive drivers, and never attempt to drive after you’ve been drinking. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, or have been charged with a DUI this winter, call the top rated attorneys of Portner & Shure.

Litigation News October 2018

In March of this year one of our clients was involved in a Baltimore rear-end accident. Although there was not significant damage to the vehicles, our client still experienced a decent jolt. Human bodies are not meant to withhold the same impact as a vehicle. The other party’s insurance company did accept liability, however they only accepted liability for the vehicle damage; not our clients injury. After she was finished with the treatment her doctor recommended, it was time to put her demand in for settlement. However, because her bodily injury claim was denied, Geico wasn’t willing to make an offer. Our attorney, Mr. Simran Rahi, took the case to Baltimore City’s District court and obtained a verdict of $12,423.10 plus court costs. At first our client was afraid she wouldn’t receive any compensation after the accident, now she’s grateful she chose Portner & Shure for her accident case.

Employee Spotlight October 2018

Please join us in putting the spotlight on our lead receptionist, Ms. Ana Alvarenga! Before coming to Portner & Shure Ana lived in Canada where she obtained her nursing degree from the College of Ontario. Ana has been with us for a little less than a year and has already proven to be a great asset to our team. During her time with us she has grown from being a new receptionist, to now training our new front desk staff, and even assisting several paralegals on claims work. The fact that she’s bilingual is just an additional plus! While she’s not conquering new tasks at Portner & Shure, she is a devoted mother to her two girls- ages four and six, cares for her many animals, and likes to create pottery. Needless to say, we’re thrilled Ana found her way to our firm and can’t wait to see what else she’s capable of!

Your Cell Phone Can Help or Hurt your Accident Case

If you are injured in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, and the other driver was using their cell phone at the time, evidence of that driver’s phone use can be used to hold them and their insurance company accountable for all damages. However, if you are the injured plaintiff in the case and the defendant is able to produces evidence that you were using your cell phone at the time of the accident, you could be held contributory to the accident and will not be awarded any compensation. Most states have laws in place that forbid cell phone use while in the car. Don’t risk being held partially liable in an accident- put the cell phone down while driving. If you’ve been injured in a Maryland car accident, call Portner & Shure today.

Recent Case Results September 2018

In December of 2015, our client was involved in an accident where she was rear-ended while sitting in traffic on Rt. 50. The defendant had claimed that she, herself, was rear-ended and the person fled the scene, which forced her into the back of our client’s vehicle. However, our client stated she saw no one drive off in an aggressive manner. Also after Maryland State Police examined the defendant’s vehicle at the scene, a minor scratch was noted, but nothing that would have resulted in her being pushed into another vehicle. Liability was accepted by the defendant’s insurance company, unfortunately there was only $30k available on the policy. After our client was through with treatment she had incurred almost $90k in medical expenses. Luckily, the assigned paralegal, Mrs. Christine Airey, is highly experienced and knew she could find additional coverage for her client. After accepting the $30K from the defendant’s insurance carrier, Mrs. Airey was able to obtain an additional offer of $188k from the client’s underinsured motorist coverage. Needless to say our client was very pleased with her final result and was thankful for all the hard work Mrs. Christine Airey put into her case.   

Employee Spotlight August 2018

Please help us put the spotlight one of our newest paralegals, Ms. Erica Cedillos. She has been with Portner & Shure for three years as a legal assistant and has recently been promoted to paralegal. Erica has lived in Maryland her entire life.  Her parents moved to America from El Salvador to achieve a better life for their children. Now as a mother of two, she understands the drive it takes to care for her children, and strives to give them their best life.

Erica has been in the personal injury industry for five years and has prior clerical experience working in medical offices for 10 years.  She is very detailed oriented and organized. When Erica was an assistant, she helped the paralegal she was working with become a member of the “Million Dollar Plus Paralegal Forum” she also assisted her in receiving recognition as a “2016 Top Paralegal in Maryland”. We are very proud of her accomplishments thus far and are eager to see what else she can achieve as a paralegal.

What Clients are Saying August 2018

Love this law firm. Lupe and Melanie were my paralegals. They were friendly, efficient, and kept me updated the whole time unlike most law firms. Great experience! Thank you Portner and Shure!

This case was handled by our Paralegal, Mrs. Lupe Miranda and her assistant, Ms. Melanie Alvarado, out of our Columbia, MD office.

Litigation News May 2018

A client sustained injuries in Baltimore City after a City truck, carrying a large tractor trailer, backed up into our client’s vehicle while he was stopped at a red traffic light. At trial, City argued that our client had ample time to back up once he saw the trick begin to back up. However, when one of our attorney’s, Ms. Molly Cross, cross examined the driver of the City truck, the testimony revealed that there were other people in his vehicle that could have helped, he required a special license to operate that vehicle, and was unable to see through his rear view mirror. A Baltimore City Judge agreed with our position that the Baltimore City Driver had a responsibility and in a case where they weren’t offering any recovery, $7,200.00 was awarded.

What Clients are Saying May 2018

My experiences with Ms Sauer and Portner and Shure were nothing short of professional. Everything was clearly explained and all communication was great!

This case was handled by our Paralegal, Ms. Jennifer Sauer out of our Frederick, MD office.

Injured by a Car While Cycling? What You Need to Know

Cycling is fun, great exercise, and good for the environment, but it can also be quite dangerous. Accidents between motor vehicles and bicycles are sadly very common. In fact, just a few days ago, there was a tragic fatal accident involving a bicyclist in Towson and one of the drivers that hit him fled the scene. In the last five years, over 3,800 crashes between bikes and cars have been reported in Maryland, with over 3,000 of these crashes resulting in injuries and 30 fatalities. In a contest between a two ton motor vehicle and a cyclist protected only by a helmet, it's not surprising that these crashes overwhelmingly result in injury to the cyclist.

If you've been injured by a car while riding your bike, you need to know that you have the same rights as a driver of a motor vehicle, in terms of your use of the road and compensation for your injuries. Bicycles are treated as motor vehicles under Maryland law, giving cyclists the right to use the road, but also holding them to the same obligations to follow traffic signals. While cyclists are required to ride as close as practical to the right side of the road, motor vehicles must provide at least three feet of space when passing. If you're struck while safely riding your bike on the side of the road, the motorist most likely violated the three foot rule and you will be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including your medical expenses, time lost from work, and your pain and suffering.

IF you've been injured in a cycling accident, call the experienced attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

Memorial Day Weekend Car Accidents on the Eastern Shore--Why a Local Law Firm is Important

As we approach the Memorial Day holiday weekend, drivers that are headed to the beaches on the Eastern Shore of Maryland should remember to pay extra attention on the roads as traffic congestion is sure to be a problem. Distractions in the car, such as cell phones, should never be used, especially when driving in heavy holiday weekend traffic.

Those traveling to the Eastern Shore for the holiday weekend are more likely to be driving than taking any other mode of transportation. For that reason, traffic congestion will be a problem, as it is every year. As many of us know, the drive to the beaches includes long stretches of single lane roads in rural areas. Some of the worst accidents have occurred on these roads, especially head-on collisions. When an accident occurs and the occupants are injured, you may not know what to do because you may feel like you are in the middle nowhere. You should always call the police after an accident, especially when there are injuries. The next step will involve emergency medical treatment, as well as contacting a law firm.

There are numerous law firms to choose from for an accident case in Maryland, but there are many advantages to choosing a local firm that is in the area on the Eastern Shore where the accident happened. The local knowledge of the lawyers, including information about judges, opposing counsel, and the roads can give you a big advantage when it comes to negotiating a settlement or trying your case in court. A firm that says that they can represent someone on the Eastern Shore, but yet does not have an office or any connections to that area is doing a disservice to their client. In order to maximize compensation, your attorney will need every advantage they can get.

If you suffer injuries in an Eastern Shore accident this Memorial Day Weekend, call the local Eastern Shore attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

Choosing a Law Firm with Litigation Experience is Very Important

When you are injured in an accident in Towson, it is important to hire a law firm to represent you and fight for the compensation you deserve. When searching for a law firm that handles accident cases, it is important to hire a firm with litigation experience. You may think that a car accident case is very straightforward and will easily settle, but that is not always the case. Yes, it is true that a majority of accident cases do settle without ever having to go to court. However, there are still many cases that cannot settle and it is necessary to go to court. What happens if the law firm you hire does not go to court or has no experience in the courtroom?

Make sure you hire a law firm with an extensive litigation department and immense resources to be able to battle the insurance company all the way to court in order to get the compensation you deserve.

Portner & Shure attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience in the courtroom litigating accident cases. If your case does not settle, we never hesitate to file suit in court. It is important that you hire a firm with the ability to handle your case no matter what happens--settle or litigate in court.

If you've been injured in an accident in the Towson area, choose your law firm wisely. Portner & Shure attorneys are available now for a free consultation. Call us today: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

What Clients Are Saying April 2017

“I have never written a review for a person or business before today; however, this review is 100% warranted and so here we go. I have had the pleasure and honor bestowed upon me to have met and work with Ms. Rebecca Dean. To simply say that Ms. Rebecca Dean is AMAZING would be an understatement and a disservice to her. Ms. Rebecca Dean is the epitome of what a true professional is. Ms. Rebecca Dean's patience and time she takes to explain every step along the way and to respond to any questions is ADMIRABLE and her work ethic and perseverance to always perform to the highest standard and do what is in the best interest of the client is INSPIRATIONAL. Ms. Rebecca Dean is a true asset to not only Portner & Shure but to their clientele as well. If you are fortunate enough to be assigned to Ms. Rebecca Dean, just know one thing: you ARE in good hands!!”

This case was handled by our Paralegal, Rebecca Dean, who works out of our Columbia, MD Office.

Litigation News April 2017

On March 6, 2015, our client was involved in a rear-end accident when she was stopped at a red light in Montgomery County, Maryland. She suffered injuries to her neck, back, and legs. An offer of $4,300.00 was made to settle the case, but this was less than half the total of our client’s medical bills. Our client rejected this offer and we filed suit to handle this matter in court. The District Court Judge awarded our client $14,758.40 plus all court costs. Here, the insurance company refused to make a good-faith offer of settlement, and as a result, they lost in Court and were required to compensate our client more than $10,000.00 more than their highest offer. Our client was very happy with this result in her case.

Distracted Driving Causing Numerous Accidents; Frederick Police Step up Patrols

New data on distracted driving in Maryland has been released for 2015, the most recent year for information being released. The numbers reveal significant numbers for distracted drivers causing accidents where others are injured or killed. Maryland has had a goal of Zero Deaths on its roadways, and officials continue to take steps towards achieving that goal in the future.

The new data on distracted driving reveals that it continues to be a major problem and far too many drivers are using their cell phones and other devices while operating a vehicle.

Frederick County police officials announced that in addition to statewide patrols of distracted driving, Frederick police will also increase patrols. In 2015, in Frederick, 923 people were injured and 7 killed in crashes caused by distracted drivers. There are various forms of distractions in a car that cause an accident. At the top of the list are cell phones. Drivers are talking and texting on their phones while operating vehicles far too often. Police officers say that it is very easy to spot drivers that are using their mobile device while behind the wheel, and all month long, officers will be out in large numbers looking for distracted drivers. Last year, for the entire month of April, over 1,100 distracted driving citations were handed out.

If you've been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver in Frederick or throughout Maryland, call the attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

Did the Insurance Company Rush You Into a Settlement? You May Be Able to Void it!

Did you or a loved one agree to settle a personal injury case without the advice of an attorney only to realize that the insurance company gave you a bad deal? Or did you discover that your injuries are more severe than you had originally thought and the settlement isn't enough to cover your medical bills?

Unfortunately, car accident victims are faced with these dilemmas nearly everyday. Insurance companies love to try and settle out a claim as quickly as possible and will do so by paying as little as possible to the injured accident victim. Anyone faced with these problems would most likely believe that they are out of luck and have no turning back after accepting a settlement soon after an accident. Most law firms will likely reject your case because you have already signed a release form.

In Maryland, there is a law in place that does offer protection to injured accident victims if they are rushed into settling with an insurance company and quickly asked to sign a release. In most cases, a signed settlement with release is enforceable and cannot be voided. However, there are situations where you may be able to void a signed settlement. If you were offered a settlement and signed a release within 30 days of an accident without ever contacting an attorney, Maryland law gives you 60 days to rescind your agreement and void the settlement. This would allow you to hire representation  in order to obtain compensation that truly covers your medical bills and pain and suffering.

If you were injured in an accident in Maryland and an insurance company rushed you into a settlement that you do not believe is fair, call Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.