What Clients Are Saying May 2017

“I was referred to Portner & Shure by a close friend of mine. From my very first phone call, I was always treated with sincere care and concern for my well-being. The burden of dealing with hospital bills, alternate transportation, and insurance company red tape was addressed 100% by Christine. Her responsiveness was off the charts as far as customer service and should serve as a model for any other professional in her line of work. I highly recommend Portner & Shure (Columbia), specifically Christine for anyone who is looking for an end result that exceeds their expectation.”

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

Loss of Consortium--Often a Forgotten Injury in an Auto Accident Case

Car accidents are often the worst moments in everyone's life. When you suffer serious injuries in an auto accident, you are limited and even unable to perform certain activities that you did not have trouble performing before the accident. You would expect all personal injury attorneys to calculate your damages based on your physical injuries by using the medical bills and treatment reports. However, sometimes there are additional damages that are not always so obvious and your attorney might miss them. 

When a person suffers significant injuries in an auto accident case, not only are they unable to work or do things around the house, but if they have a spouse, they usually are not able to fully participate in the marriage. When this happens, a loss of consortium claim should be raised. Thus, when an attorney is drafting a settlement demand letter to the insurance adjuster or filing a law suit in court, a loss of consortium claim should always be considered. When a person cannot fully participate in the marriage because of injuries suffered in an accident caused by another party, there are significant damages that the accident victim has suffered. It is easy to forget about loss of consortium claims when there are significant physical damages.

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

Should I Get an Attorney After a Car Accident?

If you've been injured in an auto accident due to someone else's negligence, you may think that it is not a big deal and you can resolve any issues on your own. That is not always the case, however. You may think it is a straightforward process, but it can be quite complex. Dealing with insurance companies after an accident can be frustrating, and oftentimes, insurance companies will not make fair settlement offers when they know someone is not represented by an attorney. In fact, insurance adjusters will try to pay you as little as little as they can to make your case go away.

If you've been injured in a car accident, you absolutely need to get an attorney. Once you hire an attorney, the attorney will deal with the insurance company and work to get a top offer. Insurance companies tend to make higher offers when attorneys are involved than when people are unrepresented. When you have an attorney, they will work with you to strategically handle your medical expenses to maximize the amount you will actually get in your pocket after settlement. And most importantly, if the insurance company denies fault, our attorneys can file suit for you to have your case heard in court.

As you can see, there is quite a difference in handling an accident case without representation than handling a case with an attorney. If you've been injured in an accident, call the attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation to discuss your case: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

What Happens if the Liability Insurance Company Refuses to Make a Settlement Offer?

Not all car accidents are created equal. Some accidents result in minimal property damage to your car. The important thing to remember is that injuries suffered by drivers or occupants of a vehicle do not always correspond to the vehicle damage. Some accident victims suffer serious injuries in accidents where there is very little property damage. And sometimes accident victims suffer minimal injuries when there is significant property damage.

Over the years, many insurance companies have implemented policies where they will deny liability or refuse to make an offer of settlement in cases where there is minimal property damage. In other words, insurance companies seem to believe that in accidents with very little property damage, it it impossible for someone to suffer significant injuries. This can be very frustrating to work with because property damage does not always correlate to injuries. Unfortunately, in these types of cases, it does take a bit longer to resolve the case because, ultimately, suit must be filed in order to get an offer of settlement from the insurance company. We are never afraid to file suit and battle the insurance carrier in court. If you choose us as your attorneys, it will not matter that there was minimal property damage because as long as you have documented injuries related to the accident, it is very difficult for the insurance company to make a counterargument.

If you've been injured in an accident with low property damage, contact us today for a free consultation and rest assured that we will fight for the compensation you deserve. (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

Insurance Companies Cannot Raise your Rates for Filing a Claim for an Accident that Was NOT Your Fault

When you are involved in an accident, one of your first worries is how much your insurance rates will increase. Many accident victims are also afraid to file a claim against the other driver because they think that their insurance rates will go up.

If you are involved in an accident and you are NOT at fault, Maryland law prohibits any insurance company from increasing your rates if you decide to file a personal injury claim. If you are injured in an accident, you should not let fears of higher insurance premiums deter you from filing a claim to get compensation you deserve for your injuries. Therefore, you have nothing to lose by filing an accident claim when your are the victim in a car accident and not at fault in any way for the crash.

When you are injured in an auto accident in Maryland due to another driver's negligence, you are entitled to compensation for the injuries you suffered and the resulting treatment for those injuries. You should hire an experienced car accident attorney in Maryland to handle your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Car accident cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, so in other words, you only have to pay your attorney a fee if they win your case.

So if you have been injured in a car accident in Maryland and the other driver is at fault for that accident, call Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

What Clients Are Saying December 2016

“So happy to have found this firm. They helped me with all my needs in this difficult time. They guided my through the entire process. A special thanks to Amy P. for dealing with me, as I probably called her a hundred times she always had a positive attitude. I would definitely recommend this place to all of my family & friends. Thanks again for your effort”

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

Employee Spotlight November 2016

Join us in welcoming back our Spanish Department Paralegal, Diana Ramirez, who returned to work this month after giving birth to a healthy baby boy, Nathan Alexander. Diana gave birth to Nathan on September 30^th.  Diana enjoyed all the time she spent with her son during her time off. Some of her favorite things she did with Nathan included watching movies and taking him out for walks in the park. Big sister, Isabella, loves having a little brother to play with. Isabella also loves to help her mom prepare Nathan’s bottles. Portner & Shure is very happy to have Diana back in the office and she is happy to be back at work with all of her co-workers. Let’s congratulate Diana on the birth of her beautiful son, Nathan!

Recent Case Result November 2016

Recently, Portner & Shure attorney, Kevin Ruby, obtained an excellent result in a serious rear-end accident caused by a drunk driver. Our client was a passenger in a vehicle that was rear-ended by a drunk driver while stopped at a red light at the intersection of Route 40 and Ridge Road.  Our client suffered more than $25,000 in medical expenses, as well as a significant amount of lost wages. He endured nearly four years of treatment for his injuries in the accident. The liability insurance company did not make an offer to settle the case. We proceeded with trial in the Howard County Circuit Court. The jury awarded our client $260,000.00. 

Portner & Shure Awarded Innovation in Client Services 2016 Award

Portner & Shure has been selected by Corporate America as winner of the Innovation in Client Services 2016 Award.  This award we are extremely proud of because our selection was dependent on our client testimonials and recommendations.  We strive to make sure our clients are extremely satisfied with the services we provide them.  With numerous 5.0 star reviews on Google+ and Facebook, our reputation speaks for itself.  We know that quick and easy communication is one of the most important things a client requests from their attorney.  Therefore, we pride ourselves on making sure there is effective and immediate communication with all of our clients so that no question goes unanswered.

Corporate America even acknowledges that Portner & Shure excels beyond its competitors in regards to business acumen, team approachability, and innovation when approaching client services.  As a successful Maryland, DC, and Virginia auto accident law firm, we are very proud to be recognized for an award based solely on outstanding client testimonials. Portner & Shure would not be the firm it is today, with over 25 years of service and $200 million recovered for injured accident clients, without the numerous positive client reviews we receive every day.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Maryland, call us today for a free consultation. 

What Clients Are Saying September 2016

“The Portner & Shure Law Firm did an excellent job for me. They were quick, reliable, and efficient. I had a car accident in January 2016. They provided me with a rental car, paid all my medical bills, recommended excellent medical care, and provided me with an excellent settlement for the injuries I sustained to my neck and back. They always answer the phone and answer my questions. Plus they have personnel who spoke my native language of Spanish fluently. I highly recommend this law firm to friends and family.”

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

Employee Spotlight September 2016

Join us in welcoming Cindy to the Portner & Shure family. She has been with us for one month now and works as a receptionist and legal assistant. Cindy was born in the United States, but her family is from El Salvador. Cindy is fluent in Spanish and works with our Spanish department. She currently attends Bowie State University and is finishing up her last year. Cindy has a younger brother and a dog named Prince that she likes to spend time with. Outside of work, Cindy is a diehard Redskins fan and a Barcelona soccer fan. She also enjoys cooking and travelling.

Employee Spotlight August 2016

This month we want to recognize some accomplishments of our law clerk, Alex Adler.  He graduated from law school at the University of Baltimore School of Law this past May.  Just a few weeks ago, Alex took the Maryland Bar Exam and is awaiting results, which will be released in a couple of months. Alex just returned back to work after enjoying a European vacation to London, Barcelona, and Ibiza.  Finally, we are closing in on Alex’s 2 year anniversary with Portner & Shure, and we look forward to having him in our family for many more years to come. 

Motorcyclist Killed in Ocean City While Evading Police

            A pickup truck and a motorcycle were involved in a deadly accident this afternoon along Coastal Highway.  Before the accident occurred, police were attempting to pull over the motorcycle for a traffic violation.  The motorcyclist sped off to avoid the police around 26^th Street.  The exact details surrounding the crash are unknown at this time.  However, we do know that the motorcyclist did not survive the crash.  It is likely that in attempting to evade the police, the motorcyclist was speeding and that might have played a role in the accident.  Coastal Highway between 26^th and 28^th Streets is still closed while police investigate.

            

           As we close in on the busy summer beach season, it is important to talk about increased traffic and the higher risk of serious accidents on the way to the beach and at the beach.  This weekend is Cruisin’ Weekend in Ocean City, which will bring in over 3,000 cars to show off to the public.  This is always a popular event every year at the beach and results in higher traffic on the roads.  Next weekend is Memorial Day Weekend, which is another busy time at the beach.  Drivers need to remember to remain cautious when driving to the beach so as to avoid an accident as we head into summer.

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

Fatal Accident in Clarksburg, Maryland

            Early this morning on I-270 in Clarksburg, a fatal car accident occurred.  There was a disabled vehicle stopped in the lanes of travel on the highway.  Another car hit the disabled vehicle from behind, which resulted in the death of the disabled vehicle’s driver.  The driver of other vehicle was injured in the collision, but suffered non-life threatening injuries.  Police investigation into the exact cause of the crash continues.  At this point, alcohol does not appear to be factor in the accident.

            

            Disabled vehicles always pose a danger on the road to themselves and to other drivers.  It does not matter whether the vehicle has made it to the shoulder or is stopped in a lane of travel; it is still dangerous.  Darkness at night and inclement weather make it even more dangerous if your vehicle becomes disabled on a highway because other drivers might not see you or will not be able to stop to avoid a crash.  If your vehicle becomes disabled, you should always make sure your lights are on and your hazard lights are flashing so that other cars can see you and avoid an accident. 

            

            Remember, if you are injured in an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately to treat the injuries you sustained.  It is also important to call the police to the scene to document that the other driver was at fault and to collect information on all parties involved and any witnesses to the crash.  Finally, it is important to hire an accident injury attorney to get involved and fight for the compensation you deserve.

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

Maryland Auto Accident Lawyers: Case Result May 2016

              Recently, Portner & Shure settled a rear-end accident case in Prince George’s County, Maryland for $100,000.  Two years ago, our client was rear-ended on I-495 near the Virginia state line.  As a result, she sustained numerous injuries, the most severe of which being her shoulder, which was torn in the accident.  Our client required two surgeries in order to repair it, as well as physical therapy.  After lengthy settlement negotiations with the insurance adjuster, Mr. Portner and our paralegal, Amy Patton, managed to settle the case for $100,000.  Our client was extremely pleased with the result in her case.  

Maryland Car Accident Attorney – How to Maximize the Value in Your Pocket

   1.       It’s not just about the total amount of medical bills and expenses you incur.

a.       It’s about the strategies you can use to maximize the take home value of your case, meaning the amount that you get in your pocket after all bills, fees and expenses are paid out of settlement.

b.      That being said, your case is really about getting better and getting the medical treatment that you need.  You should always follow your doctor’s recommendations. 

c.       But don’t make the mistake of thinking that overtreatment is going to improve the value of your case, because it won’t.  It just creates more expenses that you have to pay out of your settlement.

   2.       So, what can you do to get the most value out of your case?

   3.       Using your own insurance to pay medical bills will increase the amount of money you will end up with in your pocket.  There are two ways to do this – health insurance, and personal injury protection, or PIP coverage.

a.       If you have health insurance, never make the mistake of failing to give your insurance information to every medical provider you see.

                                                               i.      Health insurance carriers pay the provider a mere fraction of the actual amount that’s billed.  If the provider is in network, they have to accept that payment as payment in full.

                                                             ii.      When it comes time to settle your case, you can claim the full amount of what the provider billed, but you only have to pay back the insurance carrier what they paid.  You get to keep the difference.

b.      Most people have $2,500 worth of medical payments coverage on their auto policy, commonly referred to as PIP or personal injury protection.  You can use this coverage to pay medical bills as well. 

                                                               i.      The best part about PIP is that you don’t have to pay it back out of settlement.  Every dollar worth of PIP that you use is a dollar that goes directly in your pocket at the time of settlement.

                                                             ii.      There is no downside to using your PIP coverage.  Under Maryland law, your auto insurance carrier is not allowed to raise your rates for using PIP.

Maryland Car Accident Attorney: Employee Spotlight February 2016

Mandy Liu, one of our bilingual legal assistants, has been at Portner & Shure for more than 6 months.  Mandy is originally from Guangdong, China before she moved to the United States in 1997.  She speaks both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects of the Chinese language, in addition to English.  Mandy works closely with our Chinese Department paralegals to be able to assist our growing Chinese client base.

Mandy graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science degree for healthcare management.  Recently in 2014, she was married.  Travelling and learning different languages are two things Mandy enjoys.  In addition, she loves playing badminton and watching her favorite television shows.

Maryland Car Accident Attorney: What You Need to Know About Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

All over the United States, courts disagree about whether claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress should be recognized.  Many states choose not to recognize this type of claim unless there was a physical injury as well, or at least an impact.  Other states will allow a person to make this type of claim if they can show that their emotional distress resulted in a physical injury.  The courts further disagree on what signs or symptoms qualify as a physical injury.

Maryland has quite a permissive rule on claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress.  Years ago, Maryland courts used to require a strict physical injury to result from the emotional distress.  Later, the modern rule was adopted which held that the “injury” resulting from the emotional distress could be a “mental state capable of objective determination.”  To succeed in a negligent infliction of emotional distress claim in Maryland, typically you need to show that the effect on the individual’s functioning was extremely severe, or in the nature of posttraumatic stress syndrome.

Virginia, on the other hand, requires strict proof of a physical injury or actual physical manifestation of emotional distress.  Virginia courts go further to require that the physical manifestation not be a typical or expected result of mental distress.  This means that things like anxiety attacks and uncontrollable crying do not qualify.

Maryland Car Accident Lawyer: Important Steps to Remember for Safe and Responsible Driving

             The last week, Maryland drivers have been battling snow and ice on the roads.  As the mounds of snow begin to melt and everyone gets back into their normal driving routines, it is important to remember to drive responsibly.

    ·         Maintain your vehicle: All vehicles require regular service to keep the vehicle on the road longer and to prevent any safety concerns.  Important parts such as tires, brakes, lights, wipers, and fluid levels are crucial for driving safely on the road.  Without proper maintenance, your chances of getting into an accident are much higher.

    ·         Stay focused and keep distractions to a minimum:  it is extremely important to pay attention to the road in front of you as well as the other vehicles surrounding you.  Distractions such as cell phones, passengers in the car, and music can lead to an accident.  Do not text or talk on the phone while driving.

   

    ·         Avoid driving recklessly: The most common reckless driving behavior and leading cause for fatal accidents is speeding.  Speed limits are in place for one reason: safety.  When drivers go well above the speed limit, they have very little control over their vehicle.  Another form of reckless driving is tailgating.  We have all been stuck behind one of those cars that drives under the speed limit and you cannot get around them.  Many of us think the best thing to do is drive very close to their bumper because we think it will make them drive faster.  That simply is not safe at all because if that car stops suddenly, it is impossible for you to stop without hitting them.  It is always important to maintain a safe distance between your car and the car in front of you, especially in wet weather.

    

    ·         Always wear your seatbelt: The one safety device in a car that saves the most lives is the seatbelt.  Countless accident victims were either seriously injured or killed because they were not wearing their seatbelt.  These devices were created in order to protect people in the event of an accident.  If you do not use your seatbelt, there is nothing stopping you from going through the windshield.

If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland car accident due to the negligence of another person and would like to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Rockville or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/

Maryland Car Accident Lawyer: Litigation News January 2016

            On December 5, 2014, our client was involved in an accident where the Defendant driver attempted to make a left turn onto Annapolis Road in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  The Defendant struck our client in the rear driver side corner while it was idle at the light.  Our client suffered head, neck, and back pain as a result of the action and required treatment.  The Defendant’s insurance carrier denied liability, thus, our litigation team filed suit.  Our paralegal Lora Hatton was able to negotiate a very favorable settlement for our client in which he got top dollar offers for his injuries and property damage to his vehicle. Our client was extremely happy with the result in his case.