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.

Driving too Fast for the Road Conditions can get you into Trouble

On days like today where it's wet and damp, drivers need to be extra cautious on the road. While posted speed limits on highways may say 65mph, that does not mean that drivers are expected to drive that fast when road conditions are dangerous. Far too many accidents occur on roads and highways when it is raining. The leading causing of many of these accidents: speed. Countless drivers fail to adapt their driving behavior to the conditions outside, and as a result, accidents happen.

When it is raining, roads are wet and that means it is more difficult for drivers to be able to stop suddenly. When road conditions are wet, drivers should not drive the maximum speed limit, should increase the distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them, and should be extra cautious around curves and sharp bends in the road. Drivers should also never forget to turn on their car lights when it is raining, not just because it is the law, but it reduces the risk of an accident because your vehicle can be visible to other drivers on the road.

Avoid becoming an accident victim and drive carefully, especially when road conditions are poor. if you have been injured in an accident due the negligence of another driver, 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.

Premises Liability for Apartment Owners in Maryland

          With the recent devastating apartment building explosion in Silver Spring, we thought it was important to address the law surrounding this issue of premises liability. A blast of this magnitude usually would not happen absent some form of negligence.

           

          A property owner owes a duty of care to maintain safe premises for its tenants and any visitors.  The property owner is responsible for common areas within the property, including lobbies, stairwells, and hallways.  A property owner cannot be held responsible for unforeseeable dangers because they had no way to expect that this type of danger would occur.  However, if the property owner knew or should have known of a danger and a tenant is injured because of that, the property owner can be held liable for the harm caused under the theory of negligence.

          One example of where a property owner could be held liable for damages caused would be if a tenant reported to the property management that they smelled gas. The property management noted the report, but nothing was ever done after that to investigate the problem further. At a later time, an explosion occurs that is determined to be caused by gas.  In this example, the property owner had notice of the potential hazard before any harm was suffered, yet no action was taken to correct the problem.  As a result, the problem worsened and led to an explosion, which killed and injured several people.

         While we wait to see what the exact cause of the explosion was, it is important to remember that property owners can be held liable for negligent acts or even lack of action that results in serious injury to another.

         If you or a family member have been injured or killed in an accident caused by the negligence of someone else, call us today for a free consultation at (301) 854-9000 or visit us online to learn more at www.portnerandshure.com. 

Maryland Auto Accident Lawyer: Employee Spotlight March 2016

Portner & Shure’s Firm Operations Manager and Director of Internet Marketing, Sarah Sadler, recently celebrated her 21^st anniversary with the firm. Sarah has been a fixture here for more than two decades. She has been responsible for helping the firm remain as one of the most highly-regarded car accident law firms in Maryland and Virginia. This firm would not be what it is without the hard work and dedication that Sarah has contributed over these last 21 years. Congratulations Sarah and here's to 21 more years with Portner & Shure!

Maryland Auto Accident Lawyers: Fatal Accident in Bethesda Kills 3, Seriously Injures Another

            Saturday night, a horrific accident occurred in Bethesda on Pyle Road.  Two cars were involved in the accident, a Chevrolet Volt and a BMW sedan.  There were 4 passengers in the Volt and they were the ones struck with tragedy.  Three of the passengers did not survive the crash, and the fourth passenger suffered life-threatening injuries.  The young driver of the BMW only suffered minor injuries.

            

            The cause of this devastating crash has not been determined yet.  Since it was a Saturday night, it is always possible that alcohol played a role.  Based on accident scene pictures, the Chevrolet Volt suffered significantly more damage than the BMW.  Whatever the cause may be, it is likely that one of the parties was at fault.  This area of Bethesda is a residential area, therefore, with the amount of damage to the Volt vehicle, speed is a likely factor in the crash.

Remember, actions you take immediately after a car accident will affect your personal injury recovery!

Most crash victims do not understand that an auto accident entails complicated issues, including:

   ·         What should never be discussed with the Adjuster;

   ·         The two critical guidelines to follow when seeking medical treatment;

   ·         The method to “get more” for your property damage and an immediate rental car;

   ·         The one document always needed for your lost wage recovery, and other critical accident related         proof;

   ·         The three essentials for building and evaluating the case for pain and suffering compensation.

If you or a family member have been injured or killed in a Maryland pedestrian 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 Rockville or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/