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.

What Can I Expect if My Accident Case Does Not Settle and We Go to Court?

Although about 95% of all auto accident cases settle before litigation arises, sometimes court is necessary in order to obtain the compensation the client is entitled. There are many different reasons why a car accident case does not settle, including a liability dispute, minimal property damage, and factual disputes. When an insurance company refuses to make a settlement offer or makes a low settlement offer, a lawsuit is necessary in order to get compensation for the client. In many cases where suit is filed, a settlement is still achieved because insurance adjusters will then make a settlement offer in order to avoid litigation. These last minute offers of settlement can be made as late as the morning of trial. Sometimes, however, an insurance adjuster will hold firm and a trial is unavoidable.

If your case is one of those that does not settle and does go to trial, you have nothing to worry about. The process is not as scary as it sounds because our experienced team of attorneys will adequately prepare you well in advance of trial. Your attorney will go over how the process will work depending on which court your case will be heard. Your attorney will also run through the facts of the case with you and will discuss with you weaknesses in your case (if any). When your trial date arrives, you will feel completely prepared and will know exactly what to expect when you step into the courtroom.

If you've been injured in an auto accident in Maryland, make sure you call a law firm with experienced attorneys who are never afraid to go to court to fight for the compensation you deserve. Not all cases settle and you should hire a firm that can handle your case in settlement or in trial. Call Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000; (410) 995-1515.

Words to NEVER say to a Liability Carrier

Our first advice is to never talk to a liability carrier, but if you do, here are some things to never say:

1.      Sorry—implies fault

2.      I’m fine—many injuries take time to show up. Oftentimes you feel far worse the next day

3.      Sure, record me—carriers love to obtain recorded statements.  A person making a claim lying or admitting to something will weaken their claim

4.      Whiplash—insurance industry experts say that this throws up red flags that you are exaggerating the severity of the accident  

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, talk to an attorney first. Everything you say to the insurance carrier can be used against you in your case and it can significantly limit any possible recovery. Call Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000; (410) 995-1515.

Litigation News August 2016

This month, our attorneys were successful against Geico yet again in an auto accident case where liability was denied and no settlement offer was made.  In this accident case, our client had a green light and was proceeding straight when the defendant made a left turn directly in front of our client, cutting her off and resulting in the crash.  Our client suffered numerous injuries, including to her back, foot, shoulder, and eye.  Medical expenses totaled more than $7,000, yet Geico refused to accept liability or make our client an offer to settle the case and avoid litigation.  Our attorneys were forced to file suit because of Geico’s refusal to negotiate a settlement.  Our client received a verdict of $8,448 plus court costs.  

Prior Accidents - How Will They Affect My Maryland Car Accident Case?

• If you've been in prior accidents, it may have an effect on your case, but not always as much, or in the way that you would imagine.
• For example, if you're involved in a case where the other driver claims you are at fault - the fact that you may have caused an accident in the past has absolutely no bearing on fault in your current case.  
• However, if you have sustained injuries in prior accidents, this is likely to be relevant to your current personal injury case.
• If you've ever made a personal injury claim before, most likely, the insurance company for the other driver involved in your accident will be aware of this.
• A prior injury doesn't have to be an insurmountable challenge in your case if its handled the right way.  
• The most important thing for you to do is to be up front with your doctors about any prior injuries, even if you made a full recovery before getting injured again.
• If your doctors are aware of your medical history, their opinions about causation of your current injury will be strengthened.  
• If your doctor does not know about a prior injury, the insurance company may deny the claim, basing it on the fact that your doctor was not aware of your history.
• If you've had a prior injury and you recovered and completed treatment before your current case, it shouldn't present too much of a problem for you.
• It's somewhat more complicated when you are still suffering from an injury, and then you get in another accident.
• While these cases are a little more difficult, you can still make a claim for the exacerbation of your injury and the additional medical treatment you had to get which you would not have needed otherwise.
• Again, being forthcoming with your doctor is key.  
• If you are currently treating with a doctor and sustain a new injury, you should tell that doctor right away so it can be accurately reflected in the medical reports.
• This will be the best way to protect your case.

               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 athttp://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/

Maryland Car Accident Lawyer: New 70 mph Speed Limit Takes Effect in Parts of the State

            Yesterday, new 70 mph speed limits took effect along 76 miles of I-70 in Frederick County to Washington County, Maryland.  In addition, a 31-mile stretch between US 29 in Howard County to MD 144 in Frederick County and a 45-mile stretch from MD 180 to the Pennsylvania line saw speed limits increase from 65 mph to 70 mph.  These stretches of highway run through rural areas and do not include areas within the city of Frederick due to safety concerns.

            

           With increased speed limits, it is even more important for drivers to pay attention to the road and avoid distractions, such as cell phones, while operating their vehicle.  Faster cars also mean an increased risk of more severe car accidents.  Before implementing these speed limit changes, numerous studies were conducted to make sure that safety would not be compromised with a faster speed.  In making this change the State Highway Administration says that they expect “to see more consistent travel speeds for vehicles, keeping I-70 conditions safe for thousands who travel the route each day.”

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 Frederick or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

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/

Maryland Auto Accident Attorney: Recent Case Result February 2016

A case that began about one year ago finally settled this month.  In February last year, our client was crossing Lost Knife Road in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Maryland.  She was in a well-established crosswalk when the Defendant driver failed to pay proper time and attention and struck our client.  With the force of the impact, she fell to the ground and began experiencing intense excruciating pain throughout her whole body.  As a result of her injuries, she was rushed to the hospital and quickly transferred to Shock Trauma due to the severity of her injuries.

            

            Preliminary examination revealed numerous fractures.  Our client endured surgical procedures to repair her injuries, and was forced to stay at Shock Trauma in recovery. 

            

            With well over $100,000 in medical expenses and substantial pain and suffering, Mr. Portner and our paralegal on the case, Christine Airey, worked tirelessly in negotiations with the insurance company.  Ultimately, typical crosswalk liability issues were resolved, and the carrier offered the amount of the policy: $250,000.

           

             Ms. Airey spent weeks going back and forth with doctors and hospitals to try and reduce the medical bills for our client.  After a tremendous amount of work negotiating, Ms. Airey lowered our client’s medical expenses by more than $50,000.  In other words, in addition to any recovery from the $250,000 settlement, our firm was able to net our client an additional $50,000 from bill reductions.  Mr. Portner notes, “Oftentimes, this part of the case is the most difficult and is overlooked by less experienced personal injury lawyers.”        

MARC Train and Dump Truck Collide in Silver Spring, Maryland

            During yesterday afternoon’s rush hour, a dump truck and a MARC train collided in Montgomery County between the Silver Spring and Kensington train stations.  The cause of the crash and the fault, if any, is not known at this time.  Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured, and all 600 passengers aboard the train were unscathed.  The truck driver was the only person injured, and luckily for him, the injuries were minor.

            

            The intersection of Forest Glen Road and Seminary Road in Silver Spring is just outside the Capital Beltway (I-495).  It is certainly possible that the dump truck stopped on the train tracks because of traffic since this collision happened during rush hour.  Drivers should never stop on train tracks because accidents similar to this one can occur.  If there are several cars stopped in front of you with train tracks in between, it is always best to stop short of the tracks just in case a train does come through.  The train track crossing where this accident occurred does have caution lights and a bar to keep cars from driving through when a train is approaching.

            

            Another possible cause of the crash could be the train conductor driving too fast and not being able to slow the train down in time when the truck was spotted on the tracks.  Many things are possible here, but it is unlikely that this collision was not attributed to either the train conductor or the truck driver.  One or both of the parties involved must have been at fault for such a horrific crash to occur.

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