College Park, Maryland Auto Accident Attorney|Understanding Your Traffic Violation

When you first receive a traffic ticket, it is important to understand the offense with which you are charged along with the consequences you may face. In Maryland, there are two types of traffic violations: Minor and major.

Minor Traffic Violation:

If you have been charged with a minor traffic offense, such as speeding, you may choose to pay the fine or contest the ticket in court. If you choose to pay the fine, you are admitting guilt for the charge and may rack up points in the point system set by the MVA.

 The Maryland point system is a way for the state of Maryland to examine your driving record and determine what type of punishment is appropriate for you. If you accumulate five points on your record within a two-year period, the MVA will set up a conference to assess your driving record. If you accumulate eight points, your license may be suspended. If you have questions about your ticket or how many points is assigned to your violation, ask the police officer who issued the ticket or consult an experienced auto accident attorney who can help you look at your options.

 Instead of paying the stated fine, you may choose to contest your minor traffic violation ticket by going to court. Your court date will be on the ticket. A car accident lawyer can help you examine the surroundings of your violation and see if you have a chance to fight against your charge. If you do not pay the fine and do not show up for your court date, your driver's license will automatically become suspended. If you are caught driving with a suspended license due to failure to pay for a ticket or appear in court, you face a 60-day jail sentence and a $500 fine. Do not ignore your ticket simply because it is a minor violation.

 Major Traffic Violation:

 Major traffic offenses are traffic violations that could put you in jail if you are convicted. If you are charged with a major offense, you are required to come to court and do not have an option to simply pay a fine. Along with your ticket, you will receive a summons from the court in the mail stating the date, time, and location of your trial. It is advised that you seek legal counsel, and you must do so before the date of your trial - the earlier the better. 

Silver Spring, Maryland Auto Accident Attorney|Who is responsible for my auto accident?

After an auto accident, many of our clients are scared and confused by the overwhelming legal process. Clients come to us with worries of their case that arise from every angle. We always tell our clients that the most important step is recovery and treatment. Any stress or anxiousness with regard to their case can only hinder their ability to recover. The attorneys at Portner & Shure make sure that clients focus on their treatment while we, the professionals, take care to pursue every avenue for compensation.

 

While most attorneys rarely look beyond the obvious opponent, the other party to the accident, the attorneys at Portner & Shure take a closer look at accidents to ensure that every party is held responsible for the accident. Besides the other driver, we look to parties such as the automobile manufacturer who may have produced or assembled a faulty vehicle, the parts manufacturer who may have produced a faulty part used in the vehicle, and the government who may have failed to maintain or may have constructed a poorly designed road.

 

Recently, General Motors recalled 8.5 million vehicles due to ignition switch problems. These recalls came too late after 13 drivers and passengers had died due to these issues. Now, the CEO of the manufacturing company that produced the ignition switches claims that he holds no responsibility for the deaths. It is easy for auto accident attorneys to provide a cursory look and choose the easiest way to process your case in an assembly-line manner, but the attorneys at Portner & Shure take the extra step to closely examine all avenues of compensation so that you, the client, can recover from your injuries. 

Columbia, Maryland Auto Accident Attorneys Revamp Their Website

In order to provide a more user-centric experience to its visitors, Portner & Shure, one of Maryland's highest ranked law firms, has launched a website overhaul by making improvements to its core website's navigation and content design. Read more...