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.

Recent Case Results August 2018

A while back, one of our clients was injured in an accident where she was riding as a passenger on a golf cart, the driver was being reckless, flipped the cart, and caused her to fracture her femur.  After multiple surgeries, two years of physical therapy, and an accrued amount of $60,000.00 in medical expenses, it was time for her claim to be settled. Travelers insurance company was willing to offer $75,000.00 for our clients injury and medical expenses. Our attorneys did not see that figure as a fair settlement amount and continued to negotiate. By the end of our negotiations, we had doubled their offer and obtained a final recovery amount of $150,000.00. Our client was highly appreciative of the time Portner & Shure had dedicated to her case and very satisfied with her final result.

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.

Employee Spotlight June 2017

Join us in welcoming one of our newest legal assistants, Dianna Zientek, who works out of our Columbia, Maryland office. Dianna has been with Portner & Shure since January and has quickly become involved in many different areas of the firm, including videos and Spanish translations. She was born in the United States, but her parents are from El Salvador. Growing up, Spanish was Dianna’s first language, but she quickly learned English from her father because he would speak it at home. She is very close with her family, including her three sisters and her brother. Dianna and her husband, Nicholas, recently celebrated their daughter, Kamila’s, first birthday. Outside of the office, Dianna enjoys spending a lot of time with her family, as well as scrap booking.

Look Out for Speed Cameras in Western Maryland in Construction Zones

Maryland State Highway Administration officials have set up speed cameras in work zones along I-81 between the Maryland and West Virginia borders. Cameras are in effect starting this week and anyone who receives a citation during the first 21 days will only get a warning before official tickets are handed out. Beginning on June 20, drivers cited for speeding will receive a $40 citation. The posted work zone speed limit is 55mph. The cameras allow for drivers to go up to 12mph over the limit before handing out tickets.

Major construction is beginning on the interstate as part of a widening process between the bridges over the Potomac River and MD-63 and I-68 interchange. Drivers should always pay extra attention when driving through construction zones on highways because there may be new traffic patterns or workers on the side of the road. Accidents are a common occurrence in work zones, but they can also be prevented if drivers remain vigilant and proceed through them with caution.

Officials state that these speed cameras will be in effect through 2020, the expected completion date for the construction project.

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

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.

Litigation News May 2017

This month in litigation news at Portner & Shure, we have an accident case where our client was rear-ended at a red light and the defendant driver’s insurance carrier denied liability, forcing us to file suit in order to obtain the compensation our client was entitled. In this accident, our client suffered injuries to his back, hips, and shoulders. He required chiropractic treatment for his injuries. After incurring $4,000.00 in medical expenses and with liability denied by the insurance company, our litigation team filed suit and this case was headed to trial. The trial Judge found the defendant liable and awarded our client $8,600.00 plus court costs. Our client was extremely satisfied with this result, especially considering that the insurance company initially denied liability and was not offering anything to settle. This case is yet another example of an accident where property damage is minimal, and for that reason only, the insurance company will deny liability without considering actual injuries suffered by the victim. 

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.

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.

Litigation News March 2017

On March 6, 2015, our client was involved in an accident that occurred in an I-95 Rest stop parking lot. On the night of the accident, the highway was becoming snow covered, so our client decided to pull into the Rest Stop to wait out the weather. While his vehicle was parked in the lot, the Defendant collided with the rear of our client’s vehicle, which resulted in damage and injuries. The liability insurance adjuster refused to make any good faith offers, with their highest offer coming in at $7,400.00. We filed suit in order to obtain a better result for our client. The Court awarded our client $28,000.00, which was significantly higher than any offer made by the liability adjuster. Our client was happy with the result in his case.

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.

Maryland Car Accident Lawyer : Pre-Settlement Funding

Being involved in an accident can become a financial burden. There are unexpected daily expenses that arise as a result of being injured in an automobile accident. Many are inclined to take out pre-settlement loans to ease their financial burdens.
Be warned, there are many pit falls to pre-settlement loans. These are not like traditional loans that you would receive from your bank. The interest on pre-settlement loans is very high and increases the longer the loan goes unpaid. Typically, rates range from 2% to 4%, plus fees, compounded every single month. A $1,000.00 loan could cost you $1,601.03 after a year. That is a 60% increase.
Pre-Settlement funding companies woo clients with misdirection and word play. They tell clients that the loan is not a direct cost to them, but rather a cost against their final settlement. Any cost against the final settlement is a cost to the client. The money for repayment of that loan comes out of the client's portion of the settlement proceeds. The loans, like any lien on a case, must be paid before medical expenses. Depending on the age of the loan and the compounded interest, clients could find themselves receiving nothing out of their settlement. Further, clients could find themselves receiving nothing out of their settlement and still owing money for medical expenses.
It is true that if your case is not successful, you do not pay back the loan. However, success can come at a high cost.
We caution our clients against taking these loans unless absolutely necessary and only after they have exhausted all of their option such as seeking financial assistance from their families and friends or their private lending institution. If you find yourself in a position to take a pre-settlement loan, it is recommended that you take only a small amount of money, essentially take only what you absolutely need. Do not borrow yourself out of your own recovery.

Are you injured in a car accident and wondering what to do next? 
Please visit our website or Call us now at 410-995-1515 for a free legal consultation.

www.portnerandshure.com
www.chineseaccidentattorney.com (for Chinese)
www.yosoytuabogado.com/ (for Spanish)
www.koreanaccidentlawyer.com (for Korean)

Car Accident Involving Police Vehicle in Howard County

On January 20, 2010, an unmarked police vehicle was traveling eastbound along Route 108 in Columbia, Maryland. When the officer was making a left hand turn on Bendix Road he was hit by another vehicle traveling westbound on Route 108 in Howard County. The drivers of both vehicles were taken to Howard County General for injuries.

Although emergency vehicles have their own set of rules to which they adhere while driving, it is unclear in this situation as to what capacity the unmarked police cruiser was being used. The law clearly states that emergency vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, or fire trucks cannot be held to the same standard of care as other drivers. Designated emergency vehicles that are responding to an emergency have special privileges. For instance, they are permitted to exceed the speed limit (so long as they do not endanger other drivers), pass a red light or stop sign, and disregard traffic control devices. However, it is important to keep in mind that these privileges only exist if the responding vehicle is using its audible and visual signals except in the even event that the police vehicle is not equipped with such signals..

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident that involves the use of an emergency vehicle or would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure.

Alcohol May Have Contributed to Single Vehicle Accident in Howard County

On Friday, January 15, 2010, at approximately 3:20 a.m., there was a serious single car accident on Broken Land Parkway in Howard County, Maryland near Stevens Forest Road. The causes of the accident were not clear. However, it is suspected that alcohol was involved. One of the passengers was transported to the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore City for serious injuries. The driver was taken to Howard General Hospital for minor injuries while another passenger was evaluated by paramedics at the scene and released.

Although the driver of a vehicle may be at fault for the accident, that fact does not prevent a passenger from pursuing a claim when bodily injuries are involved. A passenger has the opportunity to pursue a claim against the driver's insurance policy. However, if the passenger got into the vehicle knowing that the driver was intoxicated the insurance carrier may deny the claim. Under these circumstances the carrier will argue that the passenger assumed the risk of an injury and therefore cannot recover. Clearly, this is yet another reason not to drive with someone who has been drinking.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident wherein alcohol was involved or you would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation.

Poor Road Conditions and Automobile Accidents

Poor weather conditions can result in single or multi-vehicle accidents. The most recent snow storm is a perfect example of how weather can impair a person's ability to drive. Poor weather and, as a result, road conditions contribute to thousands of accidents in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. areas every year.

Over the past few weeks, automobile accidents in Frederick County, Maryland has been on the rise. On December 31, 2009, a sports utility vehicle slid into a Frederick County Fire and Rescue vehicle that was traveling in the opposite direction near Point of Rocks. The fire truck was responding to a single vehicle accident on Route 464. The passengers of the SUV and fire truck had to be taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital for medical attention. The icy road conditions were reported as being the cause of this accident. Unfortunately, when road conditions case an accident negligence maybe impossible to prove.

Regardless of the type of vehicle that a person may operate, car accidents can happen to anyone at anytime. Traffic accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor bruising and sprains to more serious injuries such as internal bleeding, fractures or even traumatic brain injuries. Head-on collisions and other motor vehicle accidents that occur at a higher rate of speed have the potential of leaving a person with permanent injuries.

If you, a family member, or someone you know has been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to poor road conditions, or you would like more information on car accidents, please contact Portner & Shure.