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. 

Choosing a Law Firm with Litigation Experience is Very Important

When you are injured in an accident in Towson, it is important to hire a law firm to represent you and fight for the compensation you deserve. When searching for a law firm that handles accident cases, it is important to hire a firm with litigation experience. You may think that a car accident case is very straightforward and will easily settle, but that is not always the case. Yes, it is true that a majority of accident cases do settle without ever having to go to court. However, there are still many cases that cannot settle and it is necessary to go to court. What happens if the law firm you hire does not go to court or has no experience in the courtroom?

Make sure you hire a law firm with an extensive litigation department and immense resources to be able to battle the insurance company all the way to court in order to get the compensation you deserve.

Portner & Shure attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience in the courtroom litigating accident cases. If your case does not settle, we never hesitate to file suit in court. It is important that you hire a firm with the ability to handle your case no matter what happens--settle or litigate in court.

If you've been injured in an accident in the Towson area, choose your law firm wisely. Portner & Shure attorneys are available now for a free consultation. Call us today: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515.

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.

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.

What Clients Are Saying April 2017

“I have never written a review for a person or business before today; however, this review is 100% warranted and so here we go. I have had the pleasure and honor bestowed upon me to have met and work with Ms. Rebecca Dean. To simply say that Ms. Rebecca Dean is AMAZING would be an understatement and a disservice to her. Ms. Rebecca Dean is the epitome of what a true professional is. Ms. Rebecca Dean's patience and time she takes to explain every step along the way and to respond to any questions is ADMIRABLE and her work ethic and perseverance to always perform to the highest standard and do what is in the best interest of the client is INSPIRATIONAL. Ms. Rebecca Dean is a true asset to not only Portner & Shure but to their clientele as well. If you are fortunate enough to be assigned to Ms. Rebecca Dean, just know one thing: you ARE in good hands!!”

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

Litigation News April 2017

On March 6, 2015, our client was involved in a rear-end accident when she was stopped at a red light in Montgomery County, Maryland. She suffered injuries to her neck, back, and legs. An offer of $4,300.00 was made to settle the case, but this was less than half the total of our client’s medical bills. Our client rejected this offer and we filed suit to handle this matter in court. The District Court Judge awarded our client $14,758.40 plus all court costs. Here, the insurance company refused to make a good-faith offer of settlement, and as a result, they lost in Court and were required to compensate our client more than $10,000.00 more than their highest offer. Our client was very happy with this result in her case.

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.