Rockville, MD Personal Injury Lawyers Who Get Results
Contact our attorneys if you’ve been injured due to negligence
In Rockville and the surrounding area, claims involving negligence can quickly become complex legal cases. Whether you've suffered a head injury from a slip and fall accident or were harmed due to a defective product, your injury should be addressed promptly with the necessary medical care.
If required, seek treatment at Shady Grove Medical Center Emergency Room or another nearby hospital. After receiving medical attention, it's crucial to consult with a Rockville, MD personal injury attorney from Goldberg Finnegan.
With over two decades of experience, our dedicated legal team has been advocating for the rights of injury victims and their families in Montgomery County, gaining a deep understanding of the nuances surrounding injury claims and lawsuits. You can rely on us to guide you through the process.
FAQ About Personal Injury Claims in Rockville, MD
- What are common types of personal injury cases?
- What steps should I take immediately after being injured in Rockville?
- What kind of evidence is most important in a personal injury claim?
- Who pays for expenses after an injury?
- Can I recover compensation if the person who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance?
- How much is my injury claim worth?
- Can I file a personal injury lawsuit?
- Can family members bring a claim if a loved one dies in an accident?
- Do I still have a case if my injury symptoms appeared days after the accident?
- Do I need to go to court to resolve my case?
- How long does it usually take to settle a personal injury case in Maryland?
- What tactics do insurance companies use to reduce my compensation?
- What happens if the insurance company denies my claim?
- Why should I hire a Rockville, MD personal injury attorney?
What are common types of personal injury cases?
Common types of cases our Rockville personal injury lawyers handle include:
- Car accidents resulting from the negligence of other drivers.
- Medical malpractice cases, which involve injuries due to negligence by doctors and other medical professionals.
- Premises liability accidents, involving injuries occurring on another person's property.
- Incidents of dog bites and other types of animal attacks.
- Product liability injuries caused by defective or hazardous products.
- Train accidents, including injuries sustained on METRO, MARC, or other trains serving Rockville.
What steps should I take immediately after being injured in Rockville?
After an accident in Rockville, call 911 to get police and medical personnel on the scene. They will also document what happened. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver and get names and numbers of any witnesses. If it’s safe, take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, and your injuries. Even if you feel okay, go to a doctor right away. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and a doctor will create a medical record that ties your injuries to the crash.
Don’t talk about your car accident on social media or with the other driver’s insurance company. Anything you say may be used against you. Notify your insurance company but stick to the basic facts. You can provide more detail later. Keep receipts for medical bills and repair costs.
Finally, speak to a Rockville attorney before signing anything or giving recorded statements. Maryland’s strict contributory negligence rule means even a small misstep could harm your claim. If you’re unsure about what to do, Goldberg Finnegan can guide you through the immediate steps and handle communications while you focus on recovery.
What kind of evidence is most important in a personal injury claim?
Strong evidence is the backbone of a successful injury claim. Courts and insurers want to see proof that the other party’s negligence caused your injuries and losses. Start by gathering witness statements and contact information. Witnesses provide independent accounts of how the incident happened.
Photos and videos of the accident scene, damage, road conditions, and your injuries should be taken quickly from multiple angles. Keep all medical records, bills and discharge instructions. These documents show the type of injuries you suffered and the cost of treatment. If you miss work, save pay stubs and employer letters to document lost wages. A diary chronicling your pain, doctor visits, and emotional struggles can also be persuasive evidence.
In Maryland, you must prove the other party was entirely at fault, so the more documentation you have, the better. Should you need help gathering and organizing evidence, our legal team in Rockville knows how to build a compelling case.
Who pays for expenses after an injury?
Maryland has an at-fault insurance system. This means the at-fault party is generally responsible for paying for your injury-related expenses.
Depending on the circumstances, the type of injury you sustained and other factors, the at-fault party responsible for paying for your pain and suffering, and other expenses could include:
- The driver who caused your motor vehicle accident.
- The owner of a property where your accident took place.
- A doctor or hospital that caused your injury.
- A company that manufactured the dangerous product that caused your injury.
- The insurance company for the at-fault party.
Can I recover compensation if the person who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance?
Maryland law requires every auto policy to include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which protects you if the at-fault driver lacks insurance. The mandatory minimum is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and at least $15,000 for property damage.
After the crash, notify your insurance provider and file a UM claim. This coverage steps in to pay medical bills, lost wages, and other losses up to your policy limits. You may also have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay, which can help with initial medical expenses. If your losses exceed your own policy limits, you can sue the uninsured driver directly, though collecting may be difficult.
A Rockville personal injury attorney can help identify other sources of recovery, such as claims against a negligent employer or product manufacturer. Our Rockville lawyers can evaluate your UM coverage, file the necessary claims and if needed, pursue a lawsuit against the responsible party to maximize your recovery.
How much is my injury claim worth?
The answer to this question is simple. You should be financially compensated for all your injury-related expenses. What you might not realize is just how many expenses this may include:
- The cost of all medical care, including emergency medical treatments, follow-up doctor’s appointments and future medical care, including surgery.
- Property damaged in accident, if applicable.
- Replacement income if you need time off from work due to your injury.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering, in some circumstances.
Add all these expenses up, and your injury claim or settlement could easily be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more money. So, how do you know how much money you could be entitled to receive for your potential claim? Talk to a lawyer at our law firm in Rockville as soon as possible.
Can I file a personal injury lawsuit?
In most cases, you can file a lawsuit if your injury was the result of negligence. And you might want to do so if the at-fault party refuses to pay for your injury or denies your claim.
It’s also important to keep in mind that you only have a limited amount of time to take legal action. In most cases, you have three (3) years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations as described in Maryland Code Section 5-109.
However, just because you have three years doesn’t mean you should wait that long to take legal action. The longer you wait, the harder it often becomes to find the evidence you need to build a strong legal case.
Can family members bring a claim if a loved one dies in an accident?
In Maryland, there are two distinct claims after a fatal accident. A “wrongful death” claim compensates certain relatives for their own losses, while a “survival action” allows the estate to recover damages the deceased could have claimed if they had lived. The wrongful death claim can only be filed by a surviving spouse, children, or parents. If none of these relatives exist, other family members who were financially dependent on the deceased may file.
Damages may include loss of income, funeral costs, emotional suffering, and loss of companionship. The estate’s survival claim seeks compensation for pain and suffering the deceased endured before death and for medical bills and lost wages. Both claims must be filed within three years of the death. Because these cases can be emotionally and legally challenging, our attorneys can guide your family through Maryland’s wrongful death and survival laws with care.
Do I still have a case if my injury symptoms appeared days after the accident?
It’s common for symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, numbness or sleep disturbances to emerge hours or days after a crash. In particular, whiplash and concussions may not be immediately obvious. See a doctor as soon as you notice new symptoms and follow all recommended treatment. Keep detailed records of your pain, doctor visits and how the injuries affect your daily life.
Even if initial medical reports show no obvious injury, follow-up evaluations can link the delayed symptoms to the accident. Consult an attorney early to ensure your claim is filed on time and supported by proper medical evidence. Our Rockville legal team can work with medical experts to connect your late-appearing symptoms to the crash and pursue fair compensation.
Do I need to go to court to resolve my case?
Most personal injury and car accident claims in Maryland are resolved through insurance settlements, mediation, or arbitration. Filing a lawsuit is sometimes necessary to push an insurance company into offering a fair settlement, but very few cases actually go to trial. If litigation becomes unavoidable, our Rockville personal injury lawyers can handle drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, and arguing in court.
Your involvement might include giving a deposition or testifying if the case goes to trial, but your attorney can prepare you for those steps. Even after a suit is filed, your lawyer continues negotiating; many cases settle on the courthouse steps. If the thought of court makes you nervous, know that having a seasoned Rockville attorney increases the likelihood of a favorable settlement without a trial.
Our lawyers are skilled negotiators and litigators. We’ll strive to settle your case efficiently but will be fully prepared to take it to court if necessary.
How long does it usually take to settle a personal injury case in Maryland?
There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. Some straightforward claims settle in a few weeks, while others may take months or longer. Factors include the number of parties involved, the severity of your injuries, and how clear liability is. Claims with multiple defendants or serious injuries take longer because insurers and lawyers must evaluate long-term medical needs and future lost wages. Obtaining strong evidence, like clear video footage or expert testimony, can speed up a case. On the other hand, low-ball settlement offers and health insurance liens can add months to the process. Although you have three years to file a lawsuit, it’s wise to act quickly so evidence doesn’t disappear and witnesses’ memories don’t fade. An experienced attorney can push back against insurance company stall tactics and ensure you don’t miss deadlines. Our attorneys can help set realistic expectations, keep your case moving, and fight for a timely, fair settlement.
What tactics do insurance companies use to reduce my compensation?
Insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is often to pay out as little as possible on personal injury claims. They use a variety of tactics designed to limit or deny compensation, which can catch injury victims off guard if they aren’t prepared. Knowing these strategies can help you protect your rights and avoid costly mistakes.
Common tactics insurance companies use to reduce compensation include:
- Quick settlement offers: Offering a fast but low payout before the full extent of your injuries is known.
- Downplaying injuries: Suggesting your condition isn’t serious or that you don’t need further treatment.
- Blaming the victim: Arguing you were partly at fault, especially in Maryland, which has strict contributory negligence laws.
- Delaying the process: Dragging out investigations and responses to pressure you into accepting less.
- Using recorded statements: Asking for statements to catch inconsistencies or admissions that can be used against you.
- Disputing medical treatment: Claiming your care was unnecessary or unrelated to the accident.
Because these tactics are designed to reduce what you receive, having an experienced Rockville car accident attorney can level the playing field. Our law firm can handle all communications, challenge unfair denials, and fight to ensure the insurance company pays what your case is truly worth.
What happens if the insurance company denies my claim?
If you receive a denial, read the letter carefully to understand the insurance company’s reasoning and deadlines for appeal.
Gather supporting evidence such as police reports, medical records, photos, repair estimates, and witness statements. Draft a written appeal that addresses each issue raised by the insurance company and include your evidence.
If the insurance company still refuses to pay, you may request an external review through the Maryland Insurance Administration or file a complaint with them. A denial doesn’t mean your claim is over; many are overturned on appeal.
A seasoned attorney can identify errors in the insurance company’s decision and advocate on your behalf. Our legal team can handle the appeals process, negotiate with the insurance company and, if needed, file a lawsuit to protect your rights.
Why should I hire a Rockville, MD personal injury attorney?
Although you may deserve it, securing fair financial compensation for your losses is not guaranteed. Often, the responsible party or their insurance company will go to great lengths to minimize or deny your claim. That's why having an experienced Rockville personal injury lawyer by your side is crucial.
Your attorney can diligently gather supporting evidence for your case, handle negotiations with insurance companies or responsible parties, and, if necessary, file a personal injury lawsuit in Montgomery County or the appropriate jurisdiction.
The stakes are high in many personal injury claims, so it's essential to give your case the best chance for success. Contact Goldberg Finnegan today to schedule a free case evaluation with a trusted lawyer at our Rockville law firm, conveniently located on South Washington Street near Montgomery County District Court.