Takoma Park Premises Liability Attorney
Premises liability is a broad field of law. This is because a premises liability lawsuit happens when property owners are negligent. Carelessness can be due to a range of reasons. Property owners have a responsibility to keep people safe on their land. If not an injury can occur, which can affect someone financially and physically forever. If a local accident happens, you might want to consider hiring a Takoma Park premises liability attorney. Everyone’s situation is different, so you need a lawyer who will know your cases front to back.
How Premises Liability Works
Accidents happen, however they could be avoided. Property owners need to make sure they have a place which is safe for visitors. They have a big responsibility and need to clean up any property issues. Even if bad weather like snow or ice is the cause of an injury. Insurance companies do not hold weather accountable but they will look to the property owners if there is reasonable measure to show for their negligence. However, there are some exceptions.
Trespassers are different. The property owner has no responsibility to a trespasser even if the intruder gets hurt on the property. The rule changes if the land owner knew the trespasser was coming and purposefully left their space untreated. Along with that, if a kid is the unwelcoming visitor, then the land proprietor may be held accountable. There are so many laws and exceptions to the law when it comes to premises liability. Accidents like this can happen anywhere like, schools, malls, restaurants, hotels, private residences, apartment complexes and parks. Knowing every detail is important. Having a Takoma Park premises liability attorney on your side, will help you make sure no details are missed and that you even have a case in the first place.
Most common premises liability cases
- Slip and falls
- Trip and falls
- Torn carpeting
- Uneven stairs
- Defective handrails
- Poor lighting
- Inadequate or negligent security
- Falling objects
- Swimming pools
- Toxic substances
- Fire
- Dog bites
- Snow or ice hazards
Nonetheless, without any information on the accident, the insurance company will have the upper hand. It’s important to gather all the evidence you can.
Evidence To Gather For a Premises Liability Claim
Why is the proof important? It’s because the insurance company doesn’t know what happened in the accident. Moreover, they are also a business, so they often times compensate less for their own sake. With proof, you can not only show who in fact is at-fault but also what you really are entitled to. This could include showing:
- A hazardous condition was present on the property at the time of the accident.
- The defendant either knew about the hazardous condition or should have known about it because a reasonable property owner would have under similar circumstances.
- The defendant did not address the hazardous condition or make you aware of it.
- You were injured as a result of the hazardous condition and the defendant’s failure to maintain their property.
With this evidence, a Takoma Park premises liability attorney will be able to guide you to the true value of your case. However, you could handle a premises liability lawsuit on your own. Note that if you do so, insurance companies will try and take advantage of you in your vulnerable state. They will ask questions as if they care but this can lead to your own demise. Don’t always 100% trust the insurance company. If you hire a lawyer, they can make sure no stone is unturned and they will take the work off your plate. It’s important to know that you have the option.
Is a Takoma Park Premises Liability Attorney The Right Choice For Me?
Every situation depends. You can always ask if you are unsure. There are so many laws that are complex and sometimes have exceptions involving statute of limitations or contributory negligence here in Maryland. If you decide to hire an attorney, they could do the work for you like getting medical bills, medical records, finding the right doctor for your claim, talking to the insurance on your behalf, etc. On your own, you may need more like inspection reports, expert witness testimony, witness statements, pictures, a trustworthy doctor and the list continues. This is what it takes for the maximum compensation. Just okay is not enough. With a Takoma Park premises liability attorney, it’s possible to get maximum from the insurance company. Contacting a lawyer right away is so vital because it could make a big difference.
Exceptions To Premises Liability
Personal injury law in Maryland has what’s called statute of limitations. This law says that there is a deadline to file and conclude a lawsuit. Generally, this law is different for every U.S. state but it has caused many to miss the mark. It’s important to talk to an attorney as soon as you can because your health and financial well-being is important. In Maryland there is another exception that may affect your claim.
If you are even 10% at-fault for an accident you may not be compensated at all. This is called contributory negligence and it affects accidents that happen in the DMV. No matter how much was contributed to the accident, the law in Maryland says that you legally have little to no say at all. However, a lawyer could guide you in the right direction and tell you if you have a case. Therefore, if your unsure, contact our team. We are ready to move forward if possible, so that way you can get back on your feet faster.
Our Takoma Park Premises Liability Attorney Team
We do what we do because we want to help those who have been wronged. We hate to see anything like this happen to anyone. Our job is to help you get back to health and make sure you are getting what you’re entitled to. Our firm offers a free consultation and we work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about finances even more. We are one call or click away: 888-982-0906. What are you waiting for? It’s better to ask now than to risk having a say in the matter.