Maryland Drivers, You Need to Know about This New Law

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What exactly is the EUIM Insurance Law,
and what does it mean for you?

As of July 1, 2018, insurance companies in Maryland are now required to offer you
EUIM coverage (Enhanced Underinsured Motorist) for your private passenger auto
insurance. Essentially, this means if you’re involved in a car accident this new
type of insurance will let you stack the other driver’s policy limit with your
coverage, in order to increase how much compensation you can receive.

The point is to protect you from underinsured and uninsured drivers, as well as
from insurance companies.

So what exactly does this new law mean?

Prior to this new legislation, if you were in a car accident, your insurance company
would only cover the gap between your Underinsured Motorist (UM) policy and
the other driver’s coverage. So for example, if you had a $80,000 UM coverage,
and the other driver, who’s at fault, has a $40,000 insurance policy, then the total
you’d be able to recover for the incident would have been $80,000—$40,000 from
the other driver, and the remaining $40,000 paid by your insurance company.

But if you’re in a car accident under the new EUIM law, you can now combine the
at-fault driver’s insurance policy on top of your coverage, which means you could
now receive $120,000—the full amount covered by their insurance, and the full
amount covered by yours.

Why is the new EUIM insurance policy so important to you?

Because as it stands in Maryland, $30,000 is the minimum liability coverage
required, per person, for auto insurance. So if you’re hospitalized after a car wreck,
leaving you with a $100,000 medical bill, and a totaled car, you’d be left with a
$20,000 debt that you’re personally accountable for. And forget about getting
compensated for any pain and suffering you’ve experienced, not to mention the
damage that’s been done to your car. That’s all on you now.

The good news is that under this new legislation, you’ll receive the extra coverage
if you’re in a car accident with another driver who either has:

  •  The absolute minimum coverage
  •  No insurance coverage
  •  Or if the other driver’s insurance policy offers less coverage than yours.

However, there is a caveat…

This new EUIM coverage isn’t automatically applied to your insurance policy. If
you want to be covered, you’ll need to submit a form to your insurance provider
specifically requesting Enhanced Underinsured Motorist Coverage.

Also according to Maryland law, your insurance company must now offer you the
EUIM policy “at the time of purchase of a private passenger motion vehicle
liability insurance policy.” So, if you’re ready to upgrade your insurance, or when
it’s time to renew your current policy, be sure to talk with your insurance agent
about EUIM coverage. It could make all the difference in ensuring that you and
your loved ones are covered if you’ve been in a car accident.

For more information

If you’d like to learn more about the EUIM insurance laws, and how they can
benefit you and your family, feel free to contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at
Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA. We have over 40 years of experience helping
clients settle auto accident cases, and recover the money they’re owed.

410-669-5070

Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA
(Auto Accident Attorneys)

What do You Need to Know in a Slip and Fall Case?

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Slip and fall accidents can be dangerous and can lead to injuries ranging from minor knee scrapes and cuts to severe back and head injuries. These injuries can result in expensive medical treatment, therapy, and lost wages in the event that you have to miss work while you recuperate. If you have fallen on someone else’s property and sustained injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. It is always a good idea to seek legal advice if you find yourself in this situation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, contact an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney so that you can strategize about the best possible outcomes for your case.

What to Know in Slip and Fall Cases

In Maryland, a slip and fall case is a personal injury claim that arises from a person slipping or failing, usually on the property of another, and often, that property owner was negligent in his or her upkeep of the property. In Maryland, property owners are held accountable for the state of their property and any injuries that occur as a result of their negligence regarding their property. However, it is equally important to know that Maryland follows the doctrine of contributory negligence in which if you contributed to your harm or injuries, such as failing to pay attention to where you were going, wearing inappropriate footwear, or being on a part of the property where you were not allowed, then your personal injury slip and fall claim may be dismissed without compensation. Also, for a slip and fall case to be successful, you must be able to prove the elements of negligence – duty, breach, causation, and damages, and bring the claim within three years of the injury occurring. Because personal injury claims can be complicated, it is invaluable to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney to help you with your case.

Need Legal Advice?

When you fall on someone else’s property due to their negligent up-keeping of the property, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. Whether your injuries are considered minor or major, these falls almost always result in injury, some being consistently problematic while others may aggravate a current injury. Regardless of your situation, you deserve to have someone on your team who will fight for your rights and get you the compensation that you deserve. At Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA we will advocate on your behalf, help you strategize about the best possible outcomes for your case, and assist you in the personal injury claims process. Contact our office today if you have been injured in a slip and fall case for a consultation regarding the facts of your situation.

Social Media Risks for Personal Injury Clients

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Social media has made itself an integral part of most people lives. Whether it is Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter, social media is a huge platform for many people’s personal and professional lives. Unfortunately, because these social media platforms are so common, many people post to them without thinking about the unexpected effects their posting may have on their personal and professional lives or even a legal case. For those who have been in an accident and are pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, social media can be your worst nightmare and poses great risks for personal injury attorneys. If you or a loved one have been injured at the fault of another and are considering a personal injury claim, contact an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney to help you with your case.

Social Media Risks

Studies conducted by The Pew Research Center show that over 70% of people within the United States utilize some platform of social media. This includes people of all races and ethnicities, old and young, rich and poor. Unfortunately, when you have a personal injury claim, this could pose a huge problem. Most insurance companies have insurance defense attorneys who search social media looking for information to gather in a claim against you in the event you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. If information that could be used against you is found, many courts have found that these writings are admissible in court and can be used against you because any posting can be deemed as waiving your attorney client confidentiality.

It is important to know that comments that people make on your social media accounts can also be evidence used against you in a personal injury claim. Lastly, it is important to note that insurance companies and their defense attorneys look to see if you are engaged in your regular activities, if you have shared information about your personal injury claim, or if you are or have been engaged in activities that could aggravate your injuries. Again, this information could pose a potential risk to you and your personal injury claim and result in you not being compensated for the injuries you sustained in an accident.

Need Legal Advice?

Social media can be fun and exciting to use. It allows you to keep in contact with people who you generally would not keep in contact with, and to share ideas and photos with people who may or may not think like you. However, social media also allows the world to have access to you and anything that you choose to post on your accounts; if you are a personal injury client, then this could be a potential hazard. Because of this, speaking with an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney at Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA can be in your best interest if you are thinking of pursuing a persona injury claim against someone who has caused you injury. Contact our office today for a consultation.

Is Dental Malpractice the Same as Medical Malpractice?

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Most people hate visiting the dentist whether it is for a routine exam and cleaning or a more serious tooth extraction. Regardless the reason for your visit, the dentist’s office is not a place most people find pleasurable. So, when your dentist ends up doing more harm than good that result in pain and suffering for you as well as additional expenses, you deserve to be compensated for the injuries you sustain. What type of suit is dental malpractice? If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of your dental practitioner or facility, contact an experienced Maryland medical malpractice attorney to help you determine whether you have a viable claim and to help you determine how to move forward with that claim.

Dental Malpractice

Although dentists and their practitioners are not considered medical doctors, when you are injured by one, the effects could be just as damaging. Dental malpractice happens when a dentist fails to perform in the way that other dentists similarly situated would practice, and though it is dental malpractice, it fails within the same category of medical malpractice and is governed by the same laws. As in medical malpractice cases, dental practitioners have a duty to adhere to the industry’s standard of care in a reasonable manner. When these standards are not practiced, dental malpractice may be a sufficient claim where injury is involved. The most common dental malpractice claims are due to:

  • Numbness
  • Unnecessary extractions
  • Loss of taste
  • Severe pain
  • Transmissions of infectious diseases
  • Nerve damage

Just as with medical malpractice cases, expert testimony is required and you have three years to bring a claim from the date that the injury was discovered to bring a claim. If you wait longer, you will be barred from ever bringing a claim. Because of this, it is invaluable to seek legal representation and advice if you find yourself in this situation.

Need Legal Advice?

When you have been injured due to the negligence of a dental practitioner you may be frustrated, overwhelmed, and frightened. Just remember that you have the ability to seek compensation for any pain and suffering and medical costs that you have incurred as a result of this negligence. You do not have to go through this process alone, though you may feel alone, and at Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA we are here to fight for your rights and to advocate on your behalf. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of a dental practitioner, contact our office today so that we can ensure that you receive the maximum compensation based on your injuries. Contact our office today for a consultation.

Medication Errors

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Anyone who has ever gotten a prescription from a doctor knows that doctors are said to have the worst handwriting. Though this is often times considered a joke, it is a joke that can come back to haunt you. As a patient, you expect that when a doctor writes you a prescription, you are able to take it to a pharmacy, receive your medication, and hopefully your condition will improve upon taking the medication. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and there are times in which your pharmacist or doctor makes medication errors that can fatally impact your life. When this happens and an injury occurs, you need an attorney to act on your behalf. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a medication error, it is in your best interest to seek an experienced Maryland medical malpractice attorney to review your case and help you strategize about the best possible outcomes for your case.

Medication Error is Malpractice

Throughout the United States, approximately 400,000 injuries occur annually as a result of medication errors. If it can be proven that your doctor or pharmacist acted negligently, you may have a medical malpractice claim. In Maryland, the most common types of medication errors and mistakes occur due to:

  • Being prescribed the wrong medication
  • Improper medication combinations
  • Drug name mix-ups
  • Handwriting errors
  • Allergic reaction to a specific or combined medication
  • Adverse effects of medication

If these medication errors or mistakes occurs and you can show that the doctor or pharmacist acted negligently by showing that there was a failure to act with ordinary care and skill of someone in that profession, within the same geographic region, when dealing with a prescription for a patient similar to yourself, then a medical malpractice claim is viable. When this occurs, you need someone who is going to fight on your behalf.

Need Legal Advice?

If you were injured due to being prescribed the wrong medication or taking the wrong dosage of medication, then you are likely dealing with pain and suffering, mental issues, and financial harm, and you deserve to be compensated for whatever injury you have sustained as a result of such negligence. Because of this, if you or a loved one was injured due to a medication error or mistake, it is in your best interest to see seek an experienced Maryland medical malpractice attorney to help you navigate through the medical malpractice process. Contact an experienced attorney at Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA to help you determine whether you have a case and to strategize about the best possible outcomes. Contact our office today.

Failure to Diagnose and Misdiagnosis Medical Malpractice Claims

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When you go to the doctor with an ailment, you expect to be thoroughly examined, informed of your diagnoses, and then prescribed treatment so that you can be made better. What you do not expect is for a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose to occur, resulting in further injury to you and your body. When your doctor fails to diagnose you or misdiagnoses you, the consequences of such actions can be life threatening. When this happens, if you are further injured as a result, you have the right to be compensated for your injuries. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been injured due to your doctor failing to diagnose a medical condition or misdiagnosing a medical condition, you should speak with an experienced Maryland medical malpractice attorney who can help you determine whether you have a case.

Failure to Diagnose or Misdiagnose

When you have a failure to diagnose claim, this claim occurs as result of a medical practitioner not detecting or not using the necessary tools and equipment to detect a disease even though there was a reasonable suspicion of such. If your doctor was negligent in the above and as a result, the injuries you had worsened or you sustained new injuries, then you may have a medical malpractice claim. Some of the more common misdiagnosed injuries include:

  • Infections
  • Skin cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Colorectal cancer

The person who was responsible for the misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose will be deemed the negligent party and a claim may be made against him or her. In Maryland, once you have discovered an injury, you generally have three years to file a medical malpractice claim before you are barred from bringing an action against your medical provider. Because of this, seeking an attorney right away is most beneficial to ensure that you are compensated for your injuries.

Need Legal Advice?

Even though doctors are human, and sometimes make mistakes, we expect them to know everything. When you go to your doctor seeking medical treatment and he or she fails to diagnose your symptoms or misdiagnoses your symptoms, the harm can be that much more impactful. If an injury occurs as a result of your provider’s negligence, you have a right to be compensated for the injuries that you have sustained. If you or a loved one have sustained injuries as a result of a misdiagnosis or a failure to diagnose, contact Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA so that we can evaluate your claim and help you strategize about the best possible outcomes for your case.

Back or Spinal Cord Injuries from Medical Malpractice

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Anyone who has ever hurt his or her back knows the amount of pain, injury, and suffering that can result. For some, simple medication suffices, but for others with more extreme conditions, a back injury can keep you out of work, keep you from enjoying moments with your family, and can become mentally draining. So, when your back injury occurs due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, the harm is even more damaging and you deserve to be compensated for the damages that you have incurred. If you or a loved one have sustained a back injury due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, contact an experienced Maryland medical malpractice attorney to help you determine whether you have a case.

What Should You Expect?

Back and spinal injuries are some of the worst injuries that your body can sustain. This is because your spinal cord carries nerve impulses to and from your brain to the rest of your body. These nerve impulses include different physical sensations as well as control and movement of your body. When injured, you can expect a series of health problems, high medical costs, and loss of compensation if you must be put out of work until you are healed.

Back and spinal injuries can happen at work, from slip and falls, and from vehicular accidents. Some back and spinal injuries occur as a result of medical malpractice. When these types of injuries occur, you deserve to be compensated, and an experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you with your potential case. When back or spinal injuries are due to medical malpractice, you can expect a medical malpractice attorney to thoroughly review your case, speak with any potential witnesses, examine your medical files, and speak with medical experts. Medical experts can help establish what should have been done in your situation, what other practicing medical practitioners would have done, and any permanent physical damage that has resulted from your injuries. A medical malpractice attorney will help you receive the compensation you deserve as a result of your medical practitioner’s negligence.

Need Legal Advice?

Sustaining a back injury due to the negligence of a medical practitioner can be a devastating experience. Not only are the medical costs high, but the pain and suffering, loss of work and compensation, and mental drain can also be costly. Though you may feel alone, you are not; we are here to help you fight for your rights and be fairly compensated for any injuries you have sustained due to the negligence of another. If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of a medical practitioner, contact an experienced Maryland medical malpractice attorney at Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA to help you strategize about the best possible outcomes for your case.

Expungement of Criminal Charges in Maryland

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We have all made mistakes, both big and small, and we are deserving of second chances. This is the case, even when it pertains to a criminal record. Though you may have been young and foolish when you obtained a criminal record, no matter how minor, a criminal record can follow you throughout your life, impacting where you can live as well as the jobs for which you are hired and your chances to adopt a child or obtain federal assistance. This can be very frustrating, especially when you are trying to change your and your family’s lives for the better. Fortunately, depending on your situation, you may be able to receive an expungement of your criminal record. If you or a love has a criminal record that you would like expunged, contact an experienced Maryland criminal defense attorney to help you navigate through the process.

Expungement in Maryland

Expungement is the legal process by which a former crime that is on your record is sealed from public view or destroyed completely if you meet certain requirements. These records can include police reports, court records, motor vehicle administration files, as well court recordings. However, in Maryland, not all crimes within your criminal record can be expunged. In Maryland, you can seek expungement if you have been arrested or detained by an officer but have not been charged with a crime, you have been convicted of a crime that is not considered a violent crime, if your crime was prior to 1975, you have been acquitted of a crime, you were pardoned by the Governor of Maryland, or if you have been convicted of a crime that is considered a Nuisance Crime.

Even though you may be eligible for an expungement based on the above crimes, there are still specific requirements regarding when and how your record can be expunged. Because the goal of expungement is to help you create a better future for yourself, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced criminal law attorney to determine whether the crimes you have been charged with are eligible for expungement.

Need Legal Advice?

Having a criminal record can affect your life on many levels. However, depending on your circumstances, your criminal record does not have to follow you forever. Here at Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA, we can help you determine whether your criminal record can be expunged, and then walk you through the process. If you or a loved one have a criminal record that you would like expunged, contact our office today for a consultation.

Conspiracy and Drug Offenses

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When you are charged with conspiracy, in some cases, you may be charged with additional crimes, as well. Conspiracy can be one of the most frustrating crimes to be charged with as it allows for law enforcement as well as prosecutors to pursue charges against you whether or not you were actually caught committing the crime. This also allows for law enforcement and prosecutors to go after a larger amount of people in hopes of finding a bigger culprit. Conspiracy charges, though misdemeanor in nature, can have lasting effects on your life, both professionally and personally. Because of this, if you or a loved one has been charged with conspiracy or any other crime, contact an experienced Maryland criminal defense attorney to help you determine the best strategies for your case.

Conspiracy Related to Drug Offenses

In Maryland, conspiracy to commit a crime occurs when two or more people agree to engage in criminal activity. When you are charged with conspiracy, you should know that this is considered a separate and distinct charge from the actual criminal activity in which you were engaged. For example, you can be charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics, as well as charged for the distribution of narcotics.

Though conspiracy is considered a common-law crime, prosecutors must still prove that all parties involved and charged with conspiracy had a meeting of the minds or an agreement and intended to commit a crime. A prosecutor can show this by intercepting conversations in text form, email, or through phone calls. In relation to drug offenses, conspiracy is often charged in drug trafficking cases where a person has transported drugs in between counties. Also, there are often mandatory minimums associated with drug offenses and conspiracy charges. For instance, Section 5-608(b) carries a minimum of 10 years for a second violation involving a Schedule I or II narcotic drug, including convictions for conspiracy. If you have been charged with conspiracy in relation to a drug offense, it is important to note that you can be deemed a repeat offender in the case of drugs, subjecting you to harsher consequences.

Need Legal Advice?

Conspiracy related to drug offenses can be a frustrating crime with which to be charged. These offenses almost never leave you unscathed when it relates to your personal and professional life, and though considered misdemeanors, they can have serious consequences. You need an experienced team to help you with your case and to help you navigate through the criminal justice process. If you or a loved one have been charged with conspiracy in relation to a drug offense, please do not hesitate to contact us. Here at Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA, we can be your voice and advocate on your behalf.

Can You Carry a Concealed Weapon in Maryland?

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Can You Carry a Concealed Weapon in Maryland?

 With all of the recent shootings in the news in this country, the gun control debate is raging. For those who choose to own as well as carry guns, it is important to know and understand the gun laws of Maryland and whether it is a crime to carry a concealed weapon in Maryland. Knowing the law can keep you from being arrested and facing a gun charge. If you or a loved one has been charged with a gun crime, seek legal representation and advice from an experienced Maryland criminal defense attorney to help you strategize about the best possible outcomes for your case.

Concealed Weapons and the Law in Maryland

When it comes to restrictions and punishments for committing gun crimes, Maryland is one of the toughest states within the United States. One of the most common gun charges in the state is carrying, transporting, or wearing a concealed handgun without a permit. When you are charged with carrying a concealed handgun, there are certain requirements that the prosecutor must meet before you can be convicted. The prosecutor must show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you knowingly carried the gun on your person, or in other words, on yourself or within your vicinity.

The prosecutor must also prove that the gun is a handgun. This is because the crime of carrying, transporting, or wearing a concealed weapon does not pertain to shotguns, antique firearms, or rifles. Under Maryland law, a handgun includes a pistol, revolver, or any other gun that is meant to fire a bullet with the ability to be concealed. Gun charges can be complex and come with severe penalties is convicted. If you are facing gun charges in Maryland, it is best to seek legal advice and representation, so that a lawyer can gather all of the facts and circumstances of your case and build a defense strategy.

Need Legal Advice?

Guns can be used to help protect you and your family, but guns in the wrong hands can also harm you and your family. Regardless of on which side of the gun control debate you fall, it is important to know and understand the consequences of Maryland’s gun laws. Speaking with an experienced Maryland criminal defense attorney at Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA can help you understand your rights, both constitutional and statutory, as they pertains to guns. Our attorneys will advocate on your behalf to help you receive the best results possible for your case. Contact our office today for a consultation.