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.

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.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Baltimore Personal Injury Claims

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According to a September 2107 article in The Baltimore Sun, a driver was killed and his passenger injured in a Carroll County crash. The 29-year-old man was killed when a driver of an SUV hit his truck on a Saturday afternoon. The 38-year-old man was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban on Old Taneytown Road near Westminster. He allegedly crossed the center line and hit the 1954 Ford truck head on. The driver was killed instantly and pronounced dead at the scene. His 28-year-old passenger was flown to Shock Trauma for a head injury.

No criminal charges were filed immediately after the accident. It is not known whether the family of the driver killed will file a wrongful death claim against the alleged at-fault driver. It is also not known if the passenger who suffered the traumatic brain injury will file a personal injury claim for the injuries suffered.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury in Baltimore?

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury to a person’s head that causes brain damage or death. The injury to a person’s brain can range from mild to moderate to severe. The symptoms associated with TBI may appear immediately or may be slow to develop. For instance, symptoms of mild TBI include:

  • Headache
  • Mild confusion
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Memory loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Fatigue
  • Behavioral changes

Most Baltimore TBI Injuries Happen in Car Accidents

The majority of TBI injuries happen during car accidents. A person’s brain is not attached to any surface inside his or her head to keep it from moving. In fact, the brain is not much harder than Jell-O. Any time there is a sudden movement, a person’s brain may shake or slam against the skull. For this reason, the sudden acceleration then sudden stop during a car accident can injure the brain.

If an individual suffers a severe TBI, he or she may experience more immediate symptoms like seizures, mood swings, loss of consciousness, or slurred speech.

Other accidents that can cause an TBIs include:

  • Slip and falls
  • Intentional acts like assault or battery
  • Defective products

Contact Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA about Your Baltimore TBI Injury

Proving you sustained a TBI injury will involve proving negligence. Negligence is the failure of an individual to act like a reasonable person and protect you from harm. Whether you slip and fall or were in an accident, the person responsible breached his or her duty to protect you from harm. If you have been injured, you need someone to fight for you. We are your Baltimore injury attorneys. We will fight to get you the compensation needed to financially recover from your accident. Contact us immediately for help with your TBI injury accident.

You can Recover Damages if You are Injured in a Rear-End Collision in Baltimore

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According to an April 2017 article in The Baltimore Sun, 18 people were injured in a six-car pileup in Baltimore County on Interstate 95. At least two of the 18 people injured in the accident were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. At the time of the report, their names and medical conditions were not released. The other 16 victims were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. Police claim that a total of 22 people were involved in the car crash.

At the time of the accident, Maryland Transportation Authority police were conducting a traffic stop just south of Route 43. The traffic stop was on the shoulder of the highway. A black Ford Transit rear-ended a red Lincoln MKS. It was not involved in the traffic stop. The Lincoln MKS then struck a white Lexus IS30c. The Lexus hit another vehicle, and at least two other vehicles.

Whether the victims involved the rear-end accident will file personal injury lawsuits is unknown. Police indicated that there were criminal charges pending against the driver who allegedly caused the pileup.

The Definition of a Rear-End Accident in Baltimore

A rear-end car accident occurs when a driver hits the rear end of another vehicle and can happen for many reasons. The at-fault driver, or driver who caused the accident, may have been distracted. He or she may have been following too closely to the other driver at the time of the accident. Other causes of a rear-end accidents include, but are not limited to:

  • Speeding
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Driving under the influence
  • Defective vehicle
  • Weather conditions
  • Road conditions

A Baltimore Rear-End Collision Can Cause a Variety of Injuries

Injuries in a rear-end collision can range from minor to serious, such as:

  • Neck injuries: Neck injuries occur when a person’s neck snaps backs, then forward because of the sudden impact of a car accident. This flexes and extends the person’s neck beyond the usual range of motion. The medical name for this is whiplash.
  • Face and head injuries: A driver’s face and head may strike the steering wheel or windshield during a rear-end accident. Face and head injuries can range from minor cuts on the face to brain damage.
  • Back injuries: Strains, sprains, and mid-back herniated discs can result from rear-end accidents.
  • Hand, shoulder, and wrist injuries: During a rear-end accident, a driver’s hands and arms may jam into the steering wheel and cause a minor or severe injury.
  • Airbag injuries: The airbag can deploy during a rear-end accident and cause chemical burns.
  • Seatbelts injuries: Seatbelt and shoulder can cause internal injuries and bruising.

Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA will Help You

If you have been injured in a rear-end accident in Baltimore and are thinking about pursuing compensation for your injuries. Damages you may be entitled to include compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. Contact us for help today.

Distracted Driving in Baltimore may Lead to a Personal Injury Claim

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According to WBAL, in April of 2017 two people died in a wrong way crash. At least one person was injured. The accident happened in Annapolis. Preliminary reports describe an SUV involved in the accident traveling westbound on Route 50 around 1pm. The vehicle struck another SUV head-on between Bay Dale Drive and Ritchie Highway.

A 22-year-old from Salisbury was driving the SUV and allegedly traveling the wrong way. A 14-month-old boy, a passenger in her vehicle at the time, was flown to an area hospital after the accident.

The other SUV went off road into a wooded area of the highway. According to the news report, a tow truck was able to pull the vehicle upright so first responders could rescue the man trapped in the vehicle. The 66-year-old man was trapped in the SUV from the waist down. Once rescued, he was flown to an area hospital, where he later died.

Preliminary reports from police indicate they are not sure why the accident happened. They have not ruled out distracted driving or impaired driving.

Distracted Driving is Illegal in Baltimore

Distracted driving is a general term describing a driver is doing something else while operating a motor vehicle. The could include a simple task like texting, trying to find a channel on the radio, or talking to a passenger. The distracting behavior prevents them from completely focusing on the road and putting them at risk of causing an accident.

Maryland law requires all drivers to operate their motor vehicles while paying attention to laws and other people and cars on the road. Any activity completed while operating a motor vehicle can lead to distracted driving. Conditions that lead distracted driving include, but are not limited to:

  • Auditory distraction such as listening to music, a sudden cell phone ring, or a loud horn
  • Visual distraction such as looking away from the roadway while driving to look at a cell phone or passenger
  • Cognitive distraction such as the driver letting his or her mind wander
  • Biomechanical distraction such as adjusting the vehicle’s overhead visor or dashboard controls

Contact Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA for Assistance with Your Baltimore Distracted Driving Accident

If another driver caused an accident because he or she was driving while distracted, then you can file a personal injury lawsuit on the basis that he or she was negligent. Negligence is the failure to act as a reasonable driver would in the same or similar circumstances. The at-fault driver had a legal duty to protect other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians on the roadway from an accident that causes harm. That driver drove while distracted, however, and caused an accident, and thus may be liable for injuries caused. Contact us for help today.

Baltimore Intersection Accidents may be Reduced with New Camera System

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Baltimore officials announced plans to add new speed and red light cameras to certain intersections, according to The Baltimore Sun. This is Baltimore’s third attempt to operate a speed camera system. The cameras were previously stopped because of accuracy concerns. If the city makes good on their announcement, the number of cameras will double. They will be located in 21 school zones instead of the current 14. If cited, a driver will receive a $40 fine.

Since August of 2017, speed cameras in the city have issued more than 36,000 citations. The goal of the program is to decrease the number of pedestrian and car accidents, including intersection accidents in the city.

What is an Intersection Accident in Baltimore?

An intersection accident is an accident that takes place at an intersection. The cause of an intersection accident may be a driver running a red light, speeding, driving while distracted, or driving into oncoming traffic.

There are Different Types of Intersection Accidents in Baltimore

An intersection accident is a general term for a variety of car accidents that can happen in Baltimore, such as:

  • T-bone accident: A T-bone accident is also called a broadside accident or a side impact accident. It occurs when the at-fault driver hits the side of the victim’s motor vehicle. The impact can cause severe and devastating injuries because there is little to no cushion between the driver and/or passenger and the other vehicle.
  • Rear-end accident: A rear-end accident happens when the at-fault driver hits the back of another vehicle.
  • Head-on accident: A head-on accident occurs when the at-fault driver strikes the front of another motor vehicle. This type of accident can cause particularly devastating injuries.

Damages a Victim Can Seek After an Intersection Accident in Baltimore

Injuries in an intersection accident may vary from minor cuts to major injuries to death. A victim of an intersection accident may seek money in the form of the following damages:

  • Medical expenses
  • Prescriptions
  • Rehabilitation
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage (vehicle replacement or repair)

The amount of damages depends on the victim’s injuries. If the victim dies because of an intersection accident, his or her family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit for damages. The above damages may be obtained in a wrongful death suit along with funeral and burial expenses.

Contact Hassan, Hassan & Tuchman, PA for Legal Representation

A car accident, whether it occurs at an intersection or elsewhere, can lead to severe physical injures and debilitating financial burdens. It is time to start fighting for the monetary damages you deserve. You have the legal right to hire a tough legal team to fight for you. Contact us immediately for help.