Experienced Laurel Personal Injury Lawyer

One often hears the phrase, “but I didn’t mean to… it was an accident!” In the normal course of everyday life, the act of causing someone minor harm — stepping on someone’s toe, knocking someone’s bag out of their hand, etc. — can be excused if it was accidental. The same rules do not necessarily apply in the legal world, where the harm is often much greater and the accident was the result of a serious lack of judgment. Most personal injury claims that arise out of accidents are based in the law of negligence, which is the legal theory that assigns blame and assesses damages. Below, we will cover the basics of legal fault and its remedies.

For more information about how we can help with your case—or to learn more about our lead attorney—check out our Thomas E. Pyles bio page, or visit our Laurel law office.

Trees and lake at wetlands in Laurel Maryland

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Laurel

A personal injury claim can arise in a host of accidents. At the Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles, we have over 30 years of experience in handling all types of personal injury claims including the following:

No matter the type of accident, an experienced Laurel personal injury lawyer can help you get fair compensation if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence.

What Is Negligence? (And Why It Matters in Maryland)

To prove negligence—and prevail in a personal injury claim—you’ll need to demonstrate all four legal elements:

Duty: The defendant owed you a duty of care under the circumstances.
Breach: The defendant failed to meet that standard.
Causation: Their failure caused your harm.
Damages: You suffered actual harm requiring compensation.

Maryland applies a pure contributory negligence rule, meaning if the plaintiff bears any fault—even 1%—they cannot recover damages. That’s why strong legal representation is critical.

How Much Compensation Can You Recover?

Damages can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. To learn what our clients have recovered in similar cases, check out our Verdict & Settlement results.

Three Paths to Financial Recovery

1. Negligence-Based Claims

If someone else caused your injury through careless or reckless actions, you may be able to file a claim. Examples include distracted driving, dangerous road conditions, or negligent care in healthcare settings.

2. Strict Liability

Some claims—like those involving defective products—don’t require proof of negligence. If a product hurt you, a strict liability claim may be appropriate.

3. No-Fault (PIP) Insurance

If you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Maryland, you can claim benefits for medical costs and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. Learn more on our Laurel Car Accident page.

What Does the Claim Process Look Like?

Step 1: Insurance Claim Processing

Begin by submitting your claim with the insurance company. We can help you gather and submit all necessary documentation—medical records, reports, lost wage evidence, etc.

Step 2: Negotiation

Insurance companies often offer low settlement amounts. With experienced legal advocacy, you’re in a better position to negotiate fair compensation.

Step 3: Litigation

If settlement fails, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court. Missing deadlines or failing to meet procedural requirements can hurt your claim—having a skilled attorney is key.

Not Sure When to Settle?

Only you can decide when (and if) to settle. We’ll help assess your damages and advise when it makes sense to accept an offer—or push forward.

Contact a Laurel Accident Law Firm Today

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, call our Laurel office today at 301-723-7076 or fill out our online contact form. You can also visit our Laurel office page to learn more about our team and services.