After an auto or slip-and-fall accident, the first thing on many people’s minds is “Who will pay my medical bills and lost income?”, and the next question is “Where can I find a good Accident Lawyer in Bel Air?” Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be able to skip the second question and take your case right to small claims court. As its name implies, this court settles issues concerning small amounts, usually less than $5000.
Do I Really Need Small Claims Court?
If the damages you’re seeking fall within Maryland’s limit for small claims court, it may be more practical for you to settle your own case. If your case isn’t very complex or severe, a lawyer can bargain for 10-25% more than you’d be able to get by yourself. However, a lawyer’s fees usually equal from 20-25% of the award amount.
After doing the math, you may be able to get more money if you handle the case yourself. If your personal injuries don’t necessitate long-term care, and aren’t life threatening, you can take your case to small claims court. Examples of less-severe injuries are:
* Slip and fall mishaps
* Defective products
* Home, bike and pedestrian accidents
Preparing for Court
Before taking your case to court, you’ll need to answer some questions. Does your claim fall within your state’s statute of limitations? Do you know how much your claim is potentially worth? The clock begins to tick on the date of the injury, or when you discover the damage. In some cases, the judge may set the date based on when they believe that you should reasonably have discovered the issue.
Writing the Demand Letter
One of the most important steps in a small claims case is the demand letter. In this letter, you’ll need to describe what happened and detail the severity of your injuries; you’ll also have to put a dollar value on your injuries. To prove your case, your Accident Lawyer in Bel Air will need to see documents such as bills and receipts, and they will help you present your evidence in court.
How Much Your Claim is Worth
It can be very difficult to assign a dollar value to lost educational or social experiences, but insurance adjusters do it on a scale of 1.5-5. Milder losses are closer to the bottom of the scale, while the most severe harms are assigned higher numbers.
