What is Our Mission?

From car accidents and truck accidents to Workers’ Compensation and medical malpractice, our skilled legal team has a proven track record of achieving favorable outcomes for clients across Maryland. Using state-of-the-art legal tactics, we work tirelessly to protect victims’ rights and fight for the compensation they deserve. Our Baltimore personal injury lawyers offer personalized, dedicated, and cutting-edge legal assistance in the following practice areas:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Miscellaneous Vehicle Accidents
• Medical Malpractice
• Workers’ Compensation
• Personal Injury
• Bankruptcy
• Criminal Defense
• Nursing Home Abuse
• Social Security Disability

We work with clients to ensure that we understand each case and proceed when we have evidence that compels us to take the case forward. Because we have been working in Maryland for such a long time, we will use our vast knowledge of the court system in the state to assist our clients. We also ensure that clients understand what is happening during every step of the legal process.

How Do We Serve Victims of Car Accidents?

Our personal injury lawyers represent victims who have been injured in a wide range of accidents, including the following:

• Aggressive driving
• Auto defects
• Bus accidents
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Drunk driving
• Emergency vehicle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Poor weather conditions
• Rear-end collisions
• Reckless driving
• Rideshare vehicles
• Rollovers
• Speeding
• Texting while driving
• Uninsured/underinsured drivers

Car accidents can cause lifelong injuries, disability, and even death. These accidents could include chain reactions where drivers are caught in the middle of a multi-vehicle accident, or they could be victims of road rage. The following are the most common issues for drivers:

Distracted driving: This is one of the most common causes of accidents for teenagers and working adults. Working adults feel the need to answer emails and respond to texts in the car. Adults might take calls in the car, talk with their hands, or interact with other passengers while they are chatting. Another driver could take their eyes off the road for a second, and that is all it takes to cause an accident.

Aggressive driving: This occurs when a driver is truly enraged by the people around them when driving. Road rage can escalate to the point at which a driver is involved in an accident or attacked by another driver.

Rear-end collisions: These accidents occur because people cannot make emergency stops, are not paying attention, or because they were rear-ended by someone else. Even a slow-moving accident could cause whiplash, severe neck pain, and possible disability. No matter the nature of the accident, we will help victims recover damages caused by the accident.

How Do We Help Victims of Truck Accidents?

These accidents are particularly devastating and can cause massive property damage and severe injuries. The following are common causes of truck accidents:

• Aggressive/Reckless Driving
• Dangerous Road Conditions
• Distracted Driving
• Drowsy Driving
• Drunk Driving
• Drugged Driving
• Improperly Loaded Cargo
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Tire Blowouts
• Trucking Company Negligence

Truck accidents occur in much the same way that car accidents occur. The difference between a truck accident and a car accident is the immense size of the truck. Although truck drivers are trying to get where they need to go as fast as possible, they are held to high standards in terms of safety protocols and safe driving. Trucks should have working brakes that must be inspected every day. Trucking companies must keep their vehicles in good condition, but drivers can be distracted because they are listening to their CB radio, getting directions from the dispatch office, and/or trying to drive as quickly as possible.

Truck drivers can be just as aggressive as car drivers, and a truck driver must be even more cautious when driving in bad weather. Another aspect of a trucking accident is the way the cargo is loaded. Sometimes, the truck can tip over because of an uneven load. Truck drivers might also drink, abuse drugs, or even drive while drowsy behind the wheel. Any type of impaired driving can cause a serious accident, and victims deserve to recover the appropriate damages.

Accidents Involving Other Vehicles

Our firm proudly represents clients who have been involved in the following accidents:

• Train Accidents: Drivers might have been hit by a train where a “no crossing” signal was present, or the driver might have been pushed onto the tracks by another car.
• Bus Accidents: Drivers could be involved in accidents with municipal or charter buses. At the same time, the passengers on these buses have a right to compensation if they are hurt or killed because of the driver’s or bus company’s negligence.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists may have been sideswiped or rear-ended on the road because drivers were not paying attention to them. Motorcyclists are in a much more precarious position when they drive, and their injuries could be exponentially worse after even a “minor” accident.
• Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrian accidents occur when drivers do not see pedestrians crossing the road, veer onto the sidewalk, or clip a pedestrian who is crossing in a turning lane. Truck drivers often clip curbs because they did not turn out far enough, and drivers who are making protected turns must always look for pedestrians who are also allowed to cross. In like manner, pedestrians should be held accountable if they dart in front of a driver or do not obey crossing signals.
• Uber/Lyft Accidents: Uber/Lyft drivers are in a precarious position because they must ensure their own vehicles while driving on behalf of these massive companies. We will investigate the case, determine who is liable for the accident, and request damages from all responsible parties.

Medical Malpractice

When a client is injured while under the care of a health care professional, we provide trusted legal representation for the following types of cases:

• Anesthesia mistakes
• Birth injuries
• Cancer misdiagnosis
• Doctor negligence
• Emergency room errors/misdiagnosis
• Failure to diagnose/delayed diagnosis
• Hospital negligence
• Nursing home negligence
• Surgical errors
• Wrongful death

Medical malpractice can cover a wide range of errors and neglectful actions. To this end, victims should be cautious if they believe that a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional did not perform their job correctly. Medical malpractice is more than leaving surgical tools inside a patient. The following are common examples of medical malpractice:

• Improperly dosing anesthesia during surgery
• Birth injuries caused by forced induction, brute force, or a misdiagnosis of the baby
• Misdiagnosing cancer because the patient is overreacting
• Doctors who ignore patients, skip rounds in the hospital, or do not listen to patients who have reported symptoms that could easily be tested and/or treated
• Emergency room errors or negligence where patients are not given immediate care
• Failure to diagnose conditions for which a test is simple
• Hospitals that do not provide adequate facilities and equipment
• Nursing homes that ignore or neglect their residents
• Surgeries that are performed improperly, tools that are left in patients, or even surgeries that are done on the wrong person
• Any malpractice that causes a patient’s preventable death

Workers’ Compensation Cases

We represent clients injured on the job, or whose health has been compromised by an unhealthy or hazardous work environment. Examples include the following:

• Construction site injuries
• Delivery accidents
• Electrocution accidents
• Equipment defects
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Mesothelioma
• Silicosis
• Stuck-in/between
• Asbestosis
• Hearing loss
• Repetitive stress injuries

An employer has a duty to provide workers with the proper training and equipment to complete each job. If an employee was injured at work, report the injury immediately and receive treatment from an approved Workers’ Compensation doctor. An employer must carry Workers’ Compensation insurance per state guidelines, and a worker should be given wage loss benefits if they miss work as a result of recovery.

Because Workers’ Compensation claims have time limits and deadlines, workers may miss a deadline because they were afraid to report the accident or were told they did not qualify for benefits. We will investigate each claim, ensure workers are given the proper care, and will fight for any compensation injured workers deserve due to missed work, disability, or a loved one died because they did not receive the proper care.

Does This Service Extend to Social Security Disability Cases?

Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are designed for those who cannot work or maintain gainful employment because of a disability. The SSD benefits process is complicated, and victims may feel overwhelmed if they cannot obtain the benefits they need. We work with medical professionals to ensure that all medical information is written properly on the application, and we will help explain the victim’s financial situation.

When appealing an original decision or going before an administrative law judge, the appeals council, or even a federal court to review a case, we will be there. Victims may want us to help complete the application because of past problems with the Social Security Administration, or they might hire us in the middle of the process because they have not retained representation for previous hearings.

How Do We Investigate Other Personal Injury Cases?

Personal injury cases often do not have a specific category. We understand, however, victims may have been involved in accidents that cause injuries, disabilities, or even death. Personal injury cases cover a wide range of accidents, including the following:

• Slip-and-fall: A slip-and-fall could happen anywhere, and it is possible that a victim was hurt because of the property owner’s negligence.
• Dog bites: Dog bite injuries are often caused by an owner’s negligence.
• Hoverboard accidents: Hoverboards are often thought of as technology from the future. These hoverboards might fail, overheat, and cause severe injuries because they were not manufactured properly.
• Amusement parks: Amusement park accidents could have been caused by a range of factors that include negligence by the owner of the park. Victims may have been hurt on a ride, hurt by a ride, or injured during an animal show.

Complaining to the amusement park, facility, or dog owner will not solve any problems. Personal injury cases can become complex and require legal representation.

Nursing Home Abuse Allegations

Nursing home abuse is often difficult to see because nursing homes are private institutions where seniors may not have regular visitors. Some signs of nursing home abuse include the following:

• Bedsores from being in one place too long
• Seniors who jump at loud noises or appear to have been verbally abused
• Bruises and cuts from physical abuse
• Unrecognizable financial transactions
• Medication errors

If a loved one has been abused in a nursing home, contact us instead of complaining to the nursing home. We will initiate an investigation, help victims obtain the compensation they need, and ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable because they could also be abusing other residents.

What is an Accident Case Worth?

There is no clear-cut answer to this question because there are many factors to consider, and every accident is different. An experienced lawyer will be able to provide victims with a ballpark estimate of what they can expect to recover, but this number is likely to change if the case goes to trial. In most cases, the victim and the negligent party’s insurer agree on a settlement amount before they go to trial. However, in some cases, a settlement cannot be reached, and the case will go to trial. This often depends on the insurance company and their stance on denying the claim. Our skilled legal team will keep clients informed about all important developments and the impact they may have on their case. As the case progresses, we can provide a more realistic estimate of the damages clients expect to receive.

Depending on the nature of the injuries and the level of treatment, a typical car accident case can be resolved in as little as six months, or as long as four years in the state of Maryland. Other factors that can impact the amount of time it can take to resolve a case include when treatment stops and what court the case gets filed in, as district court cases tend to be resolved sooner.

What Types of Damages Can Be Claim in a Lawsuit?

There are three types of damages victims may expect to receive, including the following:

Economic Damages

Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and any other out-of-pocket losses that are related to the car accident. Of the three types of damages, these are the easiest to calculate because they are tangible losses. However, the full scope of one’s injuries cannot be determined until they reached maximum medical improvement. We also recommend that victims request an estimate of future medical expenses from a doctor.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages include physical pain and suffering, which covers the current pain and discomfort caused by the accident, as well as the future suffering one may experience as a result of the other driver’s negligence. These damages include loss of companionship, which is not easy to calculate.

These damages also include any mental or emotional pain caused by the trauma of the accident. Examples include anger, depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, mood swings, lack of energy, and sleep disturbances. Severe emotional pain and suffering can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In effect, victims may be requesting funds for treatment.

Punitive Damages

Although punitive damages do not provide compensation for one’s losses, they do punish the other driver for their negligent behavior. Ideally, this takes a reckless, aggressive, or irresponsible driver off the road. Caps are typically placed on these damages and are awarded at the discretion of the judge or jury. We will request these damages, but they are not guaranteed because they do not use traditional formulas that we might use to calculate lost wages, medical expenses, or disability.

Why is Extensive Information Needed About a Case?

The more information a victim can provide about the details of their case, and the extent of their injuries and property damage, the better we will be able to reach a fair settlement. Keep a detailed record of all costs associated with the accident and provide us with that information. This may include the following:

• Medical bills
• Physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Future surgeries

We also need extensive information gathered from the accident or employer. We also ask that clients no longer accept calls or letters from lawyers or defendants. We will review all the information and communicate with the stakeholders in the case.

How Do Settlements and Judgments Differ?

Oftentimes, the settlement amount will depend on the limits of the defendant’s car insurance policy. For example, if the defendant only has the minimum amount of car insurance required by the state, and no significant sources of income or assets, they will likely only recover the amount of the defendant’s policy limits. Plaintiffs will be responsible for providing evidence that proves the other driver’s liability, as well as the scope and extent of all claimed damages. Determining an exact settlement amount will be difficult to do until treatment has been completed and copies of all medical bills and estimates for property damage, as well as copies of the police report, witness statements, and other supporting information have been obtained.

If a case goes to trial, a judge or jury will determine what the case is worth, and what the settlement amount will be. Our experienced lawyers have successfully recovered sizable settlements for our valued clients for over 30 years. With over $250 million in verdicts and settlements, we have a proven track record of reaching successful outcomes for clients throughout Maryland. The following are examples of verdicts and settlements we achieved for our clients:

• $305,000 settlement in a car accident case in Baltimore
• $250,000 settlement in a car accident claim in Anne Arundel County
• $167,000 verdict for a car accident claim
• $165,000 settlement for a car accident injury from Allstate Insurance Company
• $100,000 settlement from Nationwide Insurance Company for a rear-end collision
• $100,000 settlement from Travelers Insurance Company
• Favorable verdicts in Baltimore DUI cases

How Do Insurance Companies Determine Damages?

Insurance companies must consider different factors when determining compensation. For economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, there are exact dollar amounts associated with each of these things. They simply add up the money spent and lost. However, putting a dollar amount on pain and suffering is much more complicated. Insurance adjusters have a formula for determining these damages.

Once the insurance adjuster has added up the total medical expenses related to the injury, also known as medical special damages, or specials, this is the base figure that the adjuster will use to determine how much compensation a victim receives for non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering. These are called general damages. For relatively minor injuries, the adjuster will multiply the amount of special damages by 1.5 or two. For more serious injuries, the adjuster will multiply the amount up to five. In extreme cases, the amount of special damages may be multiplied up to 10. The amount of lost wages resulting from the injury is then added to come up with a figure from which negotiations can begin.

We ask from the outset that clients do not speak directly to the insurance company or give them a statement beyond a report of the accident. Every insurance company is designed to make money, and they will do anything they can to save money. This means that they will try to cut back on the settlement issued after an accident. If a victim is talking to the insurance company or complaining to them on a recorded line, that information could be used against them later.

What Else Can We Do?

We have experience working on bankruptcies and criminal cases. We defend those who have been wrongly accused of a crime, and we work with families and businesses that must file for bankruptcy. Clients should not attempt to represent themselves in court if they have been charged with a crime, and they should not speak to law enforcement without an attorney present. Our lawyers have been trained to understand how law enforcement officials ask questions, how those questions are framed, and how law enforcement officers are taught to interpret what individuals say. It is best to say nothing until one of our lawyers arrives.

We also help families and businesses who must file for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy can be complicated because clients must account for all the money they make, expenses, and debts that must be wiped from one’s record. We will work with creditors to come to a favorable resolution, and we will even help clients choose the appropriate type of bankruptcy filing for their situation.

Each case will be taken before a judge who will determine whether a client can clear debts from their ledger, which creditors will get paid, and how they are to reorganize their business. We have experienced lawyers on our staff who will work with the judge to create a plan that is appropriate for each client’s family or business.

Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are Ready to Assist Clients Today

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact the experienced Maryland personal injury lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Protecting your rights is our top priority, and we will continue to fight for you until we obtain the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online for a free consultation.

Our offices are conveniently located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Prince George’s County, where we represent victims throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.

One of Maryland’s Most Successful Law Firms With Many Years’ Experience in Cases Involving: