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Personal Injury Help When You Need It Most
Accidents through no fault of your own can change everything. You may be entitled to medical benefits, compensation for lost wages, and damages for your pain and suffering. A personal injury lawyer can figure out what your claim is worth. When you work with Shelsby & Leoni, you get trusted legal help tailored to your recovery, backed by decades of experience protecting injured people in our community.
Nothing can prepare you for being the victim of an accident caused by the negligence of another. An injury resulting in life-altering conditions such as paralysis, loss of use, permanent disability, and long-term medical conditions is termed a catastrophic injury. The result that an injury of this type will have on your life can be severe.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation under Maryland personal injury law. Consulting with an experienced Delaware personal injury firm is a wise move. You have rights, and they need to be protected.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
A personal injury lawyer’s job is to take the weight off your shoulders after an accident. That means handling everything from gathering medical records and investigating who’s at fault to dealing with insurance companies that don’t want to pay.
It’s not just about filing paperwork. It’s about making sure you don’t get shortchanged while you’re healing up. A good lawyer will explain your options in plain language, push for fair compensation, and step in if things head to court. Bottom line: we make sure you’re not going through this process alone.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Take to Settle?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. This is mainly because every case is different, and so too is every personal injury lawsuit timeline.
Some personal injury cases settle within a few months, especially if the injuries are straightforward and liability is clear. Others can take a year or longer, especially if there are serious injuries, multiple parties involved, or if the insurance company doesn’t want to play fair.
Your lawyer’s job is to continue to push things forward while also making sure you don’t settle for less just to wrap up the case faster (which is exactly what the other side wants you to do). It’s about finding that balance between moving efficiently and fighting for what’s fair for our clients.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
In both Delaware and Maryland, there’s a legal time limit called the statute of limitations that controls how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Delaware, you generally have 2 years from the date of the injury to file. In Maryland, it’s usually 3 years.
That might sound like plenty of time, but waiting too long can make things harder for your case. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and insurance companies can and will use any delays against you.
If you’re thinking about filing a claim, it’s smart to have a lawyer review things early on. You don’t want to miss your window to file.
When Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
You probably don’t need a lawyer for a scraped knee or a fender-bender with no injuries. But if your accident left you with medical bills, missed work, or long-term health issues, that’s when it’s time to call.
A personal injury lawyer steps in when things get complicated: when insurance companies drag their feet, when there’s a dispute about who’s at fault, or when the settlement offer doesn’t come close to covering what you’ve lost. If your situation feels overwhelming, or you’re just unsure what’s being offered to you is fair, having a lawyer on your side can make a real difference in how things play out in the end.
Types of Personal Injury Cases Our Firm Handles
We handle a wide variety of injury cases ranging in severity, including:
- Auto accidents, including motorcycle and trucking accidents
- Premises liability accidents, including slip and fall accidents and animal attacks
- Workplace accidents and injuries
- Wrongful death
Determining the Value of Your Personal Injury Claim
Not all personal injury claims are the same, even if the type of accident and damages are similar. One of the most important aspects of filing a personal injury claim is to accurately and effectively determine the fair and full dollar amount of your claim. This should only be done by an experienced personal injury attorney.
This will not be done by the liable party’s insurance carrier. They may approach you after the accident and offer you a quick and easy lump sum settlement, but this only benefits them and not you.
Several factors need to be analyzed to best establish what types of damages in personal injury cases can be claimed. These factors are:
- Current and future lost wages
- Vehicle repair costs
- Current and future medical, therapy, and rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
Seek Medical Help No Matter What
It is important to note that the full extent of your injuries may not present until weeks, in some cases, months, following an accident. One of the most important things you should do after the accident is get appropriate medical care. Failure to do so, even if you feel ok, can impact your ability to receive benefits later on as your case progresses.
Your attorney will do everything necessary to establish the full dollar value of your claim to fight for maximum benefits for you and your family.
Personal Injury Lawyer: FAQs
Can I Still File a Claim if My Injury Didn’t Show Up Right Away?
Some injuries, like whiplash, soft tissue damage, or even head trauma, don’t always feel serious until days or weeks later. The key is getting checked out by a doctor as soon as possible and documenting everything.
Waiting too long to report or treat an injury can complicate your case, but it may not automatically disqualify you. Find a personal injury lawyer who can help you file quickly.
What if I Was Partly at Fault for the Accident? Do I Still Have a Case?
You might. Delaware and Maryland both use versions of contributory or comparative negligence rules. That means if you share some fault, it can affect how much you recover, but it doesn’t always bar you from getting personal injury compensation altogether.
It depends on the specifics. And that’s something a top-rated personal injury lawyer can help you figure out.
Do I Have to Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
No, and honestly, you shouldn’t. Insurance adjusters know how to ask questions that box you in or make you say things that hurt your case. We handle those conversations for you, so you don’t accidentally say something that could hurt your chances of winning a personal injury lawsuit.
What if I Don’t Want to Sue Anyone? I Just Need Help with My Bills.
A lot of personal injury claims settle before there’s ever a formal lawsuit. Filing a personal injury lawsuit is about making sure your medical bills and lost income get covered, not about dragging someone through court unless it becomes necessary.
Can I Be Compensated for Emotional Stress After an Accident?
Yes. Things like anxiety, PTSD, and sleep problems aren’t just “extras” in a case. They’re real, and they count as damages in a personal injury claim.
You’ll need documentation, like a diagnosis or treatment records, but mental and emotional harm is part of what we fight for, too.
How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?
At Shelsby & Leoni, we work on contingency. That means you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
Our fee comes as a percentage of the settlement or verdict. You’ll know upfront what the percentage is before you sign anything. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Contact Our Maryland & Delaware Personal Injury Lawyers
Following a severe and debilitating injury, you may face seemingly insurmountable medical bills, therapy costs, surgery expenses, and medication costs. In addition, you may suffer financial instability due to being unable to work, and you may require long-term medical care. Do not face this situation alone.
Call our personal injury lawyers for a free consultation today.
