Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers | November 12, 2025 | Personal Injury
If you were injured in an accident in Waldorf, you’re probably wondering what your case might be worth. It’s a fair question, but the answer depends on the specific facts of your situation.
The “average” personal injury settlement can vary widely. What matters most is the severity of your injuries, how they affect your life, and whether someone else was clearly at fault. Keep reading to learn more about the factors that can affect how much your personal injury case could be worth and how having a lawyer on your side can make a huge difference.
Factors That Influence a Personal Injury Settlement
Every injury claim is different. The amount you receive depends on several factors. Generally, higher settlements are associated with more severe injuries, clear liability, and robust documentation.
There are key factors to consider before estimating your case value, such as:
- Severity of injury: Minor injuries, such as sprains or soft tissue damage, may settle for a few thousand dollars. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or permanent disability can result in much higher payouts.
- Medical treatment: The cost and length of your treatment matter. Surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and long-term care increase the settlement value.
- Lost income: If you missed work or can’t return to your job, your settlement should reflect those financial losses.
- Pain and suffering: Maryland allows compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Fault and liability: Under Maryland’s strict contributory negligence rule, if you are even 1% at fault, you may be barred from recovering anything.
Each of these factors plays a role in determining how the insurance company values your claim and the amount you can recover.
How Insurance Companies Calculate Settlements
Most personal injury settlements are paid through insurance. However, insurers use internal formulas to determine the amount they will pay.
They typically consider:
- Medical bills (past and projected)
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Permanent injuries or impairments
- Pain and suffering, often calculated with a “multiplier” based on injury severity
An insurance adjuster may offer a quick settlement that doesn’t reflect the full impact of your injury. Once you accept, you lose the right to pursue more compensation.
What if You Were Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
Maryland requires drivers to carry minimum insurance coverage, but not everyone follows the law. If the person who caused your injury doesn’t have insurance, you may still have options.
You may be able to file a claim through:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: You may have coverage for these situations under your own auto insurance policy. Check your policy details to find out if you have this type of coverage.
- Personal injury protection: Maryland drivers are required to carry at least $2,500 in personal injury protection, or PIP, which pays for medical expenses regardless of fault.
- Lawsuit against the individual: If no coverage exists, you may sue the at-fault party directly, though collecting can be difficult.
A personal injury attorney can help you evaluate your insurance coverage and pursue all available paths.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Maryland?
In most cases, Maryland gives you three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your chance to get compensation even if your claim is valid.
There are exceptions for certain cases, such as injuries to minors or situations where the injury wasn’t immediately known. Still, acting quickly is always the best approach. Evidence can fade, and witnesses can disappear. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand what the deadline is in your specific case.
Why Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Rule Matters
Unlike many states, Maryland follows a pure contributory negligence system. Under this law, if you’re found to be even 1% responsible for your accident, you may not recover any compensation.
This rule is why documentation is so important. Police reports, witness statements, photos, and medical records can help show that the other party was 100% at fault. A personal injury attorney can help you fight back against unfair allegations of blame.
Should You Accept the First Settlement Offer?
In many cases, no. The first offer from an insurance company is rarely their best. It’s often based on incomplete records and aims to close the case as quickly and cheaply as possible.
Before accepting any offer, make sure you:
- Review the full scope of your injuries.
- Confirm whether treatment is complete or ongoing.
- Calculate all out-of-pocket costs.
- Consider how the injury will affect your life in the long term.
- Speak with a personal injury lawyer.
Once you sign a settlement agreement, you waive the right to seek more money in your case, even if new symptoms appear.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Maximize Your Settlement
Working with a lawyer can significantly impact your settlement outcome.
They can help by:
- Gathering strong evidence to support your claim
- Working with medical experts to document long-term effects
- Calculating full damages, including lost income and pain
- Negotiating with insurers who want to pay as little as possible
- Taking the case to trial if necessary
A lawyer who understands Maryland’s laws and strict negligence rules can give you the best chance at a full recovery. In addition, a good lawyer will explain all the aspects of your case in plain language that you can understand and keep you up to date at every stage.
Contact Our Waldorf Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much your case could be worth. The best way to find out is to talk to a personal injury attorney. They can analyze your case, gather records, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our Waldorf personal injury lawyers can help you understand what your settlement amount could be after learning more about your case. They’ll assess all relevant factors based on the facts and provide a more personalized estimate.
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Annapolis, and Lexington Park, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George County its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Waldorf Office
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Lanham Office
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7