When Your Insurance Company Does Not Pay an Accident Claim

Serving the needs of personal injury clients across suburban Maryland, Rick Jaklitsch leads The Jaklitsch Law Group in Upper Marlboro. Rick Jaklitsch’s group addresses insurance in the blog article, “When the Stubborn Insurance Company Is Your Own.”

When accidents occur, many drivers assume that their full coverage means the insurance company will pay promptly. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Insurance companies sometimes deny or delay legitimate claims. This may stem from corporate mismanagement, errors in documentation, or a disagreement about the amount of money owed.

Insured drivers must take the reins and assert the right to full payment. This means reviewing the insurance policy, identifying coverage limits, and maintaining a record of vehicle valuation and repair estimates.

For cases in which the insurer is treating a claim unfairly, drivers may file a breach of contract lawsuit or a bad faith tort claim related to the contract. If the insurance company offers a partial payment or stops progress on the case, drivers should contact an experienced trial lawyer.

 

Seeking Fair Settlements and Verdicts in Metro and Train Accidents

Rick Jaklitsch is a respected presence in the Maryland legal community whose practice earned 2020 Reader Rankings as The Daily Record’s “Best Law Firm - Civil Litigation.” Knowledgeable about personal injury cases, Rick Jaklitsch works with the courts and insurance companies to obtain settlements for people injured because of the negligence of others.

The Jaklitsch Law Group’s areas of representation include cases of metro and train accidents, such as collisions, derailments, and rail yard mishaps. These accidents may be caused by humans, equipment, or signals.

With factors to consider such as medical care, lost wages, and impacted lifestyle, it is important to seek immediate treatment and take rapid legal action after a metro or train accident. By giving timely notice to the parties involved, the legal claim is effectively preserved and may move through the court process. Fair settlements in such cases are vitally important in incentivizing operators to keep trains running safely and in adherence to regulations. 

Seeking Compensation for Injuries

An active member of the Prince George’s County legal community, Rick Jaklitsch provides client-centered representation in diverse personal injury cases. Rick Jaklitsch and The Jaklitsch Law Group have a proven record in the representation of clients with back and neck injuries.

Whether back injuries occur in a sudden accident, in a slip and fall, or over time on the job site, many of the injuries are not the fault of the injured party. Negligence may involve an inattentive driver or a company that did not address a hazard on its premises. In such cases, the negligent party should contribute financially to the well-being of the injured person.

The recovery process for back and spine issues often involves lengthy physical therapy. Specialized practitioners may be required, such as chiropractors, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and massage therapists.

In addition to receiving medical bills, the injured party often must miss work for long periods. All of these factors go into the settlement sought by an accident injury attorney, who can navigate the legal system and win fair and just compensation for the injured person. 

Jaklitsch Law Group Voted Best Law Firm by The Daily Record Readers

The Jaklitsch Law Group was voted Maryland's "Best Law Firm - Personal Injury" and "Best Law Firm - Civil Litigation" by the readers of The Daily Record, Baltimore's trusted legal and business publication. More than 20,500 votes were received by readers.

"We are truly honored to be named a double winner by the readers of The Daily Record," said Rick Jaklitsch, President of The Jaklitsch Law Group. "Our lawyers and entire staff have been dedicated to giving every single client the very best customer service, and the very best possible result! It's great to see that commitment recognized and rewarded by so many folks."

The firm has continued to work at 100% capacity during the pandemic, making necessary accommodations and precautions for clients and staff so that everyone stays safe. As always, consultations are free and can be done over the phone. Call 855-Big-Dog1 if you've been injured in a car or truck crash.

 

Final Selection for the Super Lawyers Listing

An accomplished personal injury attorney, Rick Jaklitsch has led the Jaklitsch Law Group since 1999. Among many awards, Rick Jaklitsch was recently selected for the Super Lawyers list in 2020 in his home state of Maryland.

The selection process for inclusion on the Super Lawyers list involves four steps. The first three focus on identifying and thoroughly vetting the nominees to the list. The organization invites lawyers from each state to nominate the top attorneys in their area for the selection process. These are complemented by informal nominations from clients, readers, and other members of the community who are not otherwise eligible to nominate candidates.

Then, the Super Lawyers staff evaluates each lawyer on 12 indicators of achievement. Some indicators are more heavily weighted than others to ensure a fair evaluation. The final step groups nominees into one of four firm categories, so lawyers are compared to peers working in similarly sized firms.

Afterward, the staff investigates each nominee’s standing with local authorities and for the presence of any disciplinary activity in the past. They also contact each lawyer directly to verify the accuracy of the information discovered about them. Ultimately, no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected for the list, which is published in regional editions of Super Lawyers Magazine.

 

How to Get Nominated for Super Lawyers

The owner of the Jaklitsch Law Group, Rick Jaklitsch has extensive experience in personal injury law and was recently recognized for his work. In addition to being awarded as American Lawyer Magazine’s Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney 2019 and National Law Journal’s 2019 Top Personal Injury Attorney, Rick Jaklitsch was also nominated for Maryland’s Super Lawyers' list for 2020.

The list is comprised of top-performing lawyers in the state. The selection is based on 12 indicators, relating to experience, research and publications, community service, settlements and verdicts, and other factors. Because the selection is also based on peer nominations, networking and community service are advantageous to the attorney. By developing a network of attorneys practicing in similar areas, the person seeking nomination improves their chances of being selected for the list simply through heightening their profile. Plus, community service can fill in gaps in areas where a person is not as accomplished.

The program also accepts informal nominations from professionals who can attest to the candidate’s abilities but cannot make a formal nomination-for whatever reason. While informal nominations do not hold the same weight as formal ones, they can serve to highlight the breadth of the candidate’s experience. Getting informal nominations from actively licensed attorneys can improve a candidate's chances of being selected.

Having articles published or being involved in legal research is another highly-valued accomplishment. Legal writings, lectures, and professional reviews are all outlets that can provide selection committees with insight into the candidate’s views and opinions.

Certifications, finally, establish a person’s commitment to the legal field. More importantly, these certifications attest to the person’s desire to keep learning through continuing education and other professional development.

Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Ratings

One of the country's top personal injury lawyers, Rick Jaklitsch has been honored by Who’s Who in American Law for over 24 years. Rick Jaklitsch has also received the highly-prestigious Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating every year for the past 22 years.

The AV Preeminent rating is an honor that only the top 1 percent of lawyers in the country receive. It’s the result of an unbiased, peer-reviewed survey judging the ethical standards and legal ability of attorneys. AV Preeminent lawyers are deemed to have the highest professional skills and ethical practices by their peers.

Famous AV Preeminent recipients include Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court John Roberts and President Barack Obama.

The Distinguished rating is also very coveted. It’s granted to lawyers who have a wealth and breadth of experience that has led to them being noticed in the legal community. It also signals a substantial accomplishment in their professional work and their ethical integrity.

The Steps to Prove Negligence in a Personal Injury Case

Personal injury attorney Rick Jaklitsch has received an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell for more than 25 years. Throughout his career as an attorney, Rick Jaklitsch has helped thousands of people in cases from million-dollar-plus payouts to as little as $23 in unpaid personal injury protection.

In a personal injury case, it’s often the duty of the plaintiff to prove negligence as it is understood in legal terms. This starts with showing that the defendant had a duty of care, or obligation, to avoid injuring someone placed in the plaintiff’s position.

Once that’s established, it’s necessary to show that the duty of care was breached in some way. It’s one thing to show that someone has an obligation - it must then be shown the duty was not met.

Last, the plaintiff has to prove causation. That is to say, beyond showing that there was a duty and the duty was not met, it must be proven that negligence was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. This is the general way that many personal injury cases proceed, but it’s not the only way, and it ultimately depends on the specifics of a case and the strategy of the attorney.