Howie Law Firm LLC

Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the leading causes of injury in Anne Arundel County. Maryland is a “fault” state for car accidents. This means that if you seek compensation after sustaining injuries in a crash, your Anne Arundel County car accident attorney will need to establish the other party’s fault. All drivers owe others with whom they share the road a duty to use reasonable care. A driver may breach the duty by speeding, texting while driving, tailgating, failing to obey signs or signals, driving drunk, or weaving, among other behaviors. A driver may be held accountable if his careless actions caused harm to another person on the road. At Howie Law Firm LLC, we are extremely knowledgeable about Maryland injury law, financial compensation and accident settlements and are ready to help you. Attorney Howie litigates in the Anne Arundel Circuit Court in Annapolis, the Anne Arundel District Court in Annapolis near the Naval Academy stadium, and the Anne Arundel District Court in Glen Burnie. And we are close to the courts of Howard County and Prince George’s County, where we also work hard to solve the problems of our injured clients.

Personal Injury

In addition to serving people who need a car accident attorney in Anne Arundel County or the many other counties in all of Maryland, Attorney Howie handles many other types of personal injury cases. Personal injury is a legal term for an injury to a person’s body, mind or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. In personal injury cases, an injured victim can recover damages arising out of an accident for which another person or entity was at fault. In most cases, personal injury lawsuits are brought under a theory of negligence. In Maryland, to prove negligence, you will need to show that the defendant owed you a duty of care, and that the defendant departed from the duty of care, and that this caused your damages. The duty owed by a defendant depends on the circumstances of the accident. Determining the best and most effective approach to each case takes knowledge of the law, experience with the system and with insurance companies, and focus on the client. Mr. Howie has been accumulating this knowledge and experience for decades, and Attorney Howie will work hard to focus that knowledge and experience for your benefit.

Family Law

Family law matters are some of the most complicated and important legal matters in people’s lives. Divorce, child custody, child visitation, child support, alimony, property division, and paternity are just a few of the areas of focus in family law. In some cases, these issues are overlapping. For instance, the outcome of a paternity case could affect child support. One of the most complex and sensitive issues in a divorce is property division. Maryland is an equitable distribution state. This means that the court should divide marital property fairly between the spouses, but the division will not necessarily be equal. In order to successfully navigate through family law matters and arrive at the best outcome for you and your loved ones, it is essential to have a dedicated family law attorney who listens to you and understands what is most important to you.

Truck Accidents

Due to their weight and size, commercial trucks can cause devastating consequences. Many different parties may bear some responsibility for truck accident settlements in Maryland, including drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, mechanics, and property owners. For example, a trucking company may be held vicariously (indirectly) liable for a truck driver’s negligence. The trucking company’s own negligence in hiring, supervising, or training a truck driver may also be a basis for a lawsuit.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists do not have sufficient protection against the force of a collision. They are usually smaller than the vehicles with which they share the road. Maryland drivers may not see them at an intersection or may speed up dangerously when trying to pass them. If you or a family member have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, Calvert County or anywhere in Maryland, you will need to prove the other driver’s negligence. Even when the liability of a driver is clear, juries and insurers tend to be biased against motorcyclists. This is one reason why it is important to retain a car accident lawyer in Anne Arundel County who has experience handling motorcycle claims.

Boating Accidents

Boating in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, and the rest of Southern Maryland is very popular, so boating accidents are not uncommon. Boating accidents may occur when a boat collides with another boat, slams into a wave, crashes into a submerged object, or hits another boat’s wake. Fatalities in boating accidents often result from drowning. All boat operators must operate their watercraft safely, accounting for the weather and water conditions. Many boat operators are not properly trained and do not follow applicable Maryland boating laws or rules. If you were injured as a result of a boat operator’s negligence, you may be able to recover damages. An experienced Anne Arundel County lawyer is essential to ensure you are properly compensated for your injuries and damages.

Construction Accidents

After an accident at a construction site, a construction workers’ exclusive remedy against his employer is usually workers’ compensation benefits. Benefits cover medical expenses and part of lost wages after an injury on the job. However, you may be able to obtain additional compensation, such as pain and suffering damages, by bringing a third-party lawsuit against any person or entity other than your employer that caused the accident and your injuries. Attorney Howie can help workers pursue damages in connection with construction accidents in Maryland such as falls, electrocutions, burns, explosions, defects in heavy machinery and equipment, and scaffolding collapses.

Slip & Fall Accidents

Property owners are expected to monitor their properties for dangers and either repair dangerous conditions or provide warnings to visitors. A slip/trip and fall may result from torn carpets, surfaces that are not level, slippery or sticky substances, wet floors, or inadequate lighting, among other hazards. Property owners can be held liable for dangerous conditions of which they had actual or constructive prior notice. Constructive notice can be established by showing that an unreasonably dangerous condition existed for long enough that a prudent owner would have noticed it upon a reasonable inspection. Attorney Howie is here to get you the settlement you deserve for a slip/trip and fall accident case in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C.

Dog Bites

Maryland’s population continues to grow. With more people, there are more pets! Dog bites may sound minor, but they can be terrifying and devastating. You can hold a dog owner strictly liable for injuries and other losses arising out of a dog’s aggressive conduct if the dog was running at large and attacked you, or if the dog has bitten before. If strict liability applies, you will not need to show that the owner was negligent or knew that the dog was dangerous. If the dog that bit you was not running at large, you can pursue damages under a theory of negligence. Experience handling these types of cases is the key to whether you receive a proper settlement offer from the dog owner’s insurance company.

Divorce

Decisions made during a divorce can affect family members for years into the future. Hiring an experienced family las attorney who can protect your rights and look out for your interests is critical, regardless of whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. There are two types of divorce in Maryland: absolute divorce and limited divorce. In an absolute divorce, all the issues are settled. Grounds for divorce include adultery, one year of mutual and voluntary separation, two years of involuntary separation, desertion, insanity, a felony or misdemeanor conviction, excessively vicious conduct, and cruelty. Additionally, here in Maryland, we are lucky to have a large military population. Military divorce involves certain intricacies. Howie Law Firm LLC can represent you regarding any family law matter in Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, and the other counties of Maryland.

Child Custody

One of the most important elements in a divorce when children are involved is custody of the children. There are two parts of child custody: legal custody, and physical custody. Legal custody covers which parent is responsible for making major decisions for the child, such as where the child goes to school, which religious practices are followed, and which medical care is received. Physical custody refers to which parent is physically with the child and for how much time. In Maryland, a court will examine the best interests of the child when determining child custody and visitation. An experienced child custody attorney is key to ensuring that you and your children are placed in the best possible situation.