But, regardless of what happens with the criminal trial, the defendant in the case may still be held civilly liable in separate proceedings: personal injury lawsuits. These lawsuits, unlike criminal proceedings, aim to hold the defendant liable through monetary damages to compensate the victims. Instead of jail time or fines paid to the government, if the defendant is found liable in a personal injury lawsuit, they will be ordered to pay the plaintiff money to cover their medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, funeral and burial costs, and more. That is why many Maryland truck accident victims find that these suits are more beneficial for their recovery than criminal charges. The defendant serving jail time does not help them pay their bills and offers no actual compensation. But, unlike criminal charges, Maryland truck accident victims have to bring these civil suits on their own, which is why many end up working with a personal injury attorney who can help them through every step of the way.