In a legal market increasingly dominated by national advertising, a Baltimore personal injury firm is making a deliberate bet that accident victims prefer a local attorney who answers the phone over a distant call center. Richard R. Klein, who leads Attorney Big Al - The Law Office of Richard Klein, said the firm's identity is rooted in being physically present in the communities it serves. "The Attorney Big Al name means something in the communities we serve, because we're actually here," Klein said. "We're a real local firm, and we treat you like family."
The firm's approach stands in contrast to national operations that Klein says treat injured people as "a number on their bottom line." For clients in Baltimore and across Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia, that distinction matters not just in how they are treated but in the legal guidance they receive. Klein said many of the firm's clients come from underserved communities and have been ignored or talked down to. "Everyone deserves a lawyer who picks up the phone," he said.
That commitment to accessibility carries particular weight in Maryland, one of the few remaining states that follows contributory negligence. Under this rule, an injured person found even slightly at fault for a crash can be barred from recovering any damages. Maryland also generally gives accident victims three years from the date of a crash to file a lawsuit. "Insurance companies know Maryland's rules better than anybody," Klein said. "If they can pin even a sliver of blame on you, they'll try. That's why I tell people to get help early, before they've given a statement or signed anything."
The implications for accident victims are significant. Without prompt legal guidance, someone who bears even a small share of fault could lose the right to compensation entirely. Klein's firm emphasizes three commitments: being easy to reach, keeping clients informed as their cases progress, and telling people the truth about Maryland law from day one.
There is some encouraging news on Maryland roads. Preliminary data from the Office of Gov. Wes Moore shows the state recorded 480 traffic deaths in 2025, down from 582 in 2024, marking the first time the total fell below 500 since 2014. Pedestrian and bicyclist deaths dropped to 116 from 173. "That's real progress, and the people working on road safety deserve credit for it," Klein said. "But 480 is still 480 families. Behind every one of those numbers is somebody's kid, parent or neighbor."
For those involved in a crash, the firm recommends staying calm, moving to a safe spot, taking photos, exchanging information, seeking medical care immediately, and talking to a lawyer before speaking with the other driver's insurance company. The firm's community involvement includes sponsoring back-to-school supply giveaways, reflecting Klein's view that a local firm should show up beyond the courtroom. "Baltimore is home," Klein said. "I chose this city, and the people who call us are our neighbors. We treat you like family - not like a number."
