Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Maryland
If someone else’s carelessness caused you to suffer physical injuries and financial losses in a Maryland motorcycle accident, they could owe you compensation for the harm they caused you.
The Maryland motorcycle accident lawyers at the law firm of Cohen & Dwin, P.A., want to help you demand it. We’ve been protecting the rights of injured motorcycle riders since 1977, holding liable parties accountable and securing fair compensation for the individuals we represent.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer and learn more about your options.
Why You Need Our Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
A Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer from Cohen & Dwin, P.A., can protect your rights and pursue full and fair compensation for all your losses. We have the resources and knowledge to take care of all the details for your motorcycle insurance claim, including by:
- Providing legal guidance – Our Maryland motorcycle accident attorneys can help you understand your rights with an objective assessment of your case during your free consultation session.
- Investigating the collision – We can thoroughly investigate the accident and gather helpful evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and police reports.
- Calculating your losses – We can calculate a fair value for your claim by considering how the crash caused you to suffer physically, emotionally, and financially.
- Negotiating a settlement – We can recognize lowball offers and other tactics the insurance companies use to avoid paying you and negotiate a fair settlement for you instead.
- Preparing a lawsuit – If the other party doesn’t negotiate in good faith, our motorcycle accident lawyers can prepare a strong lawsuit and represent you before a judge or jury.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics for Maryland
In one recent year, more than 75 percent of Maryland’s 1,300 motorcycle-involved crashes resulted in injury or death. Motorcycle crash deaths also accounted for approximately 14 percent of all Maryland highway fatalities.
Here are more sobering motorcycle accident statistics from the Maryland Department of Transportation:
- An average of 73 motorcycle riders and passengers die in wrecks each year statewide.
- Nearly 1,046 riders and passengers are injured every year.
- Motorcycle crash injuries and fatalities increase during warmer months when weather conditions are more conducive to riding.
- Nationwide, motorcycles account for 3 percent of registered vehicles yet have crash fatality rates six times the number for passenger cars.
How Is Fault Determined for a Motorcycle Accident?
Determining fault in a motorcycle accident case means finding out whether it is more likely than not that someone’s negligent behavior caused the crash and your ensuing injuries. Our knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyers can help you identify at-fault parties by gathering helpful evidence, such as:
- Police crash reports
- Photos of the crash scene
- Video footage of the collision
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Testimony from reliable experts
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Maryland
There are several common causes of motorcycle accidents in Maryland, including:
- Distracted driving – This includes texting, eating, or any other activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road.
- Speeding – Excessive speed is a common contributing factor in motorcycle accidents and increases the likelihood of severe motorcyclist injuries.
- Failure to yield – When drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to motorcyclists at intersections, on multi-lane roads, or in merge zones, devastating collisions can occur.
- Lane-splitting – This occurs when motorcyclists ride between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic, which can be dangerous if other drivers are not aware of their presence.
- Drunk driving – Intoxication can impair a driver’s depth perception and ability to react quickly to changes in traffic or road conditions.
- Unsafe lane changes – Drivers should always check for motorcycles, especially in their blind spots, before making lane changes.
- Road hazards – Potholes, uneven pavement, and other road hazards can cause motorcyclists or other road users to lose control and crash.
Common Injuries Motorcycle Riders Suffer in Maryland
Motorcycle accident victims often suffer severe crash injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Joint damage
- Broken bones
- Traumatic amputations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Permanent disfigurement
- Road rash and other burns
Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Some examples of common types of Maryland motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Left-turn accidents – Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to crashes that occur when an oncoming motorist turns left into their path without leaving enough space. Motorists who fail to keep a proper lookout for motorcycles could make a left turn without yielding to the oncoming biker.
- Rear-end collisions – These accidents happen when a vehicle crashes into the back of a motorcycle or vice versa. They are particularly dangerous for motorcycle riders, as the impact of this type of crash can throw riders off their bikes and seriously injure them.
- Head-on collisions – These accidents, which commonly prove fatal, involve motorcycles colliding front-first with vehicles coming from the opposite direction.
- Lane-change accidents – Accidents can occur if car or truck drivers change lanes without checking for motorcyclists.
- Multiple-vehicle accidents – These accidents involve two or more vehicles, one of them being a motorcycle. They can occur when a car or truck driver fails to see a motorcycle or misjudges its speed or distance.
- Road hazard accidents – These accidents involve motorcyclists running into hazards on the road, such as potholes or debris, which can cause the rider to lose control of the bike and crash.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for My Motorcycle Accident?
You could be entitled to compensation if you get hurt in a motorcycle accident that isn’t your fault. The specific types and amounts of compensation you could recover will vary depending on the facts and circumstances of your particular claim.
With a successful claim, you could get money for crash-related losses such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Crash Claim in Maryland?
In Maryland, you typically have three years from the date you were harmed to take legal action. However, the deadline could be even tighter in some cases. You deserve ample time to explore all your legal options, so it’s best to contact a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after you get hurt.
Contact Our Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for Help Today
Were you hurt in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault? Then you could be owed compensation. The Maryland motorcycle accident lawyers with Cohen & Dwin, P.A., are ready to protect your rights and aggressively pursue the money you need. Contact our firm today for your free consultation.