Road users affect others around them. This is especially true with motorcyclists. Since they only ride on two wheels, motorcycles are inherently unstable. When drivers nudge them or even come too close, motorcyclists can lose control of their bikes, run off the road, or tip over. Worse yet, collisions can permanently disable or kill riders since their vehicles provide no protection.
This guide on how to be a safe driver for motorcyclists in Baltimore, MD, could save a rider’s life. It can also help a driver avoid liability for a rider’s injuries. A Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer from WGK Personal Injury Lawyers can pursue negligent drivers who hit motorcyclists for full and just compensation.
Contact our law office at (410) 837-2144 for a free case review to discuss how we can help you.
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How WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Accident In Baltimore, MD
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers has been a fixture in Baltimore, Maryland, since 1977. Our attorneys have over 80 years of combined legal experience representing injured clients against those responsible for harming them. Over this time, we’ve built a solid record of success, with millions of dollars recovered for accident victims like you.
We provide the following legal help to clients injured by the negligent or wrongful actions of others:
- Analyzing your situation and advising you of possible strategies
- Gathering evidence to document your injuries and support your arguments
- Filing an insurance claim and negotiating to settle it
- Pursuing litigation against the at-fault party if settlement talks do not succeed
A motorcycle accident can alter a crash victim’s life forever. Contact WGK Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Baltimore motorcycle accident attorney to learn how you can pursue a claim against the driver responsible.
What Factors Affect The Value Of My Motorcycle Accident Case?
The compensation a rider can recover in a motorcycle accident claim depends on the injuries they suffered. Disfiguring injuries or those that cause permanent impairments, like spinal cord injuries, will justify greater compensation.
What Losses Can I Include In My Injury Claim?
Injured motorcyclists can pursue compensation for economic and non-economic losses. Missed paychecks and medical costs qualify as economic losses, while pain and suffering qualify as non-economic.
How Much Does A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Charge?
Motorcycle accident lawyers typically charge a contingency fee. This fee is paid at the end of the case based on a percentage of the compensation the lawyer recovers from the at-fault party and their insurer. The client pays no legal fees if the lawyer loses the case.
What Happens If The Driver Blames Me For My Motorcycle Accident In Maryland?
Maryland is one of the few jurisdictions that still applies contributory negligence rules. This means any fault by the victim bars any injury claims. Motorcyclists cannot get compensated for their injuries even if their share of the blame was only 1%.
For example, suppose that an inattentive driver rear-ends a motorcycle. The rider might not receive any compensation if they knew their motorcycle’s brake light was burned out and they neglected to replace it.
What Injuries Result From Motorcycle Accidents?
The most common motorcycle injuries include the following:
- Broken bones
- Strains and sprains
- Lacerations
- Abrasions and road rash
Unfortunately, head injuries are also very common. According to one study, a rider’s likelihood of suffering a head injury in a crash ranges from 20% to 34%, depending on whether they are wearing a helmet. Head trauma can cause brain injuries when the impact jolts the brain.
How Do Drivers Cause Motorcycle Accidents In Baltimore, MD?
One of the biggest risks motorcyclists face is drivers who don’t notice them. Sometimes, this happens because a driver simply cannot see a motorcycle because of its small size.
It also happens due to inattentional blindness. This phenomenon occurs when a driver fails to recognize a motorcycle even when they see it. Another name for inattentional blindness is “looked but failed to see.”
Drivers can avoid inattentional blindness by consciously looking for motorcycles on the road. For example, a driver who consistently checks blind spots before changing lanes will have a lower risk of collisions or near misses when passing. Looking carefully before turning left will help drivers avoid left-turn accidents.
Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is when drivers do not treat motorcyclists as equals on the road. Maryland law grants motorcycle riders the same rights and duties as all other vehicle operators. When drivers encounter motorcyclists at intersections, they must yield to them just as they would to any other vehicle. They must also allow them to use a full lane.
Drivers who remember these rules can reduce their odds of causing intersection accidents or sideswipe collisions.
How Much Time Does Maryland Allow To File A Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
Maryland law allows three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Thus, an injured rider must file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver within three years of their collision.
Contact Our Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Many drivers operate carelessly around motorcycles, resulting in collisions. You can speak to a lawyer about the losses you incurred due to your motorcycle accident injuries and the compensation you can seek for them. Contact WGK Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
