Maryland Bicycle Accident Lawyers

What Is the Average Settlement Compensation Payout for a Bicycle Accident Case Maryland?

Claim settlements for cycling accidents can range from a few thousand to over one million dollars. The Maryland bicycle accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long secured a $3 million settlement for one of our clients who was injured in a bike crash.

The wide variation of settlement amounts is due to several different factors, including:

• Injury severity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work or significantly impact your ability to earn a living, it will be reflected in your compensation.
• Long-term care: In the most severe cases, long-term nursing care, rehabilitation, or a nursing home may be necessary. If you need to fit medical equipment like wheelchairs or hospital beds into your home, you must make modifications. Those variables will be taken into consideration when calculating your settlement amount.

Common Causes of Bike Accidents

Maryland’s major cities, like Baltimore, Germantown, and Silver Spring, have a large population of cyclists. Residents use bikes for commuting to and from work, running errands, and recreation. However, the prevalence of biking also leads to a higher risk of accidents. In fact, about 85% of all bike accidents occur in urban areas like Baltimore and Silver Spring rather than Maryland’s more rural areas.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), failing to yield the right of way is the single most common cause of bicycle crashes. Motorists turning left at intersections fail to notice the oncoming cyclist, leading to devastating collisions.

Low visibility is the second-most common cause. When drivers can’t see cyclists, they’re more likely to make dangerous turns or unknowingly veer into bike lanes.

Other causes of a bike accident in Maryland are:

• Distracted driving: Distracted driving occurs when a motorist fails to pay attention. This could be anything, from texting while driving to eating, putting on makeup, or even talking to another passenger. Distracted drivers miss cyclists and will not be able to avoid a collision.
• Dooring: Parked car doors opening into traffic can strike cyclists or create a hazard in the bike lane. Bicycle riders may veer into the driving lane, causing an accident with a motor vehicle.
• Sideswipe accidents: If a driver veers into the bike lane or fails to notice a cyclist when changing lanes, they could hit the bike on its side, knocking the cyclist over.
• Right-turns: If a car passes a cyclist on the left to make a right turn in front of them, it can cause a serious collision. Drivers should yield the right of way and give cyclists ample space.
• Speeding: Like distracted driving, speeding is a problem in all motor vehicle collisions, not just ones involving bicycles. When drivers speed, they don’t give themselves enough time to react, making them unable to avoid hitting a bicyclist at an intersection.
• Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs significantly hinders a driver’s reaction time, cognitive abilities, and judgment. Reduced visibility and fatigue can cause bicycle accidents and crashes with other motor vehicles.
• Unsafe lane changes: Drivers weaving through traffic or changing lanes without checking their blind spots can easily miss a cyclist in the next lane.
• Poor maintenance: Faulty brakes, lights, or gears on the car or bike can malfunction and cause a bicycle accident.

Who May Be Liable in a Biking Accident

While the obvious culprit in a bicycle accident is the negligent driver, there are other reasons bicycle crashes may occur. While not always the most apparent cause, car maintenance issues, and poorly maintained roads play a huge role in bicycle accidents.

Your Maryland bicycle accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the party or parties responsible for the accident and hold each one accountable. Liable parties may include:

• Car driver: Negligent drivers are the most common party responsible for bicycle accidents. They should be held liable if their negligent actions directly caused the crash.
• Cyclists: If the cyclist was riding against traffic, disobeying traffic laws, or riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may be liable for the accident.
• Government entities: Local government entities are responsible for maintaining the roads, including proper signage and smooth pavement. If the roads were poorly maintained (potholes, missing signage, etc.), the cyclist may have a case against the municipality where the accident occurred.
• Property owners: Property owners are responsible for the sidewalks in front of their homes or buildings. If a broken sidewalk or unsafe property caused the cyclist to swerve and crash into a motor vehicle, the property owner may be accountable for the crash.
• Product manufacturers: Defective parts on either the bicycle (brakes, frame) or the car (brakes, lights) can cause accidents. In these cases, the manufacturer of the faulty part or the auto repair shop that installed it could be held liable.

Liability and Contributory Negligence Laws

Maryland is one of few states that follows contributory negligence law in personal injury cases, including bicycle accidents. Under the rules of contributory negligence, if injury victims are found partially at fault for the bicycle accident, they are completely barred from recovering any compensation.

Here’s an example: A cyclist suffered severe injuries after being struck by a car. She has several broken bones and serious head injuries. The insurance company investigates the accident and reveals that the car driver was texting while driving. However, the investigation also reveals that the cyclist rode without lights on a poorly lit road at night. In this scenario, the motor vehicle driver and the injured bicyclist are blamed for the bike crash. Because they are both partly at fault, the plaintiff (the cyclist) cannot collect compensation from the driver or their auto insurance company.

Maximize your compensation with the help of a Maryland bicycle accident attorney

Maryland’s contributory negligence laws can make it challenging to recover full compensation for bicycle accident injuries. If you think you are partially at fault for a Maryland bike crash, consult with a bicycle accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long.

We have over three decades of experience with Maryland defense attorneys who quickly use contributory negligence to get their clients off the hook. Our bicycle accident lawyers will build a strong case that proves you played no part in the bike crash that caused your injuries.

The Most Common Types of Cycling Injuries

Head and brain injuries are the most common type of injury sustained in a bike accident, particularly when struck by SUV’s. Because of the higher point of impact, injured cyclists are often struck in the head, causing contusions, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

A traumatic brain injury disrupts the normal function of the brain. It happens when a forceful blow or jolt to the head disrupts the brain’s work. An injury like this can alter the victim’s life forever, causing permanent brain damage, coma, or even death.

Other bike accident injuries a cyclist can sustain are:

• Broken bones can occur in any part of the body, often requiring surgery and rehabilitation.
• Facial injuries: Cuts, bruising, fractures, and dental damage can occur from the impact of hitting the vehicle or ground.
• Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
• Whiplash: The back-and-forth motion can put enormous strain on the neck, leading to chronic pain long after the accident.
• Soft tissue injuries: Muscle strains and ligament sprains are common after a bicycle accident. Soft tissue injuries may require ongoing physical therapy and pain medication.
• Chest injuries: The impact of hitting the vehicle or ground can bruise the victim’s lungs and break ribs.
• Internal bleeding and organ damage: These injuries are not always noticeable right away, making them extraordinarily dangerous. That is why injury victims should seek medical attention even if they don’t think their injuries are severe.
• Burns: Bicyclists can be dragged on the road, causing road rash. First-degree road rash is likened to a first-degree burn.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder: The emotional trauma of a serious accident can lead to PTSD, impacting a person’s mental health.

Time Limits for Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim

According to Maryland law, a bicycle accident victim must file a claim against the negligent party or parties three years from the crash date. Although this may seem like a long time, if you do not file within that timeframe, you will lose all your rights to compensation.

It is best to hire a Maryland bicycle accident lawyer immediately and file as soon as possible. Remember, medical bills and other expenses won’t wait for a lawsuit to settle. The sooner you file your claim, the sooner you can recover the compensation you deserve.

What Are the Key Bike Accident Laws in Maryland?

In a bicycle accident case, knowledge of Maryland traffic laws empowers you. These Maryland laws apply to motor vehicles and bicycles, and understanding them can help your case. If you have questions, consult your bike accident attorney at Regan Zambri Long.

Traffic Laws for Motorists

• The driver of a vehicle passing another vehicle, including a bicycle, must pass at a safe distance and leave plenty of space.
• Drivers shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicycle a person rides.
• A vehicle driver must not pass closer than three feet to a bicycle or motor scooter if the bicycle is operated lawfully. It is not lawful to ride in traffic.
• Bicycles have the right-of-way when motor vehicles are making a turn, and motorists must yield to bicyclists.
• Motorists must yield the right-of-way to bicyclists riding in bike lanes and shoulders when these vehicle operators are entering or crossing occupied bike lanes and shoulders.
• When riding on a sidewalk—where such riding is permitted—or a bike path, bicyclists may ride in a crosswalk to continue their route. Motorists must yield right-of-way to a bicyclist operating lawfully in a crosswalk. Drivers must look for bicycles coming from both directions.
• A person may not throw any object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle.
• A person may not open the door of any motor vehicle with intent to strike, injure, or interfere with any person riding a bicycle.
• Failing to yield right-of-way to a bicyclist, resulting in a crash in which the bicyclist is seriously injured, can result in a $1,000 fine and three points on a driving record.

Traffic laws for cyclists

• Maryland’s traffic laws apply to bicycles.
• A bicycle may not carry a passenger unless specifically designed for and equipped with a seat for each passenger.
• Bicycles are not permitted on roads with a speed limit of more than 50 miles per hour (MPH).
• A person riding a bicycle shall ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable and safe, except when making or attempting a left-hand turn, operating on a one-way street, passing a slower or stopped-moving vehicle, avoiding pedestrians or road hazards, the right lane is a right turn only lane, or operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane.
• Where there is a bike lane, a person must use it and not ride a bicycle in the roadway except if passing safely cannot be done within the bike lane or shoulder, when preparing for a left turn, to avoid hazards, or when the bike lane is also a right-turn or merge lane.
• A person cannot carry anything that prevents them from keeping both hands on the handlebars or interfering with the bike’s view or balance.
• A person may not ride a bicycle while wearing a headset or earplugs that cover both ears.
• Helmets are required for everyone under the age of 16.
• A lamp is required on the front of a bicycle if it is used on a highway when people or vehicles are not clearly visible at 1,000 feet.
• If the bicycle is used on a highway when people and vehicles are not clearly visible at 1,000 feet, a red reflector on the rear is required.

Why You Need an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer

The aftermath of a catastrophic Maryland bicycle accident is physically painful, mentally exhausting, and completely overwhelming. Your top priority should be recovering from serious injuries, but it’s natural to lose your focus when you see medical costs and other expenses piling up. That’s where an experienced Maryland bicycle accident lawyer from Regan Zambri Long can step in.

Our legal team has profound knowledge of Maryland’s bicycle laws, insurance company tactics, and court system. You do not need to become a personal injury law expert overnight; our award-winning law firm will take over your case and fight for your rights.

Our Maryland bicycle accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t owe us a dime unless we secure a settlement or verdict in your favor. We aim to ensure a smoother recovery process and maximize your potential compensation. Call today for your free consultation to get your claim started.