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Every year, more than 600 Maryland cyclists sustain serious injuries caused by bicycle accidents. Unlike car drivers and passengers, bicycle riders have no protection. They are exposed to the accident’s full impact in a bike crash. The life-threatening injuries they suffer can change their lives forever.
Think about it: in a flash, you’re facing a new reality where permanent injuries force you to accept a completely different lifestyle.
You may be unable to return to your hobbies, work, or even basic daily tasks. On top of that, you have sudden medical expenses that you didn’t plan for or save for. What do you do? And where do you turn?
At Regan Zambri Long, our bicycle accident injury attorneys want you to know you are not alone. We want to guide you through your personal injury lawsuit and help you pursue fair compensation. We have successfully litigated hundreds of bicycle accident cases and secured millions for our clients. Our Maryland bicycle accident lawyers deeply understand the physical pain, emotional anguish, and financial distress you and your family are under. Call our injury attorneys today for a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced lawyer who can help get your life back on track.
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In bicycle accident cases and other personal injury lawsuits, you can generally seek three types of compensation: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Let’s take a look at all three and what they mean to your case:
Economic damages compensate you for out-of-pocket expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage. These damages are the easiest value to determine in bike accident cases because they often have a physical receipt as proof. For example, you will receive a bill from the hospital for medical treatment you received. That bill is a tangible loss you may try to recover in a claim.
Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible ways the bike accident impacted your daily life. Things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are all considered non-economic damages.
Without a paper trail to document pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life, the value of non-economic damages is more subjective and difficult to prove. Maryland bike accident attorneys must build a compelling argument showcasing how the bike crash and subsequent injuries impacted your physical and emotional well-being on a day-to-day basis.
Punitive damages are a special compensation category and are not always available in every claim. While economic and non-economic damages are meant to award the victim, punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant. If the defendant’s behavior was malicious or wanton, your personal injury attorney may believe punitive damages are appropriate for your case.
The goal of punitive damages is to discourage negligent drivers from behaving that way in the future. During your free consultation, your Regan Zambri Long bicycle accident lawyer will advise if punitive damages are applicable to your case.
In 2021 alone, over 900 cyclists were killed in accidents with motor vehicles, making up 2% of traffic fatalities that year across the United States. In Maryland, if a cyclist loses their life due to another’s negligence, surviving spouses, parents, or children can file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the deceased person did not leave behind a spouse, surviving parents, or children, a financially dependent relative may file the suit.
Damages in wrongful death claims are similar to regular personal injury lawsuits. The surviving family may recover compensation for medical expenses incurred before death, lost wages the deceased individual would have earned, and funeral and burial costs.
The surviving family members may also seek compensation for losing companionship, guidance, and support. However, as of 2024, Maryland caps non-economic damages in wrongful death cases at $935,000.
If your loved one died due to a negligent driver, reach out to the compassionate Maryland bicycle accident lawyers. We will review your case, outline legal options, and fight for compensation in your loved one’s memory.
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:
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.
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:
You’ve scheduled your initial consultation. What now? When you come to the office for your consultation, you should try to bring any relevant information with you regarding your accident. The following are important documents that would be helpful to bring to a consultation:
Don’t worry if you don’t have this information yet, but certainly, bring it to your consultation if you do. The more information you can bring to your consultation, the better your attorney can prepare for your lawsuit, inform you of the likelihood of your claim’s success, and project an amount for your compensation.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.