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If you or a loved one suffered as the victim in a Maryland motorcycle accident, it’s important to seek the advice of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Motorcyclists are often viewed as dangerous, aggressive, and reckless. Unfortunately, these negative stereotypes and prejudices lead to discrimination against motorcyclists. These biases can make people believe that motorcyclists are more likely to break traffic laws or engage in risky behavior than other drivers, and likewise, make it more difficult for motorcyclists to be viewed as victims in an accident.
If you’re a motorcyclist and you were the victim in an accident, a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer can help protect your rights, ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries, and help you navigate the legal process with confidence.
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A motorcycle accident lawyer is a type of personal injury lawyer. Motorcycle lawyers differ from other types of personal injury lawyers in that they specialize in motorcycle accidents and have a deep understanding of the unique issues and challenges involved in these types of cases.
Put simply, the role of a motorcycle accident lawyer is to provide legal representation and advice to individuals who have been involved in a motorcycle accident. This includes negotiating with insurance companies, investigating the accident, gathering evidence, and representing clients in court if necessary.
The specialized experience of a motorcycle accident attorney can benefit a motorcycle accident victim in the following ways:
Motorcycle accidents can often result in serious injuries or death, as motorcyclists are more vulnerable to injury than other vehicle occupants due to the lack of protection provided by a vehicle’s frame, roof, and airbags.
Some of the most common injuries from motorcycle accidents include:
Road rash: Road rash is arguably the most common motorcycle accident injury. It’s a type of abrasion that occurs when a rider’s skin scrapes along the pavement. Road rash can range from minor scrapes to deep wounds that require surgery. The severity of road rash can be influenced by factors such as the speed at which the motorcycle was traveling prior to the accident and the duration of the skid along the pavement before coming to a stop.
Head injuries: Head injuries are one of the most common and most serious injuries in motorcycle accidents, as riders are often thrown from their bikes or hit their heads on the pavement. These head injuries can include concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Broken bones: Broken bones are common in motorcycle accidents, particularly in the hands, arms, legs, and feet. The extent of these injuries can vary from minor fractures to more severe breaks, which may necessitate surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Spinal injuries: Spinal injuries can occur when a rider is thrown from their bike and lands on their back or when their spine is twisted or compressed during the accident. These injuries can result in paralysis, chronic pain, or other long-term disabilities.
Internal injuries: Internal injuries, such as organ damage, internal bleeding, or a collapsed lung can occur when a rider is hit by a vehicle or thrown from their bike. That said, if you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries are not immediately apparent.
Psychological trauma: In addition to physical injuries, motorcycle accidents can cause psychological trauma, including conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
In a motorcycle accident, damages refer to the monetary compensation owed to the victim for the harm caused by the other driver’s breach of duty. All drivers have a responsibility to drive safely and obey traffic laws to protect themselves and others on the road. If a driver fails to fulfill this duty due to negligence, such as by driving under the influence or being distracted by a phone, and this leads to a motorcycle accident, the negligent driver can be held liable for damages.
The purpose of seeking damages is to compensate the victim for their losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. As in many other states, there are three types of damages available in Maryland personal injury cases.
Economic damages refer to the financial losses resulting from a motorcycle accident and are awarded to compensate you for your monetary expenses. These damages are quantifiable and based on the actual costs incurred due to the accident.
The main categories of economic damages that can be obtained through a motorcycle accident claim include:
A compensation claim resulting from a motorcycle accident can cover all medical expenses incurred both in the present and in the future. This includes costs such as ambulance transportation, hospitalization, medical imaging, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation. Furthermore, long-term medical expenses such as physical therapy, home care, and future surgeries can also be covered by the claim.
To compensate for the time lost at work due to a motorcycle accident, you may be awarded damages depending on the severity of your injuries. In case the injuries are so severe that you cannot return to work, you may be entitled to receive compensation for lost wages.
If you suffered severe injuries in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a permanent disability and prevents you from returning to your previous job or earning the same amount of money, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you seek the maximum compensation. Our lawyers will work to negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you and your family are financially secure and able to cope with the long-term impact of the accident.
A motorcycle accident can result in extensive damage to your bike, leaving you with costly repair or replacement bills. With the help of a Regan Zambri Long motorcycle accident attorney, you can potentially recover enough damages to cover the full cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle.
Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate for the intangible losses or harm that resulted from a motorcycle accident, which cannot be easily measured by monetary means, and are not covered by economic damages. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are not based on objective monetary value as they involve hardships that cannot be easily quantified. To help your case, the evidence used to prove non-economic damages can include medical records, letters from medical professionals, and testimony from family, friends, and the victim.
Even though there is no receipt or bill that can fully capture the emotional, physical, and mental pain and suffering caused by a motorcycle accident, it does not diminish the significance of the victim’s suffering.
Some non-economic injuries include:
Pain and suffering refer to the physical and emotional distress a person experiences resulting from their motorcycle injury or accident. It includes the actual physical pain that the person endures, as well as any emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, or loss of enjoyment of life.
Compensation for pain and suffering damages can vary depending on the severity of the injuries, the length of time the person will experience the pain and suffering, and other factors.
Injuries from a motorcycle accident may affect you both physically and mentally. The effects of your injuries can prevent you from engaging in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed. This can be anything from dancing to hiking to playing with your children. The inability to enjoy the things you once loved to do is an example of immeasurable, thus, non-economic damage.
Physical pain, mental anguish, and other similar issues can greatly affect your overall well-being and quality of life. While just as valid as economic damages, this type of hurting is subjective which is why it falls in the non-economic damages category.
Loss of consortium refers to the loss of companionship, intimacy, and other relationships that a spouse or family member has been deprived of due to the injuries or death of the injured person. This type of damage is meant to compensate for the loss of the injured person’s ability to provide emotional and physical support, affection, and companionship to their loved ones, and can be awarded in addition to economic and other non-economic damages in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Punitive damages or exemplary damages make up the third type of damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are not meant to reimburse the victim for any losses or damages incurred. The primary objective of punitive damages is to deter the defendant and others from committing similar acts in the future and to penalize the defendant for their conduct.
It is not often that punitive damages are awarded because proving that the negligent party acted from a place of malice is difficult. A motorcycle accident attorney must establish that the defendant acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others which involves proving that the defendant was aware that their actions could result in severe injuries but chose to act in such a manner regardless.
According to Md. Code, Transp. § 21-1302:
According to data evaluated by the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “per vehicle miles traveled in 2021, motorcyclists were about 24 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were 4 times more likely to be injured.”
Motorcycle accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
Driver error: In many cases, motorcycle accidents are caused by driver error, such as failing to see a motorcycle when changing lanes, turning in front of a motorcycle, or following too closely. As with any other motor vehicle, drivers have an obligation to treat motorcycles with the same level of respect on the road. This means that motorcycles are entitled to occupy the full width of a lane. Unfortunately, many collisions occur between cars and motorcycles due to drivers attempting to share the lane with motorcyclists or pass them without leaving a safe distance, leading to sideswipe accidents.
In the event of a motorcycle accident, it is crucial to take immediate action. It’s best to start by calling 911 so everyone involved in the accident can get the proper attention they need and so that the accident can be assessed. The police can come to the scene and create an incident report that can be used for insurance purposes. Seeking medical attention is critical, as injuries must be evaluated and treated promptly to prevent further harm.
You should also exchange contact information with everyone involved in the accident, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses, and if you’re able, take photos of any damage or injuries sustained. It’s in your best interest to avoid speaking with insurance adjusters, as they may attempt to gather information to reduce their liability and payout.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact Regan Zambri Long to speak with an attorney experienced in motorcycle accidents to protect your legal rights and ensure you receive appropriate compensation.
At Regan Zambri Long, our motorcycle accident lawyers are here to offer you a free consultation. Contact us today to discuss your accident and to engage the help of the top motorcycle accident lawyers in the country.
