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Motorcycles, with their easy maneuverability and fuel efficiency, are an appealing choice to many commuters. However, these two-wheeled vehicles also carry inherent risks. Motorcycle riders are less protected than car passengers and, as a result, face higher risks of severe injuries or even death in the event of an accident.
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In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, victims often grapple with medical bills, lost wages, pain, and other hardships. Consequently, many must rely on legal settlements as a means to compensate for their losses. So, how much are these settlements typically worth in Maryland?
And why might victims need a personal injury lawyer to secure the best possible outcome? Regan Zambri Long is looking to shed some light on your questions.
Motorcycle accident settlements vary depending on the specifics of each case – the severity of the injuries, the extent of the property damage, and the reasons behind the accident.
There are three types of damages awarded in personal injury lawsuits: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages:
While there is no single estimate for how much a motorcycle accident victim will receive in a settlement, the Regan Zambri Long motorcycle accident lawyers will work tirelessly to secure maximum compensation for the following:
Medical bills are often the most significant factor in a motorcycle accident settlement. Personal injury lawyers will take current and future medical expenses resulting from the accident into account. For example, a motorcycle accident victim may have hospital bills and current medications that should be covered by the settlement.
However, because of the extent of their injuries, the victim may require future medical treatment, including rehab, in-home care, physical or occupational therapy, and ongoing medications and follow up appointments. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will consider medical implications far into your future when calculating the settlement for all medical expenses.
This compensation is for time off work due to the accident. Like the medical expenses, a victim may have severe injuries that leave them incapable of returning to work quickly, if at all. In many cases, the injuries sustained may not allow the victim to return to their normal job, resulting in the individual having to take a job that makes less money or having to go on total disability.
We will make sure you are compensated for the wages you lost while getting immediate medical attention for the accident. We will also make sure you are fully compensated for your loss of future earning capacity if you are not able to return to work.
Many times, a motorcyclist’s bike is totaled following a car accident. A car accident attorney will demand compensation for damages to the motorcycle and any other personal property that was destroyed in the course of the crash.
In Maryland, there isn’t a cap on economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages). However, there is a cap on non-economic damages (like pain and suffering), which adjusts annually.
While more subjective, victims can claim damages for both physical pain and emotional trauma. In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, especially if the victim suffers severe injuries that permanently alters their life, they can face profound mental anguish. Victims may lose their old way of living and their enjoyment of life. They may become isolated, depressed, and anxious.
Post traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that comes from a traumatic event. Victims of PTSD suffer from flashbacks, nightmares, and agitation. We will make sure you are properly compensated for all non-economic damages that you suffered because of the accident.
As mentioned before, punitive damages exceed the regular personal injury lawsuit compensation. These damages are the most uncommon in any claim. However, if you believe your motorcycle accident involved actual malice or willful reckless behavior, your personal injury lawyer will fight for punitive damages on top of economic and non-economic damages.
In Maryland, there isn’t a cap on economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages). However, there is a cap on non-economic damages (like pain and suffering), which adjusts annually. Your attorney will take this into consideration when determining how much your claim is worth.
In the tragic event that a motorcycle accident leads to the death of a rider or passenger, the grief-stricken family may wonder about their legal rights and what damages they can receive. In Maryland, the law provides for a “wrongful death” claim which allows certain family members to seek compensation when their loved one’s death is due to the negligence or wrongful act of another.
The beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim are those entitled to receive the compensation. According to Maryland law, the following “primary beneficiaries” in a wrongful death claim can include the deceased’s:
If none of these beneficiaries exist, secondary beneficiaries may include relatives who were financially dependent on the deceased. They may be:
Like a regular personal injury case, a wrongful death claim does not guarantee a certain amount of damages. However, a Maryland wrongful death lawyer will build a case to secure the following economic and non-economic damages for the surviving family members:
It’s worth noting that Maryland places a cap on non-economic damages in wrongful death cases. This cap adjusts periodically based on inflation.
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The worth of a motorcycle accident settlement in Maryland can significantly hinge upon the state’s unique contributory negligence laws. Maryland is one of the few jurisdictions in the U.S. that adheres to the strict rule of contributory negligence. Under this rule, if an accident victim is found even 1% at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering any compensation. This rule is different from the more prevalent comparative negligence rule and can mean that motorcycle accident victims in Maryland can find it especially challenging to secure compensation.
For instance, if a motorcyclist is struck by a car but is found to have been speeding by even a small margin at the time of the accident, they could be denied any damages, despite the other driver’s negligence.
Maryland’s contributory negligence rule is one of the reasons it is essential to reach out to a motorcycle accident attorney to help your claim. Going up against insurance companies alone can be intimidating. With an expert legal team in your corner, you are giving yourself the best chance to secure the highest compensation possible.
When a motorcycle accident victim in Maryland is waiting for their settlement money, they can face significant financial strain, particularly as medical bills start piling up. Here are strategies and mechanisms that victims can use to manage their medical bills during this waiting period:
During a free consultation with a Regan Zambri Long motorcycle accident lawyer, you will be able to discuss every aspect of your case, including what to do in the event of financial strain during negotiations of your settlement.
Given Maryland’s stringent contributory negligence laws, victims are up against formidable challenges in securing a fair settlement. This makes the role of a Regan Zambri Long personal injury lawyer indispensable. Here’s why:
Finally, the Regan Zambri Long law firm works on a contingency basis. That means our clients do not pay a single dime unless a settlement or verdict is reached in their favor.
Regan Zambri Long spares no expense when building a case to protect our clients’ rights. We consult medical professionals, utilize accident reconstruction, hire expert witnesses, pour over police reports, obtain security footage, interview eyewitnesses, and so much more. We have the financial backing to build your case at our own expense, even if we have to go to trial. You can rest assured, your motorcycle accident lawyer will be with you until the very end.
