Catonsville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
You have every right to ride your motorcycle on our roads and highways, although some drivers might believe otherwise. If you are hurt in a collision on your motorcycle, call our legal team for help obtaining fair compensation.
Motorcycle accidents are often related to the negligent behavior of other drivers, although motorcycle riders are sometimes unfairly blamed. Your damages from the accident should account for your numerous injuries and losses, financial and otherwise. Medical treatment, repairing your motorcycle, and psychological distress, among others, should all be assessed. In Maryland, we have only 3 years from the day of the crash to file the case in court, so it is best to get started as soon as possible. Evidence to support your claims for damages might include witnesses, records of medical treatment, and possibly security camera footage of the accident.
Contact our motorcycle accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras by calling (410) 694-7291 and ask for a free, private review of your case to get started.
Where and How Motorcycle Crashes Might Happen Around Catonsville
Motorcycle crashes might happen anywhere at any time. It only takes one negligent driver to cause a terrible accident with an unsuspecting motorcycle rider. While riders must be careful wherever they go, there are certain places around Catonsville where your guard should be up.
It is always a good idea to remain vigilant on major highways and roads. U.S. Highway 40 runs through Catonsville and connects to other towns and cities, like Baltimore. It is a major arterial highway through the area, and negligent drivers might badly hurt motorcycle riders.
Another heavily trafficked area where accidents between motorcycles and other vehicles might happen is around the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) campus. Students, faculty, and others are coming and going from that area all the time. On top of that, young students are more likely to be reckless or negligent on the road, and accidents might be more likely. Our motorcycle accident lawyers have experience with cases from the Catonsville area and can work to get you justice.
While motorcycle riders often get a bad rap, accidents are often caused by negligent drivers in other vehicles. Driver negligence might include a myriad of bad behaviors. Perhaps the other driver was not paying attention. Cell phones, GPS devices, and the radio are all common distractions.
Speeding is another common cause of motorcycle accidents. Crashes at high speeds are incredibly dangerous because motorcycle riders are likely to be thrown from their bikes. When this happens, injuries can be catastrophic.
What Your Motorcycle Accident Damages Might Be Worth in Catonsville
Motorcycle accidents are infamous for how severely riders can be injured. Catastrophic, even life-altering, injuries are not unheard of. It should come as no surprise that damages in motorcycle accident cases can be very, very high.
Medical bills are arguably one of the biggest sources of economic damages in a motorcycle accident case. Riders are often flung from their motorcycles onto the harsh pavement. Others might be thrown into trees or nearby road barriers. Still, others are pinned under the cars that hit them. In short, injuries can be dire, and medical treatment might be quite extensive. Your hospital bills should absolutely be claimed among your damages.
Property damage can also be quite serious. Many riders see their bikes totally destroyed, and replacing them is not cheap. You might also lose various personal belongings that were on you when the crash happened. Helmets, protective gear, clothing, cell phones, and jewelry like watches or wedding rigs might have been lost or destroyed. The value of these items must be accounted for.
Since motorcycle accidents are known for being painful and traumatic, it makes sense that plaintiffs often claim significant non-economic damages. Pain and suffering may be significant. Not only might you be dealing with emotional turmoil from the accident, but you might also be in enormous physical pain. These experiences absolutely should be compensated.
The Deadline to File Your Motorcycle Accident Case in Catonsville
Talk to your attorney about taking legal action as soon as possible. There is a strict deadline on when to file certain cases, or plaintiffs lose their right to bring the cause of action at all.
The statute of limitations for personal injuries in Maryland is located under Md. Code Cts. and Jud. Proc. Art. § 5-101. This law holds that personal injury claims must be submitted to the court within 3 years of when the injuries occurred. This clock starts ticking on your case beginning the day of the motorcycle accident.
If you believe you have waited too long and are worried about having enough time to prepare your case, talk to us about the possibility of having the statute of limitation tolled. This is like pausing the clock to buy more time. For example, minors are not expected to bring legal action on their own since they are not legal adults. As such, the statute of limitations is usually paused until the injured plaintiff turns 18, buying them more time.
Searching for Supporting Evidence to Back Up Your Motorcycle Accident Claims in Catonsville
When it comes to legal claims for accidents and injuries, evidence is the key to your success. We need enough evidence to meet our burden of proof, which is a preponderance of the evidence. Essentially, we need evidence showing it is more likely than not that the defendant is liable.
Witnesses are a key component in many accident claims. Perhaps other drivers, pedestrians, or drivers saw the defendant strike you. If so, they may testify in court about what they know.
Your injuries might be quite extensive, and proving their severity and cost might be hard. Your medical records can help us prove to a jury just how badly you were hurt. Getting medical attention immediately after a crash is important so your medical records are as accurate as possible.
Call Our Catonsville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers to Discuss Your Claims
Contact our motorcycle accident attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras by calling (410) 694-7291 and ask for a free, private review of your case to get started.