Cockeysville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

When preparing for motorcycle accident lawsuits in Cockeysville, victims can turn to our lawyers for the help they need to get the compensation they deserve.

To start preparing your compensation claim immediately, document the motorcycle accident after it happens. Accident documentation typically includes calling the police and taking pictures of the crash site. You should then document your injuries by going to the emergency room. If you need continued treatment, get it. Our attorneys can focus on determining liability for your injuries as you recover from them. We will do this by obtaining and reviewing evidence like eyewitness statements and video surveillance footage. Once we identify the liable party, we can calculate your damages and file your lawsuit. Prioritizing case preparation following accidents is important, as victims only have three years to sue negligent drivers in Cockeysville.

Call our Cockeysville motorcycle accident lawyers at (410) 694-7291 for a free case assessment from Rice, Murtha & Psoras.

How to Prepare for Motorcycle Accident Claims in Cockeysville

You can start preparing your motorcycle accident compensation claim right away in Cockeysville. Preparation begins with accident documentation. Victims should go on to document their injuries and treatment with medical professionals. Our lawyers will then determine liability, assess your damages, and initiate your claim.

Accident Documentation

Accident documentation is crucial for many reasons. Not only can you preserve physical evidence by documenting the scene, but you can also erase questions of your negligence contributing to the crash. Take pictures of any damage to either vehicle. If debris or tire marks are on the road, photograph that as well.

Accident documentation is best when the police are involved. When you call 911, officers from the Baltimore County Police Department will come to the scene and process it. They might take photos or videos, ask you questions about the incident, and talk to eyewitnesses. Victims should never leave accident scenes without speaking with law enforcement officers in Cockeysville, especially if they are injured.

Injury Documentation

Documenting one’s injuries is also necessary. You can photograph your immediate injuries as they are at the accident location. If an ambulance arrives on the scene, accept care from paramedics and let them take you to the hospital. If you refuse immediate medical care, that could hurt your claim if you then file an injury lawsuit in Cockeysville.

You should continue documenting your injuries throughout your physical recovery. Any gaps in your medical treatment, whether large or small, might invite questions about the extent of your injuries or your need for damages.

As you document your injuries, keep our lawyers abreast of any changes to your medical condition. We will need access to your medical records for evidence in your claim. Furthermore, we may get medical experts to testify in your lawsuit, especially if you need future medical care past the end of the case.

Fault Determination

As you receive the necessary medical treatment, our lawyers will focus on determining fault. We might use physical evidence from the scene, surveillance footage, accident reconstruction experts, and eyewitness statements to do so.

Fault is only sometimes clear. For example, suppose you were in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident in Cockeysville. Initially, it might seem as though no one is to blame. If accident reconstruction shows that a defect in the vehicle contributed to the crash, the part manufacturer might be liable for your injuries.

Furthermore, our motorcycle accident lawyers will assess whether or not Maryland’s pure contributory fault rule might apply to your case. In Cockeysville, contributing to one’s injuries at all will bar them from compensation. However, even if you contributed to the accident, you might be able to recover damages if our lawyers can show the defendant had the last clear chance to avoid the accident but did not.

Damages Assessment

We will also assess your damages before filing your claim in Cockeysville. The most common damages from motorcycle accidents are victims’ medical damages. Medical treatment for motorcycle accident injuries could include surgery, diagnostic testing, and physical therapy. In addition to needing costly care, victims might miss out on income as they heal. We will help you record your losses as you incur them to act as proof of damages in your lawsuit.

We may also ask you to consider your pain and suffering since the accident. Life-altering motorcycle accident injuries might be permanent, forever affecting a victim’s quality of life. This can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, or depression in victims. Pain and suffering are compensable damages in Maryland, but up to a limit. Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 11-108(b)(2) sets the cap for non-economic damages in motorcycle injury lawsuits at $935,000. This amount is not guaranteed, however. You must prove your pain and suffering to recover compensation for it, which is why some victims give personal statements in their claims.

Though rare in motorcycle injury lawsuits, punitive damages could be available if the other driver was grossly negligent in Cockeysville.

Claim Initiation

After we are confident in your claim, we can file it with the court in Cockeysville. While victims should not rush through preparing their lawsuits, they should not delay the process unnecessarily. According to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101, victims have just three years to initiate claims. If you try to file late, the court might block your case.

The complaint we file with the court will contain details about your case, the defendant, your injuries, and the accident in question. We will also request your deserved compensation in the complaint.

After initiating your case, we may negotiate a settlement with the defendant. Whether or not you accept settlement offers will depend on if the defendant makes a fair offer. If they do not, we can take your case to trial.

Call Our Cockeysville Attorneys About Your Accident Today

Call our motorcycle accident lawyers at (410) 694-7291 to get a free case review from Rice, Murtha & Psoras.