Cockeysville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Few other accidents are as catastrophic as motorcycle accidents in Cockeysville. The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can result in severe injuries that can have a lasting impact on the victim, with some never fully recuperating.

That is where our lawyers can step in and help you get justice from the party that injured you. We will work with you while you recover to gather the evidence you need to prove each element of your claim. One of the most important functions we serve is fighting the unfair stereotypes many motorcyclists face when pursuing compensation. Our team can present your case so that the focus is on the facts. It is important to work with an attorney who understands these practices as the other side will almost always try to put the blame squarely on you.

Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (443) 339-8368 for a free assessment of your case with our motorcycle accident lawyers.

Elements of a Cockeysville Motorcycle Accident Case

You will need to establish several elements to be successful in your Cockeysville motorcycle accident case. The factors are like a chain, linking each stage of your accident together to conclusively show the other driver’s liability. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help get the evidence you need to prove each element. The following will help you understand what considerations will be important in your case:

The Driver’s Duty of Care

The first element to prove is that the other driver owed you a duty of care. Essentially, this means drivers are required to operate their vehicles as safely as other responsible drivers. This includes following the traffic laws. If a driver hits you, our attorneys can not only help establish that they have a duty to look out for your safety as a rider, we can get the evidence that shows how they violated their duty.

Breach of Duty

Next, we will provide evidence proving how the driver “breached” their duty of care. The element goes to the negligent act that actually caused the accident.

For instance, many people text while driving despite it being against the law. This can easily cause them to run a red light or fail to yield the right of way, which is a common example of breaching the duty of care.

Regardless of how your accident was caused, our team will investigate your claim to pinpoint exactly where the breach occurred. We will then organize the evidence that illustrates how the other driver’s negligence led to your injuries.

Causation

Arguably the hardest element to show is causation. That is because there are actually two components to prove: actual cause and proximate cause.

“Actual” cause refers to the fact that you would not have been hurt if the other party had not acted negligently. This is also known as the “but for” test. Our job is to show that but for that other driver’s negligence, you would not be in the situation you are in.

“Proximate” cause can be the more difficult part to prove, but it is necessary to satisfy this element. To do this, we will need to show that your injuries were foreseeable given the driver’s actions. This will establish a direct link between your injuries and their negligence.

Damages

The last element our lawyers can help you prove is the damages you suffered. Damages must be “real” in the sense that you sustained actual financial or emotional harm. This is at the heart of most Cockeysville motorcycle accident lawsuits.

Common damages we can pursue in your claim include your economic losses, like medical expenses and lost income from time missed from work. Additionally, you can claim other expenses stemming from the accident, like any property damage to your bike.

You can also be compensated for your emotional harm. “Pain and suffering” damages are typical in motorcycle accident lawsuits. These accidents can be devastating, easily causing psychological harm to the rider. Our team can help show how your injuries have impacted your mental health and overall quality of life.

How Stereotypes Can Harm a Motorcycle Claims in Cockeysville

Our firm knows that one of the biggest challenges injured motorcyclists face has nothing to do with the law. Riders are unfairly seen as the cause of their accidents because of a perceived recklessness that rarely lives up to scrutiny. However, the vast majority of motorcyclists take their safety seriously since they know most drivers are not looking out for them.

Our lawyers can help make sure these biases do not affect your case. Facts are the best way to combat this attitude. It is hard to argue fault when the evidence shows that the driver obviously caused the accident. Many riders are now wearing helmet cams to protect themselves in the event of an accident. Video footage usually serves as strong evidence that the accident happened the way you said it did.

If your case goes to trial, we will present your case so it is clear that you were in the right. Jurors and even judges can harbor negative feelings about motorcyclists. However, it is unreasonable to apply those feelings to you in your case. You deserve to have your case decided on the facts, and we will do everything in our power to make sure it is.

Important Legal Issues that Motorcycle Riders in Cockeysville Should Know

Besides the issues already mentioned, motorcycle accident victims will want to be aware of a few other situations that our attorneys see often in these cases.

The Contributory Negligence Rule

The contributory negligence rule, one of the harshest standards in the country, often plays a significant role in motorcycle accident claims in Cockeysville. If you are found to be even partially at fault for an accident, no matter how slight, you will be barred from recovering any compensation.

Fortunately, we can help fight unfair claims that you contributed to your injuries. Given the stereotypes mentioned above, insurance companies and defense attorneys will be combing through your case looking for any excuse they can use. If there is a chance to argue that your actions also caused the incident, they will take it.

This is why it is important to wear a helmet while riding. The court will usually not look favorably on a plaintiff who fails to get basic protection.

Determining Liability in Accidents Involving Multiple Parties

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can quickly cascade into a multi-vehicle collision. These are usually the most catastrophic types of accidents in which riders can be injured. Besides the number of parties involved, the serious injuries that victims often suffer add another challenging layer to the case.

Our attorneys will help you sort through the facts of your case to determine who should be held responsible. In many cases, it can be difficult to tell where one driver’s negligence begins and another’s ends. Fortunately, we can usually name each party in your lawsuit and figure out liability as we move forward.

As we gather evidence, the picture of what happened will become clearer. Our goal is to ensure that each driver is held liable for their share in causing the accident and pays accordingly.

Our Cockeysville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You Get Justice for Your Injuries

For a free case review with our motorcycle accident attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (443) 339-8368.