Lochearn Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Many people all across the United States choose to use motorcycles both as their main way of getting around and as a recreational motor vehicle. Aside from being just plain fun to ride, motorcycles have fuel economy advantages over cars, SUVs, and trucks. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders are not exempt from getting into nasty accidents, and the unfortunate reality is that motorcyclists are often very badly injured in these crashes, even when they wear all the safety gear they are supposed to.

If you were injured while riding a motorcycle around Lochearn, we can help. Our law office has experience representing plaintiffs injured in motor vehicle accidents, so we know how to handle these cases with the professionalism and determination they demand. We will not stop fighting for you until all legal options are exhausted or you get the financial compensation you deserve.

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

Damages in Lochearn Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits

If you are successful in your claim, you will be awarded damages by the court. Damages are how courts try to undo the effects of a crash and put the plaintiff back where they were before they got injured. Sadly, in many cases, a plaintiff’s injuries are such that total recovery is not literally possible, so financial compensation is used as the next best thing.

When you ask for damages in your lawsuit, it is a good idea to categorize them and explain to the court exactly what you are seeking damages for. This can help to convince the judge and jury that you are entitled to the damages you seek. Damages are generally broken down into compensatory damages and punitive damages.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are meant to well compensate plaintiffs for the injuries they sustained because of the defendant’s conduct. Compensatory damages make up a great deal of what many plaintiffs ask for in motorcycle accident lawsuits.

First, you can get compensatory damages for your medical expenses. This includes not just emergency treatments like surgery or hospital stays but also potential long-term care. For example, if you need to take pain management medication or go to physical therapy for many months, or indeed indefinitely, that can factor into your damages. Second, you can get damages for lost opportunities to earn income. For example, if you need to take a long break away from work to recover from your injuries, you can seek damages based on that lost potential income. You can also get damages for a difference in income if you have to take a less well-paying job because your injuries prevent you from doing your original job. Finally, if you are so injured that you are no longer able to work, you can get damages based on what you would have hypothetically earned for the rest of your career. Finally, you can seek compensation for damage to property, such as your motorcycle.

Compensatory damages also covers things that are less concrete than medical bills or motorcycle repair costs. You can seek damages for “pain and suffering,” which will not necessarily have a price tag attached to it. So, while you may ask for damages to pay for pain management medication, you can also seek damages for the actual pain you experience. These “non-economic” damages include not just physical pain but also the mental effects of your crash. If, say, you have recurring nightmares, are hesitant while on the road, or experience symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, that can factor into what you request in damages.

Another type of compensatory damages is for “lost enjoyment of life.” This refers to the inability to do certain things due to your injuries. For example, if your injuries are such that you can no longer ride a motorcycle and you used to enjoy that activity, you can seek damages for that lost “enjoyment.” Since there is no price tag on something like “enjoyment,” you will have to convince the court of its worth with the help of our motorcycle accident lawyers.

Punitive Damages

The other kind of damages you can ask for are called “punitive damages.” These damages are based not on your condition but on the conduct of the defendant. Courts only award punitive damages when the defendant has acted especially badly, and you need to ask for them when you initially file your claim, so it is important that you discuss the prospect of seeking punitive damages early on in the legal process.

How Long Do I Have to Sue for My Motorcycle Crash in Lochearn?

Contrary to what some may believe, you cannot wait forever to sue after your crash. Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101, plaintiffs only have three years from the time they are injured to file their lawsuit. Otherwise, their case will be thrown out, and the plaintiff will not be able to collect any damages. Laws like this are called statutes of limitations, and they exist to make sure that plaintiffs file claims in a timely fashion and that the facts of the case are fresh in the minds of all parties involved.

Three years may feel like a long time, but the reality is that it is no time at all. When one takes into account recovery from injuries, gathering large quantities of evidence, tracking down liable parties, and strategizing with legal counsel, it is very easy to miss the statutory deadline if you do not pay attention. Accordingly, you should talk to our lawyers as soon as you can after you are injured.

Call Our Lochearn Motorcycle Accident Lawyers and Discuss Your Claim Today

The motorcycle accident lawyers from Rice, Murtha & Psoras offer free case reviews when you contact us at (410) 694-7291.