Middle River Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If a negligent driver hit you while you were riding your motorcycle in Middle River, our lawyers can help you pursue a compensation claim against them.

You should begin preparing your motorcycle accident case immediately after the crash happens in Middle River. Our attorneys can start investigating the matter right away, such as by reviewing footage from nearby surveillance cameras, interviewing eyewitnesses, and sourcing expert witness testimony. We can also help you bring your case within the three-year filing window in Maryland. Immediately after the accident, go to the hospital so you can start documenting your injuries and tracking your medical damages, as such documentation will be important for your case.

You can call our Middle River motorcycle accident lawyers at (410) 694-7291 for a free assessment of your case from Rice, Murtha & Psoras.

When to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney After a Crash in Middle River

Navigating motorcycle accident claims is complicated, which is why victims often benefit from enlisting our lawyers to help with their cases as soon as possible after an incident in Middle River.

If you wait to start your case, several things might happen. First, crucial evidence might be lost. The debris and fallout of an accident can pose dangers to other drivers on the road, so these scenes get cleared away fast. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can review any photographs you took at the accident to preserve evidence and use other investigation tactics to uncover additional proof of negligence.

For example, we can survey the area to locate surveillance systems based on where the accident happened. It is important to contact the owners of these systems immediately, as otherwise, they might unknowingly delete footage pertinent to your claim.

Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101, the time limit for bringing motorcycle injury lawsuits is three years from the date of a crash in question. You do not want to rush to prepare your case because you waited too long to file it. If you do, you might not have enough evidence of negligence or sufficient proof of your damages to recover compensation in Middle River.

Meeting this filing deadline is important, as the court might dismiss your claim if you do not file on time.

Elements of a Motorcycle Injury Claim in Middle River

Every motorcycle injury claim in Middle River must have four elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Our lawyers can help you establish these crucial elements throughout your claim so that you get the compensation you deserve.

Duty of Care

The first element is the duty of care. A duty of care is the responsibility of one party to another to act with reasonable care and avoid reckless activity. For example, all divers owe one another a duty of care to follow traffic laws.

Breach of Duty

Breaking traffic regulations by speeding, running stoplights, or making illegal turns would be considered a breach of one’s duty of care. This is the negligent act that caused the accident. To prove a breach occurred, we will need certain evidence, like eyewitness statements. When police officers interview you at the accident scene, please do your best to tell them exactly how the other driver acted negligently during the accident.

Causation

It is not enough to show that the defendant breached the duty of care they owed you. We must also show that the breach directly caused your damages. Causation can be one of the hardest elements to prove in an injury claim, but doing so is essential. Your medical records, expert testimony, evidence from the scene, eyewitness statements, video footage, and photographs can all help prove causation.

Damages

Finally, we can prove that you incurred actual damages because of the accident and the defendant’s negligence. To do this, we will present proof of your damages, such as your bills from medical treatment and your lost wages. Depending on the case, victims may be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering in addition to economic damages. Our lawyers can calculate your possible recovery of non-economic damages by reviewing the severity of your injuries and your pain and suffering since the crash.

Top Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Middle River

Motorcycle accident injuries vary from case to case but are typically serious. Regardless of how severe your injuries appear after an accident, get medical care right away.

For example, head injuries are common in motorcycle accidents, which is why bikers must wear helmets at all times under Md. Code, Transp. Art., § 21-1306(b). Traumatic brain injuries might be permanent, forever altering a victim’s quality of life and causing serious complications.

Back and spine injuries are also common. Because motorcycles do not have seat belts, riders might be thrown from their vehicles during impact. Coming in contact with the road might cause road rash, lacerations, and catastrophic spinal cord injuries. Fractures, eye injuries, soft tissue injuries, facial injuries, and neck injuries are also common.

In 2022, there were 75 fatal motorcycle accidents and 966 that resulted in injuries throughout Maryland. Wearing the proper protective gear and following traffic laws might reduce your risk of being hurt in an accident. That said, you cannot control other drivers on the road who might ignore motorcyclists, causing accidents.

Immediately following the accident, you should go to the hospital. Even minor injuries might worsen if left untreated. For example, road rash injuries could become infected if you do not go get the proper care. Furthermore, suppose you do not get medical attention and fail to start generating medical records confirming your injuries. In that case, proving that the defendant caused your physical injuries in Middle River might be harder.

Call Our Lawyers in Middle River Now

Our motorcycle accident lawyers can review your case for free when you call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.