Montgomery County, MD Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accidents are all too common and can cause serious injury and incur significant expense. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, its important to speak with a lawyer quickly to evaluate whether any legal recourse is open to you.
You may be entitled to compensation if your accident was negligently caused by someone else. Additionally, if you have recently lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may also have an opportunity to seek compensation.
If you have been in a motorcycle accident in Maryland and are interested in a free case review, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. Our team of Montgomery County motorcycle accident lawyers are waiting to speak with you.
Financial Compensation for Victims of Motorcycle Accidents in Montgomery County, MD
After a motorcycle accident, financial expenses and losses can pile up and the insurance companies may reduce or deny your claims for reimbursement. Fortunately, significant money may be recovered through the courts if your accident was caused by another person. In a successful personal injury lawsuit, several types of damages are available.
Economic damages are comprised of expenses that are a direct cause of the motorcycle accident. These damages represent monetary costs that would not have occurred if the accident had not happened. Economic damages can include medical service fees, ambulance costs, prescription medicine costs, physical therapy costs, mental health services costs, and lost wages. There is no limit to the amount of these damages that you can claim in Maryland.
Non-economic damages include monetary damages for pain and suffering. These damages are much harder to quantify and prove, and they often require an experienced attorney to successfully litigate any issues. Additionally, non-economic damages are limited under Maryland law. This means that no matter the circumstances of your accident, there will be a cap on the compensation you can receive in this category of damages. Our experienced Montgomery County motorcycle attorneys can help you figure out the appropriate amount of compensation to seek
Legal Options Available in Motorcycle Accidents in Montgomery County
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, filing a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company is likely your first step in seeking recovery of expenses. However, insurance companies are always looking for ways to save money and will likely reduce or eliminate your claim. In such a case, you may be better off suing the responsible parties to recover the money their insurance companies refused to pay.
When a motorcycle accident has occurred and another driver is at fault, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against that driver. These cases are based on the other driver’s negligence rather than intentional actions. Proving negligence requires your Montgomery County, MD motorcycle accident lawyers to prove that the defendant owed you a duty, the defendant breached that duty, the breach caused the accident, and the accident resulted in damages.
While litigation is an appropriate strategy for some cases, others can be resolved directly with the insurance companies. An attorney can interface with the insurance company on your behalf, appeal any denials, and negotiate directly for a claim reimbursement that is appropriate for your situation. Having our Montgomery County motorcycle accident lawyers advocate for you shows insurance companies that you are serious about seeking just compensation.
Steps to Receive Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Montgomery County
After a motorcycle accident occurs, you will likely be predominately concerned with getting medical attention and healing. However, there are additional steps you should take. First, you need to report the accident to the insurance carrier as soon as is feasible. The insurance company will ask you for details about the accident. If you want the maximum amount of protection a lawyer can offer, involving an attorney at this stage can help ensure you have an advocate from the very start of the claim process.
At this stage, stick to the facts of the accident. Do not state your opinions or assumptions of what happened. If the insurance company representative asks you to record a statement, decline the request and seek legal counsel from our Montgomery County motorcycle accident lawyers. The insurance adjuster will look for opportunities to reduce or deny your claim. Our attorneys can advise you of how to respond to the insurance company without hurting your chances of compensation.
The insurance company will then initiate a full investigation of the accident and will likely hire experts to assist with the investigation and adjusting process. Make no mistake, these experts are helping the insurance company and are not looking out for you. Our lawyers can conduct their own investigation and may hire experts to represent your interests.
Settling a Montgomery County, MD Motorcycle Accident Claim
The quickest and least expensive way to satisfy a motorcycle accident claim for all parties involved is to settle the matter. Settlement avoids the time and expense associated with multiple denials and appeals or a lawsuit. A lawyer can negotiate directly with the insurance company to obtain favorable settlement offers and can advise you of the fairness of the settlement amount compared to potential recovery through other legal avenues.
The ultimate decision to settle remains with the client, but an attorney can provide valuable insight to ensure you do not settle for less than you are entitled to. Our Montgomery County motorcycle accident lawyers can aggressively negotiate on your behalf.
Consult Our Montgomery County Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle accident, call the Montgomery County motorcycle accident attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras for a free case review. Do not wait, call us today at (410) 694-7291.