North Bethesda Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle crashes are often devastating to victims in North Bethesda, requiring them to file lawsuits to recover the compensatory damages the need.
Motorcycle accidents in North Bethesda might be caused by any number of negligent acts, such as speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, and drowsy driving. Potholes and other imperfections in the road might also cause these types of accidents, giving you reason to sue the local government. Regardless of the cause of your accident, report it to the police immediately after it takes place. Then, get the medical care you need for your injuries and allow our attorneys to investigate your case. We can help you file your claim by the deadline, which is three years from the accident date. As you incur damages, report them to our attorneys so that we can calculate your deserved compensation.
To schedule a free evaluation of your case, call the North Bethesda motorcycle accident lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries in North Bethesda
There are several common causes of motorcycle accidents in North Bethesda, many of which can be traced back to drivers acting negligently or recklessly. Speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, and drowsy driving are just a few of the top causes of motorcycle injuries. Poor road conditions might also cause a crash, giving you a reason to file a claim against the local government in North Bethesda.
Speeding
When drivers speed through intersections hoping to get through a stoplight before it turns red, they might strike motorcyclists moving in the perpendicular direction. This can lead to T-bone accidents that can be catastrophic, especially when they involve motorcyclists. Drivers might also speed up when attempting to merge lanes and fail to see motorcyclists in their blind spots. This is a common cause of motorcycle accidents involving large trucks with significantly bigger blind spots than passenger cars.
Drunk Driving
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can substantially reduce one’s reaction time. Drunk drivers might be unable to respond to motorcyclists on the road, leading to accidents. Drunk drivers are more likely to act recklessly in other ways, such as speeding. These drivers might be unable to slow down when approaching motorcyclists, leading to serious accidents in North Bethesda.
Distracted Driving
Using one’s cell phone to talk or text while driving can be disastrous. Even turning around for a moment to speak to a passenger in the backseat might cause an accident involving a motorcyclist. Failing to keep one’s eyes on the road at all times is a breach of one’s duty of care, meaning motorcyclists can sue parties if distracted driving causes their injuries.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving often causes motorcycle accidents involving commercial vehicles. Commercial truck drivers might work long hours, causing them to become fatigued at the wheel. This can reduce their reaction time and ability to see smaller vehicles like motorcycles. When commercial trucks strike motorcyclists, victims might be more likely to sustain serious injuries, like spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries in North Bethesda.
Poor Road Conditions
Slight imperfections in the road can cause smaller vehicles like motorcycles to lose control, resulting in serious injuries. Suppose the reason for your injuries is that the government in North Bethesda failed to uphold its duty of care and reasonably maintain roads. In that case, we might be able to file a lawsuit against the local government. To do this, you will have to initiate your case by filing a notice of a claim within one year, according to Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-304(b)(1). This differs from the normal statute of limitations for motorcycle accident lawsuits, which is three years. Because of this, it will be important to identify whether or not the local government is to blame for your motorcycle accident injuries immediately after your crash takes place.
Steps to Take After Your Motorcycle Accident in North Bethesda
Following your motorcycle crash in North Bethesda, there are certain things you should and must do to protect your access to compensation. These include calling the police, speaking to eyewitnesses, and getting medical care.
The first is calling the police. As laid out in Md. Code, Transp. Art. § 20-107(a), all vehicle accidents that lead to injury must be reported to the authorities. While the police report for your accident will not be admissible as evidence in your case, it can provide much-needed insight and information for our motorcycle accident lawyers.
While you are still at the accident scene, speak to law enforcement and eyewitnesses about what happened. If there are eyewitnesses to your crash, ask for their names and phone numbers. We can speak to them in the following days to get their statements to use in support of your case.
Then, go to the closest hospital. Delaying medical attention is never wise after a motorcycle accident in North Bethesda. Doing so might call into question the cause of your injuries, making it harder for you to recover the compensation you deserve.
As you are healing from your injuries, our attorneys will begin the process of gathering evidence in support of your claim. Such evidence might include photographs and surveillance footage. You can help build evidence by continuing to get the necessary medical treatment for your injuries.
As mentioned, you will likely have three years to bring your injury claim for a motorcycle crash in North Bethesda. When preparing to file your case, our attorneys will organize evidence against the negligent driver and proof of your damages. Give any and all records of your losses to our attorneys so that we can accurately calculate your deserved compensation and include it in your complaint.
Call Our North Bethesda Motorcycle Injury Attorneys Today
Call the motorcycle accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to get a free review of your case.