Rockville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accidents often end with severe or fatal injuries for a victim. When this happens, it is important to seek compensation from the negligent driver that caused the accident. Pursuing compensation for your injuries can help you begin to get your life back on track. If you or a family member was injured in a serious motorcycle accident, contact an experienced Rockville motorcycle accident lawyer today.
At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we recognize the difficulty of being involved in a serious motorcycle accident, and we are prepared to fight for you. Personal injury lawyer Randolph Rice has fought for residents of Rockville, Maryland, since 2009, and he would be honored to fight for you. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. You can also contact the firm online.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Rockville
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Rockville, MD, you should take the following steps to ensure that can help you pursue a claim against the person that caused your injuries.
Contact Emergency Medical Services
Your first priority should be to get yourself to safety. If you were seriously injured, you should contact emergency medical services. When seeking medical attention, you should inform the medical staff of how your injury occurred, which can help you document your claim. This information will be valuable when filing a report with your insurance company or when pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
If your injuries permit you to stay at the scene of the accident, you should contact law enforcement to investigate the scene of the accident.
Exchange Information with the Negligent Driver
After getting yourself to safety, you should speak with the negligent driver that caused the accident. it is important to secure the following information from the driver that struck you:
- The name and the contact information of the driver
- The make, model, and license plate of the vehicle that hit you
Collect Evidence of the Crash
It is also important to pursue any evidence that can indicate who is responsible for the crash. Maryland is an at-fault for car accident insurance. This means that the insurance company for the negligent driver will be responsible for paying compensation to the victim. When gathering evidence, you should make sure you collect the following information:
- The intersection where the accident occurred
- The injuries you suffered, or injuries sustained by any passengers
- The damage to your motorcycle
- Any adverse weather conditions that may have led to the accident
Additionally, if any witnesses observed the motorcycle crash, you should speak with them about providing you with a statement. Make sure you take down the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Once you are able, you should report the accident to your insurance company. After reporting the accident, you will be contacted by an insurance claim adjuster from the insurance company representing the negligent driver. it is important to remember that the claim adjuster is not on your side. Their goal is to diminish your claim so that they can avoid liability for the accident.
To learn more about proving a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Rockville motorcycle accident attorney.
Proving a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Rockville, MD
If you were injured in a severe motorcycle accident, you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. Personal injury lawsuits are often based on negligence. To prove that a defendant was negligent, the following four elements must be shown:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care
- The defendant breached the duty of care
- The plaintiff was injured by the defendant’s breach
- The plaintiff suffered an injury that is compensable by a court
Once all four elements are proven, the defendant can receive damages for their injuries. Compensatory damages can be separated into two categories: economic losses and noneconomic losses.
Economic losses are easily calculated based on the type of financial injuries suffered by a plaintiff. Noneconomic losses are difficult to calculate as the injuries sustained are often based on the circumstances of the accident. the following are examples of economic and noneconomic losses:
- Medical bills
- Costs of rehabilitation, medication, and other related expenses
- Loss of wages or future loss of wages
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Statute of Limitations for Rockville, MD Motorcycle Accidents
The statute of limitations determines how long a potential plaintiff has to file a lawsuit. If a plaintiff does not file their lawsuit within the allotted timeframe, the court has the authority to bar the plaintiff’s claim. Specifically, the defendant can move for the court to dismiss the claim as it would violate the statute of limitations.
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the accident. While three years is a substantial amount of time to file a lawsuit, it would be beneficial to pursue your case as soon as possible.
Contact Our Experienced Rockville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a family member was injured in a devastating motorcycle crash, consult with an experienced Rockville motorcycle accident attorney. Motorcycle crashes can leave a victim with insurmountable medical bills and a variety of other expenses that a victim should not have the burden to handle. Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation from the negligent driver that caused your accident. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.