Maryland Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you ride a motorcycle, you understand that with the freedom and fun come some inevitable risks. Crashes involving motorcycles can too easily result in severe injuries and even fatalities. The number of motorcycle deaths in Maryland has stayed relatively stable in recent years, even as the amount of these tragic crashes dropped nationally.
One problem facing motorcyclists is that other drivers often fail to notice them on the road. As motorcycles are smaller vehicles, it is easy for them to end up in another driver’s blind spot. Drivers who negligently cut off motorcycles when they are turning or changing lanes cause many accidents as well.
While drivers on four wheels are often at fault for crashes with motorcycles, the worst consequences of these accidents will fall on the motorcyclist. Without the protections available to people in cars, motorcyclists are left vulnerable and in danger of severe and possibly fatal injuries, even from lower-speed collisions.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, you likely incurred medical bills, possible lost wages, as well as substantial pain and suffering. You need to understand your rights and know that if the crash was the fault of another driver, then you could be entitled to compensation.
Contact Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP to discuss your options for pursuing a claim. Our dedicated Maryland motorcycle crash attorneys are ready to serve as your legal advocates. Call us at 410-769-5400 to speak with an attorney today.
Common Motorcycle Injuries in Maryland
One of the main causes of death and debilitating injuries for motorcyclists is trauma to the head. Helmets are the best way to reduce the risk of these injuries, and currently, in Maryland, helmets are mandatory for motorcyclists. Some legislators and advocacy groups have recently tried to do away with the state’s helmet mandate, which is controversial in the biker community. To comply with the law and promote safety, motorcyclists should always wear a helmet, although this safety feature cannot provide complete protection in a crash.
Leg injuries are also common in motorcycle accidents, including broken bones, lacerations, and damage to the ligaments. Bikers’ legs are often the first part of their body to make contact with the pavement in a crash.
Sadly, spinal cord injuries are also frequent for motorcyclists and can lead to permanent paralysis. Even wearing a helmet does nothing to prevent these types of injuries because the damage impacts the bikers’ neck. The impact of paralysis can lead to the biker not being able to work and can require ongoing medical care throughout his or her life.
Can I Recover if I Did Not Wear a Helmet?
Yes, you can still recover, even if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of a motorcycle crash in Maryland. Maryland law uses “contributory negligence” for personal injury cases. A contributory negligence policy dictates that if a person is even minimally responsible for his or her injuries, then that individual cannot recover in a negligence claim against another person. Most states follow a different system referred to as “comparative negligence,” in which each party may be allotted a percentage of fault, but the injured person can still recover a portion of his or her damages. Basically, under comparative negligence, a person who is 20 percent responsible for his or her injuries can recover 80 percent of the damages from the person who was 80 percent responsible. In Maryland, that same person would typically be out of luck.
However, in the case of motorcycle helmets, there is a state law prohibiting evidence of non-helmet use from being used against the victim. The fact that helmet nonuse cannot be brought in as evidence is a lucky break for motorcyclists because a negligent driver cannot say that he or she owes nothing based on your lack of a helmet.
If you are not sure whether you have a negligence claim, contact a Maryland motorcycle crash attorney for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle crashes often happen because a driver turns left and cuts into the biker’s path. Another frequent cause of motorcycle crashes occurs when a driver is merging or changing lanes and cuts off the motorcyclist. Drivers need to remember that they are obligated to share the road with motorcycles and that failing to do so can have dire consequences for everyone involved.
Contacting a Maryland Motorcycle Crash Attorney
If you were involved in a motorcycle crash, you might wonder what options you have moving forward. Of course, no amount of compensation can undo the injuries, pain, and suffering caused by a motorcycle crash. And in the tragic event that someone you loved died in a motorcycle crash, nothing will bring that person back. Nevertheless, money damages can help cover expenses that resulted from the accident and make up for lost income and the disruption in your life. Following something as traumatic as a motorcycle crash, victims and their families need to focus on recovering and getting their lives back together. An experienced personal injury attorney can be your advocate and ensure that you are treated fairly and get the compensation to which you are entitled.
Call Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP today at 410-769-5400 to discuss your claim.
