Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Owings Mills

After someone suffers injuries in a motorcycle accident, they are often overwhelmed with medical bills, insurance claims, and severe pain. For many victims, life never goes back to normal after a serious accident.

The Owings Mills attorneys at Cohen & Dwin, P.A. are dedicated to representing motorcycle accident victims across Maryland. Contact our experts now to set up a free case evaluation. We look forward to hearing more about your case and helping ensure your legal rights remain protected.

The Repercussions of a Motorcycle Accident

Although all traffic accidents are potentially life-altering, motorcycle accident victims often face grave consequences. Unlike a passenger vehicle, which is usually equipped with airbags, seat belts, and a steel frame offering protection in an accident, motorcycles lack these safety features. That means the motorcycle rider often makes direct contact with the other vehicle or the ground.

Common motorcycle injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Road rash
• Biker’s arm
• Joint damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries and bleeding
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Death

In 2019, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 14% of all motor vehicle crash deaths were caused by motorcycle accidents. 

Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney After a Crash

After a motorcycle crash, injury victims and their families need time to recover and get back on their feet. However, you don’t want to wait too long to begin to seek compensation from the responsible parties. An Owings Mills motorcycle accident attorney can support a victim by handling all aspects of the legal claims while they focus on their physical and mental wellbeing.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can provide sound legal advice, file all necessary paperwork, investigate the accident, negotiate with insurance companies, and ultimately, go to court if needed. While we always strive to settle claims efficiently, we also work hard to pursue the maximum amount of compensation our clients are entitled to. If you believe you have a motorcycle accident claim, do not delay speaking with an attorney to understand all of your legal options.

What If I Am Partly at Fault for My Motorcycle Crash?

Maryland is one of the very few states that bars victims from recovering anything if they at all contributed to the crash. This rule is termed “contributory negligence.” In some states, a motorcyclist can recover some damages even if they are found to be partly responsible for the accident. In Maryland, motorcyclists are not permitted to recover damages if they are found to be at all at fault for the crash.

What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you may still be able to receive benefits under your own policy’s uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If no insurance coverage exists, you could sue the other driver personally, which in many cases means you will not be able to recover enough to cover your damages.

Our Maryland personal injury attorneys can review all applicable insurance policies to identify any possible coverage. We can also assist with UM/UIM claims to prevent insurers from paying unfair settlements.

Why Are Motorcycle Accident Claims More Difficult?

Motorcycle accident claims are often more complex and legally challenging than regular car accidents. First, motorcyclists’ injuries tend to be quite severe. When filing a claim against an insurance company, the higher the dollar amount, the more likely the insurer will be to dispute the claim. For this reason, serious motorcycle accident injuries may take longer to settle.

Second, in a state like Maryland with contributory negligence, it may be hard to convince an insurer or a jury that the motorcyclist was not at fault for the accident. There is an unfair perception of motorcyclists as reckless drivers. That stigma may also prevent victims from being able to recover what they deserve. Our attorneys don’t let insurance companies get away with using unfair prejudice to avoid paying for their insured’s recklessness.

How Much Is Your Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

An insurance company may try to suggest that your claim is worth less than it is. You need to speak with an attorney to ensure you are demanding enough compensation to cover all of your expenses.

Some of the types of damages you may be able to recover in a Maryland motorcycle accident case include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Other incidental damages
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium for a spouse
• Loss of enjoyment of life

The Maryland attorneys at Cohen & Dwin understand how to negotiate to win our clients the compensation they deserve.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident to Protect Your Rights

After a motorcycle accident, the best thing you can do to protect your rights is to care for yourself. You should always get medical help right away, whether that means going to the emergency room, going to urgent care, or scheduling an exam with your doctor in the days after the motorcycle accident. Not only is our clients’ well-being our priority, but these medical records tend to be very valuable evidence in your claim.

If you can safely do so, you should try to take pictures of the motorcycle accident scene and write down any details you can remember. The accident scene will be cleaned up in a short period, so it is vital to preserving an image of all of the damage to illustrate how the accident occurred.

It is also usually essential to call the police to the scene. The police will file an official report, which may also be important to support your claim.

Finally, speaking to an experienced attorney can protect your legal rights after an accident. An attorney can review your case and provide guidance on how to proceed and conduct a preliminary investigation into the accident, reviewing applicable insurance policies, and beginning the process of negotiating with the insurers.

Statute of Limitations on Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits in Maryland

In Maryland, you’ll usually have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. But there may be exceptions depending on the facts of your case. Speak with an Owings Mills motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can following an accident to get started before the deadline becomes an issue.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Maryland

The motorcycle crash statistics provided by the state of Maryland can be eye-opening. Although motorcycles are involved in far fewer accidents than cars and trucks, motorcyclists can suffer more severe injuries. 

Key statistics include:

• In just one recent year, 77 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in Maryland.
• Nearly 900 motorcycle crashes resulted in injuries.
• Over 1,000 people were injured in MD motorcycle wrecks.
• The majority of accidents occurred in the afternoon.
• Most accidents took place on Saturdays and Sundays.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Owing Mills Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Some people don’t contact an accident lawyer because they think they’ll have to pay out-of-pocket. But that isn’t true. Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer doesn’t cost anything upfront, and you don’t pay unless we recover money for you.

Get Help from a Motorcycle Crash Lawyer in Owings Mills

The Owings Mills motorcycle accident lawyers at Cohen & Dwin, P.A. are always available to take your call. We have over 100 years of combined experience representing accident victims across Maryland. Contact our team for a free case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys.