Motorcycle Accidents

If you were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident at no fault of your own, then you can probably seek significant damages from the liable party. Damages are based on your medical costs, future medical care, lost wages, lowered income capacity, pain, suffering, and lasting disabilities. Given that motorcyclists are often severely injured in crashes, it is common for damages in motorcycle accident claims to be steep, possibly ranging into seven figures.

Oftentimes, the driver who turns left in front of a motorcyclist at an intersection is at fault if the motorcyclist had a green light. Vehicles turning left against an arrow must yield to all approaching traffic and only enter the intersection when it is obviously safe to do. Drivers tend to deny liability in such accidents, though, and say that the motorcyclist rode into the intersection against a red light. Proof of liability will make a huge difference.

Not wearing a motorcycle helmet is not a good idea by any means, but it doesn't automatically make you liable for an accident. You can still sue a driver who hits you if you weren't wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. You might come to find that the amount of compensation you can get is reduced, though, because of the risk you knowingly took by not wearing a helmet.

Get to safety and call the police so a crash report is made. Seek medical care right away, even if your injuries seem minor. If you can, photograph the scene, the vehicles, your gear, and your injuries, and collect contact information from the other driver and any witnesses. Keep your helmet and damaged gear, and speak with an attorney before giving a statement to any insurance company.

Maryland follows the rule of contributory negligence. If you are found to have contributed to the accident, even slightly, you may be barred from recovering compensation. Riders are often unfairly blamed for crashes, so gathering strong evidence about how the accident happened is critical from the start.