Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Maryland Helping Injured Motorcyclists

When you are out riding your motorcycle, most likely you are enjoying being out in the fresh air and the open road. Chances are, you are not considering the possibility of potentially being involved in a motorcycle accident.

Statistics show that motorcyclists are 5 times more susceptible to the risk of being injured in an accident. Of the estimated 9 million vehicles on the road in the United States, only 3% of them are motorcycles. However, motorcycle riders are more vulnerable than in other motor vehicle accidents because they do not have the same level of protection as offered in a car.

You may be facing a serious threat to your standard of living due to all of the high medical bills and other costs that you have had to pay as a consequence of your accident. You may have to deal with the emotional trauma that is very hard to overcome.

If you’ve got an injury from a motorcycle accident in Maryland, you need to consult with A skilled professional lawyer who can explain your legal rights and your options going forward. Our law firm is committed to helping you reach a potential financial settlement.

Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Maryland

The Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. represents Maryland motorcyclists hurt in a crash who need to know where they stand legally. Because motorcyclists have less physical protection than occupants of passenger vehicles, motorcycle crashes can result in serious injuries. Figuring out who is responsible often comes down to details only a trained eye catches, such as lane position, skid marks, and how the police report describes the collision.

Maryland’s traffic laws add another layer. The state’s helmet requirements, its rules against riding between lanes, and its contributory negligence standard can all affect how an insurer evaluates your claim, sometimes unfairly. Our attorneys review the facts of your crash, apply the Maryland statutes that actually govern it, and pursue the compensation the law allows.

If you or a family member was injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, call the Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. at (410) 834-4292 for a free case evaluation.

What a Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Handles for You

Motorcycle claims move differently than an ordinary fender-bender case. Our office handles the parts that are hardest to get right without legal help:

Investigating the scene and the motorcycle’s position relative to other vehicles
Gathering photos, video, and physical evidence before it disappears
Identifying every party whose negligence may have contributed
Reviewing the crash report against witness accounts
Evaluating medical records to connect treatment to the crash
Handling insurance adjuster communication so you are not pressured into a statement
Investigating liability when the insurer disputes fault, which is common in motorcycle cases
Negotiating a settlement, or filing suit and preparing for trial when needed

This is part of our firm’s broader personal injury practice, applied to the facts that come up in motorcycle cases.

What are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

There are many dangers that motorcycle riders face daily when they are on the road. Some of the most common dangers are as follows:

Speed or Alcohol Use

Statistics show that about half of all motorcycle accident victims sustained injuries due to excessive speed or alcohol use.

Car Making a Left-Hand Turn

When a vehicle other than a motorcycle makes a left-hand turn, this is when motorcyclists are in the most danger of being injured. Almost half of all motorcycle accident cases involve the other vehicle turning left.

Lane Splitting

This involves motorcyclists driving between two lanes and is illegal in all states. One reason for an increased risk to the motorcycle rider is the fact that lane splitting puts the rider very near other vehicles.

Road Hazards

Due to the basic design of motorcycles, they are less stable than a car and smaller than other vehicles on the road. As such, they are at a greater risk of being involved in an accident due to uneven lanes, potholes, road construction, and slick roads caused by rain and oil.

Driver Fatigue

This type of issue is common in the very early morning or late hours of the day. Incredibly, when there is not always a great deal of traffic on the road because of the time of day. Some of the other factors that contribute to driver fatigue include working a night shift, frequently having to drive at night, averaging less than the recommended eight hours of sleep, and having a generally poor quality of sleep.

If you have been injured in a crash due to another driver’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Contact the Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. at (410) 484-0400. Schedule your appointment now with one of our motorcycle accident lawyers for your injury compensation in Maryland. We can discuss all of the factors that surround your potential case. Likewise, we can work on a strategy that is suited for your personal needs and circumstances.

Common Injuries in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders face an additional level of harm when out on the roadway simply due to the fact that they are out in the open with nothing to protect them but their helmet. Some of the most common types of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident include the following:

Road rash, or damage to soft tissue caused by sliding across the roadway.
Serious joint injuries or breaks sustained to the shoulders and pelvic area.
Concussion and brain damage, are also known as traumatic brain injury. This is one of the greatest risks that a rider faces, which is only aggravated by not wearing a helmet.
Biker’s Arm, this type of injury is sustained when nerves in the upper arm are damaged. As a result, this can cause permanent paralysis.
Facial Disfigurement is caused by extreme impacts to the chin.
Spinal Injuries can cause paralysis or other serious mobility issues.
Whiplash generally will manifest itself immediately after the accident occurs or at most 24 hours after the accident takes place. However, in some cases, the symptoms associated with whiplash may take a few days to become evident.
Internal bleeding can be a very dangerous result of a motorcycle accident. If the internal hemorrhaging is not stopped, then the accident victim could very well die quickly.

Injuries like these often mean months of treatment, time away from work, and decisions about long-term care. Those costs are part of what we evaluate when building a claim.

Who May Be Liable, and Why Fault Matters More in Maryland

Depending on the crash, responsibility may fall on:

The driver of the other vehicle
A commercial driver, or the company that employs them
The owner of a vehicle who lent it to a negligent driver
A manufacturer, in the rare case where a defective part caused or worsened the crash
A government agency or property owner, when a roadway hazard contributed to the wreck

Maryland generally follows a contributory negligence rule, meaning that a plaintiff who is found to have contributed to causing an accident may be barred from recoveonring damages. Insurers here lean on that rule harder than adjusters in states that use comparative fault, which is why a careful investigation into what happened matters more in a Maryland claim.

Maryland Motorcycle Helmet Laws and Accident Claims

Maryland requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear an approved helmet meeting Motor Vehicle Administration standards, under Transportation Aone rticle Section 21-1306. Maryland requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear protective headgear that meets applicable federal standards. Maryland law also addresses eye protection and requires the helmet’s chin strap to be secured when the motorcycle is in motion.

Insurers sometimes try to raise helmet use when a rider was hurt in the head or face. Maryland law generally prevents evidence of helmet use or nonuse from being introduced to establish negligence or contributory negligence or to reduce a damages award. An exception applies in certain product liability claims against a helmet manufacturer.

Motorcycle Lane Splitting in Maryland

Lane splitting is riding between two lanes of traffic to pass stopped or slow-moving cars; lane filtering usually means the same thing at a red light. Maryland law does not permit a motorcycle to be operated between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles traveling in the same direction. Under Transportation Article Section 21-1303, a motorcyclist is entitled to the full width of a lane, and riding between lanes or rows of vehicles is not allowed, even briefly.

This can come up after a crash if an insurer argues a rider was doing it at the time of impact, which matters more here given Maryland’s contributory negligence rule. For a fuller breakdown, see our guide to Maryland motorcycle lane-splitting laws.

Evidence That May Support a Maryland Motorcycle Accident Claim

What you need depends on the crash, but the following often matter:

The police crash report
Photos and video of the scene and your injuries
Statements from anyone who saw what happened
Medical records connecting your treatment to the crash
Damage to the motorcycle and the other vehicle
Traffic camera or nearby surveillance footage
Evidence about the roadway, if a hazard played a role
An accident reconstruction, when fault is seriously disputed

Not every case requires every item on this list, but the sooner evidence is preserved, the harder it is for an insurer to dispute what happened.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Maryland

Get medical attention, even if you feel like you can walk away from the crash.
Call the police and get a copy of the crash report.
Photograph the scene, both vehicles, and your injuries if you are able to.
Get the other driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate.
Get contact information for anyone who saw the crash.
Hold onto your damaged helmet, gear, and motorcycle parts rather than repairing or discarding them.
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
Be cautious about giving a recorded statement to an insurer before you understand your claim.
Do not accept a settlement until you know the full extent of your injuries and losses.
Talk to a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer if you have questions about your rights.

Compensation You May Recover After a Maryland Motorcycle Accident

The compensation available after a motorcycle accident depends on the severity of your injuries, the losses you have experienced, and who was responsible for the crash. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may seek compensation for:

Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, rehabilitation, medication, and other necessary treatment
Future medical and rehabilitation costs related to your injuries
Lost wages and income while you recover from your injuries
Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work in the future
Pain and suffering resulting from the physical and emotional effects of the crash
Property damage, including damage to your motorcycle, helmet, riding gear, and other personal property
Other losses that may be recoverable under Maryland law

The value of a claim depends on the specific facts and evidence. Maryland’s contributory negligence rule also makes establishing fault especially important because a finding that you contributed to causing the crash may bar recovery.

Motorcycle Accidents by Location in Maryland

The Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. represents injured motorcyclists across Maryland, not just in one county. We also maintain local pages for a motorcycle accident lawyer in Essex, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Pikesville, and a motorcycle accident lawyer in Baltimore County, alongside the statewide information here.

26+ Years Handling Maryland Injury Claims, Including Motorcycle Cases

The Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. has represented injured people across Maryland, Virginia, and DC for more than 26 years, in cases ranging from motorcycle and car crashes to nursing home neglect and product liability. We offer a free case evaluation, review the police report and medical records ourselves instead of taking an insurer’s version of events at face value, and prepare every case as if it may go to trial.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Motorcycle Accidents

Can I still file a claim if the other driver was partly at fault?

Maryland generally follows a contributory negligence rule. If you are found to have contributed to causing the crash, you may be barred from recoverinwrg damages, even if the other driver was also negligent. Whether contributory negligence applies depends on the evidence and specific facts of the accident.

Is motorcycle lane splitting legal in Maryland?

No. Maryland law does not authorize riding between lanes of traffic under any circumstance, as covered above.

Does not wearing a helmet affect a Maryland motorcycle accident claim?

Not the way people often assume. Under Maryland’s helmet statute, whether you were wearing one cannot be used as evidence of negligence or contributory negligence, or to reduce your damages, outside of a product liability claim against a helmet manufacturer.

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Maryland?

In most cases, three years from the date of the crash, under Maryland’s general statute of limitations. Missing that deadline typically ends your ability to recover compensation.

If a motorcycle accident in Maryland left you or someone you love hurt, contact the Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. at (410) 834-4292 for a free consultation. We will go over what happened, explain how Maryland law applies to your situation, and lay out your options for pursuing compensation.