Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Silver Spring, MD Fighting for the Rights of Accident Victims
Make your Maryland motorcycle accident claim count – contact our law firm
Motorcycle accidents happen fast in Silver Spring and throughout Maryland. Our Silver Spring motorcycle accident attorneys know due to our years of experience handling such complex cases. In an instant, you or a loved one can sustain a concussion or another type of injury in a motorcycle crash on I-495 or Silver Spring’s East-West Highway. Sometimes, speeding drivers on 16th Street are to blame. Or perhaps a distracted driver on Georgia Avenue is at fault.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident it is important to understand what protections under the law you have. The long-term and short-term effects of a motorcycle injury can be life changing. You may suffer from serious injuries that prevent you from returning to work for a lengthy amount of time. You may experience severe emotional trauma, as well as find yourself in extreme financial distress due to your prolonged inability to work.
If you have been injured, you may be able to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. In these cases, pursuing compensation through a motorcycle accident claim is often the best way to ensure that the responsible party helps bear financial accountability for your pain and suffering. Contact a qualified, Maryland motorcycle accident attorney at Finnegan Cannon as soon as possible and scheduling a free consultation today.
Maryland motorcycle accidents by the numbers
- Every 9 hours and 22 minutes – motorcycle injury occurs in Maryland.
- 72 motorcycle accident fatalities each year on average in state.
- 1 percent of all Maryland motor vehicle accidents involve motorcycles.
- 3 percent of injury-related accidents statewide involve motorcyclists.
- 14 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents statewide involve motorcyclists.
Source: Maryland Department of Transportation
FAQ About Maryland Motorcycle Accident Claims
- What are the common causes of motorcycle accidents?
- Should I call the police after my motorcycle accident?
- How much is my motorcycle accident worth?
- How can I recover compensation in a motorcycle accident case?
- Who's responsible for paying for my motorcycle accident?
- What should I do if I’m blamed for causing my collision?
- Should I accept a motorcycle accident settlement offer?
- Can I ask for more money for my motorcycle crash?
- What should I do if my motorcycle accident claim is denied?
- What expenses can I be compensated for?
- Should I file a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
- How much time do I have to take legal action?
- Why should I hire a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney?
- Should I hire a motorcycle accident lawyer in Silver Spring, MD?
What are the common causes of motorcycle accidents?
A motorcycle accident can be the result of a number of factors including, but not limited to a driver speeding, tailgating, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and cutting off a motorcyclist at an intersection. However, one of the most common causes of these types of accidents is a left-hand turn that is made in front of a motorcyclist who has the right of way.
If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, you should consider seeking legal help to get the justice you deserve. While no amount of money will ever be able to reinstate the life you enjoyed prior to your accident, compensation might assist you in paying for costs not covered by your insurance along with expensive medical bills that you may experience as a result of your injuries.
Should I call the police after my motorcycle accident?
Yes. It’s important to contact the police after a motorcycle crash, particularly when someone has been injured or the accident caused substantial property damage. A police investigation can document the circumstances of the collision while the evidence is still fresh. Maryland also has specific accident-reporting requirements when a crash causes bodily injury or death.
Another reason why you should contact the police is because many motorcycle accidents often turn into complicated legal cases. Even if the other driver clearly caused your collision, don’t be surprised if that driver tries to blame you for causing the crash.
This is why having the police at your motorcycle accident is so important. The police officer who responds to your crash can create an official accident report about what happened. This document can help set the record straight and prove who was at fault.
How much is my motorcycle accident worth?
There’s no set dollar amount when comes to motorcycle crashes. How much money your motorcycle injury claim or lawsuit is worth can vary depending on a wide range of factors, including:
- Total cost of your medical care, including future, anticipated medical treatments and follow-up surgery.
- Motorcycle repairs or the cost of buying a new motorcycle if it’s a total loss due to the crash.
- Replacement income if you need time off from work to recover from your motorcycle accident injury.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability sustained in your motorcycle crash.
So, what’s the best way to know for sure how much money your motorcycle crash is worth? Talk to an experienced Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm.
How can I recover compensation in a motorcycle accident case?
Under the law, if you are injured in a car accident due to driver negligence you may be entitled to financial compensation. Normally, compensation is awarded based on both economic losses as well as non-economic losses.
- Economic Losses: This type of loss includes both past and future hospital bills along with medical expenses, rehabilitation services, loss of income, and loss of earning capacity for future wages.
- Non-economic Losses: This includes pain and suffering (past and future), emotional distress (past and future), physical impairment (past and future), and loss of enjoyment of life.
You need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to help you determine the amount of financial compensation you may be able to recover based on the facts of your case and the ability to prove the extent of your injuries. We can guide you through this difficult process and help you make the most out of your motorcycle injury claim.
Who’s responsible for paying for my motorcycle accident?
Like many states, Maryland has an at-fault car insurance system. This means the at-fault party is responsible for paying injury victims for all their accident-related expenses, which can quickly add up to a lot of money.
So, who’s responsible for paying for your accident expenses if someone else caused your motorcycle crash? Sometimes, it is the actual driver who must pay your bills. But often, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that is liable, a legal term for who’s legally responsible for paying for your accident.
But don’t simply assume that’s the case. Many times, accident claims can be complicated. This is especially true in cases involving motorcycle crashes. Even if you know the other driver caused your crash, don’t be surprised if the at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to pay for your crash.
What should I do if I’m blamed for causing my collision?
Many times, motorcyclists are blamed for causing accidents that are not their fault. This is because some people think all motorcyclists are reckless thrill seekers who put everyone on the road at risk. And worst of all, the others driver’s insurance company often takes their side.
If this happens, you and your lawyer can work together to set the record straight. Our experienced Maryland motorcycle accident attorneys have years of experience investigating motorcycle crashes and gathering evidence in support of injured motorcyclists. You can count on us when it matters most. We’re on your side.
Should I accept a motorcycle accident settlement offer?
The short answer? It depends. Many times, a settlement offer is the best way to pay for your accident-related expenses. But it’s also common for settlement offers to not cover all your expenses due to your motorcycle crash.
It's also important to understand how settlement offers work. If you agree to accept a settlement offer, you cannot ask for more money in the future, even if your motorcycle accident expenses are more than expected.
So, before you agree to accept a settlement, make sure you carefully consider any offers you receive. And one of the best ways to do this is to meet with a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer who can carefully review your settlement offer with you.
Can I ask for more money for my motorcycle crash?
Yes. If you have not already agreed to accept a settlement offer, you have the option of requesting additional money. However, negotiating a better settlement offer can be challenging. Insurance companies can be difficult to deal with on your own. And many insurance companies will insist that their first offer is their best offer.
This is why many people choose to hire a lawyer to negotiate a better settlement offer. Our legal team has years of experience dealing with insurance companies and can work with you to negotiate the best possible settlement offer for you.
What should I do if my motorcycle accident claim is denied?
Don’t be surprised if the at-fault driver’s insurance company denies your motorcycle accident claim. Why? Because motorcyclists are often wrongly blamed for causing collisions. And many insurance companies will dispute an accident claim rather than pay injured motorcyclists the money they rightfully deserve.
If this happens to you, often the best thing to do is to contact a lawyer right away. Our Maryland motorcycle accident attorneys have years of experience negotiating with insurance companies and can work with you to build the strongest possible legal case.
What expenses can I be compensated for?
You might be surprised to learn just how many expenses are covered by your motorcycle accident claim or verdict. You can seek compensation for:
- Medical treatments, including emergency medical care, follow-up doctor’s appointments and future surgical procedures.
- Motorcycle repairs or the cost of buying a new motorcycle if yours was totaled in the collision.
- Replacement income if you need time off from work to rest and recover due to your motorcycle injuries.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work or you can only work in a reduced capacity due to a permanent disability.
Should I file a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
This is a very difficult decision that you need to carefully consider. Filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Maryland can be a very complicated legal process. And if you make a mistake or miss a mandatory deadline, your lawsuit might not be successful due to a clerical error or lack of evidence.
Even so, many times, filing a lawsuit is the best way to get the maximum financial compensation you deserve. This is especially true if the at-fault driver’s insurance company denies your motorcycle injury claim and refuses to negotiate a better settlement.
So, what should you do? When in doubt, always talk to a lawyer. Our attorneys can review your case, answer your questions, and advise you on whether or not to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. You can trust us to give honest advice. It’s how we work and why we have such a well-earned reputation for being respected attorneys who always put our clients’ best interests first.
How much time do I have to take legal action?
Like other motor vehicle accidents in Maryland, injury victims generally have three (3) years from the date of their accident to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit seeking damages, the legal term for financial compensation. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.
However, just because you have three years does not mean you should wait that long to file a lawsuit. The longer you wait, the harder it often becomes to find evidence in support of your case. And without evidence, you will likely have a hard time being successful in court.
Why should I hire a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney?
Many motorcycle accident victims do not realize the scope of their legal options when they have sustained a serious injury. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will often try to reach a settlement for substantially less money than your claim is worth.
The fact is that you may be entitled to fair compensation for injuries such as pain and suffering you have sustained following a motorcycle accident.
If you have sustained a serious injury in a motorcycle crash, the first step towards getting justice is hiring a Finnegan Cannon motorcycle accident attorney with experience handling motorcycle accident cases comparable to yours. If you want the best chance of receiving maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more, contact Finnegan Cannon immediately and schedule a free consultation. We can guide you through this complex process.
Should I hire a motorcycle accident lawyer in Silver Spring, MD?
The lawyers at Finnegan Cannon have been protecting the rights of those involved in motorcycle accident cases in Silver Spring for years. We understand that no amount of money will be able to bring back the life and health you enjoyed prior to your injuries.
However, we also know that our clients deserve a just settlement for their lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other liabilities caused by another driver. If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, contact Finnegan Cannon as soon as possible and schedule a free consultation today. Our Silver Spring motorcycle accident attorneys are here to help you every step of the way.