Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

Motorcycles are incredibly fun to ride even though they are extremely prone to accidents. Because they are so exposed, motorcyclists are at least five times as likely to be injured in a crash than someone driving a car. If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact a Baltimore MD Motorcycle Accident Lawyer today. Here are some of the most common causes of motorized bike collisions. 

Car Doors

Motorcyclists can be injured after crashing into the doors of parked vehicles that suddenly swing open. The car’s operator may be considered negligent for not checking the side-view mirror before pulling the door’s handle.

Inexperienced Drivers

Those without proper training on driving a motorcycle are far more likely to get into an accident than those who are licensed. Wearing protective gear, such as a helmet, leather jacket and knee pads, is essential. Someone lacking instruction may fail to thoroughly comprehend the danger and drive a hog without permission.

Unsafe Maneuvers

Because motorcycles are extremely nimble, riders might engage in risky driving practices. When there is heavy traffic, the temptation to travel between lanes may be too great. This is known as lane splitting and is highly dicey. Another treacherous habit is speeding along the breakdown lane, where the road’s surface could be uneven or unexpected obstacles could suddenly appear. 

Road Conditions

Two-wheeled vehicles are far more likely to skid out than those balanced on four. When rainstorms suddenly fall, there are increased odds of a motorcycle crash. Other road perils, such as potholes and crumbling bridges, can be highly threatening for motorcyclists. The state could be responsible for not making a good-faith effort to rectify these pitfalls.

Left Turns

Because they are so much smaller than cars, motorcycles can be difficult to spot. This increases the odds that they will become involved in right-of-way errors. Motorcyclists need to be cautious that they are observed when moving through four-way intersections.

Manufacturing Errors

Some motorcycle accidents result from poor assembly or faulty parts. When it is provable that an accident occurred because of the bike’s manufacturer, a lawsuit is likely to unfold. Outcomes range from settling out of court to a widespread civil suit involving thousands of customers and strong media interest.

If you become injured in an accident involving a motorcycle and it wasn’t your fault, consult with a Baltimore MD Motorcycle Accident Lawyer to piece together your case and sue the responsible party. Hiring a professional litigant with expertise regarding these incidents will place you in the best position possible for winning in court.

If you’re searching for a motorcycle accident lawyer Baltimore MD residents rely on, you may have several questions about filing a claim and obtaining financial compensation. You may benefit from speaking with a lawyer about your claim in person, but here are a few things to keep in mind in the meantime:

1. Accident Injuries May Not Show Up Right Away

Remember that your body may not feel an immediate reaction from an accident. The endorphins and events around you may prevent you from noticing pain. For these reasons, your motorcycle accident lawyer Baltimore MD turns to may tell you that it’s normal if you don’t notice injuries until days after the accident. Even if you think the accident was minor, you may want to seek medical attention the same day of the accident when possible. If you can’t have immediate medical attention, see your doctor the following day. Your doctor may search for soft tissue damage and common injuries such as whiplash.

However, your motorcycle accident lawyer in Baltimore MD has likely seen cases where victims discover injuries days after their accidents occurred. It doesn’t matter if your accident was minor or major; your body may not immediately respond to injuries. You may want to contact a Baltimore MD motorcycle accident lawyer to help you navigate dealing with injury that shows up after an accident.

2. Documentation Is Important
   

Your motorcycle accident lawyer Baltimore MD residents trust may remind you that it’s important to contact your insurance company right away and let them know the accident occurred. You should also exchange information with the other driver at the scene of the accident. It is usually a good idea to call the police and make sure a report is made so you have legal documentation to prove that the accident occurred.

3. Insurance Providers May Not Be Helpful
   

A motorcycle accident lawyer Baltimore MD offers may warn you that insurance fraud can happen. Unfortunately, people may try to make money by faking an injury after an accident. This dishonesty may make it hard to convince an insurer that you have injuries that you didn’t initially report at the scene of the accident.

An insurance provider may also try to downplay the severity of your injuries and convince you to take a low settlement offer. Unfortunately, some insurance companies may try to influence you to sign an immediate settlement agreement after an accident. In some cases, this is a good idea, but in others when injuries show up later, it may forfeit your opportunity to seek damages for those injuries. Having a lawyer act as your representative during settlement negotiations could ensure that you are offered a fair settlement.

Top 5 Motorcycle Injuries

As of 2018, 8.3 million motorcycles were registered in the U.S. If you own one of them and thoroughly enjoy experiencing the thrill of the open road, you should realize, however, that you face an extremely high risk of receiving serious injuries in the event your bike crashes. In fact, cycling is the riskiest transportation modality. Statistics show that upwards of 80% of bike accidents result in injury to the rider, many of them catastrophic, and you are 26 times more likely to die when riding a bike than when riding in a car or other motor vehicle. You may wish to contact a Baltimore MD Motorcycle Accident Attorney.

Here is an overview of the 5 most common injuries bike riders sustain.

1. Head and Neck Injuries

Even if you wear a regulation helmet, it cannot really protect your head and neck in the event of a crash, especially a high-speed one. When your head impacts the road, a guardrail, a tree or other stationary object, the jolt is extreme enough to cause a concussion or other traumatic brain injury wherein your brain “sloshes around” inside your skull, injuring its delicate tissues in the process. A TBI can result in lasting consequences, including the following:

• Vision problems
• Hearing problems
• Balance problems
• Cognitive problems
• Memory problems
• Psychological problems

Your neck is also at extreme risk in a bike crash. If you break or crush one of your cervical vertebrae, you may become quadriplegic, meaning that you could have little, if any, ability to voluntarily move or feel anything below your point of injury.

2. Leg Injuries

Unfortunately, leg injuries can be, and often are, severe in a motorcycle crash. Not only can they result in fractures, but they can also cause so much damage that one or both of your legs may need to be amputated. A Baltimore MD Motorcycle Accident Attorney can help you navigate the post-accident process.

3. Arm Injuries

Your arms are likewise at great risk for injury in a motorcycle accident. Given that your bike offers you no protection whatsoever, you likely will unconsciously throw out your hands and arms to try to break your impending fall. As with your legs, this can result in multiple fractures or crush injuries extensive enough to require amputation.

4. Muscle and Nerve Damage

Virtually every part of your body is susceptible to muscle and nerve damage in a motorcycle accident. Especially vulnerable areas include the following:

• Hands
• Arms
• Elbows
• Shoulders
• Hips
• Knees
• Legs
• Feet

5. Road Rash

When your body slides across the pavement or ground after an accident throws you from your bike, your skin can suffer extreme damage. Even protective clothing likely can’t prevent it since the clothing itself often tears or shreds, leaving your skin to absorb gravel and other road debris. If you sustain a severe road rash, you may require skin grafts to repair the damage to the greatest extent possible. In any event, you can expect disfiguring scars.

Contact a Baltimore MD Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, remember these tips to safeguard your interests and hopefully help you deal with any injuries that may occur after the accident. By being aware that injuries can appear days after an accident occurs, you are one step closer to protecting yourself. Remember that you may consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer Baltimore MD residents is proud to have serving them by calling Cohen & Cohen at (202) 955-4529 today.