Motorcycle Accident Lawyer 

For many of our family and friends, motorcycles are an integral part of their life. For these folks, they could not imagine life without riding. Whenever motorcycle owners hit the open road, they have to contend with a driving public that is either unwilling or incapable of safely sharing the road. The results is motorcycle accidents that are much more dangerous than most road accidents.   

Motorcycle Accidents by the Numbers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compiles data on road safety for all motorists, including motorcycle operators. The NHTSA statistics released in 2008 show that for every mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash.

According to the Center for Disease Control, injuries and deaths from motorcycles cost $12 billion a year, in medical care costs and productivity losses.

Consequences of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders do not have the elaborate protections afforded car drivers. They do not have the body of the car, air bags, and other anti-collision measures to rely on. They are exposed to the elements save for a helmet and protective clothing. As a result,motorcycle riders are more likely to experience a catastrophic injury following an accident.

In addition to devastating injuries such as brain injuries and broken bones, motorcycle riders have to contend with the financial hardship that comes with medical bills and lost wages. Motorcycle riders who have suffered injury as result of someone’s negligence can, and should, hold those parties accountable.

Motorcycle riders may recover financial compensation to the extent they can prove:

• Necessary medical care
• Related loss of income both now and in the future
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering related to the accident
• Scarring and Disfiguration – As a result of the exposed nature of riding a motorcycle, riders are more likely to suffer devastating injuries that could result in disfigurement.
• You will need to make a case for certain damages (e.g., medical expenses and lost income) by proving the losses you have endured, and will incur in the future.

Common Sense Safety Tips for Riders

Make sure that you and your passenger stay safe when enjoying the open road:

• No helmet. No ride.

• Hitch a ride home if you had had alcohol. Just buzzed is no excuse and you could be putting your life and others on the road with you in danger.

• Yank those keys! Did your buddy have one too many? Don’t let them ride.

• Protective gear is widely available and affordable. The right gear can save you in case the worst happens.

• Make it easier for others to see you! Wear reflective clothing, especially at night, and protective clothing that provides some level of injury protection. Upper body clothing should also include bright colors or reflective materials, so that other motorists can see you more easily.

• Following too closely? You know better than that!

• Tempted to gun it? Speed is a major cause of motorcycle accidents. Keep it safe. Get home. 

Do you need to talk to a knowledgeable Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer about an accident where you or your loved one was injured? Call  (410) 849- 9529.