Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Attorney - Pinder Plotkin

motorcylce accidents

PINDER PLOTKIN CAN HELP YOU OBTAIN FAIR COMPENSATION FOR YOUR INJURIES, LOSS, AND DAMAGES

Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Attorney - Pinder Plotkin

After an accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical expenses, any lost earnings while you are recuperating, damage to your motorcycle, suffering and more.

After an accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical expenses, any lost earnings while you are recuperating, damage to your motorcycle, suffering and more.

As you are recuperating from your injuries, Pinder Plotkin can represent you and deal with lawyers for other parties involved in the accident — insurance companies. To know more about how our Baltimore personal injury attorneys can help make you whole again after a motorcycle accident, simply contact us by calling (410) 525-5337.

Why Choose Pinder Plotkin for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?

At Pinder Plotkin, you’re not just another client. We pride ourselves in providing solid legal service to you and creating the best case possible. We’re also always looking for ways to serve and give back to our community. We’re deeply involved in the Baltimore area, and we believe in helping others.

What Else Can Pinder Plotkin Do For Your Case?

Other reasons you should choose us as your lawyers are:

  • We are professionals; we’re not afraid to step up to the plate for our clients
  • We take your cases to court, and we have the skills, experience, and fortitude to back our litigation up
  • We’ve reclaimed millions in injuries and damages for our clients over a variety of personal injury lawsuits
  • We communicate very well with our clients; reach out to us in our chat feature, or call us 24/7

Reach out to us today online, call us at our local offices, or check in with our sidebar chat feature so we can get started with your questions.

We understand that a motorcycle accident can forever change your and your loved ones’ lives. We want to help work towards your compensation for the injuries you may have incurred. Pinder Plotkin is here for you.

Reach out to us today online, call us at our local offices, or check in with our sidebar chat feature so we can get started with your questions.

We understand that a motorcycle accident can forever change your and your loved ones’ lives. We want to help work towards your compensation for the injuries you may have incurred. Pinder Plotkin is here for you.

How Will I Benefit from Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Baltimore?

Most people never realize the importance of consulting a motorcycle accident attorney until it is too late. Motorcycle accidents often result in debilitating injuries that require numerous surgeries and many years of therapy before the affected person can live their life comfortably. It is important to note that insurance companies will at times fight to pay as little compensation as possible to the person injured in a motorcycle accident.

While you are recovering, you can rest assured that your interests are protected and you have the best legal minds fighting for your interests in hiring a motorcycle accident attorney from the law firm of Pinder Plotkin.

After an accident, you should not speak to anybody or sign any documents before you have consulted with your attorney. Remember that the insurance policies that cover motorcycles are different from those used for vehicles. This is why it is important that you hire one of our lawyers as they will guide you on what motorcycle accident claims entail.

On engaging a motorcycle accident attorney from Pinder Plotkin, they will work tirelessly on your case. The end goal of a personal injury claim like a motorcycle accident is to see that:

  • Your medical and treatment expenses get paid
  • You are reimbursed for any costs you incur while getting physical therapy or other treatments
  • You receive compensation for money spent on surgeries and medical procedures such as imaging (MRIs, X-rays, and other procedures)
  • You receive compensation for any earnings that you lose as you recuperate
  • You receive compensation for future lost wages
  • You receive fair and reasonable compensation for all the suffering and pain as a result of the accident

If the motorcycle accident results in an accidental death, our attorneys will pursue a survival and wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of your family and the deceased loved one.

How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

It is almost impossible to predict the total compensation that you should receive immediately after a motorcycle accident. This is because there will be several factors that are considered when an insurance company is calculating the compensation due to you. Should your compensation claim case fail to be resolved amicably and the claim case goes to court, the jury also considers many factors when deciding the damages that you should be awarded. The facts surrounding your motorcycle accident can make the value of your settlement vary from both the national average and the average compensation in Baltimore.

It is also important to note that you cannot gauge your potential compensation based on the average figures in Baltimore since the average compensation amount takes into account hundreds and even thousands of motorcycle accidents in which people only get minimal injuries and damages.

If you were involved in an accident that resulted in serious life-threatening injuries, you can expect your compensation to be higher than the average compensation amount in Baltimore. To better understand the potential value of your motorcycle accident case, it is best that you directly consult our Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys.

If the motorcycle accident results in an accidental death, our attorneys will pursue a survival and wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of your family and the deceased loved one.

Do the Injuries I Have Sustained Affect the Compensation That I Will Receive?

Injuries are one of the most important factors that juries and insurance companies consider when calculating the compensation due to you. If you receive permanent injuries in a motorcycle accident, you can expect a higher compensation compared to when you have temporary injuries. However, temporary injuries can also significantly add to the total compensation amount you are owed.

If you sustain serious injuries and they are confirmed through diagnostic testing by doctors, you are guaranteed to get higher compensation. Some injuries may greatly increase the level of compensation that you receive on filing a motorcycle accident claim due to their long-lasting and painful impact.

Herniated discs are when part of a disc pushes out of its usual place, leading to pressure on the spinal cord and nearby nerves. A herniated disc may also be called a ruptured disc or a slipped disc. Herniated discs can lead to long-lasting or recurring pain throughout life, even after surgery, and may be the cause of pinched nerves in the back. They can affect natural movement and mobility for a long time.

In some accidents, the spine may be broken, causing paralysis in the injured party. This could mean that the injured party of a motorcycle accident loses the ability to move their arms or their legs, depending on where the break occurs. Although there are some treatments that can help bring mobility back, they are in the early stages of development and do not work for everyone. This could lead to a substantial loss of income and future wages.

Traumatic brain injuries are injuries that affect the head, skull, and brain. They are difficult to heal. They can include penetrating injuries, where an object cracks or pierces the skull and enters the brain. Depending on where this object enters, many body functions may be lost or altered, including vision, movement, sensitivity, and other senses. Mood changes can also occur in TBIs.

Concussions are also considered TBIs. Even if you’re wearing a helmet, you may receive a concussion if you are involved in a collision accident. Concussion symptoms can last for weeks or months while the injury heals, or they may always be present in some way. Migraines, headaches, sensitivity to light or smell, and disrupted mobility or speech can result from concussions.

A common neck injury is a whiplash. Whiplash can occur even at low speeds, and although it doesn’t seem like it may be damaging, it can take weeks to heal. In very drastic cases, it can cause pinched nerves that need surgery.

Even if wearing protective eye gear (which is a requirement for riding), eye injuries may occur from shattered glass or other debris. Eye injuries may result in extensive surgeries or even loss of vision in one or both eyes.

Injuries, where nerves are damaged can lead to loss of sensitivity in limbs or other areas of the body. Nerve damage can also increase pain and sensitivity in the affected area. Some treatments, both invasive and non-invasive, may help, though results are not guaranteed.

While many broken bones are able to be healed, that doesn’t mean they heal quickly. Broken bones can cost thousands in lost wages and time.

Fractures can also stall someone from returning to work. Compound fractures sometimes occur when the broken bone pierces the skin from the inside, leading to extensive medical treatment to fix it.

If you need surgery to correct an injury from an accident, that will be given a great deal of weight during your claim. Surgeries take time, money, and energy, all of which we work to recover for you.

Mental or Emotional Health After an Accident

People involved in traumatic accidents may experience PTSD from the accident, including anxiety or depression. This can greatly affect someone’s ability to go about their daily life and make returning to “normal” difficult.

Any sort of injury that can be considered catastrophic may be taken more seriously in court. That means that injuries that have lasting or permanent effects on the individual will be considered more seriously.

What is also taken into account is the ability of the injured person to hold and maintain a job after the accident. Severe injuries like those listed above may open up other medical issues for the injured person in the years to come, which is why the lawyers at Pinder Plotkin try to look ahead and predict possible future needs for our clients.

When calculating the total compensation owed to you, juries and insurance companies also take into account injuries to soft tissues and other types of injuries that cannot easily be confirmed through diagnostic testing. In fact, when calculating the total level of compensation owed to a motorcycle accident victim, most insurance companies use proprietary software to award monetary value to injuries such as:

  • Headaches and migraines caused by TBIs
  • Migraines
  • Muscle spasms, which could be a direct result of nerve damage
  • Dizziness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Restriction in movement
  • Vision impairments

One of the key roles of the professional attorney that you engage from Pinder Plotkin will be to explain to the jury hearing your case how any of these injuries no matter their extent will affect the quality of life that you will live at the current moment and in the foreseeable future.

If I Do Not Sustain Any Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident, How Will My Settlement Be Affected?

Aside from the injuries that you sustain in a motorcycle accident, there are other factors that a jury considers when determining the value of your claim. They include:

  • The specific facts surrounding your accidents. Here, the jury will look at important events in your accident such as who was responsible for the occurrence of the accident and mitigating factors such as the condition of other vehicles involved in the accident, the speed of all parties involved and more
  • The jury will also consider whether you can prove that you actually sustained your injuries from the motorcycle accident and not an earlier event
  • The testimony of the witnesses who witnessed the accident will also be considered
  • The jury will also consider the credibility of witnesses you bring forward
  • The jury will also consider your credibility and the credibility of other parties involved in the accident
  • The arguments put up by the lawyers of the other party involved in the accident will also be considered
  • The defense that your Baltimore motorcycle accident attorney puts upon the claims made by the attorneys for the other party will also be considered

When determining the value of your claim, the jury will also take into account the suffering and pain that you have suffered as a result of the motorcycle crash. Unfortunately, the software used by insurance assessors usually tends to downplay the value of pain and suffering. This is another reason why it is a good idea to have a proficient Baltimore accident lawyer handling your compensation claim case if you are seeking to get the highest level of compensation after a motorcycle accident.

When calculating the total value of your compensation claim after a motorcycle accident, insurance company assessors usually take the following factors into account:

  • All available medical records that describe the nature and extent of injuries that you sustained in the motorcycle accident
  • Any lost earnings as a result of a motorcycle accident
  • Medical bills and treatment costs for any procedures that you received after the accident
  • Any treatment costs that may arise in the future
  • The location where the accident occurred and the probability of a compensation claim lawsuit
  • Any other data that your Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer provides to the insurance company assessors

What Are Some of The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

A recent study by the Maryland Department of Transportation showed on average 1,466 motorcycle accidents occur in the state each year. It is highly likely that most of these accidents accident occurred because another driver committed an infraction or they were unaware of the motorcyclist’s presence. However, there are many other factors that contribute to motorcycle accidents. They include:

Any actions that take the focus of the driver away from the road can be disastrous. Some of the actions that can make a driver distracted may include: using a phone to text or make calls, changing the radio, drinking, eating, applying cosmetics, using GPS and even talking to passengers in the car.

Driving while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, prescription medication and illegal drugs can be dangerous. Drugs usually impair the judgment of a driver leading to poor decisions, drowsiness and slowed reactions.

Drivers who drive without getting enough sleep tend to fall asleep behind the wheel. In such instances, they can lose control of their car, veer from their lane, make poor decisions, and react slowly leading to an accident.

If the driver of the car fails to check blind spots or the car mirrors, they can fail to see an approaching motorcycle and change lanes improperly leading to an accident.

If a car driver fails to yield the right of way properly in an intersection, they can end up causing a serious accident. Even at slow speeds, motor vehicles can cause a lot of damage — especially to motorcycles and their riders.

If a car driver turns immediately in front of a motorcycle whether both machines are moving in opposite directions or in the same direction, a devastating collision can occur.

The higher your driving speed, the more time you need to slow down. When a driver is going above the recommended speed limit, they may be unable to slow down in time when there is an emergency hence leading to rear-end collisions which can be deadly for motorcyclists.

Drivers who ignore traffic laws such as posted road signs, driving laws and traffic signals usually put all road users in a lot of danger.

Tailgating, speeding, weaving through traffic carelessly, running lights, ignoring traffic signs, failing to follow road and traffic signs and other aggressive driving tactics usually make it hard to predict the behavior of a driver increasing the chances of an accident occurring.

If another driver’s vehicle or your motorcycles malfunctions in one way or another while you are on the road, you can lose control of the vehicle causing a collision even if you are not at fault.

Sometimes, the road can have problems such as unclear signs, potholes, faded strips, and other issues that increase the risk of single-vehicle and multi-vehicle collisions exponentially.

Who Can I Name as a Respondent in My Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

No matter the circumstances surrounding your motorcycle collision, after an accident has occurred, the next step is usually to identify the parties who are responsible for the occurrence of the accident. Some of the parties that you can name as respondents when filing a compensation claim include:

If your accident occurred as a result of the negligence of another driver, they can be held accountable for their actions. When another driver is involved, there is a high possibility that their insurance company will want to be enjoined in your claim case.

If you are involved in an accident caused by a driver who is not the actual owner of the car involved in the accident you may need to pursue the owner of the vehicle of the car involved in the accident to get compensation.

If the other party in your accident was acting in an official capacity as a driver at the time of the collision, you can seek compensation from their employer.

If your accident occurred as a result of poor road conditions, you can get compensation from the local government or municipal responsible for carrying out road maintenance. It is important to remember that there are special regulations when suing government agencies such as short deadlines for filing claim cases. If you think that a government entity is responsible for your accident, you should contact your Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer immediately after the crash to get advice on how to best move forward.

If your accident can be traced back to a defect in your machine or another driver’s vehicle, you may be able to receive compensation from the designers or manufacturers of the defective machine.

On identifying the parties responsible for your accident, our lawyers will then help you gather and organize all the evidence you need to create a formidable compensation claim. As part of your legal representation package, our Baltimore motorcycle collision attorneys will review your case with you to determine the best way forward, discuss the legal strategy to be used in your case and provide a preliminary timeline on how your case will proceed.

With us handling your legal needs, you can be sure that you are in the best hands. Our attorneys will be at your beck and call throughout all the stages of your claim case providing you with detailed progress reports.

What Steps Should I Take When I am Involved in a Motorcycle Accident in Baltimore?

If you are injured after an accident, you should get medical help immediately. If you have not sustained serious injuries, you should:

  • Check to see if any other party involved in the accident is injured and call for medical assistance if there is anybody who is injured
  • Exchange contact details with other parties involved in the accidents such as names, phone numbers, and insurance information
  • If you are able, you should take pictures or videos of the accident scene
  • Stay at the scene of the accident until law enforcement officers arrive

It is important to note that it is a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident under Maryland law. It is important that you stay at the scene since the responding officers will ask you questions that they will use when writing the accident report. You should ensure that you get a copy of the report for your records.

If you sustain serious injuries in the accident and cannot move, wait until emergency medical personnel show up at the scene. The paramedics who show up at the scene will then transport you to the hospital. If you feel that you have not sustained serious injuries, you should still go to the nearest medical facility to get checked out by a doctor. Internal injuries that are not detected can cause death, and any medical records from doctors attending to you can be used by your attorney to bolster your compensation claim.

Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Baltimore

In each state, there’s a statute of limitations present on every personal injury claim. The statute of limitations sets a limit on how long you have to bring a claim to court after the accident that caused your injuries. Like most other personal injury cases in the state of Maryland, the statute of limitations on motorcycle accidents is three years. That means you have only 36 months to collect evidence and file a lawsuit.

While three years sounds like a long time, it can go by quickly, and details of the accident can get blurred in people’s memories the longer that it is put off. That’s one of the reasons why the collection of evidence, reports, and witness testimonies is so important. But apart from the details getting lost, Pinder Plotkin believes that you deserve restitution for your injuries. Motorcycle accidents and the resulting injuries they produce can be life-altering. The cost of healing from those injuries and the cost of continuing medical care can be thousands, or even millions, of dollars, not to mention the time and wages lost from work.

Should I Accept the Settlement Offer Given by The Representatives of an Insurance Company?

You should never accept an offer from an insurance company or their representatives without first consulting with your attorney. It is important to note that insurance companies will try to give you a settlement offer before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. Remember that the first offer from an insurance company will be inadequate as it will not account for lost wages, comprehensive treatment costs, and other damages as a result of the accident. If you take the first offer you are given, you can end up having to cover a lot of expenses with your own cash.

We want to see you compensated. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, the lawyers at Pinder Plotkin want to hear from you.

What is Contributory Negligence and How Does it Affect My Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

In some states, injured parties may claim damages even if they were partially at fault for causing the accident; they must not have caused more than 50% of the accident. In Maryland, that’s not the case. Maryland goes by the rule of contributory negligence. Contributory negligence means that even if you, as a motorcycle rider, were 1% responsible for the accident that ended up producing your injuries, you would be unable to file a claim for that accident. Contributory negligence requires that you are not found to be at fault at all in the accident. This can throw a wrench into some claims, which is why it is important to hire a lawyer in these cases. We take special care to go over all of the facts and evidence.

Contributory negligence is fairly obvious when it comes to things like driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but it can also stop otherwise innocent people from filing claims for things like:

  • If they didn’t wear a helmet at the time of the accident, regardless of whether or not they usually wear one
  • If they weren’t wearing eye protection at the time of the accident
  • If they didn’t use a turn signal appropriately
  • If they were driving recklessly or carelessly
  • If they were speeding
  • If they did not keep both hands on the handlebars
  • If they were carrying a passenger that the motorcycle was not accommodated for
  • If they were riding on a highway that is off-limits to motorcycle riders

There can be other things that disqualify you from submitting a claim under the contributory negligence rule. To be sure that we can help you file a motorcycle accident claim for personal injury, make sure that you’re following the traffic safety laws. We’re on your side to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you have concerns about the rules surrounding contributory negligence, or you have questions surrounding a possible claim, reach out to Pinder Plotkin today.

Proving Fault in a Baltimore Motorcycle Accident

The key to proving fault in a motorcycle accident lands on the evidence. What the legal team at Pinder Plotkin looks for is evidence that points to the fault of the person who caused the accident, whether that person was driving a car, another motorcycle, or was a bicyclist or pedestrian. We find out the following:

  • How the other person caused the accident
  • What safety measures did they ignore
  • What speed were they traveling
  • If they were under the influence of any substances at the time
  • If they were being belligerent or careless
  • If they disregarded bad weather or unsafe road conditions

We look at police evidence, records, witness testimony, traffic camera footage, and your account of what happened to prove fault in a motorcycle accident. Because motorcyclists have the same responsibility as other drivers on the road, we must be able to prove that the accident was the fault of the other party.

The lawyers at Pinder Plotkin examine every part of your case so that when we take it to court, we’re ready to fight for your justice. Our methods have litigated hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation for motorcyclists, including compensation of $100,000 for a single motorcyclist.

What Really Sets Us Apart for Motorcycle Riders: Motorcycle Talks

You should know we’re big fans of the motorcycle community, and we’re deeply involved in it as well. One of our most prized ways to give back to this community that we’re passionate about is through sponsoring the website Motorcycle Talks. Motorcycle Talks is a website dedicated to the stories of motorcyclists who have overcome adversity themselves and are helping to heal the world. The Pinder Plotkin legal team sponsors the blog and website to spread the word about these riders and their missions.

On Motorcycle Talks, people share their stories of how they came to be motorcycle riders, the struggles of their encounters along the way, and what sorts of charitable acts they perform. We hear from groups and individuals who encourage others to get their motorcycle licenses safely, who do charitable rides for health, who help the youth in their communities, and who advocate for changes in their communities. We’re proud to sponsor these stories and to share them with you. We’d love to hear your story.

Our Motorcycle Talks blog goes over important roadway safety measures, dangers to watch out for, and appropriate safety gear. Our blogs also provide solid information about motorcycle accident injury lawsuits and what to expect if you need to file a claim. Pinder Plotkin wants to make sure that everyone has the critical information they need to ride safely and knowledgeably. On the Motorcycle Talks website, you can also find information about the history of motorcycles and famous motorcycle pioneers who helped to bring about the modern motorcycle as we know it.

As you can see, we’re dedicated to the motorcyclist cause. That’s why you know we’ll work hard on your motorcycle accident case. As a child, Jason Plotkin was passionate about motorcycles, and he’s determined to bring that passion to his work as a lawyer. That’s why the legal team at Pinder Plotkin takes motorcycle accidents seriously, and why we’re involved in our local motorcycle community. We’re on your side when things go wrong.

Call Our Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today!

If you or a close family member has been involved in an accident and you are hoping to get justice and fair compensation, you should acquire skilled, reputable, and experienced legal experts to fight in your corner.

At Pinder Plotkin, our team of Baltimore automobile accident attorneys has been helping people in your situation get both justice and fair compensation. To schedule a free consultation with the most proficient lawyers in town, call 410-525-5337 today.

If you are personally injured or a close family member is injured in a motorcycle accident, a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer at Pinder Plotkin can help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries, loss, and damages. After an accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical expenses, any lost earnings while you are recuperating, damage to your motorcycle, suffering and more.
Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Lawyer As you are recuperating from your injuries, Pinder Plotkin can represent you and deal with lawyers for other parties involved in the accident — insurance companies. To know more about how our Baltimore personal injury attorneys can help make you whole again after a motorcycle accident, simply contact us by calling (410) 525-5337.
Table of Contents

Why Choose Pinder Plotkin for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?

At Pinder Plotkin, you’re not just another client. We pride ourselves in providing solid legal service to you and creating the best case possible. We’re also always looking for ways to serve and give back to our community. We’re deeply involved in the Baltimore area, and we believe in helping others.

What Else Can Pinder Plotkin Do For Your Case?

Other reasons you should choose us as your lawyers are:
  • We are professionals; we’re not afraid to step up to the plate for our clients
  • We take your cases to court, and we have the skills, experience, and fortitude to back our litigation up
  • We’ve reclaimed millions in injuries and damages for our clients over a variety of personal injury lawsuits
  • We communicate very well with our clients; reach out to us in our chat feature, or call us 24/7
Reach out to us today online, call us at our local offices, or check in with our sidebar chat feature so we can get started with your questions. We understand that a motorcycle accident can forever change your and your loved ones’ lives. We want to help work towards your compensation for the injuries you may have incurred. Pinder Plotkin is here for you.

How Will I Benefit from Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Baltimore?

Most people never realize the importance of consulting a motorcycle accident attorney until it is too late. Motorcycle accidents often result in debilitating injuries that require numerous surgeries and many years of therapy before the affected person can live their life comfortably. It is important to note that insurance companies will at times fight to pay as little compensation as possible to the person injured in a motorcycle accident. While you are recovering, you can rest assured that your interests are protected and you have the best legal minds fighting for your interests in hiring a motorcycle accident attorney from the law firm of Pinder Plotkin. After an accident, you should not speak to anybody or sign any documents before you have consulted with your attorney. Remember that the insurance policies that cover motorcycles are different from those used for vehicles. This is why it is important that you hire one of our lawyers as they will guide you on what motorcycle accident claims entail. On engaging a motorcycle accident attorney from Pinder Plotkin, they will work tirelessly on your case. The end goal of a personal injury claim like a motorcycle accident is to see that:
  • Your medical and treatment expenses get paid
  • You are reimbursed for any costs you incur while getting physical therapy or other treatments
  • You receive compensation for money spent on surgeries and medical procedures such as imaging (MRIs, X-rays, and other procedures)
  • You receive compensation for any earnings that you lose as you recuperate
  • You receive compensation for future lost wages
  • You receive fair and reasonable compensation for all the suffering and pain as a result of the accident
If the motorcycle accident results in an accidental death, our attorneys will pursue a survival and wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of your family and the deceased loved one.

How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

It is almost impossible to predict the total compensation that you should receive immediately after a motorcycle accident. This is because there will be several factors that are considered when an insurance company is calculating the compensation due to you. Should your compensation claim case fail to be resolved amicably and the claim case goes to court, the jury also considers many factors when deciding the damages that you should be awarded. The facts surrounding your motorcycle accident can make the value of your settlement vary from both the national average and the average compensation in Baltimore. It is also important to note that you cannot gauge your potential compensation based on the average figures in Baltimore since the average compensation amount takes into account hundreds and even thousands of motorcycle accidents in which people only get minimal injuries and damages. If you were involved in an accident that resulted in serious life-threatening injuries, you can expect your compensation to be higher than the average compensation amount in Baltimore. To better understand the potential value of your motorcycle accident case, it is best that you directly consult our Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys.   Schedule a free consultation with a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer

Do the Injuries I Have Sustained Affect the Compensation That I Will Receive?

Injuries are one of the most important factors that juries and insurance companies consider when calculating the compensation due to you. If you receive permanent injuries in a motorcycle accident, you can expect a higher compensation compared to when you have temporary injuries. However, temporary injuries can also significantly add to the total compensation amount you are owed. If you sustain serious injuries and they are confirmed through diagnostic testing by doctors, you are guaranteed to get higher compensation. Some injuries may greatly increase the level of compensation that you receive on filing a motorcycle accident claim due to their long-lasting and painful impact.

Herniated Discs

Herniated discs are when part of a disc pushes out of its usual place, leading to pressure on the spinal cord and nearby nerves. A herniated disc may also be called a ruptured disc or a slipped disc. Herniated discs can lead to long-lasting or recurring pain throughout life, even after surgery, and may be the cause of pinched nerves in the back. They can affect natural movement and mobility for a long time.

Paralysis

In some accidents, the spine may be broken, causing paralysis in the injured party. This could mean that the injured party of a motorcycle accident loses the ability to move their arms or their legs, depending on where the break occurs. Although there are some treatments that can help bring mobility back, they are in the early stages of development and do not work for everyone. This could lead to a substantial loss of income and future wages.

Head or Brain Trauma Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are injuries that affect the head, skull, and brain. They are difficult to heal. They can include penetrating injuries, where an object cracks or pierces the skull and enters the brain. Depending on where this object enters, many body functions may be lost or altered, including vision, movement, sensitivity, and other senses. Mood changes can also occur in TBIs. Concussions are also considered TBIs. Even if you’re wearing a helmet, you may receive a concussion if you are involved in a collision accident. Concussion symptoms can last for weeks or months while the injury heals, or they may always be present in some way. Migraines, headaches, sensitivity to light or smell, and disrupted mobility or speech can result from concussions.

Back or Neck Injuries

A common neck injury is a whiplash. Whiplash can occur even at low speeds, and although it doesn’t seem like it may be damaging, it can take weeks to heal. In very drastic cases, it can cause pinched nerves that need surgery.

Eye Injuries

Even if wearing protective eye gear (which is a requirement for riding), eye injuries may occur from shattered glass or other debris. Eye injuries may result in extensive surgeries or even loss of vision in one or both eyes.

Nerve Damage

Injuries, where nerves are damaged can lead to loss of sensitivity in limbs or other areas of the body. Nerve damage can also increase pain and sensitivity in the affected area. Some treatments, both invasive and non-invasive, may help, though results are not guaranteed.

Fractured or Broken Bones

While many broken bones are able to be healed, that doesn’t mean they heal quickly. Broken bones can cost thousands in lost wages and time. Fractures can also stall someone from returning to work. Compound fractures sometimes occur when the broken bone pierces the skin from the inside, leading to extensive medical treatment to fix it.

Any Other Injuries that Needed Surgery

If you need surgery to correct an injury from an accident, that will be given a great deal of weight during your claim. Surgeries take time, money, and energy, all of which we work to recover for you.

Mental or Emotional Health After an Accident

People involved in traumatic accidents may experience PTSD from the accident, including anxiety or depression. This can greatly affect someone’s ability to go about their daily life and make returning to “normal” difficult. Any sort of injury that can be considered catastrophic may be taken more seriously in court. That means that injuries that have lasting or permanent effects on the individual will be considered more seriously. What is also taken into account is the ability of the injured person to hold and maintain a job after the accident. Severe injuries like those listed above may open up other medical issues for the injured person in the years to come, which is why the lawyers at Pinder Plotkin try to look ahead and predict possible future needs for our clients. When calculating the total compensation owed to you, juries and insurance companies also take into account injuries to soft tissues and other types of injuries that cannot easily be confirmed through diagnostic testing. In fact, when calculating the total level of compensation owed to a motorcycle accident victim, most insurance companies use proprietary software to award monetary value to injuries such as:
  • Headaches and migraines caused by TBIs
  • Migraines
  • Muscle spasms, which could be a direct result of nerve damage
  • Dizziness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Restriction in movement
  • Vision impairments
One of the key roles of the professional attorney that you engage from Pinder Plotkin will be to explain to the jury hearing your case how any of these injuries no matter their extent will affect the quality of life that you will live at the current moment and in the foreseeable future. Related: Tips For Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents in Maryland

If I Do Not Sustain Any Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident, How Will My Settlement Be Affected?

Aside from the injuries that you sustain in a motorcycle accident, there are other factors that a jury considers when determining the value of your claim. They include:
  • The specific facts surrounding your accidents. Here, the jury will look at important events in your accident such as who was responsible for the occurrence of the accident and mitigating factors such as the condition of other vehicles involved in the accident, the speed of all parties involved and more
  • The jury will also consider whether you can prove that you actually sustained your injuries from the motorcycle accident and not an earlier event
  • The testimony of the witnesses who witnessed the accident will also be considered
  • The jury will also consider the credibility of witnesses you bring forward
  • The jury will also consider your credibility and the credibility of other parties involved in the accident
  • The arguments put up by the lawyers of the other party involved in the accident will also be considered
  • The defense that your Baltimore motorcycle accident attorney puts upon the claims made by the attorneys for the other party will also be considered
When determining the value of your claim, the jury will also take into account the suffering and pain that you have suffered as a result of the motorcycle crash. Unfortunately, the software used by insurance assessors usually tends to downplay the value of pain and suffering. This is another reason why it is a good idea to have a proficient Baltimore accident lawyer handling your compensation claim case if you are seeking to get the highest level of compensation after a motorcycle accident. When calculating the total value of your compensation claim after a motorcycle accident, insurance company assessors usually take the following factors into account:
  • All available medical records that describe the nature and extent of injuries that you sustained in the motorcycle accident
  • Any lost earnings as a result of a motorcycle accident
  • Medical bills and treatment costs for any procedures that you received after the accident
  • Any treatment costs that may arise in the future
  • The location where the accident occurred and the probability of a compensation claim lawsuit
  • Any other data that your Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer provides to the insurance company assessors
Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Infographic

What Are Some of The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

A recent study by the Maryland Department of Transportation showed on average 1,466 motorcycle accidents occur in the state each year. It is highly likely that most of these accidents accident occurred because another driver committed an infraction or they were unaware of the motorcyclist’s presence. However, there are many other factors that contribute to motorcycle accidents. They include:

Distracted Driving

Any actions that take the focus of the driver away from the road can be disastrous. Some of the actions that can make a driver distracted may include: using a phone to text or make calls, changing the radio, drinking, eating, applying cosmetics, using GPS and even talking to passengers in the car.

Drunk Driving

Driving while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, prescription medication and illegal drugs can be dangerous. Drugs usually impair the judgment of a driver leading to poor decisions, drowsiness and slowed reactions.

Driving while Drowsy

Drivers who drive without getting enough sleep tend to fall asleep behind the wheel. In such instances, they can lose control of their car, veer from their lane, make poor decisions, and react slowly leading to an accident.

Changing Lanes Improperly

If the driver of the car fails to check blind spots or the car mirrors, they can fail to see an approaching motorcycle and change lanes improperly leading to an accident.

Failure to Yield Way for Traffic

If a car driver fails to yield the right of way properly in an intersection, they can end up causing a serious accident. Even at slow speeds, motor vehicles can cause a lot of damage — especially to motorcycles and their riders. A motorcycle struck by a car in an accident.

Turning Accidents

If a car driver turns immediately in front of a motorcycle whether both machines are moving in opposite directions or in the same direction, a devastating collision can occur.

Speeding

The higher your driving speed, the more time you need to slow down. When a driver is going above the recommended speed limit, they may be unable to slow down in time when there is an emergency hence leading to rear-end collisions which can be deadly for motorcyclists.

Failure to Obey Traffic Regulations

Drivers who ignore traffic laws such as posted road signs, driving laws and traffic signals usually put all road users in a lot of danger.

Aggressive Driving Tactics

Tailgating, speeding, weaving through traffic carelessly, running lights, ignoring traffic signs, failing to follow road and traffic signs and other aggressive driving tactics usually make it hard to predict the behavior of a driver increasing the chances of an accident occurring.

Vehicle Malfunction

If another driver’s vehicle or your motorcycles malfunctions in one way or another while you are on the road, you can lose control of the vehicle causing a collision even if you are not at fault.

Road Defects

Sometimes, the road can have problems such as unclear signs, potholes, faded strips, and other issues that increase the risk of single-vehicle and multi-vehicle collisions exponentially.

Who Can I Name as a Respondent in My Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

No matter the circumstances surrounding your motorcycle collision, after an accident has occurred, the next step is usually to identify the parties who are responsible for the occurrence of the accident. Some of the parties that you can name as respondents when filing a compensation claim include:

Other Drivers

If your accident occurred as a result of the negligence of another driver, they can be held accountable for their actions. When another driver is involved, there is a high possibility that their insurance company will want to be enjoined in your claim case.

Vehicle Owners

If you are involved in an accident caused by a driver who is not the actual owner of the car involved in the accident you may need to pursue the owner of the vehicle of the car involved in the accident to get compensation.

Employers

If the other party in your accident was acting in an official capacity as a driver at the time of the collision, you can seek compensation from their employer.

Federal, State, and Municipal Governments

If your accident occurred as a result of poor road conditions, you can get compensation from the local government or municipal responsible for carrying out road maintenance. It is important to remember that there are special regulations when suing government agencies such as short deadlines for filing claim cases. If you think that a government entity is responsible for your accident, you should contact your Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer immediately after the crash to get advice on how to best move forward.

Vehicle Designers or Manufacturers

If your accident can be traced back to a defect in your machine or another driver’s vehicle, you may be able to receive compensation from the designers or manufacturers of the defective machine. On identifying the parties responsible for your accident, our lawyers will then help you gather and organize all the evidence you need to create a formidable compensation claim. As part of your legal representation package, our Baltimore motorcycle collision attorneys will review your case with you to determine the best way forward, discuss the legal strategy to be used in your case and provide a preliminary timeline on how your case will proceed. With us handling your legal needs, you can be sure that you are in the best hands. Our attorneys will be at your beck and call throughout all the stages of your claim case providing you with detailed progress reports. Related: Motorcycle Accident Statistics

What Steps Should I Take When I am Involved in a Motorcycle Accident in Baltimore?

If you are injured after an accident, you should get medical help immediately. If you have not sustained serious injuries, you should:
  • Check to see if any other party involved in the accident is injured and call for medical assistance if there is anybody who is injured
  • Exchange contact details with other parties involved in the accidents such as names, phone numbers, and insurance information
  • If you are able, you should take pictures or videos of the accident scene
  • Stay at the scene of the accident until law enforcement officers arrive
It is important to note that it is a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident under Maryland law. It is important that you stay at the scene since the responding officers will ask you questions that they will use when writing the accident report. You should ensure that you get a copy of the report for your records. If you sustain serious injuries in the accident and cannot move, wait until emergency medical personnel show up at the scene. The paramedics who show up at the scene will then transport you to the hospital. If you feel that you have not sustained serious injuries, you should still go to the nearest medical facility to get checked out by a doctor. Internal injuries that are not detected can cause death, and any medical records from doctors attending to you can be used by your attorney to bolster your compensation claim.

Should I Accept the Settlement Offer Given by The Representatives of an Insurance Company?

You should never accept an offer from an insurance company or their representatives without first consulting with your attorney. It is important to note that insurance companies will try to give you a settlement offer before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. Remember that the first offer from an insurance company will be inadequate as it will not account for lost wages, comprehensive treatment costs, and other damages as a result of the accident. If you take the first offer you are given, you can end up having to cover a lot of expenses with your own cash.

Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Baltimore

In each state, there’s a statute of limitations present on every personal injury claim. The statute of limitations sets a limit on how long you have to bring a claim to court after the accident that caused your injuries. Like most other personal injury cases in the state of Maryland, the statute of limitations on motorcycle accidents is three years. That means you have only 36 months to collect evidence and file a lawsuit. While three years sounds like a long time, it can go by quickly, and details of the accident can get blurred in people’s memories the longer that it is put off. That’s one of the reasons why the collection of evidence, reports, and witness testimonies is so important. But apart from the details getting lost, Pinder Plotkin believes that you deserve restitution for your injuries. Motorcycle accidents and the resulting injuries they produce can be life-altering. The cost of healing from those injuries and the cost of continuing medical care can be thousands, or even millions, of dollars, not to mention the time and wages lost from work. We want to see you compensated. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, the lawyers at Pinder Plotkin want to hear from you.

Proving Fault in a Baltimore Motorcycle Accident

The key to proving fault in a motorcycle accident lands on the evidence. What the legal team at Pinder Plotkin looks for is evidence that points to the fault of the person who caused the accident, whether that person was driving a car, another motorcycle, or was a bicyclist or pedestrian. We find out the following:
  • How the other person caused the accident
  • What safety measures did they ignore
  • What speed were they traveling
  • If they were under the influence of any substances at the time
  • If they were being belligerent or careless
  • If they disregarded bad weather or unsafe road conditions
We look at police evidence, records, witness testimony, traffic camera footage, and your account of what happened to prove fault in a motorcycle accident. Because motorcyclists have the same responsibility as other drivers on the road, we must be able to prove that the accident was the fault of the other party. The lawyers at Pinder Plotkin examine every part of your case so that when we take it to court, we’re ready to fight for your justice. Our methods have litigated hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation for motorcyclists, including compensation of $100,000 for a single motorcyclist.

What is Contributory Negligence and How Does it Affect My Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

In some states, injured parties may claim damages even if they were partially at fault for causing the accident; they must not have caused more than 50% of the accident. In Maryland, that’s not the case. Maryland goes by the rule of contributory negligence. Contributory negligence means that even if you, as a motorcycle rider, were 1% responsible for the accident that ended up producing your injuries, you would be unable to file a claim for that accident. Contributory negligence requires that you are not found to be at fault at all in the accident. This can throw a wrench into some claims, which is why it is important to hire a lawyer in these cases. We take special care to go over all of the facts and evidence. Contributory negligence is fairly obvious when it comes to things like driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but it can also stop otherwise innocent people from filing claims for things like:
  • If they didn’t wear a helmet at the time of the accident, regardless of whether or not they usually wear one
  • If they weren’t wearing eye protection at the time of the accident
  • If they didn’t use a turn signal appropriately
  • If they were driving recklessly or carelessly
  • If they were speeding
  • If they did not keep both hands on the handlebars
  • If they were carrying a passenger that the motorcycle was not accommodated for
  • If they were riding on a highway that is off-limits to motorcycle riders
There can be other things that disqualify you from submitting a claim under the contributory negligence rule. To be sure that we can help you file a motorcycle accident claim for personal injury, make sure that you’re following the traffic safety laws. We’re on your side to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. If you have concerns about the rules surrounding contributory negligence, or you have questions surrounding a possible claim, reach out to Pinder Plotkin today.

What Really Sets Us Apart for Motorcycle Riders: Motorcycle Talks

You should know we’re big fans of the motorcycle community, and we’re deeply involved in it as well. One of our most prized ways to give back to this community that we’re passionate about is through sponsoring the website Motorcycle Talks. Motorcycle Talks is a website dedicated to the stories of motorcyclists who have overcome adversity themselves and are helping to heal the world. The Pinder Plotkin legal team sponsors the blog and website to spread the word about these riders and their missions. On Motorcycle Talks, people share their stories of how they came to be motorcycle riders, the struggles of their encounters along the way, and what sorts of charitable acts they perform. We hear from groups and individuals who encourage others to get their motorcycle licenses safely, who do charitable rides for health, who help the youth in their communities, and who advocate for changes in their communities. We’re proud to sponsor these stories and to share them with you. We’d love to hear your story. Our Motorcycle Talks blog goes over important roadway safety measures, dangers to watch out for, and appropriate safety gear. Our blogs also provide solid information about motorcycle accident injury lawsuits and what to expect if you need to file a claim. Pinder Plotkin wants to make sure that everyone has the critical information they need to ride safely and knowledgeably. On the Motorcycle Talks website, you can also find information about the history of motorcycles and famous motorcycle pioneers who helped to bring about the modern motorcycle as we know it. As you can see, we’re dedicated to the motorcyclist cause. That’s why you know we’ll work hard on your motorcycle accident case. As a child, Jason Plotkin was passionate about motorcycles, and he’s determined to bring that passion to his work as a lawyer. That’s why the legal team at Pinder Plotkin takes motorcycle accidents seriously, and why we’re involved in our local motorcycle community. We’re on your side when things go wrong.

Call Our Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today!

If you or a close family member has been involved in an accident and you are hoping to get justice and fair compensation, you should acquire skilled, reputable, and experienced legal experts to fight in your corner. At Pinder Plotkin, our team of Baltimore automobile accident attorneys has been helping people in your situation get both justice and fair compensation. To schedule a free consultation with the most proficient lawyers in town, call 410-525-5337 today.
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