Many people in Maryland love riding motorcycles. Some want to save on fuel while others just enjoy the thrill of the open road. Bikers, like other road users, have the right to use the roads. Unfortunately, they are more likely to be injured than people in trucks or cars. Even if you follow the law and exercise caution, you’re at the mercy of other motorists.  Not only are cars and trucks much larger and heavier but drivers often engage in irresponsible behavior. They speed, drive while intoxicated or text and drive. If someone’s actions caused you to suffer injuries in an accident, an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer in Maryland can help get you compensation. Motorcyclists often end up with serious injuries like:

• Spinal cord damage
• Brain injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Pelvic fractures
• Amputated limbs

Many of these injuries result in high medical bills, long recovery times, and lots of time away from work. Some motorcyclists are never able to work again. You may think that it would be easy to get compensation under these circumstances. However, the more serious your injuries are, the more difficult it may be to recover damages.

Challenges You May Face after a Motorcycle Crash in Maryland

Insurance companies often try to put some of the blame on the motorcyclist. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced attorney fighting on your behalf. Your lawyer will use all available resources to gather evidence and use it to build your case. Insurance companies usually try to settle cases out of court.  However, sometimes they will take a motorcycle case to trial. That’s because they believe juries will side with drivers of other vehicles because of a bias against motorcyclists.  Since there’s a lot at stake, you need to get a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer to fight for your rights. You deserve to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. First, you’ll need to identify the correct defendant.

Possible Defendants in a Motorcycle Accident Case

In many cases, the driver of a car or truck is responsible for the crash. However, anyone who contributed to the accident could be held liable as long as you can prove they were responsible. The defendant could also be:

• The owner of the vehicle. If the person driving the car was not the owner, you may need to seek compensation from the actual owner.
• The driver’s employer. If the other party was on the job at the time of the accident, you can seek compensation from their employer.
• A government agency or department. If poor road conditions caused your accident, you may be able to get compensation from the municipal, state or federal government.
• The designer or manufacturer of a vehicle. Your accident could be caused by a defect in your motorcycle or the other driver’s vehicle. If so, you may be able to get compensation from the entity responsible for the defect.

The Role of Contributory Negligence

In some accidents, it’s clear that another party was at fault. Maybe a drunk driver drifted into your lane or you were hit head-on by a wrong-way driver. In these cases, you may not have to work too hard to prove that you were not responsible for your injuries. However, there are occasions when the other party’s insurer will seek to blame you. Since Maryland follows a contributory negligence doctrine, you won’t be able to get compensation if you’re even slightly at fault. If you were speeding or otherwise driving recklessly, it will be used against you. Insurance companies will try anything to avoid having to pay out money. Your attorney will, therefore, have to gather as much evidence as possible against the defendant. Maryland is one of a handful of states which take such a strict approach to negligence. Most states have opted for the more lenient comparative negligence system. This allows victims who are partially at fault to receive a reduced amount in damages.

Call Pinder Plotkin LLC For Help with Your Motorcycle Crash in Maryland

If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle crash in Maryland, contact Pinder Plotkin LLC. Our motorcycle wreck law firm in Maryland will fight to help you get the compensation you need. We will investigate your case and identify all the parties responsible for your injuries. We’ll then gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim for damages. The sooner we get started on your case, the more likely it is that we will achieve a positive outcome. The initial consultation is free, and we work on a contingency basis. This means you don’t have to pay unless we secure compensation via settlement or trial. Call us today to schedule an appointment.