Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Baltimore is a beautiful place to travel around on by motorcycle, particularly in the spring and summer months. Many people choose to ride motorcycles because they are associated with a feeling of freedom, they are easy to maneuver, and they allow people to experience the great outdoors while they get to their destination. Unfortunately, the factors that make motorcycles so attractive are also what put motorcyclists at such great risks when they are out on the road.
Motorcyclists are not only at greater danger than other vehicles, but accident claims are also much more complex than claims for other auto accidents on the road. Due to this, anyone hurt in a motorcycle crash should always speak to a Baltimore accident attorney that can help them claim the full amount of compensation available.
When you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Baltimore, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. At Iamele & Iamele, LLP, our dedicated Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyers have been serving Maryland residents for over 50 years, bringing two generations of legal expertise to your case. We understand the unique challenges motorcycle accident victims face and are committed to providing the aggressive representation and personal attention your case demands.
Understanding Motorcycle Accidents in Baltimore
Baltimore’s busy streets and highways present unique dangers for motorcycle riders. From the congested Inner Harbor area to the major arteries like I-695 and I-95, motorcyclists face increased risks due to heavy traffic, distracted drivers, and challenging road conditions. According to the most recent available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are significantly more likely to suffer serious injuries or fatalities compared to other vehicle occupants.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Baltimore include driver inattention, failure to yield right of way, following too closely, and poor weather conditions. The consequences of these accidents are often devastating, resulting in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, road rash, and other serious injuries that can have long-lasting impacts on victims and their families.
At Iamele & Iamele, LLP, we recognize that motorcycle accident injuries often don’t reveal their full extent immediately. Our attorneys have the depth and breadth of experience necessary to evaluate and litigate your claim for the full amount of compensation you are owed, understanding that the long-term implications of many accident injuries often do not become apparent until long after the initial occurrence.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Due to the fact that motorcyclists do not have the protection of air bags or a steel frame, they are at risk for suffering much more severe injuries when they are in a crash. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Penetrating injuries, which may damage internal organs
- Amputation, either accidental or surgical
- Multiple broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Road rash
- Severe infections
When any of these injuries are sustained in a crash, accident victims should focus on their recovery and allow a motorcycle accident lawyer to take care of the details of their claim.
Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident
As a motorcycle accident victim, you have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses resulting from your accident. However, securing fair compensation requires thorough investigation, expert testimony, and skilled negotiation or trial advocacy.
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts to motorcycle accident victims, sometimes relying on unfair biases against motorcyclists. Our experienced legal team knows how to counter these tactics and build a compelling case that demonstrates the true extent of your damages and the other party’s liability.
The experienced attorneys at our firm, including Domenic Iamele and Anton Iamele, bring decades of combined experience to motorcycle accident cases. Domenic Iamele began his legal career with the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, prosecuting various criminal matters between 1970 and 1975. Anton Iamele had the honor of beginning his law career as a clerk for Chief Judge Joseph F. Murphy, Jr. of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, where he participated in the appellate review of civil and criminal cases throughout Maryland.
Building Your Motorcycle Accident Case
A successful motorcycle accident claim requires careful preparation and meticulous attention to detail. Our attorneys immediately begin gathering crucial evidence, including police reports, witness statements, medical records, and accident scene photographs. We work with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to establish liability and demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and losses.
Time is critical in motorcycle accident cases. Physical evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories can fade, and important deadlines for filing claims can pass. That’s why we encourage accident victims to contact our firm as soon as possible after their accident for a free confidential case analysis.
Our firm’s trial experience has proven key to our success in obtaining positive results for our clients over the years. We are prepared to take your case to court if necessary, and our superior courtroom skills often help us achieve favorable settlements before trial as insurance companies recognize our commitment to aggressive advocacy.
Why Motorcycle Accidents are So Much More Complicated
Although any auto accident claim has the potential to become complicated, claims involving motorcycle accidents almost always are, for a few different reasons.
The first is that the injuries incurred during a motorcycle accident are much more serious than other auto accidents. Before filing a claim, accident victims must reach maximum medical improvement so they know how much to claim in damages.
Motorcyclists also face great bias from juries and insurance companies. They are often seen as reckless and dangerous, even though bikers are usually some of the safest motorists on the road. Other drivers will try to lay blame on bikers due to this bias and claim they were speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, or riding impaired, even when these claims are not true. This makes a motorcycle accident claim more difficult because victims must prove these arguments are not true before they can claim the full amount of compensation they deserve.
To ensure this bias does not hurt a claim, it is crucial that accident victims do not speak to the other party’s insurance company on their own. Due to the fact that Maryland follows a fault system in motorcycle accidents, the insurance company typically calls victims soon after the crash, hoping to get them to admit fault or say something that can be taken out of context. Only an attorney should speak to the insurance company so they do not use these strategies.
Compensation Available in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcycle accident victims may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover quantifiable losses such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and property damage. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses.
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available. Our attorneys carefully evaluate each case to identify all potential sources of compensation and pursue maximum recovery for our clients.
We understand that motorcycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries requiring long-term care and rehabilitation. Our comprehensive approach ensures that future medical needs and lost earning capacity are properly calculated and included in your claim.
Baltimore Motorcycle Accident FAQs
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident?
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Call police to report the accident, gather contact information from witnesses, take photographs of the accident scene if possible, and contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as you are able.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Maryland?
Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances can affect this timeline, so it’s important to consult with an attorney promptly.
What if I was partially at fault for the motorcycle accident?
Maryland follows a contributory negligence rule, which can be harsh for accident victims. However, there are exceptions and strategies that experienced attorneys can employ to protect your rights even in complex liability situations.
Will my case go to trial?
While many motorcycle accident cases settle out of court, our attorneys are fully prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to secure fair compensation. Our proven trial experience often helps achieve better settlement negotiations.
How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless we secure compensation for you.
What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
We can help you explore all available options for compensation, including your own insurance coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists, and other potential sources of recovery.
Serving Throughout Baltimore
- Federal Hill
- Fells Point
- Canton
- Inner Harbor
- Mount Vernon
- Hampden
- Roland Park
- Charles Village
- Bolton Hill
- Patterson Park
Contact a Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you during this difficult time. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP are ready to fight aggressively for your rights and pursue the full compensation you deserve. We serve clients throughout Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, offering evening and weekend meetings for your convenience. Our family practice treats clients with close, personal, and hands-on attention because that’s how we would expect to be treated if seeking legal services ourselves. Contact our firm today to schedule your complimentary consultation and find out how we can help with your most pressing legal matter.
