Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Lawyers Helping Motorcyclists Hold Negligent Drivers Responsible for Accidents in Baltimore, MD

Riding a motorcycle offers a sense of freedom, but motorcycle riders will face risks that may not affect other people. Unlike people in cars or trucks, motorcyclists are not protected by the structure of a vehicle that can absorb the force of a collision. There are no airbags, seatbelts, or other safety systems to provide protection. When another driver makes a careless or reckless decision and collides with a motorcycle, the consequences can be devastating.

Motorcyclists who have been involved in accidents in Baltimore will often need to deal with serious physical injuries, extensive financial losses, and physical and emotional trauma. The medical expenses related to an injury may be massive, and they may struggle financially if they are required to take time away from work while recovering. To ensure that a person will be able to obtain compensation for the harm they have suffered, legal representation from a skilled lawyer is crucial. At Silverman Thompson, we stand alongside injured motorcycle riders, working to protect their rights and secure the full financial compensation they are owed.

Why Motorcyclists Are at Risk on the Road

When a car or truck strikes a motorcycle, the rider's body will usually absorb the impact directly. Even when wearing safety gear, the human body may be unable to stand up to the forces involved in a collision.

The injuries that occur in motorcycle accidents are likely to be severe and catastrophic, potentially leading to permanent impairments. Traumatic brain injuries are common even for riders who wear helmets. Spinal cord injuries can occur in the impact with a vehicle or when a motorcyclist lands on the pavement, and they can result in permanent paralysis. Road rash can cause extensive damage to the skin on multiple parts of the body while also leading to infections and scarring. Broken bones, dislocated joints, torn ligaments, and damage to the hands, feet, and legs can also occur in crashes, and multiple surgeries and extended periods of rehabilitation may be needed to address these forms of bodily harm.

Beyond the physical effects of a motorcycle accident, the financial impact on a victim can be devastating. Long hospital stays, surgical procedures, ongoing physical therapy, lost income, and the need for long-term care or home modifications can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. At the same time, a person's quality of life may be affected, and they may struggle with both physical pain and emotional distress as they work to recover from their injuries.

The Role of Driver Negligence in Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcycle riders are often the victims of drivers who engage in careless behavior. Motorcycle crashes may be caused by multiple forms of negligence, including:

Failure to See Motorcycle Riders

One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents is a driver's failure to notice a motorcycle at all. Motorcycles are much smaller than cars, and many drivers develop habits of looking for larger vehicles without scanning for motorcycles. Left-turn collisions can take place when a driver turns across the path of an approaching motorcycle. Other intersection accidents involving motorcycles can happen because a driver does not look carefully to make sure the road is clear before proceeding.

Unsafe Lane Changes and Merging

Commercial trucks and passenger vehicles have blind spots, and failing to check these areas before changing lanes can lead to a collision with a motorcycle. A driver who merges without signaling, changes lanes without warning, or cuts off a motorcycle rider can cause a sideswipe accident or a crash in which a motorcycle is forced off the road.

Distracted and Impaired Driving

Distracted driving has become a serious concern on the roads as more and more people use smartphones to make calls, check text messages, browse social media, play music, or look up directions while driving. A driver who is focused on their phone or on other activities, such as eating or grooming, may fail to slow down, stop, or swerve in time to avoid a motorcycle. Alcohol and drug impairment is another serious concern, and drivers who are intoxicated will be more likely to take unsafe actions that could lead to motorcycle accidents.

Tailgating

Motorcycles can stop more quickly than many drivers may expect. A driver who is following behind a motorcycle too closely may not have enough time to brake if the rider slows down suddenly. A rear-end collision can launch a rider from their bike, resulting in severe injuries.

How Silverman Thompson Supports Injured Motorcyclists

Our lawyers understand the challenges that motorcycle accident victims face. Some people have biases against motorcycle riders, believing that they take unnecessary risks or are likely to drive unsafely. Insurance companies may try to exploit these biases and blame a motorcycle accident victim for causing a collision. Our lawyers will work to build thorough, evidence-based cases that demonstrate that another driver was at fault for a motorcycle accident while addressing the full extent of the damages suffered by an injured rider.

From the outset, our attorneys will take steps to gather and preserve the evidence that matters in a motorcycle accident case. We will obtain traffic camera footage, witness statements, police reports, cell phone records, and other crucial information. We can work with accident reconstruction experts to make sure the causes of an accident are fully understood. By proving that another party's negligence was responsible for a collision, we can help ensure that a victim will be able to recover compensation for their injuries.

We communicate directly with insurance companies so our clients do not have to field calls or make statements that could later be used against them. We will also work to negotiate settlements that will meet our clients' needs. When insurance adjusters make settlement offers that do not reflect the true cost of an injury, we are prepared to push back and fight for our clients' rights. With our experience litigating personal injury cases, we are ready to take cases to trial when necessary and fight for the maximum compensation available.

Contact Our Baltimore, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

For motorcyclists who have been injured on Baltimore roads because of the negligence of others, legal help from Silverman Thompson can be essential. Our lawyers fight for our clients' rights, helping them secure the full compensation they deserve so they can make a full recovery. Contact our Baltimore motorcycle accident injury attorneys at 410-385-2225 to arrange a free consultation.

Meet Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Andrew G. Slutkin, Senior Partner

Steven D. Silverman, Managing Partner

Ethan S. Nochumowitz, Partner

Jason T. Wasserman, Partner

Laura A. Simmons, Partner

Kurt E. Nachtman, Partner