Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

What To Do Immediately After A Baltimore Motorcycle Accident

Due to the severity of injuries typically sustained in a motorcycle accident, your priority should always be to get appropriate medical care and attention. If an ambulance has not yet been called and you are capable of doing so yourself, you should contact emergency responders to evaluate the extent of your injuries. 

If you or a family member can take photos, you should take photos of the motorist’s vehicle, license plate, driver’s license, insurance information, and the scene of the accident. Also, it is best to avoid discussing the accident with the other party or with either insurance company, should they contact you. 

After receiving all necessary medical treatment, you should immediately contact an experienced Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer at Hyatt & Goldbloom. Our personal injury team will help oversee the initial steps of your case. 

After experiencing such a traumatic event, you should not have to worry about the insurance claim process. At this stage, our team of qualified Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys can initiate communications with the insurance companies and complete any remaining investigative tasks. We take care of all of the legal work so that you can worry about resting and healing from the accident.

Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Baltimore

Many varying factors and circumstances can cause motorcycle accidents. There are many situations when a motorist’s negligence is the sole cause of a motorcycle accident. The most common cause of motorcycle accidents in Baltimore is from other cars failing to see a motorcycle in traffic. Due to a motorcycle’s small size, another driver may not detect a motorcycle if they are not paying full attention to the road. Unsurprisingly, intersections are the most commonplace for motorcycle accidents to occur. These accidents happen more often than not because the driver did not see the motorcycle until it was too late. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents in Baltimore include:

• Drunk drivers
• Distracted motorists
• Failure of car or truck driver to check their blind spot
• Hazardous roads
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Roadway defects

Motorcycle Accident Treatment, Recovery and Costs

The degree of severity varies depending on the motorcycle accident. Consequently, different types of injuries from a motorcycle crash require other treatments and costs. Nonetheless, it is possible to make some predictions based on the injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Minor treatment and recovery

Cuts and bruises, minor broken bones, and similar smaller injuries often require minimal care. Luckily, extended hospital stays are not required, though additional checkups or appointments may be. After a motorcycle accident, this type of treatment can result in medical bills and lost wages due to missed time at work.

Long-term care

More extensive motorcycle accident injuries, such as severe damage to the limbs or broken bones, can require more extended medical care. These injuries typically involve a lengthy hospital stay, the need for assisted care for a few months, and additional medical expenses. Medical bills, weeks or months of lost salary, and other costs can add up with such treatment after a motorcycle accident.

Physical therapy

Even after a motorcycle accident victim’s initial treatment and care, there may still be additional long-term medical requirements like physical therapy. Physical therapy can result in long-term medical costs and future work loss due to changes in lifestyle or missed career opportunities following the accident.

Lifelong recovery

Motorcycle accident injuries that result in paralysis or similar severe conditions require lifelong therapy or medical treatment and have tremendous financial consequences. Medical expenses, loss in salary, alterations to your home and vehicle, and other future costs can be difficult to calculate or even imagine on your own. Having an experienced Baltimore motorcycle accident attorney by your side can help you recover from the pain caused by the other driver’s negligence.

Maryland Motorcycle Traffic Laws

Maryland has enacted various motorcycle traffic laws to help ensure the safety of motorcyclists and those around them. As a motorcyclist, it is important to know Maryland’s motorcycle laws. Knowing the relevant laws will ensure compliance with state statutes and help avoid injury. Motorcycle accidents often result in serious, potentially life-threatening injuries to the motorcyclist. By adhering to the safety requirements laid out in Maryland’s motorcycle laws, you can lower the chance of an accident occurring and decrease the severity of injuries should an accident occur. A Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer can better explain the intricacies of Maryland motorcycle traffic laws.

The Difference Between Maryland Motorcycle Laws And Standard Traffic Laws

In the eyes of Maryland traffic law, motorcycles are considered the same as any other standard automobile. Motorcyclists are required to follow the same traffic rules that passenger automobiles must follow. However, due to the additional safety risks motorcycles pose, Maryland has enacted some extra laws regarding motorcycle licensing, safety equipment, and the specific rules of the road.

The Required Class M Maryland Motorcycle License

According to Maryland law, to lawfully drive a motorcycle in Maryland, you must obtain a Class M Motorcycle license. The Class M license is obtained separately from a standard Class C noncommercial driver’s license. There are several different ways to acquire a Class M license, depending on your age and the particular circumstances. Here are some of the most common methods of obtaining a Class M Motorcycle license in Maryland:

• Suppose you already have a valid Maryland driver’s license. In that case, the only requirement is you must complete an approved Motorcycle Safety Program course. After passing the safety course and presenting a certificate of completion to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), you will be eligible for a Class M License.
• Suppose you are over the age of 18 and already have a valid Maryland driver’s license. In that case, you can omit to complete a Motorcycle Safety Program (although this is not recommended). If you meet these conditions, you can obtain a Class M License by demonstrating your ability to read road signs and passing the vision, knowledge, and driving skills tests. This information can be found in the MVA’s Motorcycle Operator Manual.
• If you are a new Maryland resident, you can exchange your valid out-of-state motorcycle license for a Class M license so long as you meet the minimum vision requirements (at least 20/40 corrected vision in each eye). If your out-of-state motorcycle license has been expired for over a year, you must take the knowledge and rider skills tests, in addition to passing the minimum vision requirements.
• Suppose you are under the age of 18. In that case, you must take a driver education course that includes thirty hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. Those under 18 must also complete an approved motorcycle safety program. Regardless of age, any new driver (meaning the Class M license will be their first driver’s license) must also obtain a learner’s permit before receiving a Class M motorcycle license.

While these are the most common paths for obtaining a Class M Maryland motorcycle license, other factors can affect the process. For example, suppose the Class M license will be your first driver’s license. In that case, you must complete a driver education course (subject to the exact requirements as someone under 18 seeking a Class M license). However, if you are a new driver over the age of 18, you are not required to take a motorcycle safety program. For more detailed information about obtaining a Class M license, see the MVA’s Motorcycle Operator Manual.