If you were involved in a motorcycle accident because a vehicle driver was negligent or driving dangerously, recklessly, or carelessly, you could be entitled to financial compensation. At the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow, our Havre de Grace motorcycle accident lawyer will help you navigate the legal system. Our goal is to get you the compensation you deserve and to hold the at-fault driver responsible for his actions.
COMMON CAUSES AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research cites vehicle drivers making left turns as a common cause of motorcycle versus vehicle accidents. As many as 42% of all fatal motorcycle accidents share this cause. Additional causes include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Alcohol overuse
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
Our motorcycle accident attorneys will work hard to prove the cause of your accident and to collect evidence that proves the at-fault driver’s liability and financial responsibility.
WE REPRESENT YOU THROUGHOUT THE SETTLEMENT PROCESS OF YOUR ACCIDENT CLAIM
Settlement negotiations can involve several rounds of back-and-forth communication and exchanges of financial offers. It can be a long, detailed process, and it can be difficult to resolve your motorcycle accident case on your own. At the beginning of settlement talks, our motorcycle accident lawyers will request the following types of recoverable damages:
- Economic damages which include short- and long-term medical treatment, short- and long-term income loss, damage or loss of your motorcycle, and any other tangible, accident-related costs.
- Non-economic damages which include physical disability, lasting or permanent disfigurement, mental and emotional angst, and ongoing physical pain and suffering.
- Wrongful death damages, if necessary, which include funeral and burial expenses and loss of your loved one’s companionship, counseling, guidance, and support.
We carefully assess your damages, ensure their value is accurate and negotiate on your behalf. Our goal is to resolve your case without going to court and to let you and your family start the physical and emotional recovery process as soon as possible.
For legal consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney in Havre de Grace, call (410)777-8960
THESE INNOCENT MISTAKES COULD REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU CAN GET FOR YOUR INJURY CLAIM
The monetary value of your Havre de Grace motorcycle crash is not set in stone at the moment of the collision. The at-fault driver’s insurer will grasp at any straw to pay you less money than you deserve. Here are some pitfalls you will want to avoid to protect the amount you could receive in settling your claim.
Signing Papers Without Reading and Understanding Them
Hardly anyone reads and understands every word of legal documents before signing them. Whether you read the settlement papers or not, the law will hold you to whatever those documents say. As a result, if you try to handle your injury claim on your own without a lawyer on your side, you could get tricked into releasing your claim for compensation.
The claims adjuster might ask you to sign a stack of papers without telling you that one of the documents is a waiver or release of liability for their client. If you sign that paper, your right to compensation is gone.
Believing the Claims Adjuster Is On Your Side
Claims adjusters are not necessarily bad people. They are simply doing their job, which involves disposing of insurance claims for little or no money. Remember, you do not sign the claims adjuster’s paycheck, and they do not work for you. Instead, the adjuster’s job is to act in the best interests of the insured party and the insurance company’s shareholders.
Getting Talked Out of Hiring a Lawyer
Representatives from the at-fault party’s insurance company might badmouth personal injury lawyers to get you not to hire an attorney to handle your accident claim. Of course, insurance companies employ hundreds of lawyers to work for them. Do you think they would do that if having attorneys fight for them was a waste of money?
Posting on Social Media
If you habitually document your life on social media, you will want to take a complete break from doing so until your injury case is over. We urge our clients not to post photographs, comments, or anything else while their claims are pending.
Regardless of the privacy settings on your social media account, the insurer could gain access. Then, they could take your posts out of context and twist them into something you never intended.
Thinking That You Can Come Back and Get More Money
Suppose you sign a waiver or release to get a quick settlement check from the insurance company. In that case, you might not realize that signing that paper prohibits you from ever recovering more money—even if you eventually need additional medical procedures or have a permanent disability from your injuries. Instead, you will have to pay all your medical bills out of that one check.
These examples show what could go wrong, taking money out of your pocket. Since we deal directly with the claims adjuster, our clients can avoid many of these situations.
Havre de Grace Motorcycle Accident Attorney (410)777-8960
HOW A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY CAN BENEFIT YOUR CASE
Because you are exposed to the impact of the road and the ground, a motorcycle accident can leave you seriously injured or incapacitated. Our motorcycle accident lawyer takes over when your injuries impact your ability to participate in your case. Our legal team will:
- Foster frequent communication by providing you with a phone number, email address, and unique text number
- Support your all-around recovery because we understand the impact a serious accident can have on you and your family
Our law firm can suggest medical professionals to help you maximize your recovery. We choose the same highly qualified health care providers we send our own family, friends, and team members to. We also collect and organize your evidence and present it on your behalf.
CRASH REPORT
Your motorcycle crash report is a key piece of evidence in proving the validity of your case. It will contain a wealth of information, including:
- Contact information
- Witness statements
- Police narratives
- Diagrams and photos
- Alcohol involvement
We obtain your crash report for you so you can concentrate on getting well. We also collect employment records and medical records that support the compensation portion of your case.
MEDICAL RECORDS
Your medical records are instrumental in more ways than one. Not only do they help us with the value of your claim, but they also help establish cause. Your medical records will include EMT reports and bills that track your injuries right from the accident site. They go on to note the need for additional medical care and your long-term prognosis.
MARYLAND LAW LIMITS YOUR TIME TO FILE A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CLAIM
In Maryland, your ability to sue a negligent driver is limited to a specific amount of time. Failing to meet the state’s filing deadline threatens your right to compensation. Because several factors can change the filing deadline, it can be challenging to understand and interpret on your own.
Therefore, the best way to ensure compliance with the statute of limitations and make sure your potential lawsuit is filed on time is to get a motorcycle accident attorney involved in your case early. This also allows ample time to conduct a detailed investigation.
SEE WHY PREVIOUS CLIENTS RECOMMEND OUR LAW FIRM
When clients we represented in the past get the best outcome of their case, they tell others about our firm. They say:
- “I was in a serious motorcycle accident… I lacked any medical insurance to cover nearly $100,000 in bills…Adam was able to work with the doctors, hospital, rehabilitation center and insurance companies to greatly reduce my medical… I walked out of Adam’s office with all bills paid and a large settlement check.” – John N
- “Adam Smallow is the most professional, truthful, and caring lawyer you can ever find. He has a very pleasant character… He is always available when you need him… I recommend him 100%.” – Safa
We work hard to make every client we serve happy, and it shows in the referrals and recommendations on our client testimonials page.
Click to contact our Havre de Grace Personal Injury Attorneys today
CONTACT OUR OFFICE TO RECEIVE YOUR NO-COST MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASE REVIEW TODAY
After a motorcycle crash in Havre de Grace, our motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue the at-fault driver for financial compensation. Get a free review of your claim by reaching out to the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow today.
Call or text (410)777-8960 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form